St. Charles lays off two top executives and rations patient care. Learn more here.

By Joni Auden Land (OPB)

St. Charles Health System laid off two of its most highly paid executives this week, the latest departures from the Central Oregon hospital system’s leadership as staff shortages lead to a rationing of care.

The health system eliminated the positions of Chief Physician Executive Jeff Absalon and Senior Vice President Strategy Rod Marchiando this week. The layoffs were an effort to reduce costs…

Doctors at St. Charles want to unionize. Learn more here.

By Joni Auden Land (OPB)

Following years of financial struggles, providers at Central Oregon’s largest hospital and health care system announced Friday they intend to form a union.

Speaking outside the St. Charles Medical Center campus in Bend, a group of providers said they plan on holding an election for a union, following years of what they describe as financial mismanagement by the hospital that has led to reductions in staff and services.

“St. Charles made what we consider very poor decisions before and during the pandemic … that put our health…

Mosaic Medical will have a new community health center in Madras. Find out more here.

Mosaic Medical was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation as well as a substantial grant from The Ford Family Foundation.

The funds will be used to support the development of the new Madras Health Center, a partnership with Jefferson County Public Health that is scheduled to open this spring.

These two grants bring Mosaic’s capital campaign for the project closer to reaching the $5.3 million funding goal, over $5 million has been raised to date.

“My grandmother, Marie Lamfrom, was committed to caring for people, especially those who were hospitalized or in need of care,” said Sally Bany, co-founder…

mRNA technology will be used for pathogens and diseases other than Covid. Learn more here.

By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News

(KHN) The billions of dollars invested in covid vaccines and covid-19 research so far are expected to yield medical and scientific dividends for decades, helping doctors battle influenza, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and far more diseases.

New studies from OSU show that compounds in hemp can help in the fight against COVID-19. Discover more here.

BY STEVE LUNDEBERG — OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Hemp compounds identified by Oregon State University research via a chemical screening technique invented at OSU show the ability to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells.

Findings of the study led by Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute, were published today in the Journal of Natural Products.

Hemp, known scientifically as Cannabis sativa, is a source of fiber, food and animal feed, and multiple hemp extracts…

On January 12 & 13, OSU Cascades will host free clinics for vaccinations. Find out more here.

BEND, Ore. – Oregon State University-Cascades will host free clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters and flu shots Jan. 12 and 13 for the campus and Central Oregon communities.

The clinics are open to OSU-Cascades employees and students, and community members, and will take place in the atrium of Edward J. Ray Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 12 and 3 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 13.

Free one-hour parking will be available to community members in the campus parking lots.

No health insurance is necessary to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or booster, or flu shot.

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines…