As 2025 draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months at St. Charles. We have opened new clinics and pharmacies, invested in cutting-edge technologies, preserved and expanded local access to critical services and advanced the state of health care in Central Oregon. And none of it would’ve been possible without the hard work and dedication of our incredible caregivers and the steadfast support of the communities we serve. Below, you’ll find 12 of our favorite stories from the past year — plus some bonus links — which represent just a fraction of the good things happening across our health system. Please enjoy, and I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Steve Gordon, MD
President and CEO, St. Charles Health System
#12 LEGO MRI scanner helps caregivers put kids at ease
The toy provides a detailed replica of what can be a nerve-wracking experience, allowing St. Charles' child life specialists to facilitate role play and dialogue with patients, build their confidence and reduce their anxiety.
Caring through play
#11 We opened a new pharmacy in Madras
Our new Community Pharmacy expanded access to medicine for people across Jefferson County, allowing folks to fulfill their needs closer to home — and giving one longtime pharmacist a chance to return to the place he calls home.
Meet Gary!
#10 See you on the slopes!
Our new St. Charles Mountain Clinic at Mt. Bachelor — a partnership between the two organizations — is a reflection of our shared values of collaboration, and of our shared history as pillars of the Central Oregon community. Now we just need some snow!
Reflections from Dr. Steve Gordon
#9 Tiny patients get a boost from awesome technology
St. Charles' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the first in Oregon to use Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist, which helps babies breathe easier by synchronizing breath delivery with their natural respiratory drive.
Watch the video
#8 Redmond doctors help keep patients in Prineville
Hospitalists based in Redmond are now remotely admitting people to the Prineville hospital via video, avoiding transfers, reducing ambulance trips, easing capacity issues and allowing patients to receive care closer to home.
Read the story
#7 United against measles
Five providers from four different local health care organizations have seen measles a total of once in their careers. But their chances of seeing it are increasing. So in March, they came together to deliver a unified message about a very contagious disease.
Trusted voices, working together
#6 First class of residents arrive in Jefferson County
Participants in the Three Sisters Rural Track Program — the first graduate medical education program in Central Oregon — are immediately helping fill a need in the community by providing care for hundreds of patients.
Improving access to care
#5 Foundation scholarships fuel health care careers
St. Charles' philanthropic arm is helping people pursue secondary education and training in nursing, pharmacy, phlebotomy and more — one of the many ways it supports the health of Central Central Oregonians.
Supporting caregivers
#4 Honoring the life of our former CEO, Jim Lussier
A beloved figure at St. Charles for more than 50 years and an unwavering ally and champion for the health system even in retirement, Jim passed away in January at the age of 82. He will be deeply missed.
Get to know Jim
#3 "It's allowing us to be more human."
An AI-based tool is giving St. Charles providers more time to truly focus on their patients. As a result, they're reporting higher job satisfaction and better work-life balance, and patients say they're happy and feeling heard.
Learn more
#2 Kyle's story
After a heart attack and open-heart surgery, Kyle spent time in St. Charles' inpatient rehab unit, where his care team stood beside him for every step of his journey back to independence. "These people," says his wife Anne, "breathed life into (our family)."
Grab some tissues for this one
#1 Preserving critical services in Central Oregon
In 2025, The Center — a longtime local orthopedic and neurosurgical care facility — became part of St. Charles, a move that aligns with our commitment to providing the best possible care in the communities we serve.
Read Dr. Steve Gordon's thoughts
More stories from St. Charles
This year, we launched new treatments for brand new babies, new tools for gastroenterology care and new services for pediatric patients. We opened a pharmacy in Prineville and celebrated 50 years on Neff Road in Bend. St. Charles Foundation brought a state-of-the-art spinal navigation system to the region, thanks to donor support. We added capacity and enhanced care at our Cancer Center in Bend. We provided local high school students with hands-on hospital experience and taught local kids about helmet safety. Our antimicrobial stewardship program and three of our oncologists won national awards. We learned more about our economic impact on Central Oregon. We ran (and raised money) for people battling breast cancer. We honored our incredible caregivers and their deep roots at St. Charles and in the community. Our volunteers brought comfort, joy and beauty to hospice families. We told inspiring patient stories. We cared for people not just physically, but spiritually, too. That's not all, of course, and none of it would be possible without your support. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
