Join us in congratulating Dr. Sondra Marshall on receiving the 2026 Jeffrey G. Miller Award presented by OHSU and Doernbecher Children's Hospital!

Established in honor of the late Dr. Jeffrey G. Miller, a beloved OHSU pediatrician, this award recognizes an Oregon provider who carries forward his legacy of extraordinary compassion, exemplary mentorship, and selfless commitment to underprivileged children and families in our community.

After identifying a critical gap in care, Dr. Marshall founded the PEDAL Clinic (Programs of Evaluation, Development and Learning) at St. Charles in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, the program has grown into a multidisciplinary team of six pediatric psychologists and a developmental behavioral pediatrician, who provide specialized evaluations for children and youth with complex developmental, neurological and medical needs across Central, Eastern and Southern Oregon. 

Her impact doesn't stop there. Dr. Marshall continues to find ways to expand access to care both locally and internationally, including serving as a consultant for the USGA to support adaptive golfers during national championships and reviewing athlete applications for Paralympic eligibility.

We're so grateful for everything Dr. Marshall has done, and continues to do, for children and families in our community. Congratulations, Dr. Marshall! 

Michael Hartke, MBA

Michael Hartke was named President and CEO of St. Charles Health System in July 2026. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Michael has 25 years of health care leadership experience, including 10 years as chief operating officer of Northwest Community Healthcare, a division of Endeavor Health, in Arlington Heights, Ill.

On Saturday, June 13 at the Bend hospital, St. Charles caregivers, volunteers and community partners gathered to host a reunion for families of former patients of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Bend — commonly known as the NICU.

The 2026 NICU Reunion brought nurses, doctors and other caregivers back together with the families they supported during their NICU stay. Kids enjoyed face painting, a bouncy house, craft stations, balloon animals and plenty of fun activities throughout the event, which was free to attend thanks to generous donors to St. Charles Foundation.

The theme — superheroes! — resonated deeply with Matt Skarzynski and Angel Speranza, who spent 109 days in the NICU after their child was born three months premature.

"When we were told the theme was superheroes we thought of the realest sense of the word and who our superheroes are and all the people that were a part of her journey," Sparanza told The Bulletin. "Whether it’s the nurses, the doctors, the (respiratory therapists), the techs — those are our superheroes."

The event is fun not only for former patients and their families, but the caregivers who work in the NICU as well, said the unit's nurse manager, Erin Hocker.

“Our NICU reunion is a special event for families and caregivers alike as we celebrate the amazing progress these families have made," she said. "It’s such a joy to see the infants we once cared for playing with families and thriving."

To all involved in organzing the 2026 NICU Reunion and everyone who attended and helped make the event so special: Thank you.

As you may have heard, I’m retiring as President and CEO of St. Charles. This will be my last monthly column before my successor, current Chief Operating Officer Michael Hartke, takes over this space in July.

How to convey all that’s on my mind and all I want to say? Let me start by repeating myself:

These four years as St. Charles president and CEO have been the highlight of my career. Hands down. I’m so proud of our essential and growing impact on Central Oregon and how we’ve stabilized and strengthened ourselves as an organization.

When I took on the role of interim President and CEO in 2022, St. Charles faced significant workforce shortages and financial challenges that were the result of many factors, most prominently the COVID-19 pandemic. After three years of response, recovery and reorientation to a new normal, I felt the health system needed to shore up those two issues and get back to our core mission: Caring for the communities of Central Oregon and strengthening St. Charles so it is prepared to serve our region for decades to come.

As your locally owned and operated, nonprofit health care provider, that is our obligation.

Over the past four years we’ve made good on that. We’ve rebuilt our workforce, which now has low vacancy and strong rates of retention, and we’ve turned around our finances, strengthening our balance sheet and ending last year as one of the few health systems in Oregon with a positive operating margin.

With our people in place and our finances headed in a better direction, we turned our focus to stabilizing and expanding critical services in the region. We launched urology and gastroenterology practices and opened an Infectious Disease clinic, a clinic at Mt. Bachelor and two community pharmacies — one in Madras and one in Prineville, preserving access to pharmacy services for people in Jefferson and Crook counties.

In 2025, we integrated The Center — a longtime provider of orthopedic, neurosurgical, occupational and physiatric care in Central Oregon — into St. Charles, keeping dozens of specialists in practice locally and preserving a range of services that otherwise would’ve been at risk for leaving the community.

And earlier this year, we opened a new Cancer Center in Redmond, which will serve up to 300 patients daily. Thanks to an innovative pilot program we developed — and leveraging a 20-year track record of clinical excellence — many of those patients get automatic insurance approvals with no delays, and peace of mind at a time when every day matters.

We’re planning further into the future, too. In partnership with OHSU, we launched Central Oregon’s first graduate medical education program, the Three Sisters Rural Track Program, which brings new doctors to the area for their residency, significantly increasing the chance they’ll choose to stay here and practice in a part of the state where many towns have a shortage of providers. The program is now in its second year, but it will have a transformative impact on the future of health care in the region.

Indeed, there is no shortage of things that have happened over the past four years that fill me with pride: Teaching local kids about helmet safety. Reducing loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. Collaborating with other local providers in the fight against measles. Helping our caregivers put down roots in Central Oregon. Presenting the first physical representation of St. Charles’ land acknowledgment statement in Madras. The list goes on and on.

Somehow, we’ve done those things while providing more care than ever before — which is probably no surprise to those of you who have experienced Central Oregon’s growth over the past decade or two. That growth is reflected in our volumes: We saw 188,239 unique patients in 2025, up 15.6% from 2022. Emergency room visits have increased 10.8% in the same period, and surgeries have jumped 33.6%. Our caregivers had just over 1.4 million patient encounters in 2025 — a 44.6% increase since 2022.

That’s a lot of patients. More importantly, that’s a lot of people.

That’s what I’m most proud of: The sheer amount of care St. Charles has provided to Central Oregonians, and the impact that care has had on their lives and our communities. As it says in our 2025 Annual Report, life happens in our clinics and hospitals — from beginning to end and all points in between. We are honored to be there alongside the people we serve.

And I am honored to have served alongside our incredible caregivers these past four years. But it is time for me to move on and enjoy the retirement I delayed when I took this job. The organization is in good shape and on the right course, and those caregivers are in good hands with Michael Hartke at the helm.

Thank you, as always, for reading, and for your interest in St. Charles.

Sincerely,
Steve

St. Charles Health System has experienced rapid growth in the services and amount of care provided throughout Central Oregon in recent years. The growth is aligned with increases in population and demand for care in the region and has mostly occurred in the outpatient and specialty services areas of the organization.  

“We have been in a position to step in and support maintaining some key services in the region in recent years including orthopedics and neurosurgery, pharmacy, urology, gastroenterology and specialized cancer care, just to name a few,” said Michael Hartke, incoming president and CEO. “As a nonprofit, local health care organization, we have the responsibility and the privilege of ensuring our patients have access to the care they need and we are proud to be able to provide it.”  

To maintain this growth and ensure the organization is set up for success over the long term, St. Charles recently completed an evaluation of leader spans of control, titles and market alignment – for all supervisors and above – throughout the health system. Changes are being made to fairly balance responsibilities for those in leadership positions across the health system and to structure the system for continued growth.  

As a result, a small number of leadership positions in support services areas of the organization will be eliminated. This includes 22 positions that are currently filled and 23 positions that are vacant. In addition, ongoing work will occur to bring titles into alignment over time. No direct patient care positions are impacted by these changes, which affect less than 1% of the St. Charles workforce.  

“I want to sincerely thank the people being impacted by today’s hard news for their incredible contributions to St. Charles and wish them nothing but the best going forward,” Hartke said. “The changes we are making today are about setting ourselves up for a more sustainable and scalable structure for the future and I want to reassure our community that St. Charles is strong, stable and committed to meeting community needs.”  

Pediatric care in Central Oregon

At St. Charles, we provide trusted pediatric care for families across Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, Prineville and Madras. As part of our Family Care services, our pediatric providers partner with parents and caregivers to support children’s health from infancy through adolescence. And all our family medicine providers are accepting new pediatric patients!

Our goal is simple: deliver personalized, whole-child care close to home—so your child can thrive at every stage of growth.

Care you can trust at every age

From a baby’s first visit to a teen’s annual physical, our Central Oregon family medicine providers are here for every milestone. We focus on prevention, early detection and building lasting relationships with families.

Our pediatric services include:

• Well-child visits and annual checkups
• Growth and developmental screenings
• Immunizations and vaccine guidance
• Preventive care and health education
• Same-day care for illnesses and minor injuries 
• Chronic condition management (asthma, allergies, diabetes)

A family-centered approach to pediatric care

We understand that every child—and every family—is unique. That’s why our family medicine and pediatric teams in Central Oregon take the time to listen, answer questions and involve parents in every step of care.

We’re here to be your long-term partner in your child’s health and wellbeing.

Convenient, coordinated care in Central Oregon

Because our pediatric services are part of St. Charles Family Care clinics, your child has access to a full spectrum of healthcare services across Central Oregon.
When needed, we can connect your family to:

• Pediatric and specialty care providers
• Behavioral health services
• Nutrition and wellness support
• Urgent and emergency care within the St. Charles network

24/7 nurse advice and support

We offer 24/7 pediatric advice for families in Central Oregon, so you always have access to guidance when you need it.

During clinic hours:
If you call with a symptom or concern, your call follows an escalation pathway. Many needs can be addressed quickly, and when appropriate, you’ll be connected with a registered nurse (RN) from your primary care team for personalized advice.

After hours:
Our after-hours call service connects you with a registered nurse who can:

• Evaluate your child’s symptoms
• Provide trusted medical guidance
• Help determine the right level of care (home care, clinic visit, urgent care or emergency services)

This ensures families in Central Oregon have access to professional care advice—day or night.

Supporting healthy growth and development

Our pediatric care team focuses on helping children grow into healthy, resilient adults by supporting:

• Physical health and nutrition
• Emotional and behavioral wellbeing
• School readiness and social development
• Lifelong healthy habits

When to schedule a pediatric visit

We recommend regular well-child visits for children of all ages. You should also contact your provider if your child experiences:

• Fever or illness
• Injury or unexpected symptoms
• Changes in sleep, eating, or behavior
• Concerns about growth or development

Schedule pediatric care in Central Oregon

Give your child the strong start they deserve with trusted pediatric care close to home.
Schedule an appointment with a St. Charles Family Care provider in Bend, Redmond, La Pine, Sisters, Prineville or Madras today.

Our cardiac rehabilitation team includes exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists specially trained in cardiovascular and pulmonary care.

Exercise physiologists have a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, exercise physiology or related fields. They assess physical fitness and develop individualized exercise programs while monitoring each patient’s response to activity. They also help patients better understand cardiovascular risk factors, treatment plans and healthy lifestyle habits.

Respiratory Therapists are trained in respiratory care and specialize in the treatment and management of chronic lung disease. They provide education and support related to breathing conditions, medications, treatments and risk-factor reduction.
 

What To Expect in Cardiac Rehab

Intake Day

You will arrive at the Heart and Lung Center and check in at outpatient registration. Guest Services, located just outside our office can help direct you in. During this intake appointment an exercise physiologist will explain what cardiac rehab is and what to expect during your program. They will review your heart condition, risk factors for heart disease, heart‑healthy nutrition guidelines and recommendations for exercise at home.

Your first visit also includes a brief, 10‑minute exercise session. During this time, your EKG, vital signs and any symptoms will be monitored. Before you leave, we will schedule your next appointment and answer any questions.

Day 1 (Full Class)

Arrive to the gym at your scheduled class time. Our team will measure your weight and place your EKG leads. You will sit and rest while we take your blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood sugar.

We will ask a few quick questions, including:

• Have you eaten today?
• Medications taken
• Home exercise since your last visit
• Fruit and vegetable servings yesterday

We will also schedule your next class.

Exercise

You will be introduced to new equipment as needed. The goal is to exercise for 30–45 minutes, resting as needed. We will check your exercise vitals between minutes 15 and 25 and review any symptoms.

During class, we will also discuss the “question of the day,” provide brief education and review your exercise effort using the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale and workload assessments.

Recovery 

After exercise, return to the chairs at the front of the room for recovery vitals. You will rest for about five minutes. Educational handouts are available under the TV for you to review.

At St. Charles Specialty Pharmacy, our team takes a coordinated, collaborative approach to health care. We work alongside you and your providers to help ensure your specialty medications are clinically appropriate, accessible and delivered without interruption. 

Specialty medications may not be available at retail pharmacies and often require extra support, such as ongoing clinical oversight, education and special handling.

Individualized Care

You have access to a team of specialty-trained pharmacists, nurses and pharmacy staff members who are experienced in providing care for patients like you.

Benefit Investigation and Financial Support

We work with your provider and insurance company to obtain approval for your medications and identify financial assistance programs that may help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Shipping

• We offer free shipping with reliably safe industry leading prescription processing times.
• We promptly ship all specialty medications including those requiring special handling, such as refrigeration.

Support Anytime

We are committed to providing ongoing support throughout your treatment. A real-time local team is available during business hours to answer your calls, and our pharmacists are available 24 hours a day to offer counseling and answer your questions whenever they arise.

Refill Reminders

We contact you regularly to schedule refills and see how your therapy is progressing. 

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: Closed
 

St. Charles’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will host a reunion for current and former patients and their families alongside caregivers Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Charles Bend. The event will include games, crafts, face painting, bouncy house, snacks and more. Superhero costumes are encouraged.

“Our NICU reunion is a special event for families and caregivers alike as we celebrate the amazing progress these families have made. It’s such a joy to see the infants we once cared for playing with families and thriving,” said Erin Hocker, nurse manager for the NICU. “Join us as we reconnect, celebrate milestones and honor the incredible strength of our NICU families.”

This free, family-friendly event is made possible by donors to St. Charles Foundation.

The reunion will be held in Conference Rooms A-D at St. Charles Bend (enter through the main lobby.) Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP on our website stcharleshealthcare.org/nicureunion.