Health Care in Central Oregon 

Anyone moving to Central Oregon can be assured that excellent medical care  is available for their present or future needs.  Because of its very desirable location and rapid growth, the Bend-Redmond area has attracted many highly skilled medical practitioners of all specialties and disciplines.  The sole hospital system, Saint Charles Medical Center (SCMC), operates hospitals in both Bend and Redmond, each recently enlarged and modernized.  Both are thoroughly up-to-date, with inpatient, emergency, and outpatient areas.  They are well supported by several specialized care centers and have close association with numerous practitioner clinics and offices, including multi-specialty groups.

All but the most sophisticated (i.e., transplantation and experimental treatment) medical needs are provided, including complete cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurosurgical, and outpatient cancer care.  Extensive trauma and other emergency units serve a sizeable Central Oregon population.  There is an excellent “Volunteers in Medicine” facility near the Bend hospital for under-insured persons.  Dental and vision care is skilled and plentiful.  A wide spectrum of alternative medicine practitioners is also available.

Rehabilitation, assisted living, and long-term chronic care facilities are available, many of them new and quite up-to-date.

The lack of competing hospitals removes duplication of services and allows most efficient use of available financial resources.  SCMC and local governmental agencies have developed a well-coordinated overall area medical network, including excellent air and surface emergency transportation services.  There is substantial citizen input through a broad-based hospital system board of directors, entirely local administration.
 
A large number of physicians and dentists from many locations have chosen the area for their retirement, with full confidence that their own personal medical needs will be well met.  This provides strong confirmation of the high quality of medical care in the area.

Listed below are the major, non-private medical facilities in Central Oregon with a brief description and website link for each.

Saint Charles Medical Center:  This is the best initial portal for conventional health care information in the Bend-Redmond area, including inpatient and outpatient care.  It offers links to the Heart Center, the Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Center, the Cancer Treatment Center, a Home Health Service, Air Life of Oregon (an air ambulance system), Rehabilitation services, the Sleep Center, Residential Mental Health, and other services.  It also includes a service for locating private physicans of all specialties.

Bend Memorial Clinic:  With 85 physicians and 30 specialties, BMC is the largest multi-specialty medical group in the region.  Among numerous other services, BMC operates an independent outpatient surgery facility.  Its Mission Statement reads:  "Bend Memorial Clinic provides quality, comprehensive, convenient health care.  A dedicated team of doctors and staff partner with you to optimize your health in a coordinated, respectful environment."

The Heart Center:  "Heart Center Cardiology provides state of the art cardiovascular care to citizens of Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and beyond.  Our patients have access to one of the most comprehensive heart care centers in the world - all under one roof!  Whether arriving for an office visit, finding answers through diagnostic testing or cardiac catheterization or attending cardiac rehabilitation classes, all heart-related matters are available in one location through the same door."

The Center - Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Care and Research:  "When Bend Orthopedic & Fracture opened its doors in 1954, the founding physicians had no idea that today, The Center would stand tall and proud on the St. Charles Medical Center - Bend campus.  When the Clinic merged with Bend Neurosurgical Group in 1999, the vision of The Center as it exists today was still in its infancy.  Today, with a staff of 23 physicians, including specialists in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and physical medicine/rehabilitation, The Center has evolved into a model practice with regard to delivering the best possible patient care."

Central Oregon Home Health and Hospice:  A non-profit, Medicare Certified agency dedicated to providing the residents of Central Oregon with an exceptional choice of care at home.  "Our Mission:  To provide personalized home health care to our patients, integrating care and education with the values of compassion, individuality and respect for the human spirit."

Hospice of Redmond - Sisters:  "We care for patients and families with dignity and respect; in fact, patients and families are our primary focus. Our mission is to serve you in a gentle, compassionate way with a caring presence. Under Hospice care, the terminally ill patient and family can remain together in the comfort and dignity of their own home and avoid the high cost of hospitals and traditional institutional care. Our care is of the highest quality and reflects a commitment to state of the art care. Composed of staff and volunteers, Hospice of Redmond-Sisters interdisciplinary care team is our most valued asset. We create a supportive, nurturing, environment that fosters integrity, accountability and empathy for our patients."

Air Life of Oregon:  "Air Life of Oregon is an emergency air ambulance service based at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon.  Since its inception in 1985, Air Life has flown more than 12,500 missions throughout the state of Oregon with its American Eurocopter EC-145 Helicopter and its three Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing airplanes.  Air Life averages more than three lifesaving missions each day, carrying residents to where they can receive necessary, timely medical care.  We enjoy the support of more than 31,000 memberships and are proud to serve the residents of Oregon."