Dr. Joe Robertson, the former president of Oregon Health & Science University who guided the state’s only academic health center through more than a decade of growth, has died. He was 73.

Robertson, a retinal surgeon, joined OHSU’s faculty in 1985 and spent his career at the institution. He became president in 2006 and led OHSU until 2017, stepping down after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Under his leadership, OHSU added thousands of employees and faculty members, developed partnerships with hospitals across Oregon, and dramatically expanded its footprint on Portland’s on the South Waterfront, connected to the Marquam Hill campus by the Portland Aerial Tram that opened during Robertson’s presidency.

Robertson also led efforts to increase OHSU’s research profile, growing annua

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