Page 546 – Second Wave

Stryker, Acuitec work together on operating room systems

By Newsroom

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June 3, 2010

Stryker's Communications business unit and Acuitec have signed an agreement that will integrate both companies' technologies within the operating room.The move will provide customers with a comprehensive offering that combines in-room integration with desirable workflow solutions.Stryker's Infinity Control System allows staff within the operating room to route video, control multiple devices and PCs, and teleconference. The Acuitec software platform can be integrated with the SwitchPoint Infinity System to work seamlessly with hospitals' postacute care and electronic medical record systems to provide a comprehensive before-, during-, and post-surgery solution featuring patient tracking, electronic charting, remote presence monitoring, video boards, case status, and dashboards.The intuitive Acuitec software can also be accessed, managed, and routed to any display within the operating room through the Stryker SwitchPoint Infinity touch panel interface."The agreement with Acuitec will allow us to offer our customers the most innovative information systems available for hospitals today, creating greater efficiencies and enhanced care within the operating room," says Spencer Stiles, Stryker Communications General Manager. Stryker, with corporate headquarters in Portage, Mich., is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The company provides innovative orthopedic implants as well as state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives.Acuitec offers the only fully integrated, comprehensive workflow solution designed by critical care clinicians that features remote presence monitoring and situational awareness. The Acuitec product line is designed to enhance clinical outcomes, patient care, and safety while improving caregiver efficiency, regulatory compliance adherence, reimbursement, and overall business value.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Spencer Stiles, Stryker Communications

The Golf Club at Harbor Shores to host Senior PGA Championship

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 3, 2010

Communities that host a Senior PGA tournament typically realize an average of at least $22 million economic benefit from the event. So there were a lot of happy people when Benton Harbor and St. Joseph heard they would host the event in 2012 and 2014.The prestigious event will take place at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, an 18 hole public Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, located in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area. Whirlpool Corporation's KitchenAid brand will serve as presenting sponsor of the Senior PGA Championship from 2011 through 2014.The announcement, made as a part of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship, was shared locally via a live feed with local officials and the media. "We look forward to the chance to have the eyes of the world on our communities," says City of St. Joseph Mayor Bob Judd. "It provides us the opportunity to share the many amenities that make our community and the entire region Michigan's Great Southwest." Harbor Shores is a 530-acre mixed use real estate development with an estimated 20 year build out. Plans for Harbor Shores include a variety of distinctive neighborhoods with varying residential product totaling nearly 720 residences. The plans also call for a wide array of recreational amenities, including a town center, deep water marinas, retail shops and restaurants and recreational trails.In addition to the projected economic impact, Cornerstone Alliance Chairman of the Board Ken Kozminski says hosting such a prestigious event creates endless opportunities for Cornerstone's ongoing economic development efforts. "This gives our community and the entire state the opportunity to showcase the community to new investors and job providers as we work to grow jobs in the area. New companies locate in communities that have a vision for positive change, that is what we have here," Kozminsk says.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Nilson-Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Art therapy use expands to help with grief and loss

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Development News

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June 3, 2010

Sometimes when there are no words, art can help.This month, Borgess Hospice will hold Camp Hug, an Expressive Arts Bereavement Camp to help family members learn to cope with the death of a loved one through creative outlets.A registered art therapist, a music therapist and grief counselors, with support from Borgess Hospice RNs, other staff and volunteers will be camp facilitators."When a person is undergoing a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, she or he may have difficulty expressing the experience directly or effectively in words," says Kathleen Buday, a registered board-certified art therapist who serves as Expressive Arts Coordinator. "A creative process can be a non-threatening means to express oneself."Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice has been expanding its grief support services for Kalamazoo and the surrounding communities by offering art therapy programs.Since 2009, Borgess Hospice has offered Creative Crossings: An Art Therapy Bereavement Group for Children and Teens. Through art and other artistic means, such as movement and music, youth creatively express the feelings that occur when dealing with grief and loss.Buday also provides art therapy to hospice patients and family members or both if they desire to use artistic media to explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflict and assist in communication.No special artistic ability or experience is required. Suitable techniques and art experiences can be designed for virtually every level of physical capability.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Kathleen Buday, Expressive Arts Coordinator for Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice

WMU med school plans move forward with appointment of interim dean

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 3, 2010

Dr. Jack R. Luderer has been deeply involved in the development of Western Michigan University's medical school initiative. Now he's heading it up.Luderer became interim dean effective June 1. He has served the past five years as executive director of WMU's Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, a life-sciences research center that assists startup companies. A national search for a founding dean was launched in February. It will likely be several months before one will be in place to lead the school.Luderer, a board-certified medical specialist in internal medicine with sub-specialty certification in clinical pharmacology, has a background that includes positions as a clinical vice president for Pharmacia Inc. and Upjohn and vice president for research at WMU. In addition to serving in his BRCC role, he has spent the past two years working with WMU President John M. Dunn and the Kalamazoo medical community to develop a new school of medicine. The Kalamazoo initiative has filed a letter of intent and has been awarded applicant status with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the group that accredits medical schools in the United States and Canada. A school of medicine in Kalamazoo has been under discussion and in the planning stage since late 2007. During a November 2009 meeting, Dunn announced a $1.8 million anonymous gift made to provide seed money for the next steps in the development process, including the search for a dean.Dunn says with this appointment Luderer's full attention will be on two goals: maintain existing momentum toward obtaining the money necessary to found the school and bringing the search for dean to a successful conclusion. The initiative is collaboration with Kalamazoo's two major hospitals -- Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare -- as well as other interested medical organizations in West Michigan. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Work begins on 38-unit, $3.4 million senior housing community in Kalamazoo

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 3, 2010

An estimated 120 new construction jobs are expected now that Presbyterian Villages of Michigan has broken ground on a $3.4 million senior housing community in Kalamazoo. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) received a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build the 38-unit senior apartment community at Sage Street south of Stone Brook Road. The funds are intended to help low-income seniors live safe, independent lives and promote construction jobs.The development will offer one-bedroom apartments of approximately 600 square feet as well as a community room, laundry facilities, lounge areas and library/internet cafe.Potential residents are 62 years of age and older and have a gross annual income of $22,000 or less for one person and $25,150 or less for a two-person household. Rent is based on 30 percent of residents' adjusted gross annual income and the remaining rent is covered by HUD. Roger Myers, president and CEO of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, says he is pleased to offer this opportunity to the Kalamazoo community. "It reflects our mission to extend a hand to all seniors of all faiths throughout Michigan." The Village is PVM's 25th senior living community in the state. Results of a market study from Community Research Services LLC, show the development is needed because the primary market area for the project will experience a 17.9 percent increase in population of seniors age 62 and older by 2013 and a county-wide increase of 25.5 percent for the same demographic.PVM, headquartered in Southfield, is a faith-based, multi-site nonprofit that offers continuing care retirement communities, including apartments, assisted living, and skilled nursing, subsidized senior housing and market-rate senior housing. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Dawn Dyer Magretta, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan

The idea behind 4th of July barbecue is serious entertainment

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 3, 2010

The Boiling Pot Music Festival is about fun. It also has a mission.In its first year, Kalamazoo's newest outdoor celebration will bring together at least 40 musical acts, 30 artists and a full complement of forums designed to get people talking about areas of importance to the community -- agriculture and food security, energy, education, housing, human security, green space and transportation. Spiritual, mental and physical wellness also will be addressed. The July 3-4 festival is at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo. Matthew Lechel, event coordinator for the I.D.E.A. Association, says the festival can capitalize on what's already happening in the local music and arts scene. "We want to harness the social capital that's already being created as the community comes together and then take it to the next level," Lechel says. Boiling Pot also is a play on words for organizers trying to stir the pot of ideas regarding where creative energy needs to be focused in Kalamazoo.On white boards displayed throughout the festival community members will have a chance to "map" organizations and projects already happening in the community within eight identified sectors. Natural partnerships will be identified and information on a long-term project involving the community is expected to emerge. Art projects from seven previous events sponsored by the I.D.E.A. Association will be on display at Boiling Pot and eight new pieces will be made in the pavilion by those attending the festival.And because sustainability is important to the organizers a greening team has been assembled to make sure no paper, plastic or food from the public or vendors at the event ends up in a landfill.The Boiling Pot Festival is presented by The Strutt and The I.D.E.A. Association. Ticket prices, a schedule of events and a list of artists are available here.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Matthew Lechel

Super Saturday: It’s not just a one day event anymore

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Arts & Culture

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June 3, 2010

From 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected to turn out in Kalamazoo this weekend to take in the largest downtown event of the year.The event that began years ago as Super Saturday has morphed into the kick off of the summer season for retailers, restaurateurs and entertainment venues across downtown.The fun begins Thursday with the Greek Fest at Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Musical headliners are the Spin Doctors Friday and Night Ranger Saturday.Next up is the expanded Art Hop featuring art work in nearly 60 different locations across the downtown. Art on the Mall, traditionally a Saturday event, will open Friday night to cater to the Art Hop crowd. From 5 to 10 p.m. there will be a sneak preview of the KIA Art Fair in Bronson Park.Silliness steps off Saturday morning with the Do-Dah parade, a Kalamazoo tradition in which participants spoof just about anything as they march through downtown. Throughout the day people will be flocking to the 59th annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair where they'll find 200 artist booths, a kids art yard, live music, a beer garden and food court on South Street.Friends of the Library Book Sale, at the Kalamazoo Public Library, will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is a Ladies Library Ice Cream Social and a Historical Walk that starts in front of Gazelle Sports, 241 S. Kalamazoo Mall.The weekend concludes with the Concerts in the Park series at Bronson Park beginning at 4 p.m. with Kalamazoo Singers, one of the area's premier choral organizations.Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing Downtown Kalamazoo as an accessible, diverse, green, progressive and vibrant urban center. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Vicky Kettner, DKI

Disc golf guide flies true for local author

By Rebecca Bakken

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General

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June 3, 2010

Disc golf lover Stephanai Myers wanted a guide to Michigan's courses, so she wrote one. Writer Rebecca Bakken talked to Myers about her love for the sport and the state.

Grant for $1 million will improve science education

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Prospective science teachers soon will get a chance to work in the laboratory next to scientists and in turn pass what they learn on to their students.A $1 million grant to Western Michigan University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will help teachers learn how to translate science into practical experiences for their future students. The four-year award to WMU will focus on identifying and working with high school science teachers who are trained first as scientists and will then learn how to turn their own research experiences into practical tools that can help them convey scientific principals to their students."We're out to create scientists who choose the profession of teaching," says Dr. Susan Stapleton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of chemistry and biological sciences at the University.Beginning this fall, WMU will recruit a group of 15 students who are interested in teaching high school science, chemistry, physics or biology. Those 15 students will spend the summer of 2011 working in a campus research lab, building their own scientific skills and credentials. During the following academic year, they will take a newly-developed course aimed at helping them translate their laboratory experience into practical tools. In summer 2012, they will use those new teaching tools in a summer science camp WMU offers annually for middle school students. A new group of students will be recruited in each of the four years of the project, so as many as 60 prospective science teachers will be part of the initiative."We hope that these programs will shape the way students look at the world," says Howard Hughes Medical Institute President Robert Tjian, "whether those students ultimately choose to pursue a career in science or not." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Studio 246 invites fans and new friends to support theater

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Some theaters invite patrons to fundraisers with champaign and chocolate covered strawberries. Kalamazoo's newest theater plans a tailgate party. The party, June 6 at 4 p.m., is part of four days of shows Studio 246 has planned raise money for needed renovations and improvements to the space. The weekend also is a celebration of the completion of the first season at Studio 246. To mark the event, Crawlspace Theatre Productions, Kinetic Affect and Fancy Pants Theater plan a series of shows titled Fancy Affection in the Crawlspace.On the first weekend in June, the theater troupes will fill the studio space with spoken word poetry, original theater works, improv and sketch comedy. Performances will include some favorite work from this past season, along with pieces getting their debuts. The actors hope to raise at least $5,000 over the four days of events for such projects as a highly visible mural that patrons of events in the Arcadia Festival Site will notice, new signage out front, improvements to the lobby and air conditioning that will allow the space to be used during the summer."Studio 246 is not satisfied with being Kalamazoo's best kept secret," says Dann Sytsma, Artistic Director for Crawlspace Theatre Productions. "We're aiming to enhance the aesthetics of Kalamazoo by improving our facility. Studio 246 is a storefront theater, and our storefront needs some attention. The leadership of Studio 246 wants to enhance the North end of the Kalamazoo Walking Mall with proper signage, an enhanced building front that exclaims 'the arts are growing in Kalamazoo.'"The studio at 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall has chosen to be "the theater for those seeking less traditional expressions of art," Sytsma continues. "Spoken word poetry, non-traditional plays, homegrown comedy, are just three examples of what you'll see in this space. Studio 246 celebrates the performing arts in its rawest form. It is not so much a theater as it is an incubator of ideas." For showtimes and ticket information visit the Crawlspace Productions Web site.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Dann Sytsma, Crawlspace Eviction Productions