Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2019)
24 Wednesday, November 13, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon WELLNESS: Age-friendly Sisters has led on point Continued from page 3 services. The original intent of last week9s meeting was to build community buy-in and support, to begin to develop a singular vision for Sisters Country, and ultimately, the formation of an AFSC action team(s) to address the key healthcare issues identified in the discussion. Seated at the table were representatives of St. Charles Health System, High Lakes Healthcare, Citizens4Community, a vari- ety of Deschutes County health services, community members with special inter- ests like teen suicide and sub- stance abuse, and the AFSC board members. In sharing what Newberg has done using a focused approach to meet a multitude of needs in their community, Bacon illustrated the benefits of using a <collective impact= approach. In Newberg, they decided the focus would be increasing community well- ness through evidence-based interventions. After several years of listening and planning, it became clear that many organizations, groups, and individuals, beyond just the <medical community,= had a role to play in supporting wellness, by creating a nur- turing community of collabo- rating services. Participating in a collec- tive impact movement has many benefits, not only for the people served, but for the organizations that partici- pate. Some of those benefits include: a singular vision for the community; better data to show if what is being done is working; connections for clients to other services; increased exposure and access for funding through collaborative partnerships; increased access to thought partners and experts; and community buy-in support. According to Bacon, <Perhaps the most important reason for banding together is that it will bolster the success of each individual sector. For example, school efforts to nurture children9s academic and social development will be enhanced by healthcare and human service efforts to Perhaps the most important reason for banding together is that it will bolster the success of each individual sector. — Denise Bacon support family well-being. Conversely, the physical health of the children will be advanced by the success of the schools in nurturing chil- dren9s cooperation and skill. Similarly, efforts of the crim- inal justice system to prevent crime will be advanced sub- stantially to the extent that schools, human service, and healthcare work with crimi- nal justice so that each group supports the efforts of the other groups.= There was a great deal of interest and energy in the room supporting the con- cept of creating a collective impact team to help address community issues and give rise to a nurturing community to support wellness. Several investigations are already underway and were reported on by those involved. Dr. Kevin Miller of High Lakes Health Care in Sisters said they are looking at the urgent-care issue by consid- ering extended hours and/or weekend services. An X-ray machine is coming to their office, and they are looking at increasing the size of their facility. Michael Richards, direc- tor of operations and ambu- latory specialties for St. Charles Medical Group, has met with City Manager Cory Misley and Mayor Chuck Ryan around the urgent-care issue. Richards is currently collecting metrics on the number of emergency-room and urgent-care visits in all their facilities by residents of Sisters Country. They are also looking at the demo- graphics of those patients in order to correlate them with the needs for services. Depending on the results of his study, Richards said St. Charles might consider extended hours in their Sisters office. He will be meeting in December with Misley and Ryan, and will report back to the AFSC board as well. The wide-ranging dis- cussion also addressed who wasn9t <at the table= last week and should be included in the discussion 4 those who provide services that support a variety of popula- tions from Family Access Network to The Lodge in Sisters senior living facility to the food banks. Bacon shared one of her favorite quotes to serve as a reminder: <Do not do for me without me.= For more information or to get involved, email0 age friendlysisters@gmail.com. Attention Readers: Send your Thanksgiving greeting to the community and support the Thanksgiving dinner! • Offer your Thanksgiving greeting to the community as part of the November 20 ad in The Nugget • Help build community as the ad promotes the Community Thanksgiving Dinner • Provide financial support to buy food for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner (30% of your purchase!) Bill & Marjorie Williamson • • • Happy Thanksgiving! SAMPLE SPONSOR SPACES Happy g ivin g s k n a Th our from y s, or neighb ie us Ed & S Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at To reserve your spot for just $60 call 541-549-9941 by 5 p.m. Friday, November 15. Community Thanksgiving Dinner Brought to our community by our community for 6 years! Thursday, November 28, . 12-4 pm . Held At Sisters Community Church No charge All are welcome!