I read the recent column by Janet Stevens, “Stop bashing all the tourists. Remember why they come,” with more than the usual amount of interest. As a relative newcomer to Bend, I, too, was attracted by the outdoor lifestyle, excellent schools and friendly vibe. I very much agree with your assertion that the natural beauty of Central Oregon has attracted visitors, which in turn has brought healthy change. As one of the visitors who decided to stay, I am happy to say I am a visitor no more.

While I know it was not the central focus of your column, of particular interest to me was the “shoutout” to the neonatology team here at St. Charles, as it was the neonatology program that attracted me. The neonatology service here at St. Charles has a rich history, especially so for a town this size. Initially the local general pediatricians cared for sick or preterm newborns in our community. Moderately ill neonates were attended to by the male and female pediatricians of Central Oregon Pediatric Associates who did a courageous job staffing a Level II NICU and were able to keep many sick newborns in our community. More severely ill infants, however, had to be transported over the mountains to Portland for intensive care as needed.

In 1996, the NICU transitioned to a Level III status when Bend’s first neonatologist, Dr. T. Allen Merritt, joined the team. Since that time, the NICU has continued to grow. Currently, our NICU is a state-of-the-art, beautiful 24-bed unit that serves a huge geographic catchment area. Our outcomes rival or exceed those in larger, more metropolitan settings.

In your column, you indicated that “few of the men practicing here were specialists … no neonatologists.” While that may have been the case, as you point out, it is no longer. Given that we are in the shadow of International Women’s Day, I am compelled to point out that neonatology locally as well as historically owes a huge debt of gratitude to the women who have dedicated their lives to improving the quality and safety of care for ill newborns. Neonatology has been fundamentally shaped by women. Most have heard of the Apgar score, a standardized way to assess the health of newborns. Less known is that the Apgar score is named for Virginia Apgar, an anesthesiologist drawn to the care of newborns. Dr. Apgar also was the first among those at the March of Dimes to draw attention to the problems of preterm birth — now its central focus. The current neonatology provider team here at St. Charles comprises only two men but has four excellent women (neonatologist Sue Ann Smith MD, Bette Johnson NNP, Carol Craig NNP, and new to our team Terra Wissbaum, PA). Additionally, our nursing staff largely comprises women — all committed to providing the very best evidenced-based and compassionate family-centered care.

Thanks very much for mentioning our little NICU’s role in this growing community. I join your call for a renewed enthusiasm for celebrating not only where we have come from but where we are going. Please join me in giving some recognition to the outstanding women providing care for ill newborns in our community. Finally, I hope a girl in Central Oregon reads this letter, hears about the impact that women have in this STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field, and is inspired to lead the way for the next generation.

— Robert H. Pfister, MD, is an attending neonatologist, medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit and chief of pediatrics of St. Charles Health System.

Given that we are in the shadow of International Women’s Day, I am compelled to point out that neonatology locally as well as historically owes a huge debt of gratitude to the women who have dedicated their lives to improving the quality and safety of care for ill newborns.