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People are sent to Oregon State Hospital at some of the most difficult times of their lives. It is our responsibility and privilege to strive to inspire hope, promote safety and support patients in their journey to recovery.
In this edition of Recovery Times, we introduce you to a behavioral health specialist who is embracing her new role and a patient who is taking a second chance at education and looking towards the future with a new perspective.
Plus, read how a new multi-disciplinary team is providing support and guidance to help ensure gender diverse and transgender patients receive care that supports and affirms their gender identity. For many patients this is the first time they feel truly seen.
Thank you,
Dolly
OSH Superintendent Dolly Matteucci
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 A new multi-disciplinary team at Oregon State Hospital is leading the way in providing a holistic approach to gender-affirming care for psychiatric patients at state hospitals.
The Gender Expansive Care and Organizational Support (GECOS) team provides support and guidance to help ensure and transgender patients receive care that supports and affirms their gender identity.
“Gender-affirming care is life-saving care. It greatly reduces suicidal ideation in transgender and gender-diverse people,” said Dr. Sara Walker, OSH chief medical officer.
Walker shared information reported by the Trevor Project that 46% of transgender men and 42% of transgender women have attempted suicide, compared to 4.6% of reported suicide attempts among people who do not identify as transgender men or women.
“There’s such a need,” said Nina Perard, OSH diversity liaison. “The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately represented in the hospital. Gender-affirming care is necessary for ensuring patients have what they need to go through their journey of recovery and that staff have the tools needed to help.”
The 14-member team represents nearly every area involved in a patient’s care team – psychiatry, psychology, medical, social work, nursing, and treatment services – to create wrap-around care for patients. The team’s role is to provide assessment, treatment and support to patients who are transgender or gender diverse.
“As a team, we’re pioneering this and creating a system with the idea that other state hospitals can learn from us,” said Danielle Shallcross, an OSH psychologist who is co-leader of the GECOS team.
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A former patient recently contacted OSH teacher Jonathon Bellino to share the good news: they had a new apartment, new truck and were finding success at work. Bellino had helped the patient earn their GED while at the hospital.
“He called because I worked with him for months and he knew I’d be proud of him,” Bellino said of the call. “That’s the end goal. It’s rewarding. You make this investment in people. You want them to succeed.”
Whether it’s learning life skills, completing high school education requirements or taking college courses, a team of teachers helps OSH patients work toward learning success at their own pace.
In 2022, more than 200 patients received education services on both campuses. In the past year, two patients completed bachelor’s degrees and many more have received a high school diploma or its equivalency.
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At OSH, behavioral health specialist Crystal Rutherford said she’s found a way to use her knowledge and experience to help others find their way to healing.
“In my previous line of work, all I could do is refer people for other professional help. I wasn’t able to be that help,” she said. “In this position, I can use the degree I worked so diligently for to help another human find their peace in life.”
Rutherford began working at OSH in April 2022 and continues to find the people she works with – patients and colleagues – are the most fulfilling part of her job.
“Being given the opportunity to facilitate and support growth and change in what is often a very tumultuous time for our patients is and was an unparalleled opportunity for me,” she said. “Having the honor of empowering another human to process and rise above some very dark times in their life is a precious gift.”
Learn more about behavioral health specialist and other direct patient care jobs at OSH.
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Did you know that the Oregon State Hospital is listed in the National Register of Historic Places?
In January 2008, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department applied to have the hospital and related properties designated as the Oregon State Hospital Historic District. Its designation was certified by the U.S. Department of Interior in February 2008 for its “association with the evolution of philosophies and policies related to mental health care in Oregon” and its architectural significance.
“The primary materials used in the construction of the buildings, and the workmanship and quality of construction illustrate the aesthetic principles as they changed through 75 years of growth of the hospital complex. The feeling or historic sense of the site also has been retained by the campus setting with mature trees, lawns, and open spaces between buildings.” – Oregon Parks and Recreation Department application for historic district designation (View application)
The more than 130-acre district roughly encompasses the area surrounding the current OSH Salem campus bordered by D Street, Park Avenue, 24th Street and Bates Drive. The historic district also includes the “Dome” building that now houses Oregon Department of Corrections offices.
In the late 1880s, the main hospital building was designed and constructed based on the theories of American psychiatrist, Thomas Story Kirkbride who believed institutional design contributed to patient healing. He advocated for staggered residential wings to be built off a main center building to allow for patients to receive adequate natural light and fresh air. Kirkbride’s treatment theories also contributed to the design of the hospital’s grounds featuring a park-like setting for patients to take walks in nature.
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Cremains Memorial Ceremony Sept. 26
Each year, Oregon State Hospital holds an annual ceremony to honor the 3,600 people who died at OSH or other state institutions between 1914 and 1973 whose cremains were never claimed.
This year’s ceremony is planned at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26 at the OSH Cremains Memorial on the Salem campus.
Over the years, hospital staff and volunteers have helped reunite the cremains of more than 1,000 people with their family members.
OSH invites anyone who thinks they may have a family member who passed away at OSH, Oregon State Tuberculosis Hospital, Mid-Columbia Hospital, Dammasch State Hospital, Oregon State Penitentiary or Fairview Training Center to check the online directory.
Families who identify relatives on this list and want to claim the cremains should complete and submit the “Request for Cremated Remains” form. Questions regarding the cremains can be directed to the OSH Health Information Department at 503-945-2976 or at osh.cremains@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
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The Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board includes community members, patients and staff and its work supports patient care, safety and security. As part of its role, the board may review state and federal laws related to OSH policies and procedures and make recommendations to the OSH superintendent, Oregon Health Authority and Legislature.
The board’s remaining 2023 meetings are at 1 p.m. July 20, Sept. 21 and Nov. 16.
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The Recovery Times is a quarterly publication that shares stories about the people and programs of Oregon State Hospital in support of OSH’s vision of hope, safety and recovery for all.
OSH serves a patient population that is traditionally marginalized, stigmatized and underserved, including many people with co-occurring disorders and those impacted by structural racism, and disproportionally represented in the criminal justice system.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there. |
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