PeaceHealth University District Hospital Emergency Department to Close December 1
PeaceHealth announced today that the emergency department at Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District will cease operations at 7 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023. After that time, people in the Eugene-Springfield area needing emergency medical attention can continue to access care at the emergency departments at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield, or PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center in Cottage Grove.
PeaceHealth is taking this step after announcing in August the start of a comprehensive process to close the underutilized University District hospital.
“We’re grateful for the many productive conversations over the past few months, both internally and within the community,” said Dr. James McGovern, interim chief executive and chief medical officer of the PeaceHealth Oregon network. “We are proud to maintain inpatient behavioral health and inpatient rehabilitation services without interruption and offer extended-hours urgent care services in a more centralized Eugene location.”
“We’re also heartened by the progress being made with numerous state and local partners on care options for members of our community who frequently come to the University District emergency department with social, rather than medical, needs,” Dr. McGovern said.
PeaceHealth is conducting extensive community outreach regarding the emergency department closure – including signage in multiple locations and languages, flyers in multiple languages sent to community organizations and digital, social media, and traditional press notifications.
“We are proud to maintain inpatient behavioral health and inpatient rehabilitation services without interruption and offer extended-hours urgent care services in a more centralized Eugene location.”
– Dr. James McGovern, Interim Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer of the PeaceHealth Oregon network
The vast majority of University District hospital caregivers will have positions at other PeaceHealth locations, including at RiverBend and Cottage Grove Community Medical Center. This will result in improved staffing at both hospitals and their emergency departments. The next step in planning is continued focus on renovation and process improvements at the RiverBend emergency department to reduce wait times and enhance patient experience.
PeaceHealth has been committed to Lane County for nearly 100 years and remains focused on providing safe, high-quality and compassionate care for all in the region. As a reminder for when to seek care at an emergency department and when to seek care at an urgent care, please use this resource.
About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Washington, is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a medical group practice with more than 1,100 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
