Why Phil Knight’s $2B gift to Oregon cancer institute is a ‘game changer’: Six Takeaways
Oregon Health & Science University says it’s the biggest donation ever to a U.S. college or academic medical center. The Nike co-founder and his wife are longtime supporters of OHSU.
After upending the sneaker business, Phil Knight is donating $2 billion with the hopes of kicking cancer to the curb.
The co-founder of Nike, Knight and his wife Penny Knight have pledged to donate $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University. The money will go to the Knight Cancer Institute, and the Knights say they are aiming to transform cancer care and, eventually, end the disease as it’s known today.
The university made the announcement Thursday, garnering national attention. Here are six key takeaways.
Record breaking
The university says the commitment is the largest to a U.S. college or academic medical center. The Knights’ donation surpasses Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion contribution to Johns Hopkins University in 2018, which that institution hailed as a record at the time.
The Knights previously pledged $500 million to the Knight Cancer Institute in 2013, if the university could match that gift within two years. OHSU met the challenge and secured $1 billion in donations.
Integrating research and treatment
Brian Druker, MD, the director of the Knight Cancer Institute, says the donation will advance the center’s work to develop cutting-edge research.
But the cancer center is also looking to radically improve treatment for those battling the disease.
“It can seem impossible to navigate the health care system after being diagnosed with cancer,” Druker said in a statement. “We’re going to change that. We have revolutionized the way we detect and treat cancer. Now we are going to transform the way we care for patients while continuing to develop innovative treatments.”
University officials say they aim to simplify the patient experience, and also will provide guidance on nutritional, counseling and other services.
At the press conference announcing the gift, Druker said his goal is to ensure the cancer institute "is the best place on Earth for cancer care."
Self-governing
With the donation, the Knight Cancer Institute will become a “self-governing” entity within the university.
The university says the gift will spur the creation of the Knight Cancer Group, which will lead the Knight Cancer Institute and manage OHSU’s cancer services. The new entity will have its own board of directors, and Dr. Druker will serve as its first president.
The Knights pointed to the new organizational structure in their announcement.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the transformational potential of this work for humanity. We are confident that establishing the Knight Cancer Institute as a self-governed entity within OHSU will help the Knight and OHSU reach these goals,” the Knights said.
Druker stepped down from his position as CEO of the Knight Cancer Institute in December. In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting at the time, he said OHSU employees had low morale and there was low trust in senior leaders.
“The general feeling is that we haven’t set a vision, we haven’t set priorities, we haven’t had a strategy,” he said in December.
Elevating Oregon
OHSU officials said the contribution will elevate the cancer institute and the university to a new level.
Steve Stadum, OHSU’s interim president until earlier this month, said in a statement, “This monumental gift is a game-changer, and not just for the Knight Cancer Institute.”
“This is an investment that will elevate OHSU and our entire state, give Oregonians another reason to be proud, and most importantly, provide unparalleled support to those with cancer,” he said.
The university said Stadum played an important role in working with the Knights and Druker to secure the donation.
‘Signal of trust’
Shereef Elnahal, who just stepped in as the new president of OHSU this month, called the gift “a signal of trust in the superlative work that our clinicians, researchers and teammates at the Knight Cancer Institute do every day.”
“Dr. Druker’s vision around a multidisciplinary system of care — focused squarely on making the patient’s experience seamless from the moment they receive a diagnosis — will now become reality,” Elnahal said in a statement. “And thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Knight, Oregon will be the place to do it.”
Elnahal previously served as under secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in President Biden’s administration.
Beyond the Northwest
University and state officials are hoping that the Knights’ donation will pay dividends for those in Oregon, and enhance the university’s reputation beyond the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek hailed the gift from the Knights and its implications.
“The nation will get to experience life-saving benefits from innovations and expertise in cancer treatment and care as the institution continues to push new boundaries,” Kotek said in a statement. “And this gift sends a signal to the world that Oregon is a place where amazing people make amazing things happen.”
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