Gastroenterologist

St. Charles restructures to support ongoing growth. June 23, 2026 St. Charles Health System has experienced rapid growth in the services and amount of care provided throughout Central Oregon in recent years. The growth is aligned with increases in population and demand for care in the region and has mostly occurred in the outpatient and specialty services areas of the organization. "We have been in a position to step in and support maintaining some key services in the region in recent years including orthopedics and neurosurgery, pharmacy, urology, gastroenterology and specialized cancer care, just to name a few," said Michael Hartke, incoming president and CEO. "As a nonprofit, local health care organization, we have the responsibility and the privilege of ensuring our patients have access to the care they need and we are proud to be able to provide it." To maintain this growth and ensure the organization is set up for success over the long term, St. Charles recently completed an evaluation of leader spans of control, titles and market alignment - for all supervisors and above - throughout the health system. Changes are being made to fairly balance responsibilities for those in leadership positions across the health system and to structure the system for continued growth. As a result, a small number of leadership positions in support services areas of the organization will be eliminated. This includes 22 positions that are currently filled and 23 positions that are vacant. In addition, ongoing work will occur to bring titles into alignment over time. No direct patient care positions are impacted by these changes, which affect less than 1% of the St. Charles workforce. "I want to sincerely thank the people being impacted by today's hard news for their incredible contributions to St. Charles and wish them nothing but the best going forward," Hartke said. "The changes we are making today are about setting ourselves up for a more sustainable and scalable structure for the future and I want to reassure our community that St. Charles is strong, stable and committed to meeting community needs."

St. Charles begins outsourcing medical coding program. BEND, ORE. - St. Charles Health System has begun outsourcing its medical coding program to Guidehouse, a Virginia based company. The health system said Guidehouse has offered all affected employees similar positions at its company. St. Charles said it made the decision to outsource after years of struggling to retain enough qualified medical coders. A spokesperson for the health system said in part, "We are so grateful to our dedicated team of coders for their many years of contributions to St. Charles and the Central Oregon community and wish all of them the best in their new roles with Guidehouse. While this has been a difficult decision, we believe it is in the best interest of the health system as it continues to focus on keeping as much care local as possible."

Retiring to Redmond: why "The Hub" is outpacing Bend in 2026. For decades, Bend was the undisputed retirement destination of the High Desert. However, as Bend Relo move through 2026, a significant shift has occurred. While Bend remains a world-class vacation spot, retirees are increasingly choosing its northern neighbor, Redmond, as their permanent home base. Affectionately known as "The Hub" of Central Oregon, Redmond is winning over the 55+ demographic by offering a more practical, accessible, and budget-friendly alternative to the climbing costs and steep terrain of Bend. Key takeaways. * Flat Topography: Unlike Bend's hilly Westside, Redmond's "flat lot" inventory is ideal for aging-in-place and walkability. * Medical Expansion: The new $65 million St. Charles Cancer Center in Redmond has eliminated the need for frequent commutes to Bend for specialty care. * Financial Arbitrage: With median home prices roughly 30% lower than Bend, retirees can preserve more of their nest egg for travel and leisure. * Arid Advantage: Redmond sits at a lower elevation, meaning less snow shoveling and a slightly warmer year-round climate. * Travel Convenience: Proximity to Roberts Field (RDM) makes "lock-and-leave" travel effortless for those with global retirement plans. The "flat lot" Advantage for aging in place. One of the most overlooked aspects of the Redmond retirement guide is the city's geography. Bend is famously hilly, which can make simple tasks like walking the dog or driveway maintenance challenging as mobility changes. In contrast, Redmond is remarkably flat. Most newer subdivisions are designed with wide, level sidewalks and single-level ranch homes. This "flat lot" inventory allows retirees to stay in their homes longer, reducing the immediate need for assisted living transitions. World-Class healthcare without the commute. For years, the one "con" of living in Redmond was the 17-mile trek to Bend for specialty medical appointments. That changed in April 2026 with the opening of the new St. Charles Cancer Center on the Redmond campus. This 53,000-square-foot facility is nine times the size of the previous local clinic. Because it offers everything from radiation oncology to chemotherapy infusion, retirees can now access top-tier care right in their own backyard. More home for your retirement dollar. The financial math of 2026 clearly favors "The Hub." While Bend's median home price hovers near $725,000, Redmond remains significantly more attainable at approximately **$510,000 to $530,000**. This $200k+ gap represents a massive amount of liquidity for retirees. Consequently, many are choosing to buy a brand-new, high-efficiency home in Redmond and using the leftover equity to fund their "adventure tax" for skiing, golfing, and travel. A quieter, community-focused pace. While Bend has become a bustling tourist epicenter with high-density traffic, Redmond has maintained its "small-town" charm even as it grows. The downtown core has seen a vibrant revitalization, but it lacks the hour-long wait times found in Bend's restaurant scene. For retirees, this means a higher quality of daily life. You can enjoy a quiet stroll through the Dry Canyon Trail or a local brewery without the "tourist frenzy" that often characterizes Bend's peak seasons. Weather and winter management. Elevation plays a critical role in the Redmond retirement guide. Because Redmond sits about 500 feet lower than Bend, it receives significantly less snow accumulation. For a retiree, this means fewer mornings spent behind a snowblower. The snow that does fall tends to melt faster, and the winters are generally "drier." This subtle difference in climate makes Redmond a more comfortable environment for those who enjoy the High Desert sun but want to avoid the heavy Cascade "dump" days. Effortless "lock-and-leave" Travel. Many 2026 retirees are "digital nomads" of a different sort - spending winters in Arizona or summers in Europe. Living in Redmond puts you within minutes of Roberts Field (RDM). With the recent airport expansions, you can be at your gate in 15 minutes. This eliminates the stress of winter driving on Highway 97 to catch a flight. For those prioritizing a "lock-and-leave" lifestyle, Redmond offers a level of logistical ease that Bend simply cannot match. Final thoughts for future residents. The choice between Bend and Redmond used to be about compromise; today, it is about strategy. By choosing Redmond, you are prioritizing your health, your mobility, and your financial freedom. "The Hub" has officially come into its own as a premier destination that proves you don't have to sacrifice world-class amenities to enjoy a peaceful, high-desert retirement. About its blog. Its agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home of property in the local area. Its realty site blog includes information about homes for sale on map, real estate and land in Bend, OR and surrounding Central Oregon feeder markets. Browse its blog for the most up to date tips and insights about the Real Estate Market and homes near you.