St. Charles Health System’s Trauma Program will honor and recognize former trauma patients Wednesday, May 21 at St. Charles Bend. The event will include a visit from therapy dogs, free barbecue lunch and the chance to connect with St. Charles caregivers, first responders and fellow medical trauma survivors.

“Every year this is an incredible event for our former patients and caregivers. It’s a chance to connect with one another in a meaningful and healing way,” said Jeremy Buller, Trauma Program Coordinator.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Charles Bend Conference Rooms A and B and the outside patio, weather permitting.

St. Charles Trauma and Emergency Services cared for more than 2,500 traumatically injured patients in 2024 – up about 200 patients over the previous year. Falls are the most common injury, followed by motor vehicle crashes, ATV/snowmobile/dirt bike crashes, motorcycle crashes and bike crashes.

Buller said that summer is referred to as trauma season by medical professionals because of an increase in these types of injuries.

“We are always here and ready to help, but we would also love to help our community members prevent a visit to the Emergency Department,” said Buller. “Have fun this summer, but please wear a helmet, don’t mix intoxicants with moving vehicles, don’t text and drive and talk to your primary care doctor about fall prevention.”

For caregivers in the St. Charles Trauma Program, Memorial Day is not just the kickoff of summer – it also marks the beginning of the busiest time of year for the department, often referred to as trauma season. The onset of warm weather brings an increase in recreational activities, which means an increase in trauma patients needing emergency services in Central Oregon.

Dr. Annie Onishi says there are some key steps individuals can take to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

• Wear a helmet while biking or riding on any motorized vehicle.

• No driving, biking, boating, etc. while intoxicated.

• Understand the rules of the road.

• Be safe with fireworks – or better yet, just watch the big show and don’t set off any yourself.  

“In general, if you wouldn’t do something in front of your parents or your kids – don’t do it,” said Onishi. “We hope to see you on the river or the trails and not in the Emergency Department.”

St. Charles cares for approximately 2,300 trauma patients every year across its four hospitals, including injuries caused by falls, vehicle crashes, recreational accidents and more. St. Charles Bend is a level 2 trauma center, the only one east of the Cascades. The average trauma patient stays 5.5 days in the hospital and receives care from more than 200 caregivers during that time.

Trauma survivors invited for day of connection and healing at St. Charles Bend

St. Charles Health System’s Trauma Program is hosting an event to honor and recognize former trauma patients Wednesday, May 15 at St. Charles Bend. The event will include a visit from therapy dogs, free barbecue lunch and the chance to connect with St. Charles caregivers, first responders and fellow trauma survivors.

The program will include a welcome from a trauma doctor and two trauma survivors will speak: Emma Vlossak will share her experience as a former trauma nurse who became a trauma patient and Richard Marcias will perform a song that he wrote during his stay at St. Charles while recovering from a fall.

Jeremy Buller, trauma program coordinator, is excited to bring the event back for a second year, after a successful first Trauma Survivor Day in 2023.

“I hope that the trauma survivors and family members can connect with each other and understand they aren’t alone in their experiences. For some people, this event helps provide a sense of closure,” said Buller. “Our caregivers also find tremendous meaning and joy when they are able to interact with former patients who are healing.”  

All former trauma survivors are invited to attend the event; RSVPs are required at the link. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Charles Bend Conference Rooms A and B and the outside patio, weather permitting.

More about the Trauma Program at St. Charles

St. Charles cares for approximate 2,300 trauma patients every year across its four hospitals, including injuries caused by falls, vehicle crashes, recreational accidents and more. St. Charles Bend is a level 2 trauma center, the only one east of the Cascades. The average trauma patient stays 5.5 days in the hospital and receives care from more than 200 caregivers during that time.

St. Charles Health System’s Trauma Program will host four upcoming Stop the Bleed classes in Bend to instruct community members in potentially life-saving techniques to help stop bleeding. The free 2-hour courses will take place Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. and noon, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Bend. 

In the class, individuals will learn three quick techniques to help save a life if someone is bleeding, including how to use hands to apply pressure to a wound, how to pack a wound to control bleeding and how to correctly apply a tourniquet. 

“We invite community members to learn these critical techniques, just like they might learn the basics of CPR or first aid,” said Jeremy Buller, trauma program coordinator. “We hope that individuals never need to use these techniques, but understanding how to Stop the Bleed can truly save lives in a traumatic situation.” 

Classes are limited to 20 people and online registration is required.

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, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 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.