Central Oregon Health Council

We want to take a moment to honor and express deep gratitude to Central Oregon Independent Practice Association and Central Oregon Health Quality Alliance and all the incredible organizations who have committed their time, expertise, and hundreds of hours to help shape our Regional Health Improvement Plan. Your dedication to improving the health of our community is truly inspiring and invaluable. The collaboration and commitment from each of you are paving the way for a healthier, more equitable future for Central Oregon. Thank you for being such an essential part of this work! Together, we are making a lasting impact. #CommunityHealth #Collaboration #RegionalHealthImprovement #Gratitude

🌲 Meet who?? Meet me! I am Dr. Arianne Powell, COHC's New Executive Director! Central Oregon is more than just where I’m from; it’s woven into the very fabric of who I am. Born at St. Charles Health System and raised here, I remember a time when the region's population was a fraction of what it is today. My father, a civil engineer for the City of Bend for 35 years, helped shape this community, guiding its growth through the boom of the 1990s. In 2009, I left Central Oregon for new opportunities after loosing my job with local behavioral health company, SageWalk, The Wilderness School when it closed in the recession, but my heart never truly left home. I longed to return, to be with my family and serve the community that raised me. Life brought challenges—my father faced aggressive cancer. Thanks to PacificSource Health Plans and the skilled care at St. Charles Health System, my dad is still with us today, a gift I hold dear. At 41, I still have my daddy, and his three grandsons still have their grandpa. My journey through healthcare is deeply personal. I’ve been a Medicaid recipient, as has my son. I have family on the Oregon Health Plan and Medicare right here in Central Oregon. Healthcare isn’t just my career—it’s my life’s work. I care deeply about ensuring that everyone in this community has access to the care they need, no matter their circumstances. I’m honored to lead the Central Oregon Health Council, knowing firsthand the incredible impact it has. My son was awarded a scholarship to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in part due to funding through the Health Council long before I joined, a blessing that touches me as both a professional and a single mother. My family and I are also business owners in Central Oregon—a rewarding, yet challenging, journey in this ever-growing region. In addition to my work here, I also own and operate a benefit organization, Global Health Leaders, that takes medical students to the Caribbean, providing essential medical care in areas where there is no access. This season has been particularly busy for us as we respond to the devastation caused by recent hurricanes. The attached photo shows me with a Haitian refugee baby in the Dominican Republic—a powerful reminder of why this work matters so deeply. I may not always be everything to everyone in this new role, but I am a little bit of everyone in this region. I’ve lived the struggles and the triumphs, and I am here to give back. While, like many in Central Oregon, homeownership may still be out of reach for me, even as a doctorate-level health executive, my love for Central Oregon is boundless. This is my home, and I will continue working to ensure it’s a healthy, thriving place for us all. Thank you for welcoming me back—I’m here to serve, with all my heart. ❤️

We were honored to be a sponsor for the Volunteers in Medicine Gala this year! Partnering with outstanding organizations like St. Charles Health System, Gender Hive, and COIPA to support the vital work Volunteers in Medicine does was truly inspiring. Volunteers in Medicine makes an incredible impact by providing essential medical care to uninsured and underinsured members of our community, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to healthcare. A heartfelt thank you to their dedicated team of professionals and volunteers who make this possible. We are so proud to stand alongside you in creating a healthier, more equitable Central Oregon!

Welcoming week content: Welcoming cities are guided by the principles of inclusion and create communities that prosper because everyone feels welcome, including immigrants and refugees.  This year, the City of Bend, in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation, is thrilled to announce the seventh annual celebration of Welcoming Week from September 13-22, with events extending to September 28. This began in 2017, in large part due to the advocacy of the Latino Community Association. Countless community members and organizations are hosting events to support a vision of building a community that values and respects diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Click here for a full schedule of events: https://lnkd.in/gTFgxpMm #CentralOregon #WereAllIn #WelcomingWeek

🌟 Walk for Suicide Prevention: Today in La Pine, Bend, and Redmond 🌟 Today, our communities in La Pine, Bend, and Redmond are coming together to take a powerful stand for suicide prevention. This walk is more than just a step forward—it's a stride towards hope, support, and awareness. 🚶♂️🚶♀️💜 Every step taken today is a step towards breaking the stigma around mental health and showing that no one is alone in their struggle. We're here to listen, to support, and to walk alongside anyone who needs it. Thank you to everyone participating, raising awareness, and fostering a community of compassion. Let's continue to be a source of strength for each other and work towards a future where mental health is prioritized and accessible for all. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #CentralOregonHealth #COHC #CommunitySupport

🚗👶 Keep your little ones safe with Bend Fire & Rescue’s FREE Car Seat Inspections! 📅 When: Every third Friday, every other month ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Where: North Fire Station, 63377 Jamison St. Bend, OR Volunteers will be there to help check your car seats and ensure your kiddos are riding safely. No appointment needed! Before you come, make sure to: -Read your car seat instruction manual -Review your vehicle owner’s manual -Watch your car seat manufacturer’s installation video (if available) -Install your car seat to the best of your ability For more info, visit: https://lnkd.in/g9_aPXG5 Let’s make sure every ride is a safe one! 🚙✨

Proud to partner with Advantage Dental and PacificSource (PCS) in making a real difference in our community! Through this collaboration, PCS provided a gap list of patients needing Oral Evaluations for Diabetes, and Advantage Dental took the lead in reaching out to get these folks scheduled. Check out the incredible work Advantage Dental is doing! They set up a space at PCS to welcome members and provide services through their mobile unit. Over two days, they saw around 12-16 patients, connecting them with vital care. What's truly amazing is how this partnership goes beyond these numbers. PacificSource linked the dental teams with several providers, enabling even more opportunities to reach patients. While it may seem like a small effort, when multiplied across all the providers doing the same, the impact is profound! We're excited to continue this journey with Advantage Dental and PCS, working together to improve the health of our community one patient at a time.

🚨 Poll Time! 🚨 The Oregon Health Authority's ambitious goal is to "Eliminate health inequities in Oregon by 2030"—and we want to know which goal pillar excites you the most! Here are the 5 pillars driving this mission: -Transforming Behavioral Health -Strengthening Access to Affordable Care for All -Fostering Healthy Families and Environments -Achieving Healthy Tribal Communities -Building OHA’s Internal Capacity and Commitment to Eliminate Health Inequities

🌟 Workshop on Cultivating Connection and Belonging in the Workplace! 🌟 As the Central Oregon Health Council, we recognize that our community's well-being thrives when everyone feels welcomed and accepted, both at work and in daily life. Addressing the growing health concern of loneliness and isolation is critical, and this upcoming workshop offers valuable tools to make a difference. The BendNEXT Foundation and Central Oregon SHRM have partnered with Diana Cutaia of Coaching Peace Consulting to present Cultivating Connection and Belonging in the Workplace—a two-day workshop designed to help leaders create inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and connected. 📅 When: October 10-11 | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM 📍 Where: WorldMark Bend Seventh Mountain Resort 💰 Cost: Sliding scale pricing from $100-$200 per person, with full scholarships available This workshop is especially relevant as the Surgeon General has identified loneliness as a significant public health crisis. Participants will gain practical strategies to foster belonging, which in turn supports overall community health. Space is limited, so be sure to register early! 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gFpndYRd

🎉 The Central Oregon Health Council proudly celebrates the completion of the 2020-2024 Regional Health Improvement Plan! 🎉 This collaborative effort brought meaningful improvements to our community's health and well-being, and it took the dedication of thousands of people to make it happen. We are deeply grateful to everyone who played a part in this incredible journey toward a healthier Central Oregon. 💙 #HealthierTogether #RHIP2024 #CommunityImpact #CentralOregonHealth #ThankYou #CollaborationMatters