PORTLAND, Ore. (Sep. 15, 2026) — Phil and Penny Knight have committed $1.1 billion to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Providence Heart Institute, a historic gift that will fund Oregon’s first hospital dedicated to women’s health and expand cardiovascular care across the Pacific Northwest.
The gift is among the largest philanthropic contributions to a health care institution in American history, according to Providence. It will support the construction of a new women’s hospital, advancements in cardiovascular treatment and technology, expanded clinical trials, physician recruitment and programs designed to improve prevention, diagnosis and patient support.
“Penny and I have always believed that real breakthroughs come from people willing to take on the toughest challenges,” Phil Knight said. “Providence has shown that kind of ambition in cardiovascular care, and we see the same opportunity to do something truly distinctive for women’s health.”
The Knights’ latest commitment builds on their longstanding support of Providence Heart Institute. Over the past decade, they have contributed $200 million to the institute, helping expand cardiovascular programs, heart transplantation, research, innovation and physician recruitment.
Oregon’s first hospital dedicated to women’s health
The new women’s hospital will be located at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and will be integrated with services throughout the campus.
The facility will bring together care involving gynecology, pregnancy, labor and delivery, menopause, cardiovascular care and other specialties. Plans also call for a modernized neonatal intensive care unit and redesigned spaces for patients and their families.
Providence officials said the facility is intended to address increasingly complex health needs among pregnant patients, including those managing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, behavioral health issues and substance-use disorders.
“Women’s health needs change throughout life, and too often patients are asked to navigate multiple specialties and care settings on their own,” said Ray Moreno, chief executive of Providence St. Vincent. “The Knights’ gift is an opportunity to bring these resources together, expanding access for women across Oregon and creating a strong foundation to bridge care gaps in women’s health.”
Providence St. Vincent delivers more babies than any other hospital in Oregon, according to the health system.
Once completed, the women’s hospital is expected to create hundreds of clinical and nonclinical positions and contribute to economic activity in the Portland metropolitan area.
Expanding cardiovascular care
The gift also will support the next generation of cardiovascular care at Providence Heart Institute.
The institute treats nearly 63,000 patients annually from throughout the Pacific Northwest, an increase of about 23,000 patients compared with a decade ago, Providence said.
The latest funding will support advances in cardiac imaging, an expanded portfolio of clinical trials and the recruitment of physician leaders. Providence also plans to expand infrastructure and technology supporting complex cardiovascular treatment.
“Phil and Penny have been phenomenal partners and collaborators with the heart institute,” said Dan Oseran, M.D., executive medical director of Providence Heart Institute. “Their extraordinary generosity will expand infrastructure and technologies, as well as foster the recruitment of skilled specialists who will deliver exceptional and personalized care.”
Providence Heart Institute leads Oregon in cardiac surgical volume and provides access to clinical trials and emerging therapies. The institute has received national recognition for work involving cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support and cardiovascular data analytics.
Investment in patient care
A portion of the gift also will be used to improve services and technology intended to help patients navigate complex medical care.
“When the Sisters of Providence arrived 170 years ago, they partnered in the community to address pressing needs,” said Jennifer Burrows, chief executive of Providence Oregon. “The Knights’ extraordinary gift is a generational investment, leading to bold and innovative ideas that will shape healthcare in Oregon for decades to come.”
Providence President and CEO Erik Wexler called the contribution a transformational milestone for the health system and the broader Northwest.
“It enables us to create new possibilities in women’s health, in cardiovascular care as well as enhance access and support for patients,” Wexler said.
The Knights said their investment is intended to support medical teams pursuing advances in both women’s health and cardiovascular medicine.
“We’re proud to invest in teams that will change what’s possible for communities across Oregon and beyond,” Knight said.
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