Tarek Salaway, the former chief executive of OHSU Health, has filed a lawsuit against the university seeking $15.5 million in damages. Salaway served in the role for less than four months before his termination in April 2026. The legal complaint alleges that the university retaliated against him after he raised internal concerns regarding patient safety, discriminatory practices, and the allocation of public funds.
According to the court filing, Salaway identified significant issues, including overcrowding in the emergency department and quality control problems impacting pediatric care. He also claims that his efforts to question $3 million in renovation spending at Hillsboro Medical Center drew opposition from other leadership. Salaway asserts that his professional standing and character were undermined by bias, stating that racial and anti-Muslim sentiment influenced how the university managed internal complaints against him.
OHSU maintains that the firing was based on professional and communication concerns rather than retaliatory motives. In public statements, the university has described Salaway's claims regarding the motivations for his termination as false. A federal review conducted after his departure identified deficiencies at the health system that align with some of the safety concerns Salaway reported during his tenure.
The lawsuit details a specific conflict in March 2026, where Salaway was accused of making a physical threat against a departing executive. Salaway denies this allegation, characterizing it as a fabrication rooted in harmful stereotypes. He argues that the university's investigation into these claims served as a vehicle to facilitate his removal.
Salaway is seeking $13 million in economic damages and $2.5 million for emotional distress, citing the impact of the termination on his long-term career prospects. The litigation is currently moving through the Multnomah County Circuit Court as OHSU continues to resist the release of investigative records related to the case.