Health care & wellness

Critical. It can be a scary word.


A visit to the hospital might be the worst day of your life. Or maybe your best. Either way, you want to know you’re in good hands. The smartest. The most talented. The team that’s moving in sync, shepherding you toward wellness. But critical also means important. And therein lies the million ways that the doctors, nurses, lab techs, aides, intake specialists and outreach workers each do their part; the many moving parts that are a premier health care organization.


John Valls knows where all these stories happen. He’s photographed in the bright light of brain surgery and the dim light of hospice. With doctors and patients, teachers and students. With technicians who operate the medical devices and the people who have been saved by them.

Letters spelling OHSU mounted on a glass structure with a tall building visible in the background.
Doctor examining medical equipment in clinical laboratory setting.
Medical professional walking with colleague through modern hospital entrance.
Medical professional in white coat and red tie standing in hospital corridor.
Modern medical facility buildings photographed from exterior angle.
Laboratory technician in white coat working with scientific equipment in modern research facility.
Two people sitting together on bench in sunlit glass corridor.
Medical staff interacting with patients in bright modern hospital hallway.
Close-up of gloved hands handling medical vials in laboratory setting.
Laboratory technician in protective gear working with liquid nitrogen in scientific setting.
Family relaxing together on comfortable chair at home.
Researchers working with microscopes in a modern laboratory setting.
Medical team performing surgery in operating room wearing protective gear.
Scientist in lab coat examining samples with microscope next to colorful test tubes.
Healthcare provider attending to infant patient in hospital setting with medical equipment.
Eye examination being conducted with specialized optometry equipment in medical office.
Series of brain scan images displayed on medical light boards for diagnostic review.
Tiny newborn baby feet wrapped in soft patterned hospital blankets.
Modern laboratory interior with scientific equipment and storage cabinets.
Healthcare professional in white coat standing confidently in bright medical hallway.
Young patient getting eye examination with medical equipment.
Three medical professionals in blue scrubs standing in operating room with surgical lights.
Modern medical imaging room with blue ambient lighting and projection screens.
Patient receiving eye examination with specialized optometry equipment.
Medical professionals review brain scans and data on computer monitors in a dimly lit control room.
Young student working at desk in classroom setting.
Healthcare professionals in blue scrubs discussing in hospital corridor.
Two people sharing a warm embrace in front of colorful wall art.
Medical team discussing patient case while walking through hospital corridor.
Surgical team performing operation in modern operating room with medical equipment.
Medical professionals in blue scrubs reviewing patient charts in hospital hallway.
Close-up of surgical procedure showing gloved hands working with medical instruments.
Researchers working in darkened laboratory with specialized equipment.
Medical professional using diagnostic equipment in a clinical setting while wearing glasses and a white coat.
Surgeons performing operation in hospital operating room.