 July 17, 2020 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) urges individuals to seek medical care and not delay if experiencing symptoms of a serious illness such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness. “Due to COVID-19, many people may be fearful of seeking medical care if they are having other medical issues,” stated Dr. Jennifer Morse, Medical Director for DHD#10. “It is very important that they do not delay seeking medical care if experiencing serious symptoms, as it may be a life or death situation.” Conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe infections are very time-sensitive and require prompt treatment for the best outcome. Delaying treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition can be extremely dangerous, if not deadly. Data from Michigan EMS agencies from March 15 to May 23, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, show:
For more information on where to go for care when sick or injured, visit www.whereforcare.info.
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 New Gerber CNO Nick Strait Shelby native to focus on empowering staff, connecting with community
FREMONT, Mich., July 2, 2020 – Nick Strait’s first day as chief nursing officer at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial on Monday, June 29, was a flurry of meetings – some in-person, most virtually – with his new colleagues, absorbing new information and learning about operations. Mostly, Strait spent his day thinking about ways to help further personalize and simplify patient care. As chief nursing officer, Strait oversees Gerber Memorial’s nursing staff of more than 170 people, one-quarter of all employees at the 102-year old hospital. As CNO, Strait is also a member of Gerber Memorial’s senior executive leadership. “I had the pleasure of meeting many people, learning about Gerber Memorial and seeing all the great things we do here to better serve our community,” Strait said. “What was clear to me immediately is how inter-connected Gerber Memorial is to the community and how focused we are ensuring patients get the care they need when they need it. We’re striving to achieve this every day, 24/7, knowing that healthcare is a complex field and that most people want their health care to be simpler – all while a global pandemic continues to put many people at risk. Gerber Memorial can make a tremendous positive impact by walking together with our community through this unprecedented time and supporting families so they can be healthier and more resilient.” Strait said his goal as Gerber Memorial’s chief nursing officer is to build relationships based on trust with each person at Gerber Memorial. A related goal he’s set for himself is cultivating an environment where caring nurses and health professionals feel supported to grow. “We’re excited to have Nick join us at Gerber Memorial and share his passion for health care with our team so we can better serve our community,” said Shelly Johnson, Gerber Memorial’s interim regional market leader and COO. “As a leader, Nick has the technical expertise to guide operational planning and execution. At the same time, he also has the ability of a good leader to connect and empathize with the people he works with so the entire team can grow and excel.” Before coming to Gerber Memorial, Strait was director of clinical consolidation and EPIC activation champion at Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon. He has been a registered nurse since 2004. He received his bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy, his master’s in nursing from the University of Phoenix and is in the process of receiving his PhD from the University of Michigan. He also has an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Strait is a member of several organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the Muskegon Community College Foundation board and the United Way of the Lakeshore. Strait grew up in nearby Shelby, and said he is drawn to rural communities. He still has relatives and friends who live in Newaygo County. Strait follows in his mother’s footsteps in a profession he loves, nursing. He is also one half of a health care household: His wife Sara is a nurse practitioner in the Muskegon area, where they live with their four children.  Tessa Grewe, a nurse and a mentor Gerber Memorial nurse recognized for inspiring student to commit to a career in nursing, caring for others
FREMONT, Mich., July 2, 2020 – Great nurses demonstrate their healing skills and compassion to patients and families every day. Some of them also inspire others to follow in their footsteps and commit to a life of service to and empathy for the patients in their care. For West Shore Community College nursing student Grace Alvesteffer, those two qualities combined inspired her enough to nominate Tessa Grewe, RN, and her mentor at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s Emergency Department, for a DAISY Award recognizing exceptional nursing care. “Even if I was unsure of myself, Tessa guided me through it and gave me the confidence that I needed,” Alvesteffer wrote in her nomination. “Tessa has inspired me to go into the Emergency Department with her fantastic bedside manner and caring to help me learn. I will be a better registered nurse someday because of Tessa’s willingness to teach me and let me experience new skills. I am forever grateful for Tessa’s teaching and kindness. She is a prime example of what a great nurse should be.” A resident of Kent City, Grewe has been a registered nurse at Gerber Memorial since 2016. “Grace has so much caring, empathy and ability, and I’m confident she’ll be a terrific registered nurse who will provide exceptional care and compassion for her patients, their families and the community,” Grewe said. “As a nurse, I try every day to see each patient, know them and understand as best I can what we can do to make sure the care we provide to them is personalized and tailored for their needs. I’m honored and humbled that Grace is taking that example with her as she continues in her journey in nursing.” As a DAISY Award honoree, Grewe received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The honoree also receives a beautiful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved from serpentine stone by artists of the Shona tribe in southern Africa. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Gerber Memorial to receive the award. Part of a national program, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. Nomination forms are available at nursing stations throughout the hospital and patients can submit those forms either by placing them in gray boxes near those forms or by handing them to a nurse or other hospital staff. Nominating forms will also be available at the hospital’s main lobby, as well as included in admission packets. The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. For more information about The DAISY Award and the Foundation’s other recognition of nurses, faculty and students, visit www.DAISYfoundation.org. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, and associates are encouraged to nominate a deserving nurse by filling out the nomination form at reception located at the main hospital entrance. Completed forms can be dropped off or emailed to shgminfo@spectrumhealth.org. |
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