The Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has received a \$2.1 million donation aimed at tackling one of America’s most widespread chronic diseases—diabetes. The generous contribution was announced on June 4 by real estate developer and philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer, representing the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.
The donation comes as part of the center’s efforts to further its mission of advancing diabetes care and research. Schnitzer made the announcement during a ceremony to honor Rodica Busui, M.D., Ph.D., who was appointed the inaugural Jordan Schnitzer Endowed Chair in Diabetes at the center. Dr. Busui, who joined OHSU last year to lead the center, is focused on expanding the center’s impact and positioning it as a national leader in diabetes treatment and research.
“This award will empower us to build on the center’s legacy of excellent patient care and to drive pioneering research that can lead to new therapies and innovations in diabetes treatment,” Dr. Busui said. She outlined plans for the center to integrate cutting-edge research into clinical practice, develop personalized care strategies, and expand outreach programs, particularly to underserved areas such as rural communities.
Dr. Busui also emphasized the importance of training the next generation of diabetes clinicians and researchers. Her vision for the center includes improving diabetes care nationwide and enhancing quality of life for people living with the disease.
The Schnitzer family’s donation honors the legacy of Jordan Schnitzer’s late father, Harold Schnitzer, a diabetes patient who was a vocal advocate for better treatment options and research in the field.
In addition to this \$2.1 million gift, the center recently received a \$2.8 million grant from the Breakthrough T1D Foundation. This funding will help establish a joint Center of Excellence at OHSU and the University of Michigan, with a focus on reversing cardio-renal complications in Type 1 diabetes and accelerating the development of new treatments.
Dr. Busui, a past president of the American Diabetes Association, noted that the rise in diabetes cases across the U.S. can be attributed to changes in lifestyle, particularly sedentary habits and poor diets. She stressed that the center’s efforts will not only focus on preventing diabetes but also on managing its complications, such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and amputations. “It’s crucial to help those already affected by diabetes live a normal life by preventing the progression of advanced complications,” Dr. Busui said.
Diabetes currently affects approximately 41 million people in the U.S., or about 12% of the population. The new funding will support efforts to recruit top-tier early-career clinician-scientists, expand educational programs, and enhance engagement with patients and the community.
This donation follows a significant gift in 2007 from Harold and Arlene Schnitzer, who contributed \$5.5 million to establish the region’s first specialized diabetes center. The continued support from the Schnitzer family is poised to further elevate OHSU’s ability to address the growing diabetes crisis.
