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Transforming Regional Neurosurgery and Stroke Care

At PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, we combine neurological technology and expertise to save lives throughout Oregon.

Philanthropic investments in neurological imaging and equipment will double the number of patients we can provide these critical procedures and will also allow us to build a Telestroke Network across Oregon, reaching rural patients and their families in emergencies when each second counts.

With your partnership, we can make life-saving advancements in neurosurgery and stroke treatment possible. 


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By the numbers

 

1400+

stroke patients treated annually at Sacred Heart.

1700+

Neuro surgeries performed annually at Sacred Heart.

10

potential hospitals connected through the Telestroke network.

90

minutes until stroke treatment options become limited.

6

Neurosurgeons ready to care for patients at Sacred Heart.

$4.1M

charitable giving needed to enhance and expand neurosciences in our community and region. 

Expanding Neurosurgery

The demand for neurosurgery services has outgrown our equipment available to serve our patients with critical needs. Our surgeons need additional tools to provide lifesaving procedures for patients diagnosed with aneurysms, brain, spine and pituitary tumors, spine curvatures and more. Our priorities include:

Enhancing Equipment

Acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for real time visualization during precision surgery.  Click here to discover more about the advanced equipment we're raising funds for and how it will transform patient care. 

Outcomes

Double our capacity to treat patients, reducing wait times to getting patients on the road to recovery and back to living their lives.

Support advanced neurological care in our community

Neurosurgeons performing surgery

Telestroke Network

 
Telestroke machine

As the only Comprehensive Stroke Center outside of the Portland area, Sacred Heart cares for patients from Salem to Northern California. By coordinating technology and emergency room caregivers as well as providing prevention education, we will save lives throughout the region.

But what is Telestroke? Telestroke is a network of connected experts and technology providing timely diagnostic care to suspected stroke cases across Oregon, ensuring they receive care quickly when seconds matter.

Through donor support, up to 10 rural hospitals throughout the Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon will be connected to Sacred Heart and its neurology experts. These sites will be coordinated by a telestroke coordinator who will also work to create prevention strategies in each community. Telestroke networks enable prompt responses and provide expert guidance to keep patients in their communities when feasible, in turn optimizing bed utilization at Sacred Heart.

Support Telestroke care throughout the region 

Lifelong impact

Our experts rely on critical technology to be available for consultation and service around the region for rural and remote patients with no other options.

Every minute counts. Delays in care means brain tissue death and life-long loss of function, if not death.

Kim was at home alone when she experienced a brain bleed. After a diagnostic scan at her local hospital in southern Oregon, it was determined she would need to be quickly treated at Riverbend.

Through a minimally invasive procedure and follow-up care, Kim returned to work with only mild weakness in her arm.

Kim's story is like many others. Without an expanded and coordinated network of neurological care, patients - like Kim - face devastating outcomes.

Photo of Kim next to her bike


"If not for the expertise and technology at Sacred Heart, my story may have had a much different and worse outcome.” Kim, Bandon Aneurysm Patient

Randall's story

 

Xray after a scoliosis surgery

 

Randall's x-ray after surgery

Access to the newest technology, operated by best in class caregivers is vital to extraordinary level of care close to home, and it was lifechanging for Randall.

"I was born with a severe case of scoliosis and over the past 10 years it got progressively worse. My surgeries at 16 and 18 were steps toward relief, but the road was tough. The pain worsened, and finding a surgeon in my adult years to address my complex case seemed impossible.

Then came Dr. Ozpinar at Sacred Heart Medical Center. His honest approach and understanding eased my family's worries. In February 2023, he performed a transformative 11- hour surgery, freeing me from daily agony. Without Dr. Ozpinar, I'd have journeyed far for care, possibly to the East Coast. 

I'm thankful for the partnership between a skilled surgeon and a caring community. This experience has taught me that challenges can be overcome with the right people by your side. He gave me my life back!" 

  -Randall, Eugene Spine Patient

To learn more about how you can make a difference, contact: 

Jennifer Svihus, Chief Philanthropy Officer | jsvihus@peacehealth.org 209-480-1718
Erika Swanson, Philanthropy Officer | eswason2@peacehealth.org 541-222-7102
Alexa Sharps, Philanthropy Officer | asharps@peacehealth.org 541-222-7108