In 1994, the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) became an affiliate committee of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Foundation. The MRF) was founded in 1942 by a group of businessmen and physicians for the purpose of stimulating medical research achievement in our state.

The vision of Drs. Eugene W. Rockey, Warren C. Hunter, and Adalbert G. Bettman was to “promote, encourage, and aid scientific investigation and research in the state.” Since then, thousands of Oregon researchers have launched their careers with MRF support.

That first year, the program awarded $200. Today, through philanthropic support, the program awards more than $1 million per year to support exceptional research projects throughout Oregon and to acknowledge the work of outstanding investigators and mentors.