OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital

07/25/2025

🎉🐾 Have you met this adorable face yet? Say hello to Darby! This sweet pup just celebrated her very first birthday - and what a year it’s been! Since February, she’s been wagging her way through Hospital Facility Dog training at OHSU. 🏩💙Now, Darby’s off to Assistance Dogs Northwest for the next exciting chapter: advanced training! With a little more learning (and a lot more treats), she’ll soon be creating smiles and giving comfort to patients, just like her friend Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher dog Casey. 🦮✨Happy 1st birthday, Darby! Keep being paw-some. 🐾🎂🎈

07/22/2025

THANK YOU ❤️🙏 and congrats on your great work! 🎊 Fastpitch Cares

07/21/2025

07/14/2025

Over 30 years ago, Darcie Jones and her husband were dreaming about the family they hoped to have. When Darcie found out she was pregnant, they were over the moon — and even more surprised to learn they were expecting quadruplets! 👶👶👶👶

When complications arose, Darcie delivered early, and all four newborns were admitted to our NICU. Among them was Ian, born at just 3 pounds, 3.5 ounces and in critical condition with serious lung issues. Fast forward to today: Ian recently completed a high-elevation marathon in Colorado — an achievement he proudly credits to the care he received as a baby. 🫁👟🏔️

Thanks to the incredible team at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher, Ian and his siblings have been thriving since day one. Today, we celebrate — help us wish a happy 34th birthday to the Jones family! 🎂🎈🥳

07/13/2025

Shoutout to Aldrich for putting together 100 amazing art care packages for the kids at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children's Hospital's Child Life program! Thanks for spreading creativity and smiles! 🎨🫟🖌️

07/10/2025

07/07/2025

Thank you Port of Portland for supporting Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program Medication & Firearm Lockbox Distribution Project.

07/01/2025

Have you ever seen a preemie with a potato head? That’s exactly what you’ll find in our NICU — because sometimes a little silliness brings a lot of strength. This heartwarming initiative from The Potato Head Project is all about reminding NICU parents they’re not alone, offering support, community, and to take it one tot-sized step at a time.

Each week, select NICU families place a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head next to their baby and snap a photo to mark milestones and celebrate progress. Nurse Hannah helped us deliver our latest NICU donation: a full set of Potato Heads, tiny baby leg warmers, plus cozy matching hats and blankets— all the ingredients for comfort and connection.

Pictured here is the beautiful Gianna, just 3 weeks old and already showing so much strength after arriving at 32 weeks. We can’t wait to watch you grow, little one. Check out her 1-week growth! 🥔🌱 Want to send a potato head to our NICU? Check out here to donate and note for OHSU: thepotatoheadproject.org

06/26/2025

NICH is such a powerful program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher, we're so happy to see our South Coast families benefitting from stable housing, access to food, and better health outcomes in just a few months.

Big changes are happening for vulnerable kids and families in Coos and Curry Counties — and we are very proud to be part of it.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)'s Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) is an innovative nonprofit program that supports kids with complex medical conditions who also face serious life challenges like trauma, housing instability, food insecurity, and mental health struggles. Started by Drs. Michael Harris and Kimberly Spiro back in 2011, NICH was built on the idea that world-class medical care isn’t enough if families can’t access transportation, safe housing, or basic necessities. That’s why NICH offers 24/7 support, in-home and community-based care, and a trusted guide to help families navigate the healthcare system.

With grants from Judith Ann Mogan Foundation, OHSU has been able to bring NICH to Coos and Curry Counties with incredible results. The local interventionist has worked with 9 families so far, helping them find stable housing, access food, and better health outcomes in just a few months.

NICH has shown proven results, including a 43% reduction in emergency room visits, a 43% decrease in hospitalizations, and a 57% shorter hospital length of stay.

Here’s a link where you can find more information about this exciting program: https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecher/novel-interventions-childrens-healthcare-nich

This is what it looks like when systems start working for families.