Legacy Good Samaritan at 150: Staff Reflects on Why It's Special
September 19, 2025
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On its 150th anniversary, Legacy Good Samaritan celebrates the people who have always been there for the patients
It takes a large and diverse village to run Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Providers, nurses, administrative staff, lab technicians, food service personnel, security specialists, and so many more. Each individual helps make the hospital the safe and welcoming place that has always been there for the people of Northwest Portland. What these staffers collectively share is a drive and commitment to make patient care the focus of everything they do.
As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Legacy Good Samaritan honors the personal stories of their amazing employees. The journeys of just a few of the thousands of staffers highlighted here vary. But each one inspires with their unique backstory and outlook: How they ended up working at Legacy Good Samaritan and why they’ve stayed so long to make it a special and trusted place for healing and care.
Cindy Evans
Retired Chief Nursing Officer
Cindy Evans started as a nurse at Legacy Good Samaritan in 1968. Northwest Portland was sparser and grittier back then, and the world seemed simpler, too. Cindy learned a lot in the decades that followed. By the mid-1980s, she began to transition into a more administrative and supervisory role. After the hospital joined the Legacy Health system, Cindy became Legacy Good Samaritan’s chief nursing officer, helping patients by nurturing and teaching the next generation of nurses.
Though she’s now retired, Cindy keeps close tabs on Legacy Good Samaritan. With her friend, Kathy Shach, Cindy oversees the hospital’s historical archives. Recently, Cindy reflected on her decades of helping the patients of Legacy Good Samaritan, and how meaningful it was for her to help shape a generation of nurses.
Minh Nguyen
Hospital Cafeteria Cashier
For Minh Nguyen, a cashier at the hospital’s cafeteria, Legacy Good Samaritan is a place where “everyone is welcome and treated well.” Simple words, timeless wisdom.
Minh began working at the hospital 24 years ago. She was drawn to the job because of her love of food but she’s stayed because she’s loved helping patients and staff. Minh has witnessed many changes and events during her 24 years. The one most etched into her memory was the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While stores and offices were closed everywhere in the city, Legacy Good Samaritan stayed open, with staffers showing up to work even with the high risk potential of contracting the virus. That collective bravery left “a lasting impression” on Minh.
As part of Legacy Good Samaritan’s 150th anniversary, Minh spoke about her experiences at the hospital and recounted the changes and evolutions she has witnessed during her time here.
Lance Nguyen
Administrative Assistant
Years ago, Lance Nguyen needed to satisfy some mandatory volunteer hours while he was a high school student. That situation led him to Legacy Good Samaritan, where his mom worked and where he eventually volunteered as a front desk person, directing visitors within the hospital.
Lance has since worn many professional hats at the hospital. He subsequently worked in environmental services before becoming a certified nurse assistant and then an office assistant. Now he’s an administrative assistant. The various positions have given Lance the chance to see so much of what goes on at Legacy Good Samaritan. What’s kept Lance working at the hospital after more than 20 years is the culture and the people. “We treat others the way we want to be treated and strive to do the right thing,” he says.
Lance recently talked about his many years and experiences at Legacy Good Samaritan, including a touching interaction with colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic that he says he’ll never forget.
Learn more about Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center's 150th Anniversary |
