You, improved. St. Charles strives to improve one patient at a time

Transcription

1 C R E A T I N G A M E R I C A S H E A L T H I E S T C O M M U N I T Y, T O G E T H E R. SPRING 2016 Healing the mind and body Run club Back in business Transporting tiny babies Filling a need PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 9 PAGE 11

2 FLOURISH SPRING 2016 You, improved St. Charles strives to improve one patient at a time Joe Sluka, President and CEO, St. Charles Health System BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dan Schuette, Chair Dennis Dempsey, D.Ed, Vice Chair Knute Buehler, MD Doug Downer Mack Gardner, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.) Steve Gordon, MD Megan Haase, FNP Hartwell Lin, MD Lauri Miller Brian O Hollaren, MD Tom Sayeg Greg Van Pelt ABOUT FLOURISH Flourish is produced four times a year by St. Charles Health System 2500 NE Neff Road Bend, Oregon FLOURISH STAFF Kayley Mendenhall, Editor Kendra Lavery Jordan, Designer Lisa Goodman, Contributor Find health tips, links to articles, news and career opportunities on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest pages. Walking the halls of our hospitals, you might hear people telling patients to get better soon. We all hope that our loved ones have speedy recoveries when they are sick or injured. But for us, the phrase has taken on a new meaning as improvement becomes one of our core areas of focus. At St. Charles Health System, getting better is something we are striving to do every day. We learn new information. We adopt new practices. We purchase and train on new technology. We embrace our ability to make mistakes, learn from them and grow. We are improving one patient at a time. To me this means we not only improve the health of our patients, but also improve in our ability to provide care with every interaction with our patients at each of our hospitals and clinics and throughout all of our services. In addition to improving for ourselves and our patients, we have a goal of making improvements in the communities we serve. Throughout this issue of Flourish you ll read examples of how we are making important investments that will mean greater access to care and greater quality of care for all. In the following pages you ll learn about the re-opening of our Family Birthing Center at St. Charles Madras and how we recognize the importance of maintaining that service in Jefferson County. We ll give you an update on the ongoing construction project at the Bend hospital that is already resulting in an improved experience for our patients and their families. We ll highlight the recent St. Charles Foundation purchase of a new isolette used to transfer premature babies to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. And you ll learn about the ways in which our Community Benefit program boosts other nonprofits and safety net services throughout the region. At the end of the day, all of this work leads to one important goal: You, improved. I hope you enjoy this issue of Flourish and that you have a healthy and happy spring. Sincerely, Joe 2

3 stcharleshealthcare.org Run club St. Charles provides funds to support healthy activities More than 600 students at Barnes Butte Elementary School in Prineville have run a total of 5,427 miles as part of the Badger Run Club this school year and the number keeps climbing. The club encourages students in grades kindergarten through fifth to run laps on the school s track during recesses. It gives kids one more opportunity for healthy choices, Kids can earn necklaces and foot-shaped charms for the miles they run. If they reach 26.2 miles, they become part of the marathon club and receive a T-shirt. Their names are displayed prominently in a hallway at the school as well. When you give them something to run for, they want to do it, said Erin Brewster, one of the staff members who scans the cards. Even when it s really cold outside, they still want to do it. There are some kids that I swear are going to be track stars. They are amazing. said Nathan Yuma, a physical education teacher and coordinator of the run club at Barnes Butte. In low socioeconomic communities you see a lot of sedentary kids. Parents don t have the money to put them in parks and rec programs. Yuma applied to the St. Charles Health System Community Benefit program for funds to support the club and received an initial grant of $4,500. The funds went to purchase scanners that have made it much easier to track the number of laps per child. We used to punch holes in paper feet and I would take them home at night and count them, Yuma said. This is so much better and helps students see their progress much faster. The Barnes Butte Run Club fits perfectly into St. Charles priorities for Community Benefit funding as it promotes health at an early age. In 2014, the organization donated more than $2.7 million in time, cash and supplies to nonprofit organizations throughout the region to promote health and wellness and to support safety net programs. We take our role as a community resource seriously and do our best to partner with other local businesses and organizations to ensure Central Oregonians have access to the health services they need when they need them most, said Jennifer Welander, chief financial officer for St. Charles Health System. We are proud to support local organizations including Grandma s House, Bethlehem Inn, Mountain Star Relief Nursery, Healthy Beginnings, Kids Center, Kids Club of Jefferson County, Crook County High School and many more. Each student has a laminated card with a barcode on it that he or she carries while running. Staff members use a barcode scanner to scan the cards each time a lap is completed and the information is tracked electronically. The program generates regular reports so Yuma can reward participants for achieving various milestones. A Community Benefit task force reviews applications twice a year and makes funding selections based on those programs that best meet the health system s targets. For more information, visit Healthy-Communities/Community-Health-Department. 3

4 FLOURISH SPRING 2016 Healing the mind and body New model brings behavioral health to women s clinic Dr. Wendy Hatcher Central Oregon nonprofits receive $200K in grant funding from St. Charles Health System Since Dr. Wendy Hatcher started working in the St. Charles Center for Women s Health office in Bend she s noticed a trend. Not only are the physicians referring patients to her for behavioral health care the front desk staff and medical assistants are also identifying patients who may be struggling with life changes or health-related news. can affect clinical outcomes for lots of things including surgery. Until now, people weren t thinking about that as a potential barrier to getting a good outcome from a C-section or hysterectomy. Hatcher and Swanson perform pre-surgical evaluations on patients and through a variety of screening tools can better gauge if a woman is St. Charles Health System is pleased to announce it is providing $200,000 in community benefit grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Central Oregon. They ll notice that an 18-year-old who just found out she s pregnant is really having a hard time and they tell her, Hey, we ve got Dr. Hatcher here and she s great to talk to, said Hatcher, a clinical psychologist embedded in the clinic. prepared emotionally for the procedure she is facing. Sometimes it is as simple as making sure the patient has a clear understanding of what to expect after the surgery that sets her up to recover well. 4 Schools, homeless shelters, public health and youth programs are among the 28 nonprofits in the region that are helping tackle St. Charles Health System s strategic priorities of childhood preventive health and education, and obesity. Applications for funding are vetted based on their alignment with St. Charles strategic priorities, identified need, impact on target population and other application qualifications. The work is totally amazing. It makes my heart sing. St. Charles Medical Group began integrating psychologists into its family care clinics five years ago. Now the model is expanding to include specialty clinics like the Center for Women s Health. Having psychologists in the same location as physicians gives patients ready access to care for their physical and mental health needs. Some issues affect women disproportionately more than men. Depression is one of those things, said Dr. Kim Swanson, a clinical psychologist embedded in the St. Charles Family Care and the Center for Women s Health clinics in Redmond. Depression While post-partum depression is a common diagnosis in the women s health clinics, Hatcher said she also works with women throughout the lifespan and during every phase of life. For some, times of major transition like menopause can be difficult to navigate emotionally as well as physically. Others may have just received a cancer diagnosis and still others are young, healthy women thinking about having a baby and how that might impact their lives. Women take care of everything, Hatcher said. In our culture, it s not OK to be depressed. Very few people can listen and hold the space for women. I feel like the experience here is a village. We are all collaborating to take care of the whole person.

5 stcharleshealthcare.org Theodore David Eugene Henry and his parents Back in business St. Charles Madras reopens Family Birthing Center The birth of Theodore David Eugene Henry at St. Charles Madras the afternoon of Feb. 1 was cause for celebration for more than just his family. Little Theodore was the first baby born at the hospital since its birthing center closed for about six months due to a nurse staffing shortage. The facility reopened Jan. 25 after health system leaders made significant changes to address the underlying issues facing the unit. I am proud to report that this team has made tremendous progress toward ensuring our obstetrical service is both clinically excellent and sustainable for years to come, said Jeanie Gentry, St. Charles Madras and St. Charles Prineville CEO. When St. Charles temporarily closed the Madras Family Birthing Center last July, Wilson said she was concerned. I knew I could help, Wilson said. Our county needs OB services and I was committed to help make that happen. The Madras hospital serves patients throughout Jefferson County and the Warm Springs Reservation who often have to travel great distances for care. We have so many barriers to travel for some of our clients that we have to have an option locally for them, Wilson said. It can be 50 miles for them to get here and for some of these moms, they can t make it to Redmond. From the beginning, St. Charles leaders have been committed to reopening the Madras Family Birthing Center because of its location and the need it serves. The team has secured the services of 11 labor and delivery nurses, ensuring sufficient depth in staffing. In addition, St. Charles increased Madras nurses wages to remain competitive with other health care facilities, formed a safety and quality steering committee and is considering developing a fellowship program to train nurses internally who are interested in a career in labor and delivery. Since she returned to the hospital, Wilson said she has felt nothing but support from the physicians in the region and St. Charles administrators toward reopening the unit. We know the closure of our Family Birthing Center was an inconvenience for our patients and providers, Gentry said. Another important step was the hiring of Tammy Wilson as nurse manager of the Family Birthing Center. Wilson, who is a Madras native, worked at the hospital from 1999 through 2012 when she took a position with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We ve appreciated the community s support and patience during this time and we are so happy that we are open with a team that is solid and a program that is safe. 5

6 Healthy Happenings SPRING 2016 Register online at stcharleshealthcare.org Registration required unless otherwise noted. Call for more information. CANCER CARE DIABETES EDUCATION TOBACCO CESSATION Please visit our website for a current list of programs and events and to RSVP for all cancer care programs: stcharleshealthcare.org/classes/cancer.aspx INFO: Living with Diabetes Class and individual sessions on managing diabetes, glucose monitoring, medications, exercise, nutrition, stress and wellness, complications, pregnancy, pediatrics, insulin and pumps. Taught by certified diabetes educators (nurses and dietitians). Meets national standards for diabetes education. Physician referral required. BEND: REDMOND: PRINEVILLE: MADRAS: Individual diabetes counseling sessions offered Freshstart Tobacco Cessation Four-week sessions. Developed by the American Cancer Society, this program can help you successfully quit smoking. FEE: $35. BEND: April 19 - May 10, Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. REDMOND: April 25 - May 16, Mondays, 5:30-7 p.m. PRINEVILLE: April 27 - May 18, Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. MADRAS: April 28 - May 19, Thursdays, 5:30-7 p.m. DEFEAT Cancer This survivorship empowerment program focuses on nutrition, physical activity, education and inspiration. Light dinner served. FREE. MEETS: second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It is also broadcast to Redmond. Coffee & Connection Meet over coffee in a small group setting facilitated by a social worker. Adult survivors, family members, caregivers and friends all are welcome. FREE. MEETS: the first and third Wednesdays monthly from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Harvest of HOPE Food assistance program for cancer patients while in treatment. We are accepting donations of healthy non-perishables (veggies, fruits, soups, pasta sauce, etc). Collection bins in the St. Charles Cancer Center lobby. Redmond Support Group Discussion for adult survivors and caregivers. FREE. MEETS: Second Monday of each month 3-4 p.m. at the Redmond cancer clinic. Young Adult Survivor Network For people ages facing cancer and their caregivers. Casual meet ups for camaraderie, support and fun. FREE. Restorative Yoga for Cancer Survivors Gentle yoga class open to survivors at all levels of experience. Mondays at 12 p.m. FREE. Staying Nourished During Treatment/Wellness through Nutrition After Treatment Meet with our oncologytrained registered dietician to learn about foods that can help with your symptoms and optimize your nutrition. FREE. Alternates topics each fourth Wednesday of the month. Cancer Hope Network Would you like to talk with someone who has already faced cancer? St. Charles Cancer Center has partnered with Cancer Hope Network to match you with a survivor or caregiver who can offer one-on-one support and hope to you and your family members FREE. Walking for Wellness is a gentle, fun introduction to a lifelong healthy habit. Learn good walking/stretching techniques while making new friends. Open to cancer survivors and caregivers. FREE. Next seven-week session begins April 16. Community Education our staff provides education to middle school, high school, service clubs and other community groups throughout Central Oregon. Our topics focus on areas of cancer awareness, cancer prevention and nutrition. Preventing Diabetes Understand what factors increase your risk for diabetes, identify your personal risk factors and develop strategies to change your lifestyle. Learn to overcome obstacles and incorporate healthier habits for a long and healthy future. This class is NOT appropriate for people with diabetes, but is great if you have been told you have pre-diabetes. Pre-registration required. FEE $25. BEND: Tuesday, June 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Diabetes Support Group Bend No registration required. Bring your specific questions for Q/A session. FREE. UPCOMING TOPIC: Diabetes and Sleep Disorders SPEAKER: Debbie Rief-Adams, FNP, will discuss sleep disorders - causes, treatments and diabetes MEETS: May 10 Tuesday, 4-5 p.m., St. Charles Bend, East Dining Room INFO: JDRF Type 1 Bend Coffee Group For people with Type 1 diabetes, or parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. FREE. MEETS: third Friday of every month at 10 a.m., Jackson s Corner, 845 NW Delaware Ave. in Bend. Upcoming dates March 18 and April 15. INFO: Penny Falck at JDRF Supper Club For young adults diagnosed with Type1 diabetes. FREE. MEETS: Monthly. for dates and location. INFO: LauraKGlover@gmail.com JDRF Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes April 16, Drake Park in Bend, registration at 1 p.m. walk at 2 p.m. HEALTHY EATING FOR LIFE Eat for a Healthy Heart Reduce your risk of heart disease or continue to improve your heart health. Topics include foods to choose and how to integrate them into your lifestyle, portion sizes, physical activity and troubleshooting the heart-healthy diet. FEE: $20. BEND: March 14, Monday, 5:30-7 p.m. REDMOND: March 16, Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m. PRINEVILLE: March 23, Wednesday, 5:30-7p.m. MADRAS: March 21, Monday, 5:30-7 p.m NEW Start (Nourishment, Enjoyable Movement, Wellness, Start today) 10-week sessions. This health improvement program is focused on good nutrition and exercise habits, overcoming obstacles to obtaining health and making it all fit into your lifestyle. The program includes two individual appointments with a St. Charles nutritionist. FEE: $90 per person. BEND: April 4 - May 23, Mondays, 9:30-10:45 a.m. REDMOND: April 6 - May 25, Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45 a.m. MADRAS: April 6 - May 25, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m. PRINEVILLE: April 4 - May 23, Mondays, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Prep to Plate Nutrition education and cooking savvy are made fun in this handson class. Learn to make good, nutritious meals affordable, easy to prepare and most importantly delicious! Registered Dietitian RanDee Anshutz facilitates this class alongside chefs from popular Bend area restaurants. Suitable class for ages 8 and up. FEE: $30. BEND: March 19 - Featuring: Chef Bethlyn Rider from Bethlyn s Global Fusion. or May 21. Topic: to be determined. Saturdays 10:30-12 p.m. LOCATION: Bend Senior High School, 230 NE 6th St. INFO: ext

7 ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS Total Joint Replacement Classes This class is designed to inform patients what to expect before, after and during their total joint replacement experience. The class is highly recommended by orthopedic surgeons. After attending the class patients are in a better position to plan their discharge and recovery from total joint replacement surgery. FREE. REGISTRATION/INFO: stcharleshealthcare.org/ TotalJoint or call Total Joint Replacement Education line at Better Breathers Club This educational group is for people with chronic lung conditions and their caregivers and families. FREE. MEETS: second Monday of every month, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Heart & Lung Center conference room. INFO: Monthly Support Meetings for Bariatric Surgery Facilitated by Dr. Karen Campbell, a psychologist, and LuAnn Lehnertz, a registered dietitian. FREE. BEND: First Tuesday of each month 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the third Tuesday of each month 6:30-7:30 p.m. Two groups will be offered at the 6:30-7:30 p.m. class, a regular support group, and one for patients that are two years or more past their surgery date. REDMOND: First Wednesday of each month, 4-5 p.m. PRINEVILLE: Third Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 p.m. INFO: Call for locations. American Heart Association Courses Health Care Provider BLS, Heartsaver CPR and First Aid, ACLS, PALS and NRP courses are open to the public. INFO: stcharleshealthcare.org/classes. Please contact the training center coordinator with questions at Bariatric Informational Seminar Informational meetings with our surgeons are the first step in your bariatric surgery journey. We invite all who are interested in learning more about our program to attend and hear from our surgeons as well as from those who have experienced bariatric surgery. Registration is not required, however, meetings are subject to change so please call and confirm the meeting you would like to attend. FREE. BEND: Third Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. in odd months CONTACT: REDMOND: First Wednesday of every month 2-4 p.m. CONTACT: Take Heart This educational group is for people with chronic heart conditions, their caregivers and families. FREE. MEETS: third Monday of the month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Heart & Lung Center conference room. INFO: Living Well with Chronic Conditions Class Six-week interactive workshop designed for people who are living with chronic health conditions or for their caregivers. It teaches real-life skills for learning to live a full, healthy life with a chronic condition. Pre-registration required. FEE $10. Classes held throughout Central Oregon. Dates and times vary. Pre-registration required. INFO: Grief Support Understanding Your Grief St. Charles Hospice grief support programs provide a safe and supportive environment to begin the journey toward healing. Take time to take care of yourself, to meet with others and find that you are not alone. Location and dates vary throughout the year in Prineville, Bend, Madras and La Pine. INFO/REGISTRATION: SUPPORT GROUPS St. Charles offers a wide variety of support groups. INFO: Please see website or call MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITY Preventing Osteoporosis with Exercise Eight-week sessions (two days a week). Activity for the prevention and reduction of osteoporosis. Classes led by licensed physical therapists. FEE: $63. BEND: May 23 -July 20 (no class May 30 or July 4) Mondays/Wednesdays, 8-9 a.m. or 9-10 a.m. BEND: May 26 -July 19 Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. REDMOND: Please see website for current dates and times or contact: MADRAS: March 15 - May 5 Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1-2 p.m. Parkinson s Exercise Class Eight-week sessions. Exercises led by physical therapists. Education and discussions follow. FEE: $45. BEND: April 11 - June 6 (No class May 30), Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Rehabilitation Exercise Class Eight-week sessions. Class focuses on improving strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Specialized exercise for people with various ability levels. Classes supervised by a licensed physical therapist. FEE $80 (two times per week) OR $120 (three times per week). INFO/REGISTRATION: Movement Disorders Exercise Class Eight-week sessions. This class is designed for people who have mobility challenges and walk independently. Classes led by licensed physical therapists. FEE $40. REDMOND: March 7- April 25, or May 2-June 27 (No class May 30) Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., March 11- April 29 or May 13-July 1, Fridays,12:30-1:30 p.m. LOCATION: St. Charles Redmond Outpatient Rehab Gym, 1523 Canal Blvd. MADRAS: March 8 - April 26 or May 10 - June 28, Tuesdays, 3-4 p.m. LOCATION: St. Charles Madras Tetra/Paraplegia Exercise Class This class focuses on maintaining strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. For people with tetraplegia or paraplegia resulting from a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or other neurological cause. FEE $60. BEND: St. Charles Bend Outpatient Gym. Start dates vary. Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. INFO/REGISTRATION: Guided Activity for High BMI (Body Mass Index) This eight session class is a progressive, therapist-guided exercise program designed for people who are limited in their daily activities because of a high Body Mass Index.FEE: $80 REDMOND: March 3-April 25 or May 2-June 27 (No class May 30). LOCATION: St. Charles Redmond Outpatient Rehab Gym,1523 Canal Blvd., Mondays/Thursdays 8-9 a.m. Bariatric Surgery Patients (pre- and post-op) Exercise Class This class focuses on education and the safe initiation and progression of an exercise program to meet your weight-loss goals. FEE $80 (two times per week). BEND: St. Charles Bend Outpatient Gym, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 8-9 a.m. REGISTRATION: CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION Breastfeeding Class This class provides families with information they need prior to birth, while in the hospital and at home. FEE: $25 per couple. BEND: March 21 or April 18 REDMOND: May 18 or July 20 LOCATION: St. Charles Center for Women s Health, 340 NW 5th Street, Suite 101 MADRAS: Contact Terry at Childbirth Education Classes Discover your options and become better prepared in this St. Charles class. Our package format includes childbirth preparation, a newborn s world and breastfeeding. Classes are highly partner focused and pricing is per couple, offered as one, all-day Saturday course or two evening courses. FEE $49 per couple. BEND: April 23, May 21 or June 18, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., BEND: April 19 and 20, May 17 and 18 or June 13 and 14, Evenings, 6-9 p.m. REDMOND: March 26 or May 28, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. REDMOND: April 25 and 26, Monday/Tuesday evenings, 6-9 p.m.

8 FLOURISH SPRING 2016 Construction moves to east side of St. Charles Bend Tower renovations near half-way point 8 An evening with Sorrel King St. Charles Health System invites you to a special evening with Sorrel King, author of Josie s Story, who will share the story of her daughter s death, her family s struggle to deal with their grief and the safety improvements that have come about as a result. Josie King died at Johns Hopkins when she was only 18 months old due to medical errors. The event will take place at 7 p.m., May 19 at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. From the top of Pilot Butte, St. Charles Bend is starting to look like a whole new building. Construction on the west-facing side of the hospital tower is complete and renovations have now moved to the rooms on the east side. The result is a sleek, modern look as the saw tooth design of the original building is slowly replaced by a flat exterior dominated by large windows. The goal of this project from the beginning was to provide more life to this facility so it can continue to serve our community for decades to come, said Rick Martin, vice president of construction and real estate for St. Charles Health System. Although we know it has been an inconvenience to our staff and patients, the end result will be a hospital with improved infrastructure and a more comfortable, healing environment. The roughly $30 million project is tackling patient rooms and nursing areas on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the building that originally opened in Rooms on the third and fourth floors are nearly doubling in size with much larger bathrooms and space for family members to visit comfortably. More than half of the bathrooms affected by the project will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act once it is complete. In the first four phases of the project the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems in the tower were upgraded to ensure they meet the latest standards and that they will support the building into the future. In addition, the new rooms are equipped with an overhead lift system that helps nurses more easily move patients without injuring their own backs. We ve had a lot of feedback and comments from patients that have been in our hospital before in the old rooms and have seen the difference, said Mark Highland, manager of the Ortho/Neuro unit on the third floor. They are very, very impressed with what we ve done and they are appreciative. There is a lot more room for their family to visit and stay. Caregivers have worked hard throughout the project to inform patients about the construction. Earplugs are provided for those bothered by the noise and sound machines are also available by request. We are excited by how far we ve come, but know that we still have a long way to go, Martin said of the project that is expected to be complete in the summer of We appreciate the patience of our caregivers, patients and visitors as we work to ultimately provide a better experience for all.

9 stcharleshealthcare.org Transporting the tiniest St. Charles Foundation buys new isolette for NICU Almost once a week, a premature baby needs to be transported by helicopter from a hospital in Central or Eastern Oregon to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Charles Bend. To make the trip, babies are placed in a special incubator known as an isolette and attended to by a team of trained NICU transport caregivers. The job of the caregivers is to keep the infant stable until they can reach the NICU for specialized care something that requires a combination of skill and the latest technology. Our isolette has been in service for many years, said Wendy Miller, a NICU nurse and member of the transport team. It s at the end of its life. Although the St. Charles Biomedical Services team has worked diligently and creatively to keep the isolette in operation, Dr. Robert Pfister, medical director of the St. Charles NICU, said it is no longer possible to repair. Knowing the situation, St. Charles Foundation stepped in and offered to pay the $175,000 to purchase a new isolette. It s like Christmas morning, Miller said of the gift. It s not just a big deal for us, it s for everybody in the region that we serve. You need high-tech, reliable equipment. Some of these babies need a lot of support. Like most isolettes, the new equipment gives caregivers the ability to carefully control the humidity and temperature for premature infants as well as protect them from vibrations and noises caused by the helicopter. In addition, this isolette has a high frequency jet ventilator that is both very powerful and gentle to developing fragile lungs. Through the ventilator, caregivers can deliver a gas called nitric oxide to babies. This is a life-saving treatment that helps the lungs of critically ill babies make the transition from being inside the womb to living outside, Pfister explained. With this ventilator, infants can begin to receive these treatments in the field prior to their arrival at the NICU improving their long-term outcomes. This isolette will allow us to keep infants in optimal condition. It will allow us to manage critically ill infants during transport in much the same way we will in the NICU, Pfister said. The entire NICU team is so grateful to the Foundation. The community will benefit hugely from this. When they heard of the need for a new isolette, Lisa Dobey, executive director of St. Charles Foundation, said the decision to fund the new equipment was simple. We didn t specifically fund raise for this equipment, but when donors contribute to the Foundation for the highest need, it s an amazing resource and a way we can respond in real time to needs within the health system as they arise, Dobey said. The generous support of our community makes that possible. Your donations go directly to help patients like these tiny babies throughout our region. To support St. Charles Foundation visit foundation.stcharleshealthcare.org. The new isolette, however, also has a novel cooling function that can help prevent brain damage among infants affected by perinatal asphyxial injury. 9

10 FLOURISH SPRING 2016 Innovation and teamwork Dr. Matt Slater, cardiothoracic surgeon, to join St. Charles 10 St. Charles Cancer Center purchases Elekta Versa HD Accelerator Fulfilling its commitment to provide the best treatment options to the community, St. Charles Cancer Center will add a third linear accelerator, the Elekta Versa HD Accelerator. The $3.2 million device, which delivers high-energy x-rays to the region of the patient s tumor, will allow the Cancer Center to treat a higher number of patients with intensity-modulated radiation therapy as well as to treat specialized cases of brain cancers. The new Elekta Versa HD Accelerator will be delivered in January 2017, and should be installed, calibrated and operational about six months later. Dr. Matt Slater has always enjoyed participating in team sports. The idea of teamwork on the soccer field or during a cycling race equates well to what occurs in the operating room where he performs heart and lung surgeries. The nurses, techs, anesthesiologists and surgeons all have an important role to play and when they come together as a team the results are amazing. I m often pushing the team saying, Come on, we can do this! I think that people like to function at the top of their game. I sometimes feel like the coach you hated the most that made you the best, Slater said. What is so satisfying about medicine is that we get a tremendous feeling of accomplishment when we are able to work together to help patients. Slater, who has worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Oregon Health & Science University for 17 years, will move to Bend and join the St. Charles Heart & Lung Center in April. While at OHSU he was the head of the adult cardiac surgery program and the complex heart valve service. Additionally, he directed the quality program. We are so excited to welcome Dr. Slater to our cardiothoracic surgery team, said John Weinsheim, CEO of St. Charles Medical Group. He has a proven track record of providing excellent patient care and leadership. His desire to relocate is truly fortunate for our patients. As part of the St. Charles Heart & Lung Center team, Slater will work alongside Dr. Anthony Furnary and Dr. Angelo Vlessis who he has known and admired for more than 20 years. It s important to be able to trust your partners, Slater said. I feel fortunate to get to work with somebody I respect and who is an outstanding physician. I want to be part of a team that is excellent and I believe that I have found that at St. Charles. When he visited Bend and met with leaders to learn more about the health system, Slater said he was impressed with the focus on quality and the number of improvement projects taking place. He felt that caregivers throughout the system from the highest levels of leadership down were committed to providing quality care. There is no other place where it is more important to provide good quality care than in health care delivery, he said. Your health is critically important in everything you do.

11 stcharleshealthcare.org Filling a need Community partnership brings CNA training program back to Bend It s not uncommon for St. Charles Health System to have or more open certified nursing assistant jobs. It s constant, said Cindy Sjostrand, a St. Charles recruiter. It s tough for us to keep up with the demand. You are getting to help different age levels of people when they are at their worst. I work with people who have dementia; others work with younger patients who have maybe just been in a car accident. If their family can t be there, you get to be that support person for them. Certified nursing assistants, also known as CNAs, are critical to the delivery of patient care at the St. Charles hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras. St. Charles has chosen to hire only those who hold CNA2 certificates, meaning they have completed a secondary training program and passed a test. Because she spends a lot of time with patients, Mecouch said even though she can t diagnose problems she is often the first to notice a difference in their physical condition. She s excited to learn more technical skills like how to manage oxygen for patients and how to check their blood glucose levels items that are covered in the CNA2 training. In recent years it has been difficult for people to receive CNA2 training locally for a variety of reasons, explained Dawn Vollers, manager of clinical education for St. Charles, which has led to an increase in vacant positions. Vollers has worked closely with leaders at Central Oregon Community College in recent months to create a strategy that will help to produce and recruit qualified CNA2 candidates. As part of this effort, a new fast-track class that takes only six weeks to complete began in early February through the Community Education program. The development of the fast-track class is great news to Megan Mecouch who plans to take the next session starting in April. Mecouch currently works as a CNA1 at a local memory care facility and is excited to have the opportunity to learn more and expand her training. While the program is housed under Community Education now, eventually, Vollers said, she hopes that it will be approved by the state as part of the regular curriculum so that students have the opportunity to receive financial aid for the course that costs about $1,000. She s also working with the St. Charles Foundation to develop a scholarship program for those interested in completing the CNA2 training that she hopes will launch in the fall. Each session has space for 16 participants and Vollers hopes the April session will be full, creating a regular pipeline of qualified CNA2 job candidates. This is all part of how we are developing a full CNA program, she said. It s an amazing experience, Mecouch said of being a CNA. 11

12 ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM, INC NE NEFF ROAD BEND, OR Romesco sauce This thick and slightly chunky sauce is a classic Spanish recipe. Its hearty, smoky flavors are fantastic on simple grilled or roasted chicken. Also delicious on roasted spring vegetables, eggs, potatoes, pork or fish. 1 large tomato (1/2 lb), cored 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup toasted almonds 1 slice toasted sourdough or similar bread 2 large garlic cloves 1/8 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes 1 roasted red bell pepper 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste Combine well in a food processor. Store refrigerated for up to one week.