In an East Oregonian story about work to expand the health care workforce in rural areas, Megan Pearlman, a second-year physician assistant student at OHSU, says "It’s been really cool to see the intentional community that’s created out here."

In a profile for Here is Oregon, Ben Kong, Pharm.D., discusses the career trajectory that led him to OHSU where he specializes in personalized medicine for cancer patients as a clinical pharmacist at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. “My dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and most recently, gastric cancer. It’s really impactful to me and my family as well. That keeps me going,” he says.

The American Heart Association partners with Adelante Mujeres on a program to combine nutrition education, fresh produce and blood pressure monitoring to help "empower Latine women and their families." Abby Khan, M.D., says: "It's all about empowering people to know their numbers. When patients see how lifestyle changes affect their blood pressure, it's incredibly motivating."

The pandemic’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now school-age, and the impact on them is becoming increasingly clear: Many are showing signs of being academically and developmentally behind. Jaime Peterson, M.D., says, “I definitely think children born then have had developmental challenges compared to prior years. We asked them to wear masks, not see adults, not play with kids. We really severed those interactions, and you don’t get that time back for kids."

The pandemic’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now school-age, and the impact on them is becoming increasingly clear: Many are showing signs of being academically and developmentally behind, The New York Times reports. Jaime Peterson, M.D., says, “I definitely think children born then have had developmental challenges compared to prior years. We asked them to wear masks, not see adults, not play with kids. We really severed those interactions, and you don’t get that time back for kids.”

In a feature about how rural Oregonians continue to face complex challenges for access to health care as politicians and local leaders work on solutions, Robert Duehmig says social factors such as limited public transportation options and high housing costs can make health care inaccessible or out of financial reach. And he notes that access to maternal care is particularly limited, with about 25% of rural hospitals nationwide having eliminated obstetrics units between 2011 and 2021.

In a Health story about a new tool that could reduce pain during IUD insertion, Lisa Bayer, M.D., warns that it’s not a total replacement: “A key issue contributing to the problem is that there is a dismissal of women’s pain during gynecological procedures.”

In an interview with Urology Times, Jessica Wenzel, M.D., shares the background and key findings from her study, “Occupational Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy: A Survey of Urologists on Perception, Experience, and Practice Patterns.” She says, “We found that two-thirds or female respondents did not know their dosimeter doses during pregnancy.”

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute grants funding to 11 projects to address the burden of cancer across the state. The HIV Alliance in Eugene received funding for a project designed to investigate the benefits of HPV vaccinations for at-risk, underserved populations in Lane County. Medical director, Gail Hacker M.D., says, “There is a significant need to protect those in our community who are most vulnerable to HPV and HPV-related cancers. Developing new strategies to prevent HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is particularly needed today, as it has surpassed rates of cervical cancer, with no current options for screening or early detection.”

Two years since the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections, patients seeking abortions in Oregon have increased by an estimated 40%. Alyssa Colwill, M.D., says, "For individuals undergoing obstetrical care in Idaho, we are the nearest state that can provide emergency services. Prior to the Dobbs decision, it was rare that anybody from Idaho was transferred to Oregon."