Health

Coverage of hospitals, clinics, public health, and mental health developments and initiatives.

Local marathon invites people to run for the health of it

By Newsroom

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May 20, 2010

Kalamazoo is jumping to the front of the pack in helping Southwest Michigan sustain a healthier lifestyle, one of the motivating factors behind plans for the city's first marathon.The event has been set for the weekend of May 6-8, 2011, to accompany a weekend of running events that will showcase what the city has to offer.The Kalamazoo Marathon will build on the success of the Borgess Run for the Health of It, a local road race that has been drawing runners to the area for more than 30 years. In 2010 there were 5,000 people who turned out for the various race events, including a half-marathon, health walk, 5k and kids run.Director of the Borgess Health and Fitness Center Janeen Dosca, this year's race director, is working with Blaine Lam and Gazelle Sports co-owner, Chris Lampen-Crowell, to develop the event.Organizers expect the marathon to draw runners from across the Midwest. People were asking how to sign up even before formal announcement of the event took place, Lam says.Chris Lampen-Crowell, owner of Gazelle Sports, says there is a pent-up demand for a marathon in Kalamazoo, home to the state's largest running club.Lampen-Crowell says the event will be a "very special marathon that celebrates health."Major sponsors for next year are already in place. Meijer and Priority Health will remain sponsors, and support will also come from AVB Construction, Discover Kalamazoo, Gazelle Sports, K-Valley Orthopedics, Kalamazoo Orthopedic Clinic, Pfizer, Premier Radiology and RiverRun Press.For further details and the latest updates on routes and other information, visit Borgess Run for The Health of It.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Janeen Dosca, Borgess Health and Fitness Center

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InterAct to be under one roof in $1.95 million downtown Kalamazoo project

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

By the first of next year a longtime downtown Kalamazoo community services center could be in a new home.InterAct of Michigan, now working out of three locations downtown, will be leasing a newly constructed headquarters built by The Hinman Company. Ground recently was broken for two-story, 24,000-square-foot building at 610 S. Burdick Street that is expected to cost $1.95 million to build. The building also is LEED Certified."We're extremely excited that this building will give us a barrier free, safer, more efficient opportunity to serve people," says Claudia Wink-Basing, InterAct Executive Director. "We're grateful for this opportunity."The new building, which had been in the conceptual stages for about four years, will allow the agency to bring its 110 employees under one roof. There's also room for expanding the agency's staff by 10.Last year InterAct provided services to more than 1,300 people with mental illness, physical and developmental disorders or both. InterAct has been a tenant of The Hinman Company for 19 years.Due to their long term relationship and support of InterAct of Michigan's mission, The Hinman Company partnered with InterAct to make the project a reality, says Andy Wenzel, Director of Development for The Hinman Company.Incentives from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of the City of Kalamazoo and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Brownfield Redevelopment MBT Credit also helped bring about the project."We are excited about the opportunities this project will bring to InterAct of Michigan, to the downtown Kalamazoo area," Wenzel says, "and to the citizens that depend on InterAct's services to better their lives."Writer: Kathy JenningsSources: Claudia Wink-Basing, InterAct of Michigan, Andy Wenzel, The Hinman Company

Allegan hospital will spend $300,000 on expansion

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

Community residents and the Perrigo Foundation are teaming up to help a local hospital become bigger and better. More specifically, Allegan General Hospital will be expanding its infusion center, where treatments are administered into a patient's vein using tubing.Chemotherapy treatments, immune system medications, steroids, iron, antibiotics, blood count stimulants and other medications, as ordered by a physician, are some of the treatments offered.The center will serve cancer patients and patients with anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, colitis, and other diseases requiring transfusions and IVs.Other features are private treatment areas with heated, massaging rocker-recliner chairs for patients and TVs, music systems and headphones for each patient. DVD players and laptop computers with wireless Internet access also will be available. A waiting area with more space for families and friends, and a patient education center are part of the plans.The infusion center renovation and expansion is funded with $200,000 from the Perrigo Foundation and $100,000 from the Allegan community. In July 2009, the Perrigo Foundation made an initial donation of $100,000 to the hospital and challenged the community to raise a sum that the company would then match. Community donations totaled $100,000, allowing the hospital to receive the full amount of the challenge grant from the Perrigo Foundation. "To reach the $300,000 mark in our fundraising efforts is a tremendous achievement, allowing us to move forward with the renovation and expansion of the infusion center," says Gerald Barbini, president of Allegan General Hospital. Allegan General Hospital is a 25-bed community hospital governed by an 11-member board of trustees. Perrigo is the world's largest manufacturer of OTC pharmaceutical products for the store brand market. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Gerald Barbini, Allegan General Hospital

Can you say vaccination in Spanish?

By Newsroom

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Health

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May 13, 2010

Vacuna is the word for shots in Spanish -- flu shots that is. It's one of the first Spanish words learned by Dr. Karen Janson in the Spanish club offered by South Haven Community Hospital for its staff and their spouses, reports the Herald-Palladium.The pediatrician has learned to use the word carefully so as not to set off tears among her young patients. Excerpt:The Spanish club has nearly 60 participants who meet weekly. It was the brainchild of Dr. Sylvia Mustonen, who works at the hospital's Covert clinic, said hospital President and CEO Joanne Urbanski. The meetings are led by Mustonen and Alex De La Cruz, the husband of another hospital physician, Jeanne Alvarado.At a recent class the group reviewed Spanish words that start with "ch."One of the words mentioned was chata, which means bedpan in Spanish. That's an example of a word that could be helpful for hospital staff.The story goes on to say the hospital has a number of translators but there never seem to be enough. So they decided to use a fun approach to get more people speaking Spanish.Source: Herald-Palladium

A cup of coffee that can change someone’s life in St. Joseph

By Newsroom

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Health

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May 13, 2010

New Beginnings has a program that not only helps people get a new start each day, but changes lives, reports the Herald-Palladium.The program works with people with mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and personality disorder. Participants range in age from 18 to their 60s. Some, because of their mental illness, haven't graduated from high school, while others were leading normal lives until their illness sent them off track. New Beginnings has opened Kaffe de Art, where its members can learn skills they missed along the way. Excerpt: The shop, at 301 Main St. in downtown St. Joseph, serves espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, regular coffees and other beverages and snacks such as yogurt, granola, pastries, muffins and bagels. New Beginnings helps its "members," as Kray calls them, get their GED certificate, go to college or get a job. There are about 40 participants, a staff of eight, and two volunteers. New Beginnings members will work at Kaffe de Art, or at 2nd Impressions, the consignment shop next door that will open in June, if it helps them with their rehabilitation. The story goes on to say the program emphasizes holistic wellness, including nutrition, exercise, mediation, relaxation and general stress management," Kray said. "We also offer financial literacy classes and encourage and assist individuals to move toward independent living or find safe and affordable housing. Basically whatever they need to live productive, stable and satisfying lives."To find out more, read the entire story. Source: Herald-Palladium

Battle Creek casino chips in for clinic to serve employees

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

FireKeepers Casino isn't gambling on the health of its employees. On May 1 the Battle Creek casino opened a 766-square-foot clinic for its 1,500 workers.The clinic is being offered in partnership with Borgess Health, which participated in a competitive bid process. The clinic will feature two exam rooms and a Borgess Health mid-level care provider, also known as a nurse practitioner, will be on staff 40 hours a week. A doctor will be available on an as-needed basis.FireKeepers Casino's team members can get regular check-ups, preventative care and treatment for minor work related injuries. Team members can also come to the clinic if they are not feeling well or have general health questions or concerns. They can come from home or drop in while they are at work. Team members can visit the clinic during regular hours with or without an appointment.Pre-screens for new team members also will be offered at the clinic.The health clinic was a concept jointly initiated by FireKeepers Casino's Director of Human Resources Peggy Houston, General Manager Bruce McKee and the Tribal owners of the casino, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. All see the clinic as an added benefit for team members that promotes healthy life styles."The new clinic is an example of our continuous commitment to our team members' well-being, while striving to be an employer of choice," Houston says.Borgess Corpfit Services Executive Director Vince Marcinek, says, "FireKeepers Casino is applauded for the extra steps they are taking to foster good employee health. Caring for employees is the right thing to do and it is also a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Michael Facenda, FireKeepers Casino

Battle Creek Health Systems chief gets national recognition

By Newsroom

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Health

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May 6, 2010

One of the top 25 minority executives in the United States as selected by Modern Healthcare magazine is Denise Brooks-Williams, president and CEO at Battle Creek Health System (BCHS).She is one of only two executives from the Trinity Health system to be chosen in 2010, and one of just two in Michigan, according to a story in the Coldwater Daily Reporter.Excerpt:The annual award recognizes leaders who show the ability to effectively change the health care industry, demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and mentor others, and assume a leadership position in the industry outside the candidates own organization. Brooks-Williams serves as president of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE)."Denise is known and respected across Trinity Health for her ability to lead in times of change," says Nelson Karre, chair of the BCHS board of trustees. "She has demonstrated over the past year the ability to enhance the quality of patient care and to strengthen the bonds between a hospital and its community.""One of her many strengths is addressing business challenges through financial and strategic planning," adds Neil Nyberg, chair of the BCHS Community Partners board. "She has been actively engaged with not only local groups, but also with strengthening bonds with our medical staff. She is most deserving of this award."To find out more about Brooks-Williams' background read the entire story.Source: Coldwater Daily Reporter

Soon-to-be-built regional cancer center gets $500,000 gift

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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April 15, 2010

Construction of Lakeland HeathCare's regional cancer center moved one step closer with a donation from the Lakeland Auxiliary.The philanthropic group from St. Joseph has pledged $500,000 toward the new medical facility at the Lakeland Health Park in Royalton Township, St. Joseph.The cancer center will be a two-story, 30,000-square-foot building that will connect to the existing Center for Outpatient Services Lakeland hopes to break ground for the new regional cancer center this spring at the Lakeland Health Park, with a projected opening date in the fall of 2011. "It's really exciting for the Auxiliary to be part of the new regional cancer center," said Tina Kirby, interim president of the Lakeland Auxiliary, St. Joseph. "Helping out with special projects like this one is what the Auxiliary is here to do." Lakeland HealthCare's regional cancer center will provide a full range of oncology services in one location.Services will include diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, screenings outpatient surgery and chemotherapy. The cancer center will feature infusion services, physical therapy and a pharmacy. It will have an educational component with a resource library. Plans also call for an on-site boutique and appearance center for current and former cancer patients."The generous gifts of the Lakeland Auxiliary, St. Joseph, have been the catalysts for the success of every major fundraising campaign at Lakeland," said Bill Johnson, president of the Lakeland Health Foundations. "We are deeply grateful that our St. Joseph Auxilians continue to support first-class medical care here in southwest Michigan." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Erin Gerard, Lakeland HeathCare

SW Michigan drug companies, biotech firms may benefit from reform legislation

By Newsroom

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Health

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April 1, 2010

Drug companies and biotech firms may be positioned to make money under health-care reform legislation, the Detroit Free Pree reports.Drug companies and biotech firms may be positioned to make money under health-care reform legislation, the Detroit Free Pree reports. The March 28 story says that money managers are seeing the potential for such companies to benefit from the changes to health care, and it quotes Pfizer as one company that's eyeing the potential. Excerpt:Wall Street didn't collapse into rubble once President Barack Obama signed the landmark bill to begin widespread changes in health insurance. Could that mean that somebody will admit there's money to be made in the sweeping reforms we'll see in the next few years? You bet. Rick Chambers, a spokesperson for Pfizer in Kalamazoo, said much depends on how details are worked out. But he said Pfizer -- which employs about 3,000 people in Michigan, mostly in Kalamazoo County -- is optimistic that the reforms will preserve the pharmaceutical industry's ability to develop new drugs and bring them to market. Chambers noted that tens of millions of people who could not afford health care will have a means to access treatment -- including medicine. Standard & Poor's Equity Research issued a report that listed biotechnology firms and generic drug manufacturers among winners from the health care legislation. "Representing the first choice in drug therapy, inexpensive generics should be prime beneficiaries of new pharmaceutical business resulting from the extension of new health coverage for 32 million presently uninsured," wrote the S&P Equity Research team led by analyst Jeffrey Loo. The report noted some negatives for the managed-care industry -- including an end to denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions. For more on the winners, read the rest of story. Source: Detroit Free Press

Six donations bring $2.5 million to cancer center

By Kathy Jennings

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Economic Development

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March 11, 2010

Lakeland HealthCare in St. Joseph hopes to raise $4.5 million for a new outpatient clinic. It's already more than halfway there. Lakeland anticipates breaking ground April 11 on the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building that will connect to the existing Center for Outpatient Services. When complete, the capital campaign would cover a third of the cost of $13.5 million cancer care center.A $1 million donation made in the name of Marie Yeager, an oncology nurse who died in 2008, is the largest to the hospital system's capital campaign. The Frederick S. Upton Foundation has pledged $400,000.Marie Yeager cared for patients as an oncology nurse at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Her husband, Tom, is a member of Lakeland HealthCare's Board of Directors. "We are immensely grateful for the Yeager family's generous support for this project," said Bill Johnson, President of the Lakeland Health Foundations. "Lakeland is honored to name the new cancer center after Marie. It is a fitting legacy for someone who exemplified Lakeland's mission of putting the patient first." The Marie Yeager Cancer Center Lakeland Health Park in Royalton Township will provide a full range of oncology services.The opening date for the regional cancer center is projected to be the fall of 2011.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Lakeland Health Center