EUGENE, ORE. — Eugene Emergency Physicians blocked an attempt by ApolloMD, a national physician staffing firm, to replace its services in local Oregon hospitals without a legal ruling. The hospital system subsequently entered into an agreement to continue working with Eugene Emergency Physicians.

Eugene Emergency Physicians utilized Oregon's 2025 corporate practice of medicine law to oppose ApolloMD's proposed takeover. This law bans corporations from assuming control over a medical practice's operations and finances. Lawyers for Eugene Emergency Physicians argued that ApolloMD's actions violated this incoming state law.

More than 40 doctors and physician assistants comprise Eugene Emergency Physicians, serving multiple emergency departments. Dr. Dan McGee, a doctor with Eugene Emergency Physicians, said, "This was big time, David and Goliath stuff." He noted the difference in legal representation, stating, "You see 14 of their lawyers sitting there and you see three of ours."

ApolloMD had extended job offers to local doctors in the Eugene area. Dr. Jonas Pologe, another doctor with Eugene Emergency Physicians, stated, "There's certainly a chance that if you make enough of a stink, you think that something needs to change, they can just stop giving you shifts."

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine provided support to Eugene Emergency Physicians during the legal proceedings. Dr. Vicki Norton, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, said, "This signals that that law works and we need it replicated in other states to really strengthen their corporate practice laws." California and Vermont have enacted similar legislation. Lawmakers in Rhode Island and New Mexico are currently considering related legislation. An independent group of emergency room doctors in Virginia, who were replaced by a large staffing firm, is meeting with state legislators to advocate for changes to their laws.

Envision Healthcare, TeamHealth, and USACS all declined to comment on whether the Oregon case or the new law would influence their investment strategies in Oregon medical practices. McGee said, "This is a big victory for independent physician groups over corporate medicine. This is a game changer."