St. Charles Foundation invites the community to register for the 26^th annual Heaven Can Wait 5k, which will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m at Redmond High School.

Heaven Can Wait is a family-friendly walk and run that raises funds for Sara’s Project, which provides education, early detection and support services to people across Central and Eastern Oregon facing breast cancer.

Since it began in 2000, Heaven Can Wait has welcomed 59,637 participants, including 5,729 breast cancer survivors and has raised over $1.75 million to support local cancer patients and their families.

“Heaven Can Wait is all about coming together as a community, celebrating survivors and supporting those affected by breast cancer,” said Jenny O’Bryan, director of St. Charles Foundation. “It’s such a wonderful, heartwarming event and it’s amazing to see survivors connect and celebrate how far they’ve come.”

Participants can register and begin fundraising at this webpage.

Today, St. Charles’ new community pharmacy in Madras is open to the public, bucking the nationwide trend of pharmacy closures and helping fill a critical health need for the region. 
 
“Today is an exciting day for our community and St. Charles, as we are opening a pilot community pharmacy in Madras to help increase access to medicine for Central Oregonians,” said Todd Shields, vice president hospital administrator for St. Charles Madras. “We are tremendously grateful to the organizations that supported the effort to open a new pharmacy, including the Central Oregon Health Council, Roundhouse Foundation, Bean Foundation and Mid Oregon Credit Union. Thanks to this outpouring of support, we are able to provide this much needed service to the residents of Jefferson County.”  
 
The new pharmacy is located at 65 N.E. Oak Street, Suite 100 and will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pharmacy will fill prescriptions (in store and via a drive-up window) and provide immunizations, medication management, injections for long-term care needs and retail sales for over-the-counter medicine and durable medical equipment (like crutches or walkers).  
 
Learn information about how to fill a prescription at the new pharmacy and other details on our pharmacy webpage. 

I’m excited to share with you St. Charles' new annual report for the year 2024. Putting it together is a sizable task for several of our caregivers, and I’m appreciative of their efforts.

Last year, when we created our 2023 report, we oriented it to illustrate the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our health system
— impacts that will continue to reverberate for the foreseeable future.

Even then, however, we knew that we must place renewed focus on one of our core goals: To provide the best care possible to the communities we serve. This is especially true right now, as the American health care landscape becomes more and more challenging and uncertain.

The good news: Central Oregon can count on St. Charles. For more than a century, we have been committed to the health and well-being of this region, and in 2024, that commitment blossomed into action over and over again.

Throughout the report, you’ll find facts and figures. But alongside them you’ll find story after story about the health system’s efforts to provide the best care possible by preserving, expanding and improving critical health care services within the communities we serve. From La Pine to Warm Springs, Sisters to Prineville and all points in between, we are stepping up to fill gaps in care wherever we can.

It’s pretty awesome to compile these efforts into one document and consider them all together. It fills me with enormous pride to see the collective results of our efforts to provide excellent care — for Central Oregon, in Central Oregon.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the more than 5,000 caregivers who make St. Charles such a great place to provide and receive care. Our 2024 annual report is a celebration of them and the important and impactful work they do every day.

Thanks, as always, for your interest in our work.

Sincerely,
Steve

Eight nurses from St. Charles Health System recently earned DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses, recognizing the outstanding, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The nurses, who represent all four St. Charles hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville, were recognized with a ceremony on their respective units and presented with a certificate, a pin and a "healer's touch" sculpture by their hospital’s chief nursing officer.

The five direct-care nurses earning DAISY awards are:

Emily Cahoon, an Intermediate Care Unit nurse at St. Charles Bend, was recognized for providing exceptional care to a postpartum patient who was also recovering from a stroke. She was specifically recognized for assisting in finding a treatment plan that fit the patient’s specific needs as a new mom.

Acacia Knutzen, a nurse at St. Charles Redmond, was recognized for the compassionate and skilled care she provided to a patient in their final days and the comfort she offered to their family. She supported the family with empathy and understanding during a difficult time, while also providing exceptional medical care.

Melissa Levesque, a nurse at St. Charles Prineville, was recognized for her strong teamwork and dedication to supporting her fellow caregivers. She was also commended for being a mentor to her team, inspiring and empowering others to grow and succeed in their roles.

Jessica Thurman, a nurse at St. Charles Madras, was recognized for not only providing exceptional care but also for her thoughtful gesture of purchasing a floral bouquet and card, signed by fellow nurses, to celebrate a patient and their spouse on their wedding anniversary.

Jonathan Schneider, an infusion nurse at St. Charles Cancer Center in Bend, was recognized by a patient for “exemplifying the very best of nursing. His compassion, his humor and his ability to bring light into the lives of his patients make him an extraordinary caregiver. He doesn’t just treat illness — he treats the soul.”

The three nursing leaders earning DAISY awards are:

Erin Olsen, a nurse leader at St. Charles Redmond, was recognized by a fellow caregiver for “creating an environment where teamwork thrives, where challenges are met with solutions, and where successes — big or small — are celebrated. Her dedication, kindness and unwavering support make all the difference, and I couldn’t ask for a better leader.”

Jennifer Brooks, an ambulatory nurse leader at St. Charles Bend, was recognized for her exceptional leadership and consistent support of caregivers and patients. She received special praise for her role during the recent integration with St. Charles Center for Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, where she continues to provide hands on assistance and advocate for caregiver needs.

Taylor Jones, a nurse leader for Sage View and in-patient behavioral health, was recognized for her remarkable leadership and dedication to improving behavioral health care. Through her leadership she has improved patient outcomes and fostered a supportive and collaborative environment for her entire team.

About the DAISY Awards:

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

Sports Medicine

Benefits of sport participation and athletic trainers

Promoting the health and safety of kids through access to sports medicine services and education is our mission. To accomplish this, we place certified athletic trainers in Central Oregon high schools. This is the heart of our Sports Medicine Program. Athletic training services include injury prevention, clinical recognition and assessment, emergency care, injury treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, athletic trainers educate students, parents and coaches on sports safety and injury prevention. Our athletic trainers serve in seven high schools with more than 5,000 STUDENT ATHLETES at more than 1,400 SPORTING EVENTS per year and keep kids safe at NO COST to the students or families they serve. 

Studies show that student involvement in sports is key to their overall physical, social and educational development. Students who play sports learn the importance of working in teams and collaborating, which helps them succeed later in life. Sports activities increase student success in academics, social interaction and high school completion. Furthermore, athletic participation decreases tobacco use, drug abuse and obesity. 

For these reasons, we feel it is important to keep students participating in athletics, as well as keeping them safe. Coaches readily state that they are unqualified to care for injured athletes. They need the St. Charles Center’s Sports Medicine Program and professional medical staff to provide immediate and on-going care. Moreover, research demonstrates that schools with certified athletic trainers have lower serious injury rates better concussion identification rates and faster return to play rates. 

It is clear to us that certified athletic trainers are the key to keeping young athletes safe and participating in the sports they love. We are immensely proud of our high school Sports Medicine Program and the work of our athletic trainers in communities across Central Oregon. 

While most concussions heal relatively quickly (1-2 weeks for a return to normal activity) concussion recovery can take much longer if not treated properly. In fact, the most important aspect of speedy concussion recovery is early medical care. Studies show faster recovery when an athlete is seen by a healthcare provider within one week of injury. Often, the first person to see an athlete following injury is their athletic trainer. This is because athletic trainers are on the sidelines during practices and games – at the moment an injury occurs. 

Concussion recovery can be seriously delayed if activity is continued following an injury. For example, 10-20 percent of individuals experience what is known as post-concussion syndrome – when symptoms persist longer than the anticipated recovery time. Importantly, continuing to play immediately following injury may dramatically slow recovery. This affects mood, sleep, appetite, and academic performance long-term. In some instances, these symptoms may last for weeks, months, and sometimes years following the original injury. As a result, treatment and recovery will vary depending on the symptoms that the individual is experiencing. 

Second Impact Syndrome occurs when an individual gets a second concussion before they have recovered from the first concussion. In this case, there is rapid and immediate swelling of the brain. While very rare, Second Impact Syndrome is always catastrophic, with an estimated 50% death rate and 100% permanent impairment. 

First … removal from play

When a concussion is sustained, it is critical to remove the athlete from play immediately. As stated above, continuing to play after injury will significantly delay recovery and increase the risk of Second Impact Syndrome. As an athlete, don’t stay silent if you suspect you might have a concussion! Report it, and remove yourself from play. Our athletic trainers are specialized in evaluating concussions and facilitating proper concussion treatment and recovery. They are there to help you recover and return to sports as quickly and safely as possible. In addition, athletic trainers work closely with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure a fully supported recovery process. In fact, complete recovery is critical before returning to sports, regardless of the severity of the concussion. 

While removal from play and rest are the recommendation for the first 48 hours following injury, there are many additional steps athletes can take to help speed concussion recovery. 

Light exercise

After the first 48 hours, light exercise is recommended even if symptoms are still present. Typically, this includes activities like walking or riding a stationary bike for no more than 30 minutes. At the same time, it is important to monitor your symptoms during light exercise. Specifically, activities that make your symptoms worse are not light enough. In addition, any activity where you risk an impact to the head must be avoided. 

If you are having difficulty with light exercise, seek help. An evaluation with your athletic trainer, physical therapist, or concussion specialist will help you find the appropriate level of exercise. 

Mental rest

Mental rest means avoiding screen time and stimulation as much as possible. This is especially true early in the recovery process. Then, as symptoms start to resolve, you can slowly add screen time back in as long as symptoms don’t worsen. Ultimately, computer work, internet use, video games, television, text messaging and cell phone use, bright lights, loud music, loud noises, parties, concerts, driving, and school work can all delay recovery. 

Good sleep  

Make every effort to keep a regular schedule for bed time and waking up.  Sticking to a schedule can make falling asleep and staying asleep much easier. This is important because the brain needs rest to recover, and sleep provides the best environment for healing to occur. Click this link for more tips on good sleep for teens provided by Children’s Hospital of Orange County. 

Help with school 

Some people need extra help to perform school-related homework and classroom work. In fact, academic accommodations protect the brain from over-use during healing. Your physician, or a specialist at the St. Charles Concussion Clinic can provide academic accommodation paperwork to the school. As your symptoms decrease, accommodations will gradually be removed.   

Keep it calm 

Daily activities, basic chores, and interacting with friends should all take place in a low-key environment. In addition, you should take frequent rest breaks if you start to feel tired or fatigued. One strategy is to break up activities into short 10 minute intervals throughout the day, resting in between. While rest is important, gentle activity is also encouraged, so mix it up. 

Healthy diet

A healthy and balanced diet is always important, but even more so when recovering from a concussion. Also, stay hydrated with plenty of water.   

Medical support 

You don’t have to do this alone! If your symptoms are not getting better, there are many health care professionals who can offer additional therapy for specific concerns. Some of these include physical therapy for headaches, balance, exercise intolerance and vision impairments. 

NOWcare at the St. Charles Center, offers immediate concussion evaluation with no appointment. NOWcare is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with same-day SWAY testing, if needed. Click here for more information. 

In addition, if your child plays high school sports in Central Oregon, your high school athletic trainer is available during school hours. Find your high school athletic trainer HERE. 

Seeking treatment for concussion

High School Athletic Trainer

Did your injury happen during a school sports practice or competition? If so, your high school athletic trainer provides an immediate evaluation. In the event that you believe your high school athlete has a concussion and has not been evaluated, please contact your school athletic trainer for further assistance. Athletic trainers are concussion specialists who will monitor symptoms, communicate with the school and physician, oversee return to play, and help get final clearance from your physician. In addition, your high school athletic trainer can give you referrals for concussion treatment with the appropriate healthcare specialist. Click HERE for a list of athletic trainers at Central Oregon high schools. 

NOWcare

If the injury took place outside of school sports, your child can be seen immediately through NOWcare at the St. Charles Center. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Concussion treatment at St. Charles

The St. Charles Center also offers specialized concussion treatment through its Concussion Center. For more information, ask your primary care provider or call the St. Charles Center at 541-382-3344. 

Other evaluation and concussion treatment options include visiting your primary care provider or going to urgent care. For their safety, your young athlete will need to be cleared by a physician and complete a return-to-play progression before being allowed to resume sports activities. 

The St. Charles Center and local school districts continuously work together to provide a comprehensive concussion protocol for high school athletes. The focus is on protecting student-athletes from further injury and ensuring that they are able to return to school and sports safely. In fact, the Oregon State legislature passed Max’s law in 2010 for this very reason. Specifically, the law requires that all Oregon school districts develop and maintain a concussion protocol. We agree! Our protocol uses the most up-to-date, evidence-based research and guidelines available. Ensuring that concussed student-athletes in Central Oregon receive the best care possible is our number one priority. 

Athletic trainers in concussion protocol

Studies show that schools without athletic trainers have fewer reported concussions. At first, this sounds confusing. However, we know that concussions in school sports happen at the same rate everywhere, but when athletic trainers are present, athletes report concussions more often. This is important. When student-athletes do not tell someone that they are injured, they do not receive immediate or appropriate care. In addition, a concussed athlete is more likely to continue playing. The result is a higher risk of more serious injuries, like Second Impact Syndrome. 

As many as 50% of concussions are not reported. And, up to 80% of people who have a concussion do not know they have a concussion. Therefore, it is crucial that athletic trainers are present to observe, evaluate and appropriately manage suspected concussions when they occur. Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA). Their training and education in concussion management is comprehensive. In the high school sports setting, athletic trainers are the first providers present to identify and evaluate injured student-athletes. They also serve as integral members of the post-injury concussion management team. Finally, as part of the concussion protocol, they are an important part of the return-to-play decision process. The presence of certified athletic trainers is crucial at sports practices and games. 

Our high school concussion protocol

In collaboration with Bend-La Pine, Crook County, Jefferson County, and Sisters school districts, we establish the evaluation and treatment standards and procedures for sports-related concussions. The hallmark of the concussion protocol is the school-based concussion management team. The team consists of the athletic trainer, school nurse, school counselor and athletic administration. Concussion management teams work together to evaluate, communicate and monitor the progression of the student as they recover from a concussion. 

Before a concussion event occurs, student-athletes participate in baseline testing using the Sway Medical platform, a mobile concussion management tool that replaces the previously used ImPACT test. Sway Medical is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device that utilizes the built-in motion sensors of mobile devices to assess balance and cognitive functions, including reaction time, visual processing speed and memory. High school athletes in high-risk sports, such as basketball, football, soccer and wrestling, receive free baseline testing administered by their athletic trainer. This baseline test, conducted every two years—typically during the freshman and junior years—establishes an athlete’s normal brain function and balance metrics in a non-injured state. In the event of a suspected concussion, athletes undergo a sideline or follow-up assessment using Sway, which takes less than five minutes and provides objective data for comparison with baseline results. These comparisons aid athletic trainers and health care professionals in making informed treatment and return-to-play decisions. Sway’s mobile accessibility allows for rapid testing anywhere, eliminating the need for computer labs and enabling efficient, accurate evaluations. Once all student-athletes have their baseline test data, the following concussion protocol establishes procedures for recognition, evaluation and management of concussions by all involved parties—coaches, students, parents, athletic trainers and school nurses.

STEP 1: INJURY OCCURS 

Either the athletic trainer and/or coach observe the injury or the student-athlete reports it. At the point that a suspected concussion has occurred, the injured athlete is immediately removed from play. 

STEP 2: INJURY EVALUATION 

The athletic trainer evaluates the injured student using the SCAT-5 assessment tool. The SCAT-5 is the standardized concussion assessment tool used to evaluate possible concussions. 

Based on the evaluation, the athletic trainer assesses whether a concussion has occurred. 

No student who displays symptoms of a possible concussion will return to play the same day. 

STEP 3: INJURY REFERRAL 

Once a concussion is confirmed, the athletic trainer contacts the parents with take-home instructions for follow-up care, observation cues, red flag symptoms to watch for, and instructions for referral. 

Oregon State law mandates that all high school student-athletes receive clearance from a physician prior to returning to sports. Therefore, the athlete receives recommendation for referral to a medical provider specializing in concussion assessment and treatment. 

The athletic trainer contacts the concussion management team at the school to inform them of the concussion. 

STEP 4: INJURY FOLLOW-UP CARE 

The concussion management team monitors a gradual return to daily activities, school and exercise. 

This includes the development of a return-to-learn plan and specific academic accommodations, if needed, based on the specific symptoms and issues of the injured student-athlete. 

Together, the athletic trainer and parents monitor the development and improvement of symptoms on a daily basis. 

The concussed student-athlete should refrain from all physical activity immediately following injury. Once their condition begins to improve, they may resume low-level activity, such as walking or riding a stationary bike at a low heart rate. 

Once the injured person is symptom free, attending school full-time without accommodations, and their SWAY scores are normal, they may begin the return-to-play protocol. 

STEP 5: RETURN-TO-PLAY 

In order to return to play, the injured student must complete all steps of a graduated exercise progression, and receive written clearance from a health care professional. 

Graduated return-to-play progression: Injured students must complete each step without a return of symptoms before progressing to the next step. If symptoms return during a step, the student should rest for 24 hours and then resume activity a step below the level where the symptoms occurred. 

Symptom-limited activity: Relative rest for 48-72 hours. Low intensity physical and mental activity at a level that does not exacerbate current symptoms. This also applies to the return-to-learn process and may include recommendations to stay home and limit school hours and homework. Gradual reintroduction of light activity while limiting symptoms. 

Light aerobic exercise: Walking or stationary bike at low to moderate intensity; no contact, resistance or weight training. 

Sport-specific exercise: Sprinting, dribbling basketball or soccer; no helmet or equipment, no head impact activities. 

Non-contact training: More complex drills in full equipment. Weight training or resistance training may begin. 

**Before moving to the next stage, the athlete must fully recover, be medically cleared and in school full-time without accommodations, and have normal SWAY scores. 

Full-contact practice: Participate in normal, full-contact training activities. 

Unrestricted return-to-participation/full competition: Game play against opposing team. 

It is important to note that if your child is currently playing OSAA sports at a high school we serve, you have already agreed to abide by this protocol by signing your school paperwork. 

How do I prevent a concussion?

Injury prevention is a large part of the work athletic trainers do with student athletes. Yet, concussion prevention is more nuanced than preventing ankle sprains or ACL injuries. When it comes to sports-related concussions, you cannot always prevent the accidental blow to the head, a trip and fall, or the surprise hit on the football field. This means that concussions can and will happen in sports. All injuries, concussions included, are part of the inherent risks of playing sports. With that said, there is still a lot that can be done to minimize the frequency of concussions, as well as reduce the long-term negative outcomes.  Namely, education, awareness, and ensuring that medical coverage exists whenever sports are being played are the best tools for concussion prevention. 

Education and awareness

Education and awareness are possibly the most important factors in concussion prevention. Coaches, parents, players, officials, school administrators, and teachers can all benefit from concussion education. In fact, everyone should be aware of the signs and symptoms of a concussion. This awareness ensures that injured players are removed from play immediately for evaluation by a healthcare professional. 

Players should be aware of the symptoms of concussion as well. And, they should also understand the risks associated with continuing to play sports with a concussion. At the same time, coaches, officials, and school administrators can encourage athletes to report their symptoms without fear of consequence. Awareness is necessary for school staff so they can work to accommodate injured students in the classroom. When everyone is aware and working together, we reduce the risk of young athletes suffering long-term consequences and lower the incidence of repeat concussions. 

Although it may not be possible to prevent concussions entirely, there are several ways to reduce the long-term consequences of concussions and the risk of Second Impact Syndrome. 

Promoting a positive sports culture and environment

Promoting a positive culture and environment in sports helps eliminate any negative stigma around reporting an injury. Often, young athletes avoid telling someone about their injury out of fear of being seen as weak. Likewise, they tend to keep an injury to themselves to avoid being forced to sit out from participation. In fact, fear of letting the team down is one of the biggest barriers to reporting concussions by athletes. 

It’s true that some coaches may discourage an athlete from reporting an injury. They may also threaten them with losing their position on the team. However, this kind of coaching is not constructive or safe for the athletes and shouldn’t be tolerated. By promoting a positive sports culture and environment, we teach youth that they are better off reporting injuries sooner so that they can come back and contribute to the team at 100%. 

Enforce rules and teach proper sporting technique

Teaching and practicing proper tackling and hitting techniques helps reduce frequency of concussions. Enforcing rules against spearing, targeting, or unnecessary roughness helps to prevent concussions and other serious head injuries. While these rules are specific to football, we will continue to look at when and how head injuries occur in sports, and make changes to reduce the risk and prevent further concussions. 

Enforcing rules also refers to statewide rules, like Max’s Law and Jenna’s Law in Oregon, which remove injured athletes from play. Oregon and Washington were front-runners in adopting these rules, and our athletic trainers have applied them for years. As a result, high school athletes in Central Oregon have benefitted with concussion rates lower than the national average. To date, nearly 50 states have adopted rules similar to Max’s and Jenna’s laws. In fact, states where these laws are in place have also seen their concussion rates drop. 

Adopt a concussion protocol and ensure appropriate medical coverage is available

Having an appropriate medical plan in place is key to reducing the risk of more serious injury following the concussion, as well as preventing repeat concussions. A good medical plan, or concussion protocol, is one that follows the best practice recommendations for recognizing, evaluating, and treating concussions. Also, it helps to ensure that it is safe for a player to return to sports after a concussion. Ensuring medical coverage at all youth sporting events is an important part of a functional concussion protocol. That’s where athletic trainers come in. In fact, athletic trainers are injury evaluation and treatment experts, both on and off the playing field. Plus, they specialize in concussion recognition, evaluation, and management. We believe strongly in having athletic trainers present at all games and practices. Without a doubt, athletic trainers are essential to a quality concussion protocol and risk management strategy. 

Parents can support this initiative by asking their youth sports organization about their concussion protocol. In addition, they can advocate for the hiring of athletic trainers. 

Along with the above measures, it’s also important for teams to have the right equipment in good condition and properly fitted. Contrary to popular belief, helmets do not prevent concussions. However, a well-fitted helmet is an important element in preventing other serious injuries.