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.

In January of 2011, Nancy Lutz lost her son Travis to skin cancer.

Five and a half months later, she was diagnosed herself — with stage 4 breast cancer, after finding a lump.

But not once did she think she was going to die.

“I’m going to live,” she recalls thinking, “for my other son.”

Nancy’s secret weapons? Strength, says her friends, and an unwavering positive attitude.

“I’m the kind of person who likes to be in control of things and I had no control over this. The only thing I could control was how I felt,” she said. “So I didn’t let myself feel any negativity. I had to stay positive because I knew I had a long road ahead of me.”

She was right about that. Since 2011, Nancy has battled a steady stream of health issues. She has had her gallbladder removed, multiple liver ablations, radiation burns and chronic cellulitis, plus a trip to Portland for surgery when her cancer kept coming back. Then, in 2024, she was diagnosed with a different kind of cancer — lymphoma.

“My treatments never stopped. I had to keep going for tests. I still have to go for CAT scans all the time,” she said. “I will always be in the care of St. Charles Cancer Center.”

No one wants that, of course, but Nancy — as usual — has made the best of it. From day one, she felt like she was in good hands.

“Somebody at (Central Oregon Radiology Associates) set me up with three amazing doctors. She said to me, ‘Nancy, I got the best for you.’ And she did. Ever since that day, I’ve had nothing but care and love from the people there,” she said.

Her doctors, Nancy said, always spoke to her in a clear and forthright way, providing treatment options and partnering on a path forward. And her nurses made her feel comfortable in a place that doesn’t always evoke comfort.

“This may sound strange, but they are so much fun. I have fun with them. We’d laugh and tease each other, and there’s something about that that makes you feel normal — and normalcy is what you need,” Nancy said. “I’ve been there for treatment that lasted several hours, and when it’s getting late, I’m sure they’d like to go home. But they never make you feel that way. You can tell they’re there for us.”

They’re often familiar faces, too, she said.

“From the time I was there for breast cancer and going through all those treatments to when I was back again in 2024, a lot of the same nurses were there. They remembered me,” she said. “So they know me well, and I think if you ask any of them, they’d say it was my attitude that has really gotten me through all this.”

Nancy can’t take that attitude and transplant it into current and future patients at St. Charles. But she can offer words of encouragement to anyone who finds themselves there.

“I would just tell them that there is hope. I am a prime example of that,” she said. “And when you go to St. Charles Cancer Center, you’re going to get the best care possible.”

Learn more about St. Charles Cancer Institute.

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 and chief nursing executive. 
The direct-care nurses earning DAISY awards are:

• Sammi Boley, a nurse in Bend, was recognized for her unwavering support for patients, including her recent efforts to support an individual who was in the unit for months after being attacked and Sammi made “incredible efforts to ensure this patient was well cared for” and “Sammi's compassion for (them) is the reason this patient's future has hope.”
• Maria Godley, a nurse in Redmond, was recognized for her extraordinarily compassionate care, in particular for her efforts to advocate for a patient who could not speak for themselves. 
• Jennifer Johnson, a perioperative nurse in Madras, was recognized for her great attitude, dedicated safe patient practices and compassion. 
• Amanda Noland, a nurse in Prineville, was recognized for providing compassionate care for a patient in need by organizing donations of food and hygiene supplies all while treating this individual with “kindness and compassion and allowing the patient to have their dignity.”
• Miata Winders, a nurse in neurosurgery, was recognized for her tremendous attention to detail, critical judgement and “unwavering dedication to doing what is right for the patient.”  
   

The three nurse leaders earning DAISY honors are: 

• Tim Adkisson, a nurse leader from Bend, was recognized for his exceptional leadership serving as the night lead administrator for the hospital, jumping in to help with whatever is needed – from admissions and IT to codes and policies, Tim “goes above and beyond.”
• Will Bean, a nurse leader in Madras, was recognized by several caregivers for his ability to lead with compassion and integrity, with one team member saying “Will leads with heart, but also with purpose, balancing kindness with accountability in a way that earns deep respect from his team.”
• Jodel Jencks, a nurse leader in primary care, was recognized for her exceptional problem-solving skills and kindness to those around her. 

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.
 

I’m proud to share with you St. Charles’ 2025 Annual Report, which we’ve just published on our website.

This important document is intended to summarize our health system’s operational performance, financial status and community impact in a given year. It’s packed with statistics, stories and photos that provide a snapshot of St. Charles in 2025.

You’ll find a high-level look at the care we provided last year, from births and patient discharges to surgeries, emergency room visits and clinic volumes. Spoiler alert: The numbers are up — a reflection of our growing community.

You’ll also find an overview of our financial performance, which was solid considering the many challenges facing the health care industry, plus a story on St. Charles’ substantial economic impact on Central Oregon.

There is some information about our Community Benefit team’s good work, as well as a bit about St. Charles Foundation’s fundraising efforts, which more than doubled over 2024. When you see the link to the Foundation’s annual Gratitude Report, please click it and check out all the great things happening thanks to the generosity of Foundation donors.

One recurring theme that runs through our 2025 Annual Report is how our commitment to the concept of sustainable growth guides our decisions and actions at St. Charles. Despite the pressures we are facing from many different directions, we are committed to growing sustainably because we believe that’s the only way we can meet our obligation to provide for the health care needs of our growing region, both now and in the years to come. We see other hospitals and health systems contracting in the face of these pressures, and we are facing them with a different mindset — growing sustainably by remaining strong financially, expanding thoughtfully, adapting to changing conditions, and prioritizing reinvestment in our people, facilities and services.

There’s a long history of sustainable growth at St. Charles, stretching from our early days in downtown Bend to our relocation to our current campus on Neff Road 50 years ago and our continued growth into Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. Through it all, Central Oregon has been able to count on its local, nonprofit health system, and that local, nonprofit health system has been able to count on the community’s support, over and over again. That’s a relationship we treasure, and one we look forward to continuing.

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

Sincerely,
Steve

On Wednesday, May 20, St. Charles caregivers, first responders, former patients and family members came together at the Bend hospital campus to celebrate National Trauma Survivors Day, a meaningful gathering where medical trauma survivors and their families can reunite with the caregivers who supported them through some of their most challenging times.

Attendees heard from former patient Paige Wood, who shared her powerful recovery journey following a traumatic car crash last summer after she fell asleep while driving. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the care team that stood by her side throughout her recovery.

The event also included a visit from therapy dogs, lunch, opportunities to share stories and time for connection between survivors and their caregivers and between fellow trauma survivors.

Thank you to our community partners and everyone who joined us and made this event truly special.

St. Charles Foundation invites the community to share thanks with health care workers who have made a positive impact on their lives during Give for Good on May 28, a 24-hour virtual event.

“This year we are honoring the tremendous positive impact health care workers have on our community by inviting Central Oregonians to share positive messages with caregivers and to consider making a donation to support the work they do,” said Jenny O’Bryan, executive director for St. Charles Foundation.

Support has already started to pour in from the community, with more than a dozen individuals sharing stories of gratitude with caregivers and donors contributing more than $45,000 so far in the Give for Good Day campaign, out of a goal to raise $80,000.

Redmond resident Emma Meyers shared a special note of thanks to the care team at St. Charles Redmond whom she credits with saving her son Arlo’s life when he was just 15-months-old after a tragic auto accident.

“We truly believe that without the care, quick thinking and expertise of the doctors and nurses in the Redmond ED, Arlo would not be here today,” said Meyers. “There are no words that could fully express the gratitude we feel for the people who helped save our son’s life that day. Their compassion, skill and determination changed the course of our family forever.”

The funds raised through Give for Good Day will support a variety of key areas for St. Charles Health System including emergency services, rural health, women’s and children’s services, the Cancer Institute, cardiology and more. Learn more about Give for Good Day.

Aquablation therapy for men

St. Charles Urology Clinic offers Aquablation therapy, an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, that uses imaging, robotics and a heat-free water jet to provide longlasting relief from symptoms while protecting sexual function and bladder control, no matter the size or shape of the prostate. 

What is BPH?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, is a prostate that has grown to be larger than normal. BPH is not prostate cancer. As the prostate grows, it may constrict the urethra, making it difficult to urinate, and/or apply pressure on the bladder, causing it to weaken and have difficulty emptying.

How does BPH impact me?

BPH may cause two kinds of symptoms that can impact your quality of life:

• Ability to hold urine – causing you to search for bathrooms throughout the day or to wake up several times a night
• Emptying your bladder – causing you to push or strain when urinating or to have a weak stream that starts and stops a lot

If BPH symptoms are left untreated, bladder and kidney function may be impacted over time. Additionally, using medications for a long time to manage BPH symptoms increases the risk of heart failure and dementia. Choosing a treatment option can be overwhelming, as it often forces men to compromise in some way. This could mean not responding well to medication, getting limited relief, having a long recovery time, or even having issues with sexual function.

What makes Aquablation therapy unique?

• It offers your surgeon two kinds of imaging to see your entire prostate. Imagine seeing through an open door rather than through a keyhole.
• It uses robotics and advanced computer software, which allows your surgeon to create a personalized treatment plan to precisely remove tissue.
• It uses a heat-free waterjet to remove tissue.

What to expect after Aquablation therapy

Following your Aquablation therapy procedure, your doctor will provide specific discharge instructions and advise on signs and symptoms that may require further medical attention. If a urinary catheter was placed in your bladder following Aquablation therapy, it will typically be removed within one to two days.¹ However, some patients may require a catheter for a longer time. Your doctor will provide you with specific discharge instructions and information, which you should follow.

In general, the most common side effects reported by patients include:

• Temporary “burning” when urinating
• Seeing blood and/or tissue debris in the urine for a few weeks after surgery
• Urinary symptoms, including force of the stream, hesitancy, or intermittency
• Symptoms such as frequency, urgency, and nighttime urinating. These may be “bladder symptoms” and may take longer to improve (sometimes several months)

Most symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks after Aquablation therapy, though individual results may vary.

Usually, you can return to your everyday activities within a short time after the Aquablation therapy procedure. If you have any questions on which activities to resume, ask your doctor.

Source: PROCEPT BioRobotics, Aquablation Therapy [Brochure]

St. Charles Health System announced today Community Benefit grants of more than $240,000 to 45 local organizations in Central Oregon. The grants were awarded to provide basic needs, sponsor local events and as part of St. Charles’ two Priority Grant focus areas: providing access to healthy, affordable food and increasing a sense of belonging and reducing loneliness.

Open Door Ministries will use the $5,000 Basic Needs grant from St. Charles to fund programs that help local individuals who are experiencing poverty or houselessness. The organization, which is affiliated with the Bend Methodist Church, provides free clothing, hygiene and personal items, food and help with funding for utilities or gas to those in need.

“Our roots are in helping marginalized people. It’s who we are. We are thrilled to receive this grant. We will be good stewards of the funding and will put it to good use,” said Chuck Hemingway with Open Door Ministries. 

The group also operates a mailroom for individuals who do not have a permanent address and more than 200 Central Oregonians use this service.

Charlotte Hartman volunteers in the mailroom and helps connect people with clothing or other needed items. “I’ve worked here almost 40 years. I do it because you just look around and see the need. It’s huge. It makes me feel good and hopefully it touches someone’s life in a positive way.”

Carlos Salcedo, manager of Community Partnerships with St. Charles, says it’s heartening to see many local organizations stepping up to address needs in the community.

“We are proud to provide support for many wonderful efforts and events in Central Oregon. The need in our community seems to be growing, as more than 90 organizations applied for grant funding, which is a fairly significant increase from what we have seen in years past.”

Learn more about St. Charles Community Benefit program on our website.

The St. Charles Health System Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michael Hartke will serve as the next President and CEO of the organization as Dr. Steve Gordon plans to retire later this year. Hartke currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the health system and is looking forward to taking on the new role.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know St. Charles – our caregivers, physicians, providers and the leadership team – as well as the Central Oregon region over the past year. I am honored the Board is confident in my leadership abilities to step into Steve’s shoes, which will be very hard to fill,” Hartke said. “I feel exceptionally grateful to have benefited from Steve’s leadership and friendship throughout my time here at St. Charles. There is no doubt that the health care industry faces significant challenges, but I’m confident we will continue working together as an organization and a community to meet them head on.”

After four years as President and CEO, Gordon said it is time to get back to the retirement plans he delayed when originally agreeing to serve in the role on an interim basis.

“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,” he said. “I’ve stayed so much longer in this role than I ever intended because I’ve simply loved working with the people and because I believe that having a strong, local, nonprofit health care system is critical to building a strong, vibrant community.”

The transition will officially take place July 5, but Gordon will continue to provide support through the third quarter of the year and also plans to remain a part of the Central Oregon community in his retirement.  

“I want to thank Steve for stepping in to stabilize the organization post pandemic. During his tenure, St. Charles has reached the top 10% nationally in terms of staff retention, the organization performs better financially than many of its peers throughout the state and patient safety and satisfaction have improved,” said Ann Rhoads, St. Charles Health System Board Chair. “Steve led the organization through several major milestones including integration with The Center, launching of the St. Charles Cancer Institute and opening of the Cancer Center in Redmond, a revitalization of the St. Charles Foundation and philanthropic support along with an improved internal organizational culture and expansion of community outreach activities.”

In addition, Rhoads shared that the board is thrilled that Michael Hartke has agreed to take on the President and CEO role.

“Michael’s experience, track record and focus on clinical and operational excellence will ensure St. Charles is well positioned to continue serving Central Oregon into the future,” Rhoads said.

Hartke has more than 25 years of health care leadership experience, including serving as President of Northwest Community Healthcare, a division of Endeavor Health, in Arlington Heights, Ill. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago. He has been in his role with St. Charles for a little more than a year and joined the St. Charles Foundation Board of Directors earlier this year. He and his wife Amy enjoy living in Bend and appreciate all of the amazing outdoor activities and climate that Central Oregon has to offer. The Hartkes have three adult sons that live in Madison, Wisc., Chicago, Ill., and Southern California.