FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2019

BEND, Ore. – St. Charles Cancer Center has been awarded the 2018 Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

St. Charles Cancer Center was one of only two accredited cancer programs in Oregon—and one of 24 in the country—to receive this honor for the more than 500 cancer surveys performed in 2018, placing it in the top 5 percent of all U.S. cancer programs.

“This award recognizes the comprehensiveness and excellence of our cancer treatments and programs, which span the entire continuum of care,” said Dr. Linyee Chang, a radiation oncologist and medical director of the cancer center. “From prevention and early detection, through diagnosis and active cancer treatment and extending into survivorship and wellness, our patients can be assured they are receiving the best cancer care close to home.”

The purpose of the award is to encourage cancer programs to raise the bar on quality cancer care, with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness about high quality, patient-centered care. In addition, the award is intended to:

• Recognize those cancer programs that achieve excellence meeting the CoC Standards
• Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of quality cancer care
• Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and health care professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices
• Encourage honorees to serve as quality care resources to other cancer programs

St. Charles Cancer Center was evaluated on 34 program standards categorized within five cancer program activity areas: program management, clinical services, continuum of care services, patient outcomes and data quality. The cancer program was further evaluated on seven commendation standards. To be eligible, all award recipients must have received commendation ratings in all seven commendation standards, in addition to receiving a compliance rating for each of the 27 other standards.

For a list of all cancer programs in the U.S. that received the award during 2018, visit this section of the ACS website.

About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,200 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

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Jacqueline Sario spent the first nine years of her life in Japan, where Reiki and acupuncture were considered an important part of every day health. She remembers how difficult it was for her family to adjust to life without regular access to these healing therapies when they moved to the United States in the 1970s.

So when Sario was diagnosed with breast cancer this year, she was overwhelmed to discover that the St. Charles Cancer Center offers integrative therapies including Reiki, acupuncture, massage, art and music therapy, to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

"I was so grateful," Sario said. "My symptoms from treatment are not bad. I believe the services I took advantage of have made a huge difference."

The St. Charles Cancer Center has a comprehensive integrative therapies program that is funded by grants through the St. Charles Foundation. These evidence-based complementary therapies are offered to patients at no cost. Thanks to a recent grant from Les Schwab Tire Centers, a Healing through Music program supports musicians performing music on a weekly basis in the infusion room. An art cart in the infusion room is supplied with crafts and projects. The grant also funds "Staying Nourished During Treatment," a class for patients and their caregivers. Participants sample food, receive recipe ideas and nutrition resources. An oncology-trained massage therapist is funded by both Les Schwab and Sara's Project. Massage is offered to patients in the infusion room and through scheduled appointments.

Reiki, a Japanese technique that promotes deep relaxation, is provided by more than 30 volunteer practitioners, said Marian Boileau, integrative therapies manager. Funding from Sara's Project and Wendy's Wish, supports acupuncture which is currently a pilot project. The project will determine the level of interest in the service from patients and the potential for St. Charles to support the service long-term.

"These are all evidence-based techniques that support the health and healing of the whole person," Boileau said. "Undergoing cancer treatment can be stressful physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Research shows that complementary therapies help promote relaxation and restore balance supporting the body's ability to heal. Benefits may include a reduction in pain, anxiety and fatigue, boost immune function and enhance one's overall sense of well-being."

For David Gravance, acupuncture, massage and Reiki have all made a difference in his recovery. He recently completed radiation treatment for prostate cancer and said he was suffering some fairly sever side effects from the treatment including gastro-intestinal distress.

"I had one acupuncture treatment and the next day it was gone," Gravance said. "This alternative thing that St. Charles came up with — with the acupuncture, the Reiki and the massage — it's incredible. St. Charles looks at you spiritually, medically, the whole ball of wax."

To support the St. Charles Integrative Therapies program, contact the St. Charles Foundation at 541-706-6996.

St. Charles Cancer Center grand opening Aug. 14

BEND, Oregon — Patients, family members, friends, donors, caregivers, physicians and all those interested in attending are invited to the grand opening celebration for the new St. Charles Cancer Center. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 14 with a short program, ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facility and refreshments in the healing garden.

“We started this journey many years ago to build a comprehensive cancer center where all services are available in one location,” said Dr. Linyee Chang, medical director of the St. Charles Cancer Center. “It is time to celebrate the incredible amount of time, effort and resources that have gone into making this healing facility a reality.”

The $13 million cancer center was designed and developed with input from caregivers and patients. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall of the medical oncology room will give chemotherapy and other infusion patients a healing, peaceful view during their treatment. Exam rooms have separate entrances for patients and staff, so that patients have a direct route with little congestion in the hallways. Work areas for physicians, nurses and other patient care support staff are located in an open, central area where the entire team can communicate easily and better coordinate care.

The new Les Schwab Medical Oncology Wing opened to patients July 1, while the John D. Picchetti Radiation Oncology Wing renovation will be complete this month.

Thanks to community donations, St. Charles Foundation has raised 97 percent of its $5.7 million capital campaign toward the project.

“This event is one way we hope to show our gratitude to the Central Oregon community for coming together and supporting cancer services in our region,” said Lisa Dobey, executive director of St. Charles Foundation. “Please join us as we celebrate the care and service this new center will provide our community for decades to come.”

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras and Redmond, and leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 3,400 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

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