Newaygo Family Dental Care helps out, encourages other local dentists to join
By N3 News Team In times like these when some have taken to hoarding supplies with little thought to the needs of others it is refreshing to see the actions of individuals and organizations who realize this is a team effort and that we are truly all in this together. This is what it means to be a part of a community and to do community service. The need for Personal Protective Equipment is colossal. As the number of positive cases mushrooms the call has been sent out for any who can to help. One of our local dentist offices have stepped up to help by donating these much needed items to our health care providers. Newaygo Family Dental Care, the same group that has provided a day of free services for veterans the past two years, answered the call. We caught up with Dr. Ross Nelson the co-owner of NFDC along with his Dad Dr. Dennis Nelson. How did this get started? My cousin Anna Ingersoll who also happens to be a nurse with Spectrum was directed by the hospital to inquire about donations for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) from local healthcare facilities. One of the first she asked was mine. Then a PPE Drive was organized by a colleague and oral surgeon Dr Mark Jesin out of Grand Rapids, I donated to both. My assistant and hygienist worked together to compile all PPE including: Masks Gloves Face shields Disposable gowns Disposable hair net/caps Disinfectant wipes and spray Hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) Are you still open? We have closed our doors for the foreseeable future with the exception of treating dental emergencies and we donated all our PPE except what will get us through those visits for about 10 weeks. What can others do? I have reached out to many local dentists in Newaygo County and had a couple respond that they may donate as well. If you or someone you know has access to any PPE PLEASE have them reach out to myself or the local hospital to donate. Anything would be graciously accepted. I know that the Spectrum Health System is down to a single digits inventory of PPE. Well done, NFDC.
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Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Family Health Care (FHC) is taking steps to protect patients and employees. Please note the following changes in our services.
ALL CLINICS: Due to the State of Michigan mandate, before entering any Family Health Care facility, all patients must complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. An employee will review this questionnaire before patients are authorized to enter any FHC building. PHARMACY: Curbside pick-up service for patients needing medications is available at all locations. Please call your local FHC pharmacy if you need refills or have a prescription to pick-up. Hours of operation for pharmacies are:
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Will remain open in the Baldwin, Cadillac, Grant, McBain and White Cloud Health Centers, as well as the Child & Adolescent Health Centers in Baldwin, Grant and White Cloud.
RADIOLOGY: Mammography services are suspended until further notice. Ultrasound will be available for urgent needs only. X-Ray will continue to operate, but patients should call for availability. IN-HOME RESPITE: Services will continue based on patient needs. For additional information and updates on the coronavirus and Family Health Care visit familyhealthcare.org/covid19. Here is the latest list of services that will remain available as of 12:01am Tuesday March 24
Grocery Stores Healthcare Clinics and Hospitals Food Banks Pharmacies Take-out Restaurants Convenience Stores Mail Service Delivery Service Banks and Credit Unions Healthcare for Pets Gas Stations Auto Shops Child Care Services Laundromats News Media Governor Whitmer signs Executive Order temporarily closing hair, nail and tanning salons, other non-essential personal care services
Lansing- Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-20, which makes clear that all facilities that provide non-essential personal care services must temporarily close. These services include hair, nail, tanning, massage, spa, tattoo, body art and piercing services, and similar services that require individuals to be within 6 feet of each other. This order does not apply to services necessary for medical treatment as determined by a licensed medical provider. The order also reaffirms the other temporary closures of places of public accommodation that were required by Executive Order 2020-9. The order takes effect no later than March 22 at 9 a.m. and remains in effect until April 13 at 11:59 p.m. "COVID-19 has created an unprecedented challenge to our way of life as Michiganders," said Gov. Whitmer. "That's why we are making decisions based on science and facts to protect public health and keep people safe. I know these changes will be hard, but they are temporary, and they are necessary to slow the spread of the virus and help save lives." Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
To view executive order 2020-20, click the link below: Positive case is in Wexford County
March 20, 2020 – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) informed District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is reporting the first positive case of COVID-19 in our jurisdiction. Results for a resident of Wexford County with a history of domestic travel have come back positive. DHD#10 is working quickly to investigate this case and will be working closely with the individual to identify if there were any exposures. “We hope for the speedy recovery of our resident” stated DHD#10 Medical Director, Dr. Jennifer Morse. “DHD#10 is relying on our communities to work together, be vigilant, and take the necessary precautions to slow the potential spread of illness. We encourage the public to avoid panic and turn to reputable sources for information. We continue to recommend prevention strategies to reduce the spread of germs and protect everyone’s health.” Sources for updated information are www.dhd10.org, www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus Prevention There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is available in English, Chinese, and Spanish.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. View additional prevention steps from CDC for people at higher risk. Consult with your health care provider for more steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. Patients with confirmed infection have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect you may have COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with the virus, please contact your medical provider for further assistance. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced the launch of a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) The hotline will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136. You can also send questions to info@dhd10.org. ### LANSING, March 20, -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-17, which imposes temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures beginning as soon as possible but no later than March 21, 2020 at 5:00pm. Executive Order 2020-17 states that hospitals, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities, and dental facilities, and all state-operated outpatient facilities, must implement a plan to temporarily postpone all non-essential procedures until the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency. “My number one priority remains to flatten the curve and protect the most people we can from the spread of coronavirus,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our health care workers are on the front lines every day protecting Michiganders during these extraordinary and difficult times. By postponing all non-essential medical and dental procedures, we expect to reduce the strain on the health care system and protect people. My administration will continue to do everything we can to mitigate the spread of the disease and ensure our children, families, and businesses have the support they need during these challenging times.” "By putting this order into place, we will be able to reduce the strain on our healthcare community," said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. "Healthcare professionals are working around the clock to help protect and treat Michiganders, and by temporarily postponing non-essential procedures, this will free up staff and critical resources that will be needed to address the ongoing public health emergency that we are facing." A facility covered by this order that performs medical procedures must postpone, at a minimum, joint replacement, bariatric surgery, and cosmetic surgery, except for emergency or trauma-related surgery where postponement would significantly impact the health, safety, and welfare of the patient. These facilities should exclude from postponement advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment, and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantation; and procedures related to dialysis. Additionally, these facilities must exclude from postponement emergency or trauma-related procedures where postponement would significantly impact the health, safety, and welfare of the patient. Facilities covered by this order that perform dental procedures must postpone, at a minimum, any cosmetic or aesthetic procedures, like veneers, teeth bleaching or cosmetic bonding; all routine hygiene appointments; any orthodontic procedures that do not relieve pain or infection, restore oral function, or are not trauma-related; initiation of any crowns, bridges, or dentures that do not relieve pain or infection, restore oral function, or are not trauma-related; any periodontal plastic surgery; extraction of asymptomatic non-carious teeth; and recall visits for periodontally healthy patients. If a dental facility chooses to remain open, its plan must exclude from postponement emergency or trauma-related procedures where postponement would significantly impact the health, safety, and welfare of the patient. Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
To view Executive Order 2020-17, click the link below: Services now by appointment only
March 19, 2020 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) announces that, effective Monday, March 23 through April 5, all DHD#10 offices will be closed to the public. We will still continue to provide as many services as possible to the public by appointment only. There will be signage at each building to direct those with appointments on what to do when they arrive. “This was not an easy decision to make,” stated DHD#10 Health Officer Kevin Hughes. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve, we recognized the need to take these steps to protect the public and our staff as well.” If you are in need of public health services, please contact the DHD#10 office in your area to schedule an appointment. The following are numbers for each office: Crawford County 989-348-7800 Kalkaska County 231-258-8669 Lake County 231-745-4663 Manistee County 231-723-3595 Mason County 231-845-7381 Mecosta County 231-592-0130 Missaukee County 231-839-7167 Newaygo County 231-689-7300 Oceana County 231-873-2193 Wexford County 231-775-9942 You can also find these numbers on our website www.dhd10.org/locations. DHD#10 continues to update the general public regarding COVID-19 on our website at www.dhd10.org and on social media. If you have questions, email us at info@dhd10.org or call the state hotline at: 888-535-6136. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Family Health Care (FHC) is taking steps to protect patients and employees. Please note the following changes in our services. ALL CLINICS: Due to the State of Michigan mandate, before entering any Family Health Care facility, all patients must complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. An employee will review this questionnaire before patients are authorized to enter any FHC building. PHARMACY: Curbside pick-up service for patients needing medications is available at all locations. Please call your local FHC pharmacy if you need refills or have a prescription to pick-up. Hours of operation for pharmacies are:
Dental Hours of Operation:
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Will remain open in the Baldwin, Cadillac, Grant, McBain and White Cloud Health Centers, as well as the Child & Adolescent Health Centers in Baldwin, Grant and White Cloud.
RADIOLOGY: Mammography services are suspended until further notice. Ultrasound will be available for urgent needs only. X-Ray will continue to operate, but patients should call for availability. IN-HOME RESPITE: Services will continue based on patient needs. For additional information and updates on the coronavirus and Family Health Care visit familyhealthcare.org/covid19. Gerber Memorial cancels classes, moves some to phones FREMONT, Mich., March 18, 2020 – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial today announced cancellations and changes to health and wellness programs.
The following programs will be conducted by phone or virtually:
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