St. Charles Health System and the Bend Police Department are hosting a medication take-back event on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bend Police Department at 555 NE 15th St., Bend.

The take-back event is intended to help households dispose of medications that could be ingested by someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed and to prevent medications from ending up in the water table.

In 2022 this event collected 500 pounds of medications and sharps that were then disposed of safely.  

No questions will be asked. Individuals can drive through the parking lot and drop off medications right from their car window. Evidence technicians will accept the medications, then give them to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispose of safely.

Any non-oncology medications will be accepted. Liquids, pills, powders, patches, creams, prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines can be dropped off. Representatives from St. Charles pharmacy will also be on-site to answer questions.

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 4,800 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.

Grand Rounds - October 13, 2023     
"Menopause: Conventional and Alternative Treatments"

Speaker: Nancy Phillips, MD. Professor, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science, New Brunswick, NJ.

Objectives

1. Describe the menopause transition, associated symptoms, and health effects of menopause.
2. Analyze the efficacy, side effects, benefits, and risks of conventional therapies for menopause.
3. Analyze the evidence for alternative therapies in the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Grand Rounds - October 6, 2023    
"Preparing for the big 3: RSV, Influenza, COVID-19 "

Speaker: Cynthia Maree, MD. Section Chief Infectious Diseases, St. Charles Health System.

Objectives

1. Up to date understanding of COVID-19 severity and immunity.
2. Review new vaccines to combat respiratory viral infections and recommended guidelines.
3. Best way to prepare for the upcoming respiratory viral season.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Health system will no longer be in-network for Humana, HealthNet and WellCare

Citing continued, unresolved concerns about patient care and administrative burdens, St. Charles Health System announced today it will no longer be an in-network provider for Medicare Advantage plans from Humana, HealthNet and WellCare starting in 2024. Seniors and others on Medicare plans will continue to have options for insurance coverage at St. Charles, as the health system continues to accept traditional Medicare and some Medicare Advantage plans.

“We care deeply about our patients and the care they receive, which is why we are unwilling to continue with the status quo with Medicare Advantage plans that result in restrictions to patient care, longer hospital stays and administrative burdens for providers,” said Dr. Mark Hallett, chief clinical officer. “We are grateful that some insurance partners were willing to come to the table and try out innovative solutions to these complex problems.”

St. Charles joins many other hospitals and health systems around the country that are reevaluating their participation in Medicare Advantage plans, which are publicly funded, but privately run (“Hospitals are dropping Medicare Advantage left and right”).

“The conversation about Medicare Advantage continues at St. Charles and at health systems around the nation,” said Matt Swafford, chief financial officer. “We hope the innovative solutions we are piloting with PacificSource that we announced last week will serve as a model for future discussions.”

When Medicare open enrollment begins Oct. 15, local seniors will have options should they want to remain in-network for St. Charles. In addition to traditional Medicare and PacificSource, St. Charles will start the year accepting the following Medicare Advantage plans: Providence, Moda and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Individuals on Medicare Advantage plans from Humana, HealthNet and WellCare should receive a communication from their insurance provider about the changes to their health plan offerings and in-network provider availability.

Key dates:

• Oct. 15, 2023: Medicare open enrollment begins

• Dec. 7, 2023: Medicare open enrollment ends

• Dec. 31, 2023: Humana coverage ends

• Feb. 1, 2024: HealthNet and WellCare coverage ends

Central Oregonians who wish to explore insurance options, can contact:

• Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) at 800-722-4134, option 2,
• 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227),
• Council on Aging of Central Oregon at 541-678-5483,
• or an insurance broker of your choosing.

Additional information can be found on the St. Charles Medicare Advantage FAQ webpage or individuals can call 541-612-8378.

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 4,800 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.

Fall and winter is a wonderful time in Central Oregon, with plenty of fun stuff to do: Snow sports, sledding with the kids, hanging out by a fire, holiday gatherings and, of course, that much-needed February getaway to warmer climes.

Unfortunately, fall and winter is also respiratory illness season. Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are all common in the region, and each of them can cause serious illness that will wreck those plans you’ve been looking forward to.

Here’s the best way to protect yourself and your plans: Get vaccinated.

“This season, safe and effective vaccines designed to prevent serious cases of flu, COVID and RSV are available,” said Dr. Cynthia Maree, St. Charles’ infectious disease expert. “Getting sick is no fun, especially when it takes you away from doing the things you love to do. So I want to urge everyone 6 months old and older to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19, and to talk to their primary care physician about whether they should get the RSV vaccine.”

Vaccines do not always prevent illness, but they can curtail how sick you get if you are infected. It is especially important for people over the age of 65 and people with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity or a weakened immune system to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, Maree said. 

“Vaccines remain our best protection against serious respiratory illness,” she said. “Other things you can do to stay healthy include washing your hands, physically distancing, wearing a mask in crowds and staying home if you do get sick.”

• This season’s flu vaccine targets four strains of seasonal influenza and is recommended for everyone 6 months old and older. October is the ideal time to get a flu shot, because protection wanes throughout the season.
• An updated COVID-19 vaccine is available now and is recommended for everyone 6 months old and older. For protection against severe disease, get it now unless you have received a booster within the past two months OR you were infected within the past three to four months.
• There are two RSV vaccines (GSK and Pfizer) that are very similar and recommended for people 60 years old and older, as well as pregnant people. If you’re eligible, talk to your provider about getting the RSV vaccine. Protection is durable throughout the season.

For more information, including where to get vaccines, visit stcharleshealthcare.org/vaccines.

St. Charles announces agreement with PacificSource that will benefit patients and providers

St. Charles Health System announced today that it has reached an agreement with PacificSource that promotes excellence in cancer care, reduces administrative burdens and keeps St. Charles hospitals and clinics in-network for PacificSource Medicare Advantage plans in Central Oregon through 2024. The agreement includes PacificSource’s Oregon Health Plan and commercial insurance plans. 

“We are excited to bring this agreement to our community and believe it addresses many of our concerns,” said Dr. Mark Hallett, chief clinical officer for St. Charles. “We are grateful to PacificSource for working with us to identify creative solutions that we believe will benefit patients and health care providers throughout the region.”

In particular, the teams agreed to focus on reducing administrative burdens for patients and health care workers, initially prioritizing the following innovative ideas: 

• Beginning in 2024, St. Charles Cancer Center patients will be able to receive care prescribed by their physicians without prior authorization from PacificSource. This change recognizes St. Charles Cancer Center’s stellar record providing care within National Cancer Care Network guidelines. 
• PacificSource and St. Charles will work together to ensure patients are able to be discharged from the hospital when they no longer need hospital-level care. 

“We are all committed to ensuring Central Oregonians retain access to high quality health care and this agreement is a step in the right direction,” said Matt Swafford, chief financial officer for St. Charles. “This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation with all of our health insurance partners and we hope the innovative solutions we are piloting with PacificSource will serve as a model for future discussions.” 

Both organizations will monitor these new initiatives throughout the coming year to ensure they are achieving the desired outcomes of reducing stress on patients and families and increasing speed and access to appropriate levels of care, while also reducing the administrative burden on health care providers. 

St. Charles will continue to evaluate participation in Medicare Advantage Plans going forward and has not yet reached an agreement with Humana, HealthNet and WellCare Medicare Advantage plans for 2024. For more information on the traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage options available in the Central Oregon region, seniors are encouraged to contact their health insurance provider, the Central Oregon Council on Aging at 541-678-5483 or the Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) at 800-722-4134 option 2. 

Open enrollment for Medicare begins Oct. 15.

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.

Recently, I had a chance to see firsthand the impact of St. Charles’ Community Benefit program, which gives thousands of dollars in grant funding to community organizations throughout Central Oregon each year.

On a recent Tuesday morning, I had the honor of presenting a $30,000 grant to the La Pine Senior Activity Center to help the facility pay for a much-needed kitchen remodel and new commercial ovens.

This work is vital in La Pine, where the center provides nutritious meals to 60 to 90 community members every week. In a town of a few thousand folks, that is a significant number of people who depend on the center for food.

While I was there, I met a staff member named Barbara, who calls herself “the baker.” She has been putting the new ovens to good use, making treats for patrons of the center.

“There are really no words,” she said. “I love it so much!”

That day, I was reminded of what an important role senior centers play in our communities. By providing a place for seniors to gather, they help to reduce social isolation and give people a place where they belong and can make connections with others.

As you may already know, St. Charles’ Community Benefit program recently announced its grant priority for the next three years: reducing loneliness and increasing belonging in Central Oregon. We’re calling this effort Celebrate, Together; Celebrando Juntos, and the goal is to direct thousands of dollars in grant funding to organizations that are creating opportunities for communities to connect in person.

We’re doing that because we know that isolation, loneliness and depression affect more than just the individual experiencing them. They are root causes of a variety of health problems and societal issues, and we believe that by bringing people together and helping them connect with others, we can make a positive impact on their health and the health of our community.

That’s why we’re here. It’s one reason St. Charles has a Community Benefit program. And it’s why seniors in La Pine will be able to come together and enjoy Barbara’s baked treats for the foreseeable future.

The health system is now accepting grant applications, and community-based groups, nonprofit organizations, education systems and tribal entities that serve youth, older adults and/or vulnerable populations are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Sept. 30. To learn more about the grant requirements and application process, visit our webpage.

Thanks, as always, for reading.
Steve

St. Charles is pleased to welcome Dr. Jeremy Kenison as a new Family Medicine physician at the Sisters Family Care Clinic.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Kenison attended Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado and then went on to serve for 10 years as an active duty physician in the U.S. Navy, most recently in Washington. Now a civilian, he is excited to be serving the Sisters community and to start building relationships with patients of all ages.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with my patients, from newborns to retirees, and building that physician-patient bond while providing them with a broad spectrum of care,” Kenison said. “I want to understand who they are and their concerns, and what they need from me so I can better advise and help them understand their health and their health journey.”

Dr. Kenison is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, which typically take a more holistic, whole-person approach to health care and emphasize improving wellness through education and prevention. Kenison believes in providing his patients with an informed and clear understanding of medicine, and empowering them to understand and take charge of their well-being.

Osteopathic forms of treatment and diagnosis can also involve manual medicine, called osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), of which Kenison is a big proponent.

“OMT is often focused on musculoskeletal and chronic pain issues, but it can also help out in other areas like your lymphatic and pulmonary systems. There’s a lot of opportunity for where hands-on manipulation can augment what the body is naturally doing to heal, with very minimal side effects.”

Hiring a new provider is one of the ways that St. Charles is demonstrating its commitment to serving the Sisters community. The health system also reopened the Sisters lab this summer, eliminating the need to commute to Bend or Redmond for lab services, a move that has already garnered gratitude from patients and caregivers.

Kenison is looking forward to being a part of that long-term commitment and becoming a health resource patients can look to in times of need. 

“Sisters is a smaller practice but that’s exactly what I’m excited for and what I came from in Washington. Growing the clinic and finding how we can be of service and how we can best support that community is something I’m definitely excited for.”

When not working, he and his family are looking forward to exploring Central Oregon and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Grand Rounds - September 22, 2023   
"Dermatology for the Primary Care Physician"

Speaker: Cindy Wassef, MD. Residency Program Director, Rutgers Center for Dermatology; Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Objectives

1. Accurately describe and document skin problems using proper terminology.
2. Diagnose common skin conditions, including benign skin growths and skin cancers.
3. Treat dermatologic conditions, including utilization of recently approved medications.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Grand Rounds - September 15, 2023  
"Artificial Intelligence in Medicine"

Speaker: Geoffrey Tso, MD. Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Objectives

1. Discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of medical science.
2. Examine the benefits and risks of established artificial intelligence applications in clinical practice on physicians, healthcare institutions, medical education, and bioethics.
3. Assess the challenges and future directions of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at cme@stcharleshealthcare.org.