Scientific American reports on a new study attributing Oregon’s rising rate of illicit drug overdoses to the surge of fentanyl, which arrived on the West Coast later than other areas of the country, and not to the voter initiative that decriminalized drug possession in February 2021. Todd Korthuis, M.D., says, “Fentanyl was the whole story. We need to do a better job lowering the barriers to begin methadone treatment, buprenorphine treatment and creating pathways and systems that support staying on these medications. … This requires an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire community.”

In recognition of their contributions to the fields of cancer research, and eye disease diagnosis and care, respectively, Lisa Coussens, Ph.D., and David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., are elected to the National Academy of Medicine. “Dr. Huang and Dr. Coussens have made incredible contributions that have sharpened our understanding of complex health and scientific challenges,” said Danny Jacobs, M.D.

In recognition of their contributions to the fields of cancer research, and eye disease diagnosis and care, respectively, Lisa Coussens, Ph.D., and David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., are elected to the National Academy of Medicine. “Dr. Huang and Dr. Coussens have made incredible contributions that have sharpened our understanding of complex health and scientific challenges,” said Danny Jacobs, M.D.

Oregon Tech holds a ribbon-cutting and lab dedication celebration to recognize significant contributions from Sky Lakes Medical Center and the Klamath Medical Service Bureau Foundation to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which is offered jointly with OHSU.

Six young patients revealed their personally designed Nike sneakers on Friday, Oct. 18, raising more than $1.5 million to support life-saving care and leading-edge research at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Dana Braner, M.D., says, “As we celebrate Doernbecher Freestyle’s 20th anniversary, we also reflect on two extraordinary decades of hope and healing. Each year I am amazed by the strength of these kids, as well as the incredible generosity of our community. This program allows us to support families in need and provide specialized care unavailable anywhere else in the region, and we’re so grateful to everyone who makes this possible.”

Six young patients revealed their personally designed Nike sneakers on Friday, Oct. 18, raising more than $1.5 million to support life-saving care and leading-edge research at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Dana Braner, M.D., says, “As we celebrate Doernbecher Freestyle’s 20th anniversary, we also reflect on two extraordinary decades of hope and healing. Each year I am amazed by the strength of these kids, as well as the incredible generosity of our community. This program allows us to support families in need and provide specialized care unavailable anywhere else in the region, and we’re so grateful to everyone who makes this possible.”

Oregon Tech holds a ribbon-cutting and lab dedication celebration to recognize significant contributions from Sky Lakes Medical Center and the Klamath Medical Service Bureau Foundation to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which is offered jointly with OHSU.

Portland Police say data analysis provided by Knight Cancer Institute researchers has been key in reducing car thefts in Portland. From January to August this year, police have reported roughly 3,400 cars as stolen, a nearly 40% decrease compared to the same period last year.

In a The Lund Report article about concern over the growing corporate influence on health care, and its effects on patients and providers, Jane Zhu, M.D., says there are arguments that corporations may bring efficiencies that help patients, and it is difficult to say whether corporate ownership of medicine is inherently good or bad. A better question, she says, is what policies can curb the trend’s “worst outcomes.”

In a Neurology Today story weighing the pros and cons of new anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa Silbert, M.D., says, “We have a low threshold for obtaining additional MRIs for patients on anti-amyloid therapy with new neurologic symptoms. Our team has also had many different educational outreach events with our emergency department to educate them about monoclonal antibody therapies, as well as with colleagues within the neurology department, many of whom will be on call if one of our patients should have after-hours neurologic symptoms.”