Alyssa Colwill, M.D., discusses recently released data on abortions performed in Oregon after Roe v. Wade was overturned and how the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision has affected availability and demand for abortion services across the state.

While RSV cases are rising in Oregon, so far the state hasn't had the dramatic early season uptick seen elsewhere.

Stories about some Oregon communities’ ballot measures that call for local bans or moratoriums against psilocybin use for depression, anxiety and other health issues, Todd Korthuis, M.D., M.P.H., says its medicinal use is safe: “This isn’t going to be killing people. There’s no substance without side effects, but psilocybin is very low risk.”

Doernbecher Freestyle, a creative fundraising effort involving young patient-designers and Nike, is in its 18th year. And after a few pandemic years relegated to an online-only event, the gathering Friday evening was a party.

Kim Burchiel, M.D., highlights a painful rare condition known as trigeminal neuralgia that he treats at OHSU, saying: “Allegedly, this is the worst pain you can have, and I totally believe that idea.”

OHSU declined to comment about a cease and desist request from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals related to alleged statements by an Oregon National Primate Research Center staff member.

A Eugene Weekly report on a state senator’s public stance against pediatric gender-affirming health care at OHSU quotes part of a statement that OHSU offered in response: “Oregon Health & Science University proudly offers gender-affirming health care to patients of all ages, including children and adolescents. Providers follow established, evidence-based medical standards, and employ a thoughtful, multidisciplinary process that involves both patients and their support systems.”

Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and OHSU are among the Portland institutions that receive the most donations from local corporations.

OHSU’s finances are improving, with its first quarter loss being $4.7 million, which is $19 million better than last year’s first quarter. Lawrence Furnstahl says: “I’m pleased to report that the first quarter of fiscal year shows some really solid gains across the university, and that’s great news.”

Judith A. Guzman-Cottrill, D.O., says social distancing and other precautions during the pandemic prevented children from being exposed to the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in recent years, but that can also make children more vulnerable to getting infected now. Noting many children typically have respiratory illnesses each fall, Nicole Rideout adds: “These illnesses generally do not result in hospitalization, but this year, more of these infections have resulted in a higher number of children coming to the Emergency Department as well as requiring admission to the hospital including the ICU.”