On Nov. 2, 1992, the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center bridge opened. The 660-foot-long suspended pedestrian enclosed skybridge is one of the longest in North America.

Partners since 1948, OHSU and Portland VA collaborate in many areas of education, patient care and research. During the 1960s the affiliation grew more significant, as medical student clerks and residents undertook about half of their clinical training there under School of Medicine-appointed VA hospital staff.

For many years, former OHSU School of Medicine Dean John Kendall dreamed of a bridge spanning the 150-foot-deep ravine that separated the two institutions. Kendall and former VA Portland Director Joe Ferry believed that the link would enhance efficiency and collaboration. Ferry authored the first request to Washington, D.C. for the building of such a bridge.