Portage Health making improvements, adding staff

The Portage Health in Houghton has finished phase one of its $4.3 million expansion and renovation, including adding a new specialist physician.

An expanded clinic area at Portage Health University Center in Houghton is now open and welcoming patients with a new lobby area, exam rooms and a full remodel of the Houghton Apothecary.

Portage Health's Dr. Bruce Trusock says both the patients and staff have been excited about the changes, which aren't over yet.

"It will be August before everything is finished, but already the clinic is worth a visit," Trusock says. "It's quiet, comfortable and spacious."

The second part of the project is renovations to the old clinic space, and when that's finished the entire clinic will be open, with more than double the space and patient rooms. Three additional medical staff along with a dozen new support positions will be added as a result of the expansion.

Portage Health's main location in Hancock has news too; Copper Country patients now can see podiatrist Dr. Jonathan Brueggeman, who began taking patients April 1.

"I'm excited to join Portage Health and fill a need in the Copper Country community," says Brueggeman. He offers expert treatment for problems of the feet and ankles, such as broken bones, torn tendons, bunions, hammer toes, heel spurs, arch pain, arthritis and fungal infections. He also specializes in wound care, ankle arthroscopy, diabetic limb care and deformity correction.

And, along with the addition of one Brueggeman, came another, wife Megan, who has added her expertise as a physician's assistant to Portage Health's orthopedics team.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Bruce Trusock, Portage Health