Phil and Penny Knight pledge $1.1 billion to Providence health system

The capital will transform the Portland-based campus by establishing a specialized facility for women that integrates maternity care, gynecology, and complex cardiovascular services. This centralized approach aims to close care gaps for patients managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes alongside pregnancy. The project will also generate hundreds of new clinical and administrative jobs, providing a significant boost to the regional economy.

The investment further strengthens the Providence Heart Institute, which currently treats approximately 63,000 patients annually—a sharp rise from 40,000 a decade ago. With this funding, the institute plans to acquire next-generation imaging technology, broaden its portfolio of clinical trials, and recruit top-tier physician leaders. The Knights previously contributed $200 million to the institute over the past ten years, a partnership that already bolstered the hospital's reputation in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.