News
2026 Central Oregon Community Health Project Grants Opening
The Central Oregon Health Council's Community Advisory Council (CAC) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Community Health Projects (CHP) grant opportunity. This funding opportunity supports community-level projects that advance the Regional Health Improvement Plan [...]
Regional Community Conversation: Federal Changes to Medicaid & SNAP
The Central Oregon Health Council's JEDI Committee will hold a regional Zoom conversation on Wednesday, August 5 to discuss anticipated federal changes to Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan and SNAP and the potential impacts on Central Oregon communities, healthcare systems, and service [...]
COHC Releases Regional Diabetes Report
Diabetes is one of the most common health challenges in Central Oregon. To coincide with this Diabetes Awareness Month, the Central Oregon Health Council has released Diabetes in Central Oregon: A Community Snapshot, a report on diabetes prevalence and control [...]
Partner Spotlight: OSU-Cascades Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups
October 30, 2025 The Challenge Oregon State University-Cascades is seeing increasing levels of mental health concerns among students, especially BILAPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled students, veterans, first-generation students, and others who have been historically marginalized or underserved. Through campus-wide surveys, focus [...]
Partner Spotlight: Shakti Farm Design
Across Central Oregon, food insecurity and short growing seasons limit reliable access to fresh produce for families, schools, and community partners. Extreme weather—frost, heat, and smoke—disrupts gardens and small farms, while limited funds and staff capacity make it hard to [...]
Central Oregon healthcare partners earn $23.5 million for high-quality care
BEND, OR [Oct 6, 2025] — The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is pleased to announce that healthcare partners across our region have helped bring home approximately $23.5 million in funding for providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. [...]
Partner Spotlight: Around The Bend Farms
At Around The Bend Farms, the mission is to build a more connected, equitable, and secure food system in Central Oregon. Their work is rooted in the belief that community health begins with access to locally sourced fresh foods [...]
COHC Launches
“Be Well Central Oregon” Campaign
And unveils the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan with evolved role as connector and collaborator The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is pleased to introduce a bold new campaign—Be Well Central Oregon—to mark the launch of the 2025–2029 Regional Health [...]
COHC Shifts Its Role in the New RHIP
The Central Oregon Health Council is beginning to transform the way we carry out the next Regional Health Improvement Plan. The 2025–2029 RHIP will use a more collaborative and community-centered approach to improving health outcomes across the region. For years, [...]
The Health Council Is Hiring!
New Opportunities at COHC Project Manager (Contract) We are seeking an experienced contract Project Manager with extensive project management expertise to set up and implement our Regional Health Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan. This pivotal role is designed to "get [...]
COHC Selects New Executive Director
The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is thrilled to announce that Dr. Arianne (Ari) Powell has joined the team as executive director of the health care nonprofit. The COHC is dedicated to improving health outcomes and creating a healthier Central [...]
Executive Director: Be Our Health Care Champion for Central Oregon
Location: Bend, Oregon About Us: The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is a dynamic and community-driven nonprofit organization committed to improving health care delivery and outcomes in our region. We collaborate with community partners, reduce costs, and execute a five-year Regional Health [...]