Community members with unwanted medications on hand can dispose of them safely during a free event hosted by St. Charles Health System and the Bend Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Bend Police Department, 555 NE 15th St., Bend. 
 
The take-back event is intended to help Central Oregonians safely dispose of medications to protect the environment and fellow community members. During last year’s event, community members brought in 397 pounds of medications and sharps for safe disposal. 
 
No questions will be asked. Individuals can drive through the parking lot and drop off medications right from their car window. Bend Police evidence technicians will accept the medications, then give them to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispose of safely. 
 
Any non-oncology medications will be accepted. Liquids, pills, powders, patches, creams, prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines can be dropped off. In addition, sharps will be accepted if they’re properly packaged in a sharps container for disposal. Representatives from St. Charles pharmacy will also be on-site to answer questions.

Stacy Youngs, BSN
Vice President and Hospital Administrator, St. Charles Bend

Bio to come ...

The 26^th annual Heaven Can Wait 5K returns to Redmond High School on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. The St. Charles Foundation reminds the community that there is still time to register for the family-friendly walk and run.

The event raises funds for Sara’s Project, which provides breast cancer education, early detection and support services across Central and Eastern Oregon. Since 2000, Heaven Can Wait has welcomed more than 59,000 participants, including nearly 6,000 breast cancer survivors and raised more than $1.75 million to support local patients and families.

“This fun event brings together families, friends and survivors to support those affected by breast cancer,” said Jenny O’Bryan, director of St. Charles Foundation. “The energy and joy at Heaven Can Wait makes it a day our community looks forward to year after year.”

Individuals can sign up online at HeavenCanWait.org

For mountain bikers, falls are inevitable and shoulder injuries are among the most common. Dr. Adam Lindsay, an upper extremity surgeon at St. Charles, shares tips to protect your shoulders and help you get back on the trail.

Today, St. Charles Health System is announcing contract agreements with two insurance providers - Aetna and Cigna - that address concerns about denials, inefficiencies and administrative burden and will allow patients using those insurance plans to remain in-network for elective services at St. Charles facilities.

“For the past several years, St. Charles has asked insurance companies to work with us to address concerns about coverage denials for medical treatments, increasing administrative burdens for our care teams, inefficiencies and delays in patient care,” said Matt Swafford, Chief Financial Officer for St. Charles. “Though not perfect, both contracts with Aetna and with Cigna include elements that better address these issues. We will remain in-network for both insurance companies.”

The contract with Aetna was resolved recently and Aetna estimates it covers about 7,500 people in Central Oregon. The contract with Cigna was set to expire on Sept. 30, which would have affected about 5,000 patients.

“We understand that some individuals were concerned about potentially losing or having to switch coverage, and that’s a worry we take seriously,” Swafford said. “We are moving ahead with these newly negotiated agreements because we believe it is in the best interest of patients and for preserving health care access in Central Oregon.”

This week marks the 50th anniversary of St. Charles Bend’s move from its downtown location on Hospital Hill to our current campus on Neff Road. 

In 1975, the idea of moving the hospital “halfway to Burns” was not very popular. But former St. Charles CEO Sister Catherine Hellmann had a vision, and she rallied community support to make it a reality. 

“They came to me and said, ‘Sister, we decided we want our medical center,’ but they said, ‘nowhere on God’s Earth will we get $12 million,’” she said in an interview that took place after she had retired and moved back to Indiana. 

Through many conversations over six years, Sister Catherine and her team managed to transition ownership of the hospital from the Catholic Church to a new, community-based and self-governed nonprofit organization — and secured more than $12 million in donations to build the new hospital. 

Thanks to that vision — and the community of Central Oregon coming together — the Bend hospital has served hundreds of thousands of people for a half-century. There is incredible history in these walls: Lives saved and suffering eased. New babies brought into the world. Weddings, talent shows, Lab Olympics and holiday breakfasts. It is truly a remarkable place, full of life and stories of heroism and bravery, tragedy and triumph, and also a million small moments each day that create a culture of caring and compassion.

And, just like those of us with a half-century behind us, the building is starting to show some significant signs of wear and tear, leaks and creaks. Our staff and patients are regularly inconvenienced with roof repairs, HVAC repairs, elevator repairs and other construction disruptions and delays. If you've visited recently, you’ve likely seen temporary walls, temporary imaging machines and more as the campus shows its age. 

All of this is to say that we are now tasked with thinking about what the next 50 years of St. Charles and health care should look like in our region. We are having our Sister Catherine moment. 

We are currently going through a master facility planning process that shows, without a doubt, this community needs more hospital beds and space for additional services. We need these spaces more quickly than we can design and build them and more quickly than we can secure financing for them. 

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try. 

We have an obligation to serve our growing community for the next 50 years and beyond. And, I believe that our community today will recognize the need and choose to support us in this growth just like Sister Catherine experienced all those years ago. 

“I saw much more community involvement at this hospital than at any other hospital I ever worked at,” she said. “The people of (Central Oregon) were so open to new ideas. I was kind of like a bird out of a cage there.” 

It was true 50 years ago and it’s true today: We cannot fly without your support. Thank you for being on this journey with us.

Sincerely,
Steve

St. Charles’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will host a reunion for current and former patients and their families alongside caregivers on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Charles Bend. This free family-friendly event will include interactive games, a bouncy house, face painting, AirLink tours, a visit from a fire truck and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to wear a favorite superhero costume.

“Our caregivers and families look forward to this event all year. It’s so special for us to be able to see the infants we cared for playing with their families and thriving. It’s a really special event for everyone involved,” said Brook Jensen, director of women and children’s services for St. Charles Health System.

The reunion is made possible thanks to St. Charles Foundation donors.

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 https://stcharleshealthcare.org/form/nicu-reunion-2025

How to provide a referral for ECT

Fax a referral form

You may submit a referral via fax: 541-706-7706, Attn. Intake Specialist, OPBH.

Download Fillable PDF

Submit through EpicCare Link

Access EpicCare Link

Use EpicCare Link for new procedure scheduling requests, to modify existing requests (including changing, canceling or rescheduling a procedure) and to confirm scheduled cases and line-ups.

Contact your Site Administrator to request EpicCare Link access. If you need to report an issue or need login assistance, call 541-706-6394.

Frequently asked questions about colonoscopy prep

Prep

What if I don’t have my prep or haven’t received it?


Your prep was sent to your pharmacy of choice on the day you scheduled your procedure. Please check with your pharmacy first. If they have not received the order, call our office to request that your prep be resent.

I don’t like the prep I was prescribed. Are there other options? How do I get them?


We send in the prep that is covered by your insurance company. Other preps are available, but you may have an out-of-pocket cost. Please call our office to discuss.

Do I need to mix anything with my prep? What can I mix with my prep? Can I add anything to my prep?


Please follow the instruction letter you received from your provider. Do not follow the instructions on your prep container.

• Suprep: Pour the bottle of Suprep liquid into the provided mixing container and fill to the line with cool water.
• Suflave: Open one flavor-enhancing packet and pour contents into one bottle. Fill the provided bottle with lukewarm water up to the fill line.
• Clenpiq: Do not add anything additional to the prep.
• Gavilyte: Mix with 128 ounces of electrolyte solution (such as Gatorade, BodyArmor or Smartwater).
• Golytely: Mix with 135 ounces of lukewarm water.

What are the small pills I received with my prep?


If you received two small pills, they are anti-nausea medication to take 30 minutes before each dose of prep to help calm your stomach. They are optional and not included with every prep.

Where do I find my instructions on how to take the prep?


Your instructions can often be found in the Letters section of MyChart. You can also visit the colonoscopy section of our website - look to the left side navigation for instructions for each prep type.

The instructions I received from my provider do not match the instructions on my prep container. Which should I follow?


Please follow the instructions from your provider. Do not follow the instructions on your prep container.

Diet

What if I ate seeds, nuts, granola or corn the week before?


This is only a recommendation to avoid and will not delay your procedure. Please try to avoid these foods during the week before, if possible.

• Corn: Corn chips and corn tortillas are fine to consume.

What if I ate breakfast the day before my colonoscopy?


Please do not eat anything further. Call our office immediately to discuss what you ate and whether you need to be rescheduled.

Medications

What if I didn’t stop my over-the-counter medications the week before?


Please call our office to discuss.

What do I do with my prescription medications?


Please contact your prescribing provider. Our office may not be fully aware of why you are taking that medication. Your prescribing provider will know best how to manage it before a procedure.

Scheduling

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?


Please contact our office as soon as you know you will be unable to make your appointment. We request a minimum of one week’s notice.

Results

When should I expect my results?

If biopsies were sent to pathology during your procedure, per the CURES Act results will be made available to you as soon as they are finalized. Please be aware providers may take 10-14 days to review and provide follow-up information.

Frequently asked questions about procedure prep

Prep

What if I don’t have my prep or haven’t received it?


Your prep was sent to your pharmacy of choice on the day you scheduled your procedure. Please check with your pharmacy first. If they have not received the order, call our office to request that your prep be resent.

I don’t like the prep I was prescribed. Are there other options? How do I get them?


We send in the prep that is covered by your insurance company. Other preps are available, but you may have an out-of-pocket cost. Please call our office to discuss.

Do I need to mix anything with my prep? What can I mix with my prep? Can I add anything to my prep?


Please follow the instruction letter you received from your provider. Do not follow the instructions on your prep container.

• Suprep: Pour the bottle of Suprep liquid into the provided mixing container and fill to the line with cool water.
• Suflave: Open one flavor-enhancing packet and pour contents into one bottle. Fill the provided bottle with lukewarm water up to the fill line.
• Clenpiq: Do not add anything additional to the prep.
• Gavilyte: Mix with 128 ounces of electrolyte solution (such as Gatorade, BodyArmor or Smartwater).
• Golytely: Mix with 135 ounces of lukewarm water.

What are the small pills I received with my prep?


If you received two small pills, they are anti-nausea medication to take 30 minutes before each dose of prep to help calm your stomach. They are optional and not included with every prep.

Where do I find my instructions on how to take the prep?


Your instructions can often be found in the Letters section of MyChart. You can also visit the colonoscopy section of our website - look to the left side navigation for instructions for each prep type.

The instructions I received from my provider do not match the instructions on my prep container. Which should I follow?


Please follow the instructions from your provider. Do not follow the instructions on your prep container.

Diet

What if I ate seeds, nuts, granola or corn the week before?


This is only a recommendation to avoid and will not delay your procedure. Please try to avoid these foods during the week before, if possible.

• Corn: Corn chips and corn tortillas are fine to consume.

What if I ate breakfast the day before my colonoscopy?


Please do not eat anything further. Call our office immediately to discuss what you ate and whether you need to be rescheduled.

Medications

What if I didn’t stop my over-the-counter medications the week before?


Please call our office to discuss.

What do I do with my prescription medications?


Please contact your prescribing provider. Our office may not be fully aware of why you are taking that medication. Your prescribing provider will know best how to manage it before a procedure.

Scheduling

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?


Please contact our office as soon as you know you will be unable to make your appointment. We request a minimum of one week’s notice.

Results

When should I expect my results?

If biopsies were sent to pathology during your procedure, per the CURES Act results will be made available to you as soon as they are finalized. Please be aware providers may take 10-14 days to review and provide follow-up information.