Oregon Health & Science University in Portland evacuated its Richmond Family Health Center after receiving a bomb threat Aug. 3, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The center, which includes a primary care clinic and family medicine walk-in clinic, remained closed for in-person visits Aug. 4 "out of an abundance of caution," an OHSU spokesperson told Becker's. Patients could still access the clinic's pharmacy and conduct virtual visits. The health center is one of a few facilities at OHSU that offers gender-affirming care.
The bomb threat came after far-right, anti-trans groups posted online about a cancer patient who was allegedly dismissed by OHSU for remarks she made at the clinic about the LGBTQ community, according to an email sent to unionized hospital employees obtained by OPB.
In the email, AFSCME Chapter President Michael Stewart said a breast cancer patient grew upset after noticing a transgender flag hanging in the clinic's reception area. She reportedly engaged in a verbal conflict with staff and detailed her experience in posts online, which were picked up by several far-right groups.
The woman said OHSU sent her a letter notifying her that she was being dropped as a patient "because of ongoing disrespectful and hurtful remarks about our LGBTQ community and staff."
An OHSU spokesperson told Becker's that the organization is legally prohibited from confirming whether someone is a patient.
"OHSU patients, families and visitors have a responsibility to refrain from using discriminatory, profane, derogatory or threatening language, imagery or behavior, and understand that these behaviors can result in limitation of visiting privileges and impact access to care at OHSU," the health system said of its policies.
OHSU has implemented additional security members at the clinic since the threat and is offering other wellness resources to staff, the spokesperson said.