Good Shepherd Health Care System

12/24/2025

Interested in a holiday appetizer that looks and tastes great? Try this amazing pinwheel recipe. Did you know that Good Shepherd offers free cooking and healthy eating classes, including "Healthy Cooking for Seniors on a Budget" and "Healthy Eating Every Day." Visit Good Shepherd's website at https://www.gshealth.org/classes-events to register. For questions, call 541-667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org.

https://ow.ly/S7hB50XNSP4

With only 5 ingredients, this tasty appetizer recipe is fast and easy. We made a creative Christmas arrangement that makes it perfect for a holiday party, but you can use these appetizers anytime.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Good Shepherd Health Care System! Our Urgent Care is open today, 12/24, until 7:00 p.m. and will be closed tomorrow, 12/25 for the Christmas holiday. We will resume normal hours the following day, 12/26. For any emergencies, our Emergency Department remains open 24/7. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Schedule your next Urgent Care visit here! https://myhealth.lhs.org/myhealth/scheduling/onmyway

12/23/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Good Shepherd Health Care System is the FIRST in Oregon to perform liver tumor treatment using the HistoSonics Edison™ Robotic System! This cutting-edge, non-invasive therapy utilizes ultrasound energy to effectively destroy liver tumors in a single outpatient procedure. We are proud to be one of only a few facilities in the country to offer this advanced treatment.

Hear from world-renowned Interventional Radiologist Dr. Kevin Burns as he shares insights on the remarkable effectiveness of this groundbreaking technology.

The HistoSonics procedure is available at Good Shepherd for patients 18 and older, with plans to expand treatment options for other organs in the future!

For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 541-667-3400, ext. 1543, or email histosonics@gshealth.org To learn more, visit our website at https://www.gshealth.org/histotripsy-histosonics-edison-robotic-system

12/22/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Good Shepherd Health Care System Performs Oregon’s First HistoSonics Edison™ Robotic Surgery for Liver Tumors

Good Shepherd Health Care System is the first health care system in Oregon to acquire the HistoSonics Edison™ Robotic System to treat liver tumors. The HistoSonics Edison™ Robotic System has a non-invasive, sonic beam therapy platform that uses histotripsy, a new treatment utilizing ultrasound energy to destroy liver tumors in a single outpatient procedure.

“We are so excited to provide the newest and most promising technologies for our patients so they can receive the best care close to home,” shared GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen. “This is state-of-the-art technology for liver treatment, and Good Shepherd is among only a few facilities in the country to offer it.”

Good Shepherd performed the first case in Oregon in October with world-renowned Board-Certified Interventional Radiologist Dr. Kevin Burns. “Good Shepherd is the first hospital in the state of Oregon to have the HistoSonics machine to noninvasively destroy liver tumors using ultrasound waves and we’ve already successfully treated many patients here,” stated Dr. Burns. “This technology is pretty unique in that it doesn’t damage the structures around the tumor or in front of the tumor.”

The HistoSonics Edison™ Robotic System passes beams through ultrasonic waves, and only where the beams hit is where the tumor is killed, without damaging the skin, muscles, bones or other tissues around the tumor while it’s treated. Mechanically destroying and liquefying targeted tumor tissue at a cellular level, without incisions or heat, makes for a non-invasive surgery option for patients suffering from liver tumors at any stage.

“We can treat one tumor or multiple tumors in the same setting, so this is a very powerful therapy,” said Dr. Burns. “This can also be repeated, there’s no lifetime limits as to how many times this can be done, so if a new tumor develops or you need another re-treatment, that’s absolutely possible.”

Good Shepherd Surgical Services is treating liver tumors for patients 18 and older, with the plan to expand treatment for other organs like the kidney and pancreas in future.

GSHCS is welcoming new patients for the HistoSonics procedure by calling 541-667-3400, extension 1543, or emailing histosonics@gshealth.org. More information is available on the GSHCS website at https://www.gshealth.org/histotripsy-histosonics-edison-robotic-system.

12/18/2025

Cold, dry winter air can irritate the lungs and worsen asthma, and COPD, especially when combined with indoor dryness and seasonal illnesses. Taking steps like warming the air you breathe, avoiding triggers, staying on medications, and keeping up with vaccines can help reduce flare-ups. With the right precautions, you can stay more comfortable and breathe easier throughout the colder months. Are you interested in finding a primary care provider (P*P)? Good Shepherd's ConneXions Department can help! For more information call 541.667.3504 or email connexions@gshealth.org.

Breathe easier with these tips to help you stay more comfortable through the winter months.

12/16/2025

Welcoming a new life is a profound and joyful experience. At Good Shepherd’s Family Birth Center, we are honored to share in these remarkable moments. Each birth marks the beginning of a one-of-a-kind journey, rich with love, promise, and possibility. Our dedicated team is here to guide and support families from the very first steps, providing compassionate, expert care throughout every stage. With every child we welcome, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing families and celebrating the wonder of new beginnings.

Learn about Good Shepherd's Family Birth Center at https://www.gshealth.org/family-birth-center

12/12/2025

HERMISTON, Ore.-Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) held its 8th Annual Community Meeting on November 13. Over 550 community members joined hospital staff, physicians, healthcare providers, the Good Shepherd Board of Trustees, the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation (GSCHF) and GSHCS Admi...

12/11/2025

On behalf of all of us at Good Shepherd Health Care System, thank you to the family of Al Sells for organizing this year's 22nd Annual Echo Toy Run in his memory, as well as the family of Brian Erz in his memory, and all the participants that came from near and far with their toy donations. Our heartfelt thank you to each of you for bringing smiles and cheer to Good Shepherd's pediatric patients this holiday season!

12/10/2025

Its National Flu Vaccination Week! The flu vaccine can protect you before flu season peaks in January and February. Even late in the season, the flu shot reduces your risk of severe illness, helps protect those around you and supports a healthier winter overall.

Think it’s too late to get vaccinated against the flu? Think again.

12/07/2025

Over 13 years ago, Good Shepherd Health Care System was the first hospital in Northeast Oregon to offer the revolutionary da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, expanding access in the region to this state-of-the-art surgical technology ever since. Today, Good Shepherd proudly leads the way as the first hospital in Oregon to offer SIX cutting-edge robotic systems.

This milestone means you can receive minimally invasive, precision surgical procedures tailored to your unique anatomy, leading to faster recovery times, enhanced infection control, and reduced healthcare costs, backed by a dedicated team of 35 highly trained robotic surgeons at Good Shepherd Health Care System.

🤖 Discover Our Robotic Systems:

-TWO Da Vinci 5™ Surgical Systems for General Surgery, Urology, and Gynecology

-HYDROS Robotic System™ for Urology

-ION Robotic Broncoscopy System™ for Pulmonology

-HistoSonics Edison Robotics System™ for Liver procedures

-Mako™ Robotic System for Orthopedic procedures

This is what exceptional care close to home looks like. Learn more at www.gshealth.org



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12/06/2025

It's time for the Echo Toy Run! Join us at the Main Hospital Entrance to welcome area bikers with toy donations for pediatric patients! A heartfelt thank you from all of us at Good Shepherd Health Care System for the generous toy donations!

12/06/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) hosted a Legislative Breakfast December 3, 2025. Attendees included Sen. Todd Nash, representing Oregon’s 29th Legislative District, and Director of Government Affairs for the Hospital Association of Oregon Travis Muewissen, as well as Rep. Greg Smith District 57, Smith’s Chief of Staff Calvin Bennett, Field Rep for Congressman Cliff Bentz 2nd District Sarah Theall, and Eastern Oregon Field Rep for Sen. Jeff Merkley Jessica Keys and Eastern Oregon Field Rep for Sen. Ron Wyden Andrew Cutler.

“The most important part of a legislative breakfast is getting to know one another and building working relationships with our legislators and legislative field representatives,” stated GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen.

Mathisen provided a brief overview of the health care system’s growth over the past year, highlighting expanded and new services vital to the health care needs of the communities we serve. He spoke to the strategic partnerships with the Hermiston Police Department to have officers on the hospital campus around the clock, and the addition of a Life Flight Network Air Medical Transport Base right on the Good Shepherd campus. Mathisen noted significant advancements such as GSHCS’s investment in six robotic surgery systems and ongoing infrastructure projects, which include expanding the on-campus childcare facility by adding 10,000 square feet and caring for 100 more children.

“We love being a rural community hospital, but we’re breaking the mold of rural healthcare by bringing in specialized care, such as neurology, pulmonology and adult & child psychiatry, to fulfill our mission of exceptional care close to home,” said Mathisen.

GSHCS Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Edwards discussed the hospital’s strong financial position while also pointing out the significant regulatory barriers to service expansion. “Being independent and growth-oriented gives us the ability to accelerate service expansion where and when our patients need us most. But every day we face heavy administrative burdens to providing care,” said Edwards. “The biggest hinderance to the speed of our expansion is State licensing and permitting.”

Muewissen agreed that bureaucratic obstacles can hinder care. “Oregon Legislature’s upcoming session aims to adopt a ‘do no harm’ approach to hospitals,” stated Muewissen. “What do we really need to focus on to care for patients? Laws implemented 30 years ago don’t necessarily apply today.”

Rep. Smith thanked GSHCS for the invitation and the service GSHCS provides to the community, adding that he’d be willing to work with Sen. Nash on navigating the bureaucracy in the future. “Please reach out, our goal is to serve you,” stated Rep. Smith.

Mathisen and Edwards led attendees on a tour of the GSHCS campus showing the Life Flight Network Air Medical Transport Base, Good Shepherd Medical Plaza renovation, and expansion of the Children’s Center.

“This is my first time here, it’s always nice to learn more about the district I serve,” said Sen. Nash. “This is a very progressive facility, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how they are moving forward and what they already have to keep patients local and benefit the community.”

Read the full press release here: https://www.gshealth.org/good-shepherd-health-care-system-hosts-legislative-breakfast-dec-3