Former OHSU Hospital VP Claims He Raised Safety Concerns Before Firing

Tarek Salaway's attorney says he documented issues with patient safety, stewardship, and equity before being terminated.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:52am by Ben Kaplan

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of a hospital bed, with glowing ghostly lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the hidden issues of patient safety and institutional integrity that were reportedly raised by the former OHSU executive.An X-ray view of the hidden issues within a major academic health system, as reported by a former top executive.Portland Today

Tarek Salaway, the former Executive Vice President and CEO of the OHSU Health System, was abruptly fired last week by OHSU President Shereef Elnahal. Salaway's attorney, Jackie Ford, stated that during his brief tenure, Salaway had raised concerns related to patient safety, institutional stewardship, and aspects of the workplace climate, including concerns about equity and inclusion. Ford said there is documentation supporting Salaway's claims, but was unable to share it due to confidentiality or because it related to personnel matters.

Why it matters

Salaway's termination raises questions about OHSU's commitment to addressing patient safety, institutional integrity, and workplace culture issues that he had reportedly raised through proper channels. The lack of transparency around his firing has also sparked concerns about OHSU's accountability to its staff and the broader community it serves.

The details

Tarek Salaway stepped into the role of Executive Vice President and CEO of the OHSU Health System less than four months ago after a national search. As health system CEO, he was in charge of operations at OHSU's hospitals and outpatient clinics. Salaway had nearly three decades of leadership experience in major West Coast markets, most recently as a senior vice president for Kaiser Foundation Health Plans in the San Francisco Bay Area. OHSU has not commented on the reasons for Salaway's termination, but his attorney claims he had raised concerns about patient safety, institutional stewardship, and equity and inclusion issues prior to his firing.

  • Tarek Salaway was hired as OHSU Health System Executive VP and CEO less than 4 months ago.
  • Salaway was fired by OHSU President Shereef Elnahal on April 7, 2026.

The players

Tarek Salaway

The former Executive Vice President and CEO of the OHSU Health System, who was fired last week after raising concerns about patient safety, institutional stewardship, and equity and inclusion issues during his brief tenure.

Shereef Elnahal

The President of OHSU, who fired Tarek Salaway from his role as Executive VP and CEO of the OHSU Health System.

Jackie Ford

The attorney representing Tarek Salaway, who stated that Salaway had raised documented concerns prior to his termination.

Renee Edwards

The OHSU Healthcare Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, who is serving as acting CEO of the OHSU Health System until an interim replacement is announced.

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What they’re saying

“I remain confident the record will support the concerns I raised through the proper channels.”

— Tarek Salaway

“As CEO, I have an ethical obligation to raise concerns when I believe there are issues that could affect the long-term integrity, safety, or sustainability of the institution. My actions were guided by that duty.”

— Tarek Salaway

What’s next

OHSU has not announced a timeline for appointing an interim or permanent replacement for the OHSU Health System CEO role. The university is also expected to face continued scrutiny and questions about the circumstances surrounding Salaway's termination and the issues he reportedly raised.

The takeaway

Salaway's firing raises serious concerns about OHSU's commitment to addressing patient safety, institutional integrity, and workplace culture issues, especially when raised by senior leaders. The lack of transparency around his termination undermines public trust and highlights the need for greater accountability at Oregon's largest academic health center.