 (Not to be confused with Foo Fighters because that’s a rock band)
N3- There’s nothing like autumn. It’s the time of year to capture all the things the season brings. Time to go to a local football game, take in some fall colors, do a little apple picking, visit a corn maze, get a flu shot… Yep. Get a flu shot. We are on the cusp, I fear, of that time of year when the flu bug begins its attempt to meander its way through our community. So here is a bit of info sent to us by those ever-vigilant folks at our Health Department. District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is helping communities prepare for the upcoming flu season by offering flu vaccines to children, adults, and seniors. Flu season is unpredictable - even healthy people can become seriously ill. The best way to protect you and your family against influenza is to get an annual flu vaccine and the time to do so is now. The following are walk-in flu clinics – no appointment necessary: Location: Croton American Legion Address: 6812 S. Croton Dr., Newaygo MI 49337 Date: 9/30/2019 Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM Location: Grant Township Hall Address: 1617 E. 120th, Grant MI 49327 Date: 10/03/2019 Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church Address: 714 Hillcrest Ave, Fremont MI Date: 10/09/2019 Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM You can also schedule an appointment for a flu shot at DHD#10. Location: District Health Department#10 Address: 1049 E Newell St., White Cloud MI 49349 Number: 888-217-3904 Time: 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. The cost for the seasonal flu vaccination without insurance is $37. High dose and preservative-free flu shots are available for $42. Many health insurance plans now cover the cost of flu vaccines. If not, DHD#10 may be able to help through Vaccines for Children (VFC) or other programs. DHD#10 will bill Medicare or Medicare Health Plans (only for flu, pneumococcal, and PCV13 vaccinations), Medicaid, Medicaid Health Plans, Priority Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network (excludes Mercy Partnered Plans), Cigna, McLaren Commercial, ASR, TRICARE and United Health Care with an insurance card present at the time of appointment. It is important to be aware of your insurance benefit rules. For more information, call DHD#10 at 231-689-7300 or visit www.dhd10.org/locate-flu-clinic. Make plans. We need you healthy and no one wants you down and out during the holidays. The time to prepare, as the DHD#10 peeps put so eloquently, is NOW!- N3
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 Dr Erho joins ob/gyn clinic Dr. Erho joins obstetrics, gynecologic clinic in Fremont
FREMONT– Jehanna Erho, MD, is the newest physician to join Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s obstetrics and gynecologic clinic, located on the second floor of the hospital in Fremont. Dr. Erho is accepting new patients. Dr. Erho is proficient in laparoscopic surgery and management of complicated pregnancies. “I’m really excited to serve patients and families in a smaller community, which allows a physician to get to know their patients and build a strong patient-physician relationship,” Dr. Erho said. “As an OB physician, I strive to build trust with patients because I’m taking care of two patients: the mother and their child. That child is the family’s future, so providing quality, personalized care is something I look forward to doing.” Dr. Erho is also looking forward to focus on other underserved areas in obstetrics and gynecology. “As an OB physician, I’m interested in providing care beyond the baby and the blankets and treating the whole woman along all age spectrums is a critical part of my job,” Dr. Erho said. “That means being able to serve patients from their teens and providing the education and information that can help them make choices that are right for them, to women going through menopause. The more information and care I can provide women, the more they can have a voice in their own healthcare and be their own advocate for what’s best for them.” Dr. Erho is also trained in performing cutting-edge robot surgery, the da Vinci Si, which enables minimally invasive procedures that helps patients recover faster. Dr. Erho completed her residency at the University of Toledo and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California in 2015. She has volunteered on medical and NGO projects in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. For further information, referrals or appointments, please call 231.924.1212.  Spectrum Health mobile mammogram coming to Hesperia on Sept. 6
FREMONT – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial will bring a mobile mammogram unit to Hesperia on Friday, Sept. 6, to encourage women to get screened for breast cancer. A service of Spectrum Health Betty Ford Breast Care Services, the mobile unit will be parked at Family Dollar, 9585 E Sunset Blvd, Hesperia, MI 49421. Because the mobile unit can take a limited number of patients, women are asked to make an appointment to reserve a spot. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. When detected early, breast cancer can be treated and cured. The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years and older have a mammogram once a year.  Joseph Rexroat M.D. now accepting patients at Gerber Memorial Family Medicine Dr. Rexroat joins family medicine clinic in Fremont
FREMONT – Joseph Rexroat, MD, is the newest family physician to join Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and is now accepting new patients. A board-certified family physician, Dr. Rexroat’ office is at the Gerber Memorial Family Medicine practice located at the Professional Office Building at 230 W Oak St. in Fremont. With Dr. Rexroat, Gerber Memorial now has 10 family medicine providers. A native of Lake Leelanau in northwest Michigan, Dr. Rexroat said he looks forward to practicing medicine and serving families in a small, rural community not unlike the one he grew up in. “I’m personally excited to be back living in a country setting,” said Dr. Rexroat, who completed his residency in Grand Rapids. “Just being in Newaygo County, you experience less traffic, less stress, plus it’s a great place to raise our three children.” The additional benefit: His wife is a native of Fremont, and they’ll now be closer to family. Professionally, Dr. Rexroat is grateful he can contribute to improving rural communities like Newaygo County. “Small underserved communities like ours have a large need for doctors and providers who specialize in family medicine, and I’m excited that I can do my part to help fill that need,” Dr. Rexroat said. “In my search for a job, this place and the physicians and providers I met here felt like home to me. Being a doctor in a rural area, there’s a different feel to that role and a different sense of responsibility. Everything and everyone feels closer and more of a tightly knit community, so we want to make sure we provide truly exceptional experiences, and that’s what I love about coming to Newaygo County.” While Dr. Rexroat has many areas of interest in the family medicine field, he’s especially interested in the areas of weight-loss and tobacco cessation, two areas identified as significant areas of health concern in Newaygo County. Dr. Rexroat is a graduate of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Central Michigan University. For more information about Gerber Memorial Family Medicine, call: 231.924.4200.  L-R- Ragtime Musician Extraordinaire Bob Milne and Dogwood Center Volunteer of the Year Rob Johnston share some post-concert fun. By Marianne Boerigter Photo by Faune Benson Schuitema It was Volunteer Appreciation night at the Dogwood Center on Thursday, August 15. Dogwood volunteers provide countless hours of service that help make the Dogwood Center the strong cultural resources that it is. Over the past year, over 35 community members from all of our communities in Newaygo County helped with fundraising, ticket sales, technical needs, ushers and greeters, and all the components necessary for providing such a wonderful venue. Dogwood volunteers were treated to complimentary tickets to the ragtime pianist Bob Milne concert as a special thank you for their help over the past year. That evening, Dogwood Board of Directors stepped into the volunteer roles of box office personnel, ushers and greeters. The Don Heaven Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to the volunteer whose service, dedication, and commitment embodies the Dogwood Center’s spirit. This award is dedicated to Don Heaven. Since the inception of the Dogwood Center, Don has worked tirelessly to make it not only a reality but also an excellent asset to Newaygo County. Over the past years, the Don Heaven Volunteer of the Year Award has been awarded to: Georgia Paxton, Irene Baker, Henrietta Van Meekeren, Marcia Eib, Julie Vanderboegh, Sandy Saliers, Shirley Hooker, Tom Shoecraft, Maxine McBride, Sandy Cruzan, Nevonda Lankhorst, and Dwight Austin. The 2019 Don Heaven Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Rob Johnston. The Dogwood Center appreciate all of the time and extra effort Rob puts in to make the Dogwood experience special for everyone who walks in the door. He has been volunteering at the Dogwood for almost 7 years and works at any volunteer position that needs to be filled. Rob is a lover of the arts and that is why he volunteers at the Dogwood Center. Rob has been retired from his position as Caretaker of Camp Echo since 2012, after 33 years on the job. At camp he was a mentor to many, hero to all, and is stilled called upon for advice and helpful hints by those who work at and enjoy camp. He is an amazing handyman and can fix anything. He has many hobbies including guitar, whittling, stained glass, mosaic, gardening, bee-keeping and underwater photography. The Dogwood Center staff and Board of Directors appreciate and thank all of the wonderful Dogwood volunteers for all that they do! For information on how you can volunteer at the Dogwood Center, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.   Gerber Memorial staff tests skills, preparedness with safety drill FREMONT– With the goal of helping medical and emergency professionals prepare for a potential mass casualty situation, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial partnered with PRIDE of Newaygo County on July 30 in a community-wide exercise. “Based in a large agricultural community and surrounded by many large industrial plants that work with all types of chemicals, our medical professionals prepared for a worst-case scenario at a local manufacturing facility. While there has not been an incident of this magnitude, the potential exists and our community should know that Spectrum Health is ready,” said Amanda Lutz, MPH, emergency preparedness specialist at Gerber Memorial. Registration staff, emergency department, facilities, security, hospital supervision, Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT) and emergency preparedness staff all prepared for a worst-case scenario at a local manufacturing facility. In this fictional simulation, a forklift driver punctured a crate containing an unknown chemical substance. Students who volunteered to act as casualties on Tuesday were assigned a “victim role,” health status and even injury props, to help bring the scenario to life. They then went through the process of being transported via ambulance and treated at the hospital. “In real life, a hospital must be trained to handle a mass casualty while also dealing with other civilians who may need to be treated for day-to-day injuries. So, several students were assigned to play the role of patients who were injured outside of the mass casualty incident as well,” Lutz said. Preparation is a critical part of being able to effectively handle a mass casualty incident, Lutz said, adding that exercising different scenarios helps Gerber Memorial prepare for a potential incident – natural or human-caused – that may impact the hospital or community. Not only did the drill provide the Emergency Department with an added component to a mass casualty incident but it allowed Gerber Memorial to engage its H.E.R.T. These team members are trained to protect the hospital, patients and their families, and employees in the event of a disaster in the community. Made up of Gerber Memorial staff who receive additional training, HERT team members respond to threats from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive materials. The HERT team operates an emergency treatment area as hospital first receivers. By Lutz’s estimate, the exercise went well. All participating staff communicated effectively and adjusted to gaps that came up, she noted. “We purposefully chose this scenario and went into the exercise knowing we were going to identify some gaps and areas for improvement and we did just that,” she said. “It’s best to work through and identify these areas for improvement during an exercise rather than in a real-life incident. There is always potential for improvement.” As an accredited facility, Gerber Memorial is also required to complete exercises that test its emergency department on patient surge. Lutz said Gerber Memorial does more than what its accreditation requires so it can better serve the community. Exercise simulates injuries from chemical exposure; local volunteers play patients
 Susan Seaben amongst the hidden treasures to be found in the hospital gift shop Volunteer coordinator looks to increase recruitment efforts
Fremont– Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has hired Susan Seaben as its new volunteer services coordinator. A Fremont native, Seaben was employed with Spectrum Health Medical Group for eight years, where she has held positions as a coder associate, revenue integrity supervisor and site billing and coding specialist. Her career has come full circle where she began her career serving Gerber Memorial as a patient account representative for six years. “As a resident of Newaygo County, I am looking forward to establishing meaningful relationships with each of our volunteers,” Seaben said. “I am excited to better understand the needs of the community and the needs of the hospital, I am confident that my passion for customer service will help us increase recruitment efforts and retain needed volunteers.” In her new role, Seaben will also be an integral part of The Gift Shop and the Hospital Auxiliary Guild. “I would like to draw attention to The Gift Shop and uncover ways to market this hidden treasure to the community,” she said. “We have a wide variety of items and such a unique space to promote and believe we can host events to attract the public here.” As volunteer services coordinator, Seaben will oversee all volunteer activities, including administrative support, customer service, The Gift Shop, Hospital Auxiliary Guild, special events assistance and merchandising. Gerber Memorial currently has more than 45 volunteers. Seaben is also responsible for developing and monitoring program budgets, goals and objectives, and policies and procedures. Her office is located near the administration wing of the hospital. Anyone interested in volunteering at Gerber Memorial is encouraged to contact Seaben at: susan.seaben@spectrumhealth.org or 231.924.1350.  From our friends at Muskegon River Clean-up Company LLC: Thanks for helping us make the 8th annual Muskegon River Cleanup a big success again this year. Our 356 volunteers removed 3026 beverage containers, 3 tires, 14 pairs of sunglasses, 76 flip flops from the river. They also removed over 25 glass bottles, approximately 450 pounds of wood, 80 pounds of steel, a tricycle and approximately 350 pounds general trash. The strangest find this year was a toilet seat and we don’t know the story on that. Thanks to everyone that helped from the ground crew to all of us unfortunate ones that had to float down this beautiful river and clean up the trash. Please remember that a glass bottle, at the bottom of the river, can be there anywhere from 500-800 years before it turns back to sand. Next year the Muskegon River Clean-up, sponsored by Muskegon River Clean-up Company, LLC, will be on Saturday August 1, 2020. Please mark your calendars.  A word from the Clean-up Crew
The 8th Annual Muskegon River Clean-up, sponsored by Muskegon River Clean-up Company, LLC is scheduled for Saturday, August 3, 2019. This is a free event, however parking fees will be collected. Registration and launch is between 9am and noon at the Bridgeton Township Launch Site and culminates at the Maple Island Launch Site throughout the day. Upon arriving at Maple Island, registered participants, that have collected trash from the river, will be given a ticket for a hot dog lunch, while supplies last, and a prize ticket. At 5pm sharp, at the Maple Island Launch Site, we will give away at least 10 kayaks, along with other items. Last year 519 people participated in this event. Over the past 7 years we have removed 20,583 beverage containers, 50 to 60 tires, a few tons of green treated lumber, over 500 flip flops, and countless phones, sunglasses and lighters from the river. Some of the stranger items removed were 2 sewing machines, a bowling ball, a large electric motor, a 9.8hp outboard and a metal bed. Last year alone, we removed 4326 beverage containers, 1 chair, 1 milk can, 114 flip flops, 25 pairs of goggles and glasses, 18 lighters, 1 cell phone, 12 tires, 1 garbage can, miscellaneous animal bones, scrap iron and treated wood, along with general trash. We recycle what items we can and that money is used to help fund the following year’s event. The most discouraging thing is that we have cleaned this area for 7 years now and still continue to get a dump truck full of trash each year. We would like to thank the Bridgeton Township Board, West Michigan Wildlife Association and Muskegon Watershed Assembly for their support over the years. Won’t you join us on Saturday, August 3rd for an enjoyable day on the Muskegon River and help us keep it clean? For additional information or to donate, please contact Jerry at 231-578-5465.  Newaygo High School senior Sophia Frisbie waits for a fastball to drop her in the dunk tank on Wednesday, July 17, at the National Baby Food Festival. Gerber Memorial thanks community for supporting dunk tank fundraiser Money will support community health programs, from school wellness to support groups FREMONT– Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial on Wednesday, July 24, thanked the Newaygo County community for helping raise more than $350 for local community health programs, by chipping in loose change for a dunk tank at the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce’s recently concluded National Baby Food Festival. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is grateful for all the people who donated to the dunk tank fundraiser and support local programs that help bring health and wellness to Newaygo County school kids and families,” said Loretta Towne, Spectrum Health Foundation Gerber Memorial specialist. “We’re thankful to see people from all backgrounds and of all ages step up to support programs throughout our community to help families achieve their health and wellness goals. We had some great head-to-head matchups throughout the week and folks had a lot of fun getting people they know take a quick dip.” Gerber Memorial’s community health programs include childhood nutrition seminars, wellness education for more than 4,000 elementary students in the county, tobacco cessation classes and support groups. One of the marquee dunk-tank matchups pitted Newaygo High School Principal Brad Reyburn against Fremont High School Assistant Principal Brett Westerlund to see who would raise more money. The Saturday, July 20, showdown moments before a massive thunderstorm fell on Fremont ended in a tie: Both men, dressed in their respective school shirts, raised $35 each during their 30-minute stints in the tank. Justin Aman, Tamarac Wellness Center supervisor, raised $60 during his hourlong shift in the tank on Friday, July 19, trying mightily to catch the $62 that was ultimately the record for an hour-long one-person shift, set by Newaygo High School senior Sophia Frisbie in the tank on Wednesday, July 17, with the help of Gerber Memorial Administrative Assistant Kerri Wiseman serving as the designated “heckler” challenging passersby to dunk Frisbie. “We could not have done this without the brave volunteers who stepped into the dunk tank and took a dip in cold water for the sake of supporting our community health programs, and we want to express our deepest thanks to them,” Towne said. National Baby Food Festival Co-coordinator Sydney Baird presented Towne with the total $355 raised on Wednesday. For more information about the Foundation at Gerber Memorial, contact Towne at 231.924.3681 or email loretta.towne@spectrumhealth.org. For questions about the NBFF or the Gerber Memorial dunk tank fundraiser, contact the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at 231.924-0770.  National Baby Food Festival Co-coordinator Sydney Baird presents Loretta Towne, Spectrum Health Foundation Gerber Memorial specialist, with the $355 raised at the dunk tank. |
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