Healthy Communities

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

By Newsroom

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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

Latest in Healthy Communities

Battle Creek Health Systems chief gets national recognition

By Newsroom

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Healthy Communities

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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

Battle Creek casino chips in for clinic to serve employees

By Newsroom

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Development News

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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

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

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Development News

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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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Healthy Communities

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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

New philanthropy partnership brings in $2.7 Million

By Kim North Shine

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Development News

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March 11, 2010

Southwest Michigan businesses, residents, foundations, schools and others put their money behind a new fundraising partnership meant to bring additional services to people needing help.The Lifeline Initiative grew out of a partnership between Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Greater Kalamazoo United Way.Leaders of the two organizations conceived the initiative in response to the economic downturn. Through the initiative, about $4 million dollars over the next three years will be invested in local programs that address joblessness, emergency food assistance, emergency shelter and transitional housing, and health care access.Over the last eight months, more than $2.7 million was raised."Kalamazoo's charitable spirit is alive and well. ... People and organizations that care deeply about our community have stepped forward to support this effort...," Juan Olivarez, president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, says.His comments came during a Feb. 9 announcement of the partnership and its outcome.The Lifeline Initiative is described as a "unique and targeted collaborative fundraising effort" that took care not to adversely affect other charities."Our board leadership wholeheartedly endorsed the partnership between the Community Foundation and the United Way. We are proud to partner with the Community Foundation, and we are pleased to be a part of this unique and powerful response to help address the increased needs of our community," says Mike Larson, president and CEO, Greater Kalamazoo United Way."These funds will have an immediate impact and will play a major role in helping to address the increased basic a human needs we have witnessed in our area. While we applaud and thank both boards for their vision and leadership, the true credit for this effort goes to the incredibly generous donors who saw the need, and responded with tremendous compassion and generosity."The effort won't end here, they say.Community Foundation and United Way officials expect additional donations from donors who have expressed an interest in long-term support. This is only first grant-making cycle for community investments from the Lifeline Fund, they say. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Community Foundation, Greater Kalamazoo United Way

Six donations bring $2.5 million to cancer center

By Kathy Jennings

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Development News

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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