Klamath Falls Doctor dies after sledding accident

Update (01/13/17 3:18 p.m.) — Dr. Stephanie Van Dyke died at a Portland hospital Thursday night.


Klamath Falls, Ore. – A doctor from Klamath Falls who was injured in a sledding accident over the weekend is in ‘critical’ condition, and is not expected to survive.

Dr. Glenn Gailis summed up the feelings of many. “It’s a sad situation for all of us.”

Dr. Stephanie Van Dyke serves as Medical Director of the Sky Lakes Wellness Center.

Dr. Van Dyke was critically injured Saturday morning in a sledding accident.

Van Dyke was coming down Manzanita Street when she was hit by a vehicle that was unable to stop in time.

Her friends and co-workers met this morning at the Sky Lakes Wellness Center.

“Stephanie was a wonderful physician,” said Dr. Gailis. “A wonderful staff person for the Wellness Center.  A bright light in our community, well loved by everyone.”

“Stephanie is amazing,” added Jessie DuBose of the Klamath Falls Blue Zones Project. “She has been an incredible force for good in her life, and an incredible force for good in Klamath Falls.”

Friends have placed flowers where the accident took place.

Dr. Van Dyke was listed in ‘critical’ condition at a Portland hospital Monday afternoon, preparations are being made for organ donation.

DuBose notes that Dr. Van Dyke was instrumental in bringing the Blue Zones Project to Klamath Falls. “We will do our very best to honor Stephanie, and the impact she’s had on all of our lives. And one of the ways we’ll do that is to work tirelessly for the Blue Zones Project.”

Dr. Stephanie Van Dyke trained in New York, and served her residency at Cascades East Family Practice.

She earned a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and served on the Klamath Basin Behavioral Health Board.

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