BEND, OR -- The Center and St. Charles Health System announced this week the two healthcare organizations would "expand" their relationship. But what exactly that means for The Center is unclear. CEO Brett Hazlett says the full legal transaction hasn't yet been defined, "Whatever form that takes, the end result is that the majority of the employees will become employees of St. Charles." The Center is the region's main provider of orthopedic and neurosurgical services, as well as offering physical and rehabilitation medicine. Its doctors already provide services at St. Charles Medical Center.

Hazlett tells KBND News the driving force to strengthen that relationship is a struggle to recruit and retain, especially over the last year, "This is a trend nationally. It's been in Central Oregon and now it's kind of gotten to The Center, as well. We're all kind of dealing with the same market forces." It results, he says, in financial hardships for The Center and a more difficulty for patients trying to see a doctor, "People have experienced the challenges. Patients have had trouble getting in; it's been really long wait times."

The Center operates three clinics in Bend and one in Redmond, with outreach clinics in other Central Oregon communities. "The intention is to keep all the services we have, all the providers, same location," says Hazlett. "The goal for the community is that that is 100% transparent. Same providers they have always been able to see, ideally with the investment and financial support that has caused some of the struggles, we actually build on that and provide better access and care for the community. But certainly the folks that they're used to seeing they continue to see, in the same locations that they see them today."

He also expects other programs to continue, "The student athlete piece, which we provide trainers in the high schools and all those pieces, St. Charles, as a nonprofit, they're a perfect partner for that. They're really excited all the way to the top over there to maintain that program." 

"St. Charles and The Center are both local organizations that are committed to providing the best possible care for Central Oregonians," St. Charles CEO Dr. Steve Gordon said in a statement. "St. Charles has the ability to step in and help shore up these services for our patients and community, which is not only the right thing to do it's critical to ensuring continued access to a wide variety of services throughout the region."