PeaceHealth ER Staffing Changes Spark Concerns in Oregon

PeaceHealth Oregon’s decision to replace its long-term emergency medicine provider, Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP), with Atlanta-based ApolloMD has ignited a dispute, raising concerns among local physicians and potentially impacting patient care in Lane County. The transition, slated to occur between May 30th and June 30th, has prompted all 41 EEP providers – 32 doctors and 9 physician assistants – to pledge not to work with ApolloMD for at least 90 days, with some considering permanent departures.

A 35-Year Partnership Ends

For 35 years, Eugene Emergency Physicians has been the exclusive provider of emergency department clinicians for PeaceHealth in Lane County. The relationship, which began in 1990 at PeaceHealth’s request, was renewed every three years until November 2025, when PeaceHealth announced a request for proposals for alternative staffing groups KLCC. According to Dr. Scott Williams, a spokesperson for EEP, PeaceHealth leadership did not identify any issues with the quality of patient care provided by EEP prior to this decision KLCC.

Concerns Over Patient Care and Working Conditions

The move comes amid growing concerns about conditions within PeaceHealth’s emergency departments, particularly at RiverBend in Springfield. Physicians cite increasing wait times and a less effective emergency department layout at RiverBend compared to the now-closed University District hospital Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Wait times at RiverBend reportedly increased from an average of five hours to seven hours between 2024 and 2025, a 40% increase Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

EEP physicians express fears that ApolloMD, as an out-of-state management company, will prioritize numbers and financial targets over quality patient care. Dr. Dave Schwartz, a hospitalist at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, echoed these concerns, stating that such groups often push physicians to see more patients, potentially compromising the standard of care OPB.

PeaceHealth’s Rationale and ApolloMD’s Plans

PeaceHealth maintains that the partnership with ApolloMD is an investment in emergency care, aimed at improving patient flow and reducing wait times Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Hospital officials stated that ApolloMD intends to retain many, if not all, of the current EEP workers Lookout Eugene-Springfield. However, the unified refusal of EEP providers to work with ApolloMD casts doubt on this prospect.

EEP’s Plea to Remain

In a public letter issued on February 16, 2026, EEP expressed its desire to continue serving the community under a local banner, staffing all of PeaceHealth’s Oregon emergency departments Lookout Eugene-Springfield. The group emphasized its commitment to improving hospitals and its belief in Oregonians serving Oregonians.

PeaceHealth responded with a statement indicating that contract discussions are between individual physicians and ApolloMD, and expressed hope that the physicians would choose to remain in the community and continue working with PeaceHealth Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

Affected Hospitals

The contract changes will affect emergency departments at PeaceHealth hospitals in Springfield, Florence, and Cottage Grove KLCC.