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Oregon’s vaccine mandate is likely to cause longer waits for health care
Health care workers in Oregon, who were among the first to be vaccinated against Covid-19, have some of the highest vaccination rates ahead of the mandate taking effect Monday. Dentists are out in front: 98% are inoculated. Medical doctors, psychologists and physical therapists all have rates above 90%. But chiropractors are near the bottom: Only […]
State approves 60-bed psychiatric hospital in Wilsonville – with caveats
The Portland-area could get another psychiatric hospital. The Oregon Health Authority on Friday announced its thumbs up to the proposal but it scaled it down and attached conditions. It said nearly half the beds at the new Wilsonville hospital must be reserved for mentally ill people who pose a danger to themselves and who are […]
2020 was a banner year for nurseries but the value of wine grapes plummeted
As people hunkered down at home last year, trying to avoid becoming a pandemic statistic, Oregon’s nursery industry pulled in great numbers. The value of nursery plants grown in Oregon last year surpassed $1 billion for the second year in a row, and cherry and hazelnut growers also enjoyed a banner year. But the value […]
Many adult foster homes likely to opt for religious exemptions to Covid-19 vaccine
UPDATED: This story has been updated with outbreak data After the state announced a vaccine mandate affecting thousands, dozens of owners of adult foster homes caring for seniors and people with disabilities warned that they would be forced out of business. They told officials at the state Department of Human Services Department in emails obtained […]
Overwhelming majority of Kaiser Permanente union members vote to strike
An overwhelming majority of nurses, physician assistants, lab specialists and others have voted to strike at Kaiser Permanente. Nine out of 10 Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals participated in the days-long vote, with 96% endorsing a walkout. Shane Burley, spokesman for the union, called the endorsement unprecedented. “I’ve never seen a strike authorization […]
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Oregon Farm Bureau names new lobbyist
The Oregon Farm Bureau has appointed a new director of government affairs. In her new role, Lauren Smith will be responsible for several issues, including wildfire, wildlife taxes and transportation. “Lauren’s role will be to advocate for and with our farm bureau members at the Capitol, in the courts and within regulatory agencies,” Anne Marie […]
Oregon nursing group, resigned to mandate, wants ‘bold’ action to address staffing shortages
With the Covid-19 vaccine mandate looming, the Oregon Nurses Association stepped into the fray on Thursday, calling on the state to take “bold” action to give relief to nurses strained by exhausting shifts relief and to train a new corps. In a news conference, association officials called on hospitals to allow nurses to take true […]
Oregon Department of Agriculture names insider to top role
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has named a new deputy director from within its own ranks. The appointment of Lauren Henderson was effective on Sept. 29. He has worked for the agency for 22 years. “I can’t think of a better person for the position,” Alexis Taylor, the department’s director, said in a statement. “He […]
Oregon Health Authority advises employers to be flexible in enforcing Oct. 18 vaccine mandate
The Oregon Health Authority has advised the state and employers of health care staff, educators and others facing the Oct. 18 vaccine mandate not to fire employees over the deadline. “Everybody doesn’t need to turn into a pumpkin on the 18th,” said Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. “But they can’t be in […]
Oregon farms get $280,000 in federal grants to switch to solar energy
When Josh Cohen bought his farm in the Rogue Valley 16 years ago, he expected to power his irrigation system, greenhouse and coolers with solar energy. But the equipment was costly, and he hesitated to strap himself with a big loan. Now he’ll achieve his goal with a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture […]
Dr. Dean Sidelinger: Big-picture team player in Oregon public health
At 50, there’s a lot that Dr. Dean Sidelinger could brag about. He earned a doctor of medicine degree from a highly ranked university and added a master’s in education. As a pediatrician, he trained younger physicians and helped shape medical curricula. Then he went into public health. For nearly 15 years as a health […]