Oregon Health Science University

This document outlines the strategic initiatives led by the Office of the Chief Research Information Officer at OHSU, focusing on leadership, innovation, and facilitating service across research informatics. Key initiatives include establishing institutional governance, implementing the OHSU 2025 enterprise-wide strategic plan for research informatics investment, and fostering external research collaborations. Innovation efforts prioritize enhancing research data capabilities, improving data quality, and establishing a Learning Health System. Service facilitation aims to streamline the research informatics user experience through improved access to data and tools, and comprehensive metadata resources.

The board meeting covered several key strategic and operational topics. Discussions included the Building Bridges to Healthcare Careers partnership, an update on the university's strategic planning process, and an annual report from the Privacy Office. Financial results and the preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget were presented, detailing positive operating margins and capital expenditure plans. Additionally, the board addressed union concerns regarding workforce labor agreements and the impact of program changes, discussed emergency department boarding challenges, and approved new committee appointments.

The special public meeting was convened to consider a resolution allowing OHSU to enter into negotiations with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the potential transition of the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) into a primate sanctuary. Key discussion points centered on the evolving landscape of research methods, ethical standards, and NIH's desire to reduce reliance on nonhuman primate studies. The proposed resolution authorizes the President to negotiate a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NIH over 180 days. This negotiation must address continued funding for existing research projects, consultation with faculty and staff representatives, investment in new science areas, job preservation, and providing financial/management support for the sanctuary, while also pausing NHP breeding outside of ongoing research requirements.

The public meeting agenda focused primarily on the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). Key discussions involved the review of a report to the Legislature concerning the ONPRC, which detailed costs and considerations for three management scenarios in the event of significant funding reductions or federal policy changes. The presentation covered the ONPRC's science, organization, personnel, and finances, highlighting its scientific impact through publications and external partnerships, as well as outlining strategies to reduce its operational deficit, such as limited hiring and animal colony reduction. The documentation also provided detailed financial analysis and projected outcomes for various downsizing or closure scenarios for the ONPRC.

The meeting included discussion of the President's comments, public testimony, standing reports, annual reports from faculty, acceptance of independent auditors' reports on FY25 audited financial statements, annual integrity report, environmental health and safety update, and Knight Cancer Group update. The main agenda item was the report of KPMG on their audit of OHSU's FY25 financial statements. The second agenda item was an update on FY26 financial results through September. The meeting also covered audit results and strategy for the year ending June 30, 2025.