The following is a statement released by Oregon Health and Science University, regarding the lawsuit alleging that doctors botched Tom Ackerman's surgery:

STATEMENT FROM AMY WAYSON, OHSU GENERAL COUNSEL

August 21, 2006

While it is always unfortunate when a person is unhappy with their health care or feels that they have suffered some loss as a result of the care, there is no merit to Mr. Ackerman's claims. OHSU and its physicians provided high quality care to Mr. Ackerman. We are confident that the jury will find this to be the case and that OHSU and its caregivers will be exonerated. OHSU is a leader in providing high quality health care in the Portland metropolitan area, and in the State.

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BACKGROUND ON OHSU

OHSU is Oregon's public academic health center. OHSU educates health care providers, discovers cures, translates research into improved health care for Oregonians, provides state-of-the art health care, and improves health care access for rural and underserved communities and for Oregon's most seriously ill patients.

OHSU includes a School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, OGI School of Science & Engineering, OHSU and Doernbecher Childrens hospitals, OHSU Medical Group, numerous primary and specialty clinics, multiple research institutes, and several community service and outreach units. In 2005, OHSU provided care for about 164,000 medical patients.

Kathleen McFall

Senior Communications Coordinator