NEWS RELEASES

Founded in 1875, Legacy Good Samaritan celebrates a century and a half of healing, innovation, and community service
 
Portland, Ore., Oct. 16, 2025 - On Oct. 9, 2025, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center celebrated its 150th anniversary with a commemorative time capsule and a special event honoring its history and future. 

Founded in 1875 with 50 beds and five staff, Legacy Good Samaritan now employs more than 2,000 staff, including 700 nurses. It has 220 beds and serves thousands of patients each year. The event on Oct. 9 also included a mayoral proclamation highlighting the hospital’s role in health care. 

“We are pleased the City of Portland has proclaimed Oct. 9, 2025, as a day to recognize our hospital for the evolution of care that has taken place over the years. What started as an act of faith has blossomed into a legacy of excellence and a commitment to serve generations to come,” said Legacy Good Samaritan President Kevin O’Boyle.

Since its founding by Episcopal Bishop Benjamin Wistar Morris, Legacy Good Samaritan has achieved many innovative firsts in medicine impacting lives of patients in the region and beyond:

• 1887 Opened the first medical school in the region, which later became Oregon Health & Sciences University
• 1921 Opened the East Wing and Wilcox Maternity Hospital, Oregon’s first maternity hospital 
• 1965 Launched Oregon’s first dialysis department
• 1991 Established the first bloodless surgery program in the United States

Legacy Good Samaritan has become a hospital known for specialty programs and clinical excellence featuring nationally ranked programs and services, such as the Legacy Cancer Institute, Legacy Devers Eye Institute, Legacy Transplant Services, Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute and the Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon. 

“Generations of healthcare workers contributed to Good Samaritan’s success, and we recognize our current dedicated and hardworking Good Samaritan family who will carry that legacy forward,” said O’Boyle. “Finally, we extend our appreciation to the people of this community for placing their trust in us for their healthcare needs. Their support inspired us to innovate and expand our programs to provide enhanced services.”

Resources

• Watch on YouTube: Good Sam 150th Anniversary: An enduring legacy of care
• Read more about the legacy of Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center