Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP), the group of doctors and physician assistants currently contracted by PeaceHealth to staff emergency departments in Lane County, Oregon, has publicly expressed a desire to continue its partnership with the hospital system, despite PeaceHealth’s decision to seek a fresh provider.
In a statement released Monday, EEP said it “firmly believe[s] in Oregonians serving Oregonians” and would “wholeheartedly welcome a path forward” that allowed them to continue practicing at PeaceHealth facilities under a local structure. The statement came after PeaceHealth announced last week it would not renew its decades-long contract with EEP, opting instead for ApolloMD, an Atlanta-based management company, to oversee its emergency departments starting in June.
The decision has prompted concern among some physicians, with 41 medical professionals – 32 doctors and 9 physician assistants – indicating they will not work under the new contractor for at least 90 days, according to reporting from The Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Dr. Charlotte Ransom, who spent 18 years working in PeaceHealth emergency departments, cited concerns about patient safety stemming from administrative decisions and the physical layout of the RiverBend facility, noting that the design offers less visibility than the now-closed University District hospital.
EEP has staffed PeaceHealth emergency departments for 35 years, beginning with a request from the hospital system in 1990 to incorporate as a contracting group, according to Dr. Scott Williams, a partner with EEP for the past 22 years. Contract renewals occurred every three years until November 2025, when PeaceHealth initiated a request for proposals for alternative staffing options. Williams stated that, prior to that point, PeaceHealth leadership had not raised any concerns regarding the quality of patient care provided by EEP.
However, Williams acknowledged that the emergency departments, particularly at RiverBend, had been facing challenges. Data from the Oregon Health Authority shows average wait times at RiverBend spiked from five to seven hours in the year following the closure of the University District emergency department in 2023, remaining elevated through early 2025. Ransom expressed concern that these issues would worsen with an increased patient load.
PeaceHealth has characterized the move to ApolloMD as an “investment in emergency care,” but has not yet responded to EEP’s offer to continue providing services. The hospital system has not publicly addressed the concerns raised by departing physicians regarding patient safety and departmental conditions.
EEP’s contract with PeaceHealth is set to expire this June.
