Sam Jackson Hall, OHSU

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

In February 1931, the Outpatient Clinic of the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) opened in a new building on the Marquam Hill campus. Both building and furnishings had been funded by a $400,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. This new building marked the first outpatient clinical facilities on campus. In 2006, the building was renamed Sam Jackson Hall in honor of Charles S. “Sam” Jackson, philanthropist and former publisher of the Oregon Journal, whose family donated 88 acres of land on Marquam Hill in 1924.

Images

University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Cinic exterior with Richfield sign, circa 1938.

Black and white photograph of the exterior of University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Clinic with the Richfield sign in the hills above campus.

University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Clinic and Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children, circa 1930s.

Black and white photograph of University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Clinic and Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children with two doctors standing by an automobile near the outpatient entrance.

Outpatient Clinic examination area at the University of Oregon Medical School, circa 1930s.

Black and white photograph of the Outpatient Clinic examination area at the University of Oregon Medical School. Four small examination areas with patient and provider chairs are separated by partial dividers.

Outpatient Clinic examination area at the University of Oregon Medical School, circa 1930s.

Black and white photograph of the Outpatient Clinic examination area at the University of Oregon Medical School, with a chair, foldable patient bed, small sink, and other supplies.

University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Clinic empty waiting room, circa 1930s.

Black and white photograph of the University of Oregon Medical School Outpatient Clinic empty waiting room.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

In the 1920s, the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) engaged with the independently operated People’s Institute and Free Dispensary on S.W. 4th and Jefferson in downtown Portland to operate outpatient clinics. However, the space was crowded, with laboratories and x-ray facilities alongside exam rooms, and instructors, students and patients crowded into the space. Its downtown location, while convenient, was quite loud, and doctors worried about the many distractions and noise generated by the busy streets outside.

This situation improved in 1929 when a gift of $400,000 from the Carnegie-funded General Education Board of New York made possible a modern outpatient clinic on the Marquam Hill campus. In February 1931, all employees of the Portland Free Dispensary were transferred to the new Outpatient Clinic facility along with the financial resources of the Dispensary, which amounted to $49,421. The clinic opened shortly afterward, with the goal of increased capacity to serve patients without financial resources from around the region.

The outpatient clinic remained concentrated in this building until additional clinic space opened in buildings such as the new Center for Health & Healing in 2006. At present, Sam Jackson Hall continues to house patient clinic locations. It also houses administrative and academic offices, as well as Sam's Café on the second floor.

Sources

OHSU School of Medicine. "Reflections on Yesterday: OHSU School of Medicine History." 2004. https://doi.org/10.6083/g158bj09p

Piasecki, Sara. "Portland Free Dispensary," Oregon Encyclopedia. September 19th 2019. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/portland_free_dispensary/#.YLf_YOtlCqA.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

OHSU Digital Collections, https://doi.org/10.6083/M44748GK

OHSU Digital Collections, https://doi.org/10.6083/M4XP73HQ

OHSU Digital Collections, https://doi.org/10.6083/M49Z93G6

OHSU Digital Collections, https://doi.org/10.6083/M4668BRS

OHSU Digital Collections, https://doi.org/10.6083/M42F7M01