Area information

If you are looking for a place with endless outdoor adventures, shopping, eateries and a great organization to work, you have found it.

With sunny skies and beautiful mountain ranges close by, Central Oregon provides hiking, camping, skiing, rafting, biking, rock climbing, golfing and much more.

Central Oregon resources

Visit Central Oregon
Bend Chamber
Redmond Chamber
Sisters Chamber
Prineville Chamber
Madras Chamber
La Pine Chamber

Area schools

Bend-La Pine Schools
Redmond School District
Crook County School District
Sisters School District
Jefferson County School District

ANTI-RETALIATION NOTICE

Oregon Nurse Staffing Law: SB 469 
June 2019

As stated in SB 469, Oregon’s Nurse Staffing Law, retaliation against a nursing staff member is prohibited for disclosure about a hospital activity, policy, or practice in violation of a law or professional standards of practice that may pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of a patient or the public. This notice summarizes the provisions of ORS 441.181, 441.183, 441.184 and 441.192 and is posted for hospital nursing staff as required by the statute.

441.181: Retaliation for disclosure is prohibited 

A hospital may not take retaliatory action against a nursing staff member because the nursing staff: 

• (a) Discloses, reports or provides information about an activity, policy, or practice in violation of a law or professional standards of practice 
• (b) Objects to or refuses to participate in an activity, policy, or practice in violation of a law or professional standards of practice 
• (c) Participates in a committee or peer review process or files a report or complaint that discusses allegations of unsafe, dangerous or potentially dangerous care 

If a nursing staff member is concerned about any hospital activity, policy, or practice in violation of a law or professional standards of practice that may pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of a patient or the public, the nurse is requested to provide notice to a hospital manager (or other reporting structure as defined by hospital policy) to provide the manager a reasonable opportunity for correction. If the nursing staff member is reasonably certain that the activity, policy, practice or violation is known to one or more hospital managers, or an emergency situation exists, or reasonably fears physical harm as a result of the disclosure, or reasonably believes that a crime has been committed, there is no requirement to notify a hospital manager prior to disclosure. 

441.183: Remedies for retaliation 

If a nursing staff member has been retaliated against, he/she may seek remedy through the county circuit court system, up to and including punitive damages. 

441.184: Unlawful employment practices 

A hospital that takes any retaliatory action against a nursing staff commits an unlawful employment practice. A nursing staff member claiming retaliation may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. 

441.192: Notice of employment outside of hospital 

A hospital may require a full time registered nurse, who is receiving benefits, to provide notice of any outside employment. If a hospital determines the outside employment causes a risk to hospitalized patients receiving services, the hospital may require the nurse to discontinue the outside employment. The hospital is to provide a written explanation how the outside employment creates a risk to patients. If the nurse does not comply, the hospital may pursue disciplinary action of the nurse up to and including termination.

To read the entire Oregon Revised Statutes for Hospital Nursing Services, go to: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors441.html. 

Pharmacy Residents

Current Residents

Samuel Busche – Highlands Ranch, CO | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, Class of 2024

Why St. Charles? 

I chose St. Charles because I found the community and culture welcoming and supportive. I experienced this firsthand when I began interning here three years ago and again during my student rotations. The preceptors have been exceptional mentors, guiding me through complex patient cases and helping me grow both personally and professionally. The wide array of experiences offered, from attending codes in the ED to preparing chemotherapy medications in our Cancer Center, will help prepare me for a diverse range of career paths in pharmacy. This exposure has given me confidence in my ability to excel in whichever direction my career takes me and has provided a strong foundation to grow my clinical expertise. I look forward to the opportunity to further develop my skills and make a meaningful impact on the community. 

Residency Project: Effectiveness and safety of early insulin glargine administration in combination with continuous intravenous insulin infusion in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis: A cohort study 

Future Plans: After completing my PGY1, I hope to continue my journey at St. Charles by transitioning into a clinical role and when the time is right pivoting into a more acute critical care position. Additionally, I plan to pursue BCPS certification soon after my residency, allowing me to practice at the top of my license.

2023-2024 
Kimberly White - Norcross, GA | Mercer University, class of 2023 
Residency Project: Evaluation of efficacy and safety between standard 10 mg/5 mg twice daily and 10 mg/5 mg once daily tPA/DNase in the treatment of pleural effusions 
Current Position: Ambulatory Care PGY2 at Mosaic Medical, Bend OR

2022-2023 
Tori Edwards-Zartman – St. Helens, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2022 
Residency Project: Evaluation of nurse-managed unfractionated heparin infusions for stroke patients in a community hospital 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

Brett Gill – Scappoose, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2022 
Residency Project: Implementation of a pharmacist-led penicillin allergy delabeling service at a community health center 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

2021-2022 
Morgan Hooper - Medford, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2021 
Residency Project: Impact of anticoagulant prescribing patterns on thrombosis readmission rates following hospitalization for COVID19: a pre-post intervention study 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

Patrick O’Hearn - Cincinatti, OH | Pacific University School of Pharmacy, class of 2021 
Residency Project: Retrospective cohort comparison of trough vs area under the curve-based vancomycin dosing at a community hospital 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Spectrum Healthcare Resources in Cincinatti, OH

2020-2021 
Rachel Lukas - Unalaska, WI | University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, class of 2020 
Residency Project: Evaluation of patient outcomes following administration of 3% sodium chloride versus 3% sodium chloride: sodium acetate to traumatic brain injury patients in a community ICU 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Salem Health in Salem, OR

Art Sarkissian - Portland, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2020 
Residency Project: Fixed dose sugammadex for reversal of variable depth of muscular blockade 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Methodist Heath System in Dallas, TX

2019-2020 
Christopher Cheun - Portland, OR | Pacific University School of Pharmacy, class of 2019 
Residency Project: EPIC: Clinical scoring tool optimization 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

Rachel Smith - Salt Lake City, UT | Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2019 
Residency Project: Retrospective review of the implementation of opioid sparing order sets in the ED. 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Renown Hospital in Reno, NV

2018-2019 
Tori Stavish - Frenchtown, MT | University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy, class of 2018 
Residency Project: Retrospective comparison of a joint cocktail vs. liposomal bupivacaine in total knee arthroscopy. 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

Kara Hamlik - Grants Pass, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2018 
Residency Project: Evaluation of pharmacist managed glycemic control of surgical patients in a community hospital. 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at St. Charles Bend

2017-2018 
Gracie Sorge - Little Rock, AR | Medical University of South Carolina - Charleston, class of 2017 
Residency Project: Implementing a pharmacist-managed stress ulcer prophylaxis protocol to promote appropriate use of acid suppressive therapy in the ICU. 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Children’s Hospital of Colorado

Rachel Sullivan - Spokane, WA | Washington State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2017 
Residency Project: Implementation of a penicillin skin testing protocol in the ICU 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist and Residency Program Director at St. Charles Bend

2016-2017 
Alex Miller - Omaha, NE | Creighton University College of Pharmacy, class of 2016 
Residency Project: Creation of a Pharmacy Technician Checking Validation Program 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist and Residency Program Coordinator at St. Charles Bend

Cody Weidenhaft - Cheyenne, WY | University of Wyoming College of Pharmacy, class of 2016 
Residency Project: Implementation of a Total Parenteral Nutrition Per Pharmacy Protocol 
Current Position: Ambulatory Care Pharmacist St. Charles Medical Group Clinics

2015-2016 
Steven Diaz - San Jose, CA | Pacific University School of Pharmacy, class of 2015 
Residency Project: Implementation of a Glycemic Control Protocol 
Current Position: ED Pharmacist – VA Portland

Stephanie Jacobson - Eagle River, AK | Pacific University School of Pharmacy, class of 2015 
Residency Project: Implementation of a bedside prescription delivery service 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Asante Medford, OR

2014-2015 
Tabitha Leinbach - Portland, OR | Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, class of 2014 
Residency Project: Implementation of a Pharmacist-led bedside delivery service to improve discharge outcomes 
Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at Pacific Source in Bend, OR

Jeanie Chen - Los Angeles, CA | Pacific University School of Pharmacy, class of 2014 
Residency Project: Formalized the oral chemotherapy program at St. Charles Cancer Center 
Current Position: ED Pharmacist California

Application Requirements

To be considered for the PGY-1 residency program, the applicant must:

• Be eligible for Oregon pharmacist licensure
• Participate in ASHP Residency Matching Program
• If selected, attend an on-site or virtual interview
• Submit all requirements to PhORCAS by Jan. 3, 2025 at 23:59:
  1. Official academic transcript
  2. Letter of intent
  3. Curriculum vitae
  4. Three letters of recommendation
     (Required: one letter from a school faculty member and one letter from an inpatient preceptor)

Apply Today!

Program Structure

Core Learning Experiences
Orientation
Internal Medicine/Progressive Care Unit
Emergency Medicine
Intensive Care
Neonatal Intensive Care/Pediatrics
Oncology Infusion Center
Ambulatory Care at St. Charles
Administration/Pharmacy Leadership

Elective Learning Experiences
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Operating Room/PACU
Teaching
Ambulatory care
Medication Safety

Longitudinal Experiences
Project Management
Oregon Pharmacy Teaching Certificate
Informatics
Pharmacy Practice Staffing

Other Opportunities
Participation in state and national pharmacy organizations
Present educational in-services to pharmacy and medical staff
Present at local and national meetings
Obtain ACLS/BLS certification
Conduct formulary reviews
Precept pharmacy students
Participate in P&T committee meetings
Facilitation of journal clubs and topic discussions
Attend national pharmacy meetings
Perform patient safety and quality improvement projects

FAQs

Q: Who do I contact if I am sick and can't attend the orientation?
A: Call or email the HR recruiter you worked with to let them know so you can get rescheduled.

Q: Where is clinical orientation held?
A: It is in the Clinical Practice and Professional Development Department within the 2600 building on Neff Road. Your badge should open the door. View the map above for further directions.

Q: Do I clock in using Kronos for orientation?
A: Yes. Clock into education/orientation when orientation begins.

Q: What do I do with the passport after completing clinical orientation?
A: Your passport from orientation goes to your manager to place in your employee file on the primary unit in which you'll be working.

Q: Will I be taking a medication skills assessment?
A: Yes. During the nursing orientation there is a medication administration exam that evaluates your knowledge on dosage calculations and appropriate medication dosing per scenario.

Q: Am I allowed to bring my child with me in an emergency?
A: No. If you are unable to arrange child care, you will need to let HR know so you can be rescheduled for another session.

Q: What should I bring with me to clinical orientation?
A: You may bring lunch, snacks and coffee if you need it. If you're a nurse and CNA, please wear scrubs.

Office of Continuing Medical Education

541-706-4680
[email protected]

The Continuing Medical Education department at St. Charles Health System is a physician-led system service which produces certified CME activities to meet the needs of providers who practice within our community.

The CME Committee is comprised of interprofessional healthcare providers who practice at different hospitals, clinics and specialty groups across Central Oregon. A medical student, NP or PA student serves on the committee to represent the interests of patients and the public at large.

CME Committee

Jeff Bulkley, DO, Mosaic Community Health, Chair
Robert Ross, MD, Director of CME, GME, Reseach and Library SCHS
Nathan Ansbaugh, MD, CO Emergency Physicians- SCHS
David Barnett, DO, Hospitalist SCHS
Irene Czyszczon, MD, Central Oregon Pathology
David Dedrick, MD, Retired
Dausen Harker, MD, Summit Medical Group
Mike Hatch, MD, Bend Anesthesiology Group
Jinnelle Lewis, MD, SCHS Family Care Clinic Madras
Stephen Mann, DO, Retired
Cody Sorenson, PharmD, SCHS
Bryce Campbell, PA-C, Clinical Division Director- Urgent Care
Lexi Dettrich, MD Student
Bill Hartrich, Cascades East AHEC and Student Services
Emily Messmer, FNP, Summit Medical Group
Mariah Weigel, PA-C, Summit Medical Group

Clinical Leadership

Rob Ross, MD, FAAFP
Director of Provider Academics, Research and Clinical Services
Designated Institutional Officer (DIO)
St. Charles Health System
541-706-4949

Administrative Staff

Leslie Borquez
Medical Education Coordinator
541-706-4767

Ellie Cuff, AAOT, PBT ASCP
CME Supervisor
541-706-4719

Javier Leiva, BLS, PGPM
Medical Librarian
Instructor, Conversational Spanish for Healthcare Professionals
541-706-4732
[email protected]

Landon Neet, AS EMT-P, BS, CRC
Medical Education Outcomes Analyst
541-706-2605

Becky Randle, BS, CMA-AAMA
Simulation and Procedural Skills Specialist
541-706-4784

Noura Sall, MS, CCRC
Manager of Research and Education
541-706-6362

David Schumacher, MS
CME Support Specialist
541-706-2900, ext. 7998

Office Location
St. Charles Health System
2600 NE Neff Road
(Through the main family care entrance, then the glass doors to the right)
Bend, Oregon 97701
Main CME Phone: 541-706-4680
Email: [email protected] 

Purpose and goals

St. Charles Health System CME department improves patient care, promotes patient safety and increases physician competency by providing quality education to its four medical staffs, and providers in surrounding Central Oregon region based upon the ABMS® and ACGME® Core Competencies for Physicians. In 2013, SCHS adopted a bold new organizational vision of improving population health: Creating America's healthiest community, together. To support this goal, the CME program meets emerging and evolving challenges by identifying the gaps between actual and best practices in evidence-based medicine. We respond to hospital/medical staff quality indicators with educational programs/information that utilize innovative and appropriate methods and technologies.

Content areas

Because of the diversity of medical practitioners in the region, we provide educational activities in multiple learning formats pertaining to a wide variety of topics. Content areas address acute in-patient needs as well as areas that focus on long-term goals for improved population health.

Target audience

Learners are primary care and specialist allopathic and osteopathic physicians; and a secondary audience is comprised of mid-level providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists and registered nurses, all of whom can apply Category 1 CME Credit toward their individual board’s CE requirements.

Type of the activities provided

We proactively adopt new teaching methods and incorporate technology to improve effectiveness and application by learners in their medical practice. To address the barrier of physician time limitations, activities range from didactic lectures to self-directed study, and include Regularly Scheduled Series, hands on courses, regional conferences, video conferences, journal clubs, enduring materials with computer-based learning, and Internet search and learning with web-based point-of-care programs. Core competencies are addressed through problem-based learning, simulation/demonstration, and targeted case reviews.

Expected results

The CME program recognizes the challenges in establishing a direct link between education and clinical practice; therefore, the CME program contributes to the improvement of patient safety and patient outcomes by promoting best practices. We examine the effectiveness of CME activities in meeting educational needs and measure changes in competence, performance or patient outcomes as identified by gaps between actual practice and stated goals.

These improvements in patient safety and patient outcomes are measured and analyzed internally through St. Charles quality improvement mechanisms. Additionally, physician performance is compared against key performance indicators (KPIs) such as quality and patient satisfaction.

Joint providerships

The ACCME defines joint providership as the providership of a CME activity by one or more accredited and one or more non-accredited organizations. Joint providership gives accredited organizations the opportunity to collaborate with non-accredited organizations to enhance the diversity and value of their educational offerings. We believe that partnering with patient advocacy groups, medical societies, and professional healthcare associations, and specific healthcare related nonprofits is an effective way to strengthen educational programs and to make them more widely available to providers in the community.

The ACCME expects all CME activities to be in compliance with the ACCME Criteria, the Standards for Commercial Support, and policies. In cases of joint providership, it is the ACCME-accredited provider’s responsibility to be able to demonstrate this compliance to the ACCME.

Please Note: due to CME department capacity and priorities, we are limited to supporting joint providerships that are local (Central Oregon) or in rural areas in Oregon where other accredited providers do not exist.

We welcome proposals for Joint Providerships, and will provide qualified organizations with information and a link to complete a detailed online CME application for a modest fee. Please note that we cannot accredit programs that are already planned or completed.

The CME Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of every odd month, with the exception of holidays, to review, approve or request additional information on each proposed topic.

The St. Charles CME Committee reserves the right to refuse to certify an educational activity if it does not meet ACCME requirements for accreditation. Application fees are non-refundable.

Please Note: Fees are for accreditation review, certification, documentation and oversight only. We do not manage the on-sight logistics of CME activities.

Please email us at [email protected] to set up a consultation and receive the applications and needed forms. 

CME Accreditation Fees

Medical meeting planner resources:

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
• Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions
• American Board of Medical Specialties
• American Medical Association
• Electronic Education Documentation System (eeds)
• Oregon Medical Association
• CME Coalition

Disclosure

St. Charles Health System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. As such, the CME program strictly adheres to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support.

The CME program has policies in place to ensure independence from commercial interests for all its CME activities. Everyone in a position to control educational content (CME committee, faculty, planners, reviewers, and others who control content) must disclose to our organization any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests.

Mechanisms are in place to identify and resolve conflicts of interest prior to CME activities, which includes disqualifying individuals who refuse to disclose.

CME Committee members, planners and staff have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Faculty-specific disclosure is posted for learners prior to the beginning of each CME activity. Individually signed disclosures (CME committee, faculty, planners, reviewers and staff) are maintained in the CME program office.

To learn more about the Standards for Commercial Support, go to www.accme.org

For accreditation or other questions about the CME program at St. Charles, feel free to contact CME Program Staff: [email protected]