OHSU: Merger with Legacy Expected to Enhance Patient Care

Meg Niemi, president of SEIU 49, shares a personal testimony in support of the proposed merger between Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Legacy Health. She recounts a distressing experience when her child was run over by a car and received exemplary care at OHSU, which she attributes to the hospital's high-quality, life-saving treatment and dedicated staff across various roles. Niemi, drawing from her extensive experience as a union organizer working with hospital caregivers, believes OHSU sets a benchmark with its well-staffed departments, teaching institution expertise, and family-wage jobs. The proposed merger, discussed in a recent public hearing, is intended to expand the reach of such quality care to more communities. She supports the merger, as it could potentially make the outstanding care her child received available to more families.