Free workshops to give Newaygo County parents resources for talking to teen kids about abstinence, sex
NEWAYGO COUNTY – Schools in Newaygo County will host free workshops this Fall that are designed to provide resources, tips and empowerment for parents to have conversations with their teen children about abstinence and sex. The nationally recognized workshops, called Talk Early & Talk Often, are two-hour sessions designed to help parents and caregivers recognize and use opportunities to open the door for conversation. The workshops will also help parents and caregivers listen to and respond with greater confidence and skill. The free workshop is organized by LiveWell Newaygo County, with a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. A free dinner will be provided to attendees of the workshop, which is for adults only. Child care will be provided for parents with young children, who will also be provided with dinner. Attendees will be entered into gift prize drawings. Seating is limited, so interested parents can register online or by calling 231.924.5350. The workshops are scheduled to be held:
Teen pregnancies may increase the risk of repeat pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, according to the RWJ Foundation County Health Rankings. Pregnant teens are more likely than older women to receive late or no prenatal care, which could negatively affect the health of the mother and her child. Teen moms are also more likely than older women to have pre-term deliveries and low birth-weight babies, which could impact the child’s development and overall health. To proactively address the issue of teen pregnancy, Fremont Area Community Foundation applied for a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support a multi-year community education effort led by LiveWell Newaygo County, the community health and wellness collaborative that includes Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, NCRESA, District Health Department #10, Newaygo County Mental Health, Alpha Family Center, Family Health Care, and more. In Spring, Fremont Public Schools hosted the first free workshop to provide resources, tips and empowerment for parents to have conversations with their teen children about abstinence and sex. “As a parent and an educator, I found the workshop very informative because it really provides parents with the necessary tools to talk to our children about an issue that is hard to talk about,” said Christina Yuhasz, who attended the May 30 workshop at Fremont High School. “What’s great about the workshop is that it empowers parents to address a subject that’s sensitive, in a nonjudgmental way. I recommend the workshop to all parents because it can even help strengthen our relationship with our children.” The workshop provides parents with the skills to:
ABOUT TALK EARLY & TALK OFTEN For nearly a decade, Talk Early & Talk Often has received high praise from parents, educators and community leaders. The workshops are a project of the Parent Action for Healthy Kids, an organization based in Oakland County, Michigan, that aims to provide parents with resources to advocate for improved health initiatives in communities and schools. The organization also provides Teacher and Parent Education Workshops, Teacher Training, and Training of Trainers services for parents, teachers, school administrators, public health professionals and community-based organizations throughout our home state of Michigan and across the United States.
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![]() Gerber Memorial hosts event to help people reduce falling, with expo continuing Friday FREMONT– More than 25 people stopped by a Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial expo on Wednesday that aims to reduce the number of falls and help people prevent injuries and even death resulting from those falls. The free expo will be held again on Friday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital. On Wednesday, the Gerber Memorial team of nurses and physical therapists helped people, including those with ill-fitting or worn out walkers. In some cases staff adjusted the walkers or made minor repairs. The Gerber Memorial team also performed balance tests. The free event also featured free giveaways, including free no-slip socks to the first 100 people to show up. In addition, attendees got free information from Gerber Memorial’s pharmacy team about medications that can contribute to falls, as well as free blood pressure screenings. Physical therapists and visiting nurses were on hand to provide additional information and resources. Attendees of the expo were also eligible for raffles and free gifts. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls affect one in four Americans 65 and older, and older Americans die from falls every 19 minutes, making falls the leading cause of fatal injury – more than 27,000 deaths a year – and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Falls also cost families more than $34 billion a year, the CDC reports. For more information, call 231.924.3195. Mammogram on wheels heads to Holton Oct. 6 as part of Gerber Memorial effort to boost cancer screenings
FREMONT– Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is bringing the mobile mammogram vehicle to Holton on Friday, October 6, to The Pizza Mill, 8485 Holton Road. The vehicle will be parked at the restaurant’s parking lot from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Gerber Memorial’s commitment to encourage screenings for breast cancer by making access to high-tech 3-D mammography easier for residents in the area. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial wants to make it as convenient as possible for people to get quality health services where they live, and bringing our mobile mammo vehicle to local communities is part of that effort,” said Brian McClain, director of clinical and ambulatory services, and Gerber Memorial’s lead organizer of the mobile mammogram effort. “This past year, our mobile mammo service has received a tremendously positive response in the communities we’ve visited. We want to encourage anyone who should get screened for breast cancer to do so at our mobile mammo unit, and let as many people know about this visit on October 6.” Because the mobile unit can take a limited number of patients, women are asked to make an appointment to reserve a spot, by calling 616.774.7998, option 1. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available. Women who schedule appointments are asked to bring insurance information. Free mammograms will be available for uninsured or under-insured women. For women who want to see if they qualify, call 616.486.6050. A service of Spectrum Health Betty Ford Breast Care Services, the mobile mammogram unit has visited White Cloud twice, as well as Croton Township once this year. 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 with average risk of breast cancer 40 years and older have a mammogram once a year. Cancer survivors celebrate faith, family, friends at Gerber Memorial’s annual brunch
FREMONT – Modern medicine may have helped many of the attendees at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s annual cancer survivors’ brunch beat back the disease. Nearly 90 people from throughout Newaygo County – more than 40 of them cancer survivors – attended the brunch at Tamarac on Saturday, September 16, to share stories about hope and healing, enjoy a nutritious brunch and find common strength and inspiration that transcended age and even language. What truly sustained them throughout their ordeal, however, were the powers of faith, family and friends, and the support from caregivers and cancer survivors alike. Andrew Everding, who said he is now in remission since he was diagnosed in October 2014, thanked patients, survivors and friends and family for the work they do: “The support from everyone is more important than anything you can go through.” Mary Rottier, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, shared her story of finding strength in her faith and in God, for herself as well as for her young children. “What I gained from having cancer is far more than what I lost,” Rottier said. “I beat it, I am a survivor. Cancer strengthened my relationships with my family and with my faith.” Gerber Memorial Chaplain Ed Arndt said he was privileged and honored to deliver the breakfast prayer. “It’s amazing to see the impact we can have on our community,” Arndt said. “It’s good to see so many smiling faces after everything they’ve been through. I’m glad I can be here today.” In addition to stories of courage and hope, attendees at the brunch also heard a presentation from Gerber Memorial volunteer Dianne Taylor-Chandler, an avid fly-fisherwoman who is also a volunteer guide for Reeling and Healing Midwest, a nonprofit that provides fly fishing wellness retreats for women battling and surviving cancer. Taylor-Chandler said the group’s missions is to provide women with a one-of-a-kind experience that allows them to renew their spirit and hope through fly fishing, nature, peer coaching, positive camaraderie and support. The brunch buffet for survivors and their families also received an unexpected addition when survivor Juana Ovalle brought 45 homemade chicken tamales, inspired by her family recipe traditional to San Luis Potosi in central Mexico, to share with the attendees. Now cancer free, Ovalle said the tamales were her way of showing her thanks to the Gerber Memorial staff who cared for her during her battle and to express her empathy and solidarity with the other cancer survivors at the brunch. The brunch was also supported by the American Cancer Society. Gerber Memorial reports more than 1,900 Cancer Center provider visits a year, and more than 60 chemo infusions on average every month. To learn more or to contact Gerber Memorial’s Cancer Center, call 231.924.1305. Local Housing Ministry competing in IB 'Invest in Communities' initiative
Hope 101 Ministry Inc. a Newaygo non profit providing transitional housing for homeless people, is in the Independent Bank competition, “Invest in Communities”. Four non-profit organizations throughout the Independent Bank service area who provide housing in their community will win $5000 each. All they have to do is get the most votes! Any Facebook user can go to http://bit.ly/2vQh8RC and vote every twenty-four hours through September 29. Please support your community and the homeless in this area by voting EVERY DAY! Hope 101 is the only Newaygo County housing organization entered in this contest and we are competing against big organizations in big cities so we need your votes. For more information about Hope 101 Ministry, go to http://fogcc.com/hope101.html or write [email protected] DNR seeks candidates for 2018 Conservation Officer Recruit School
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking candidates for its 2018 Conservation Officer Recruit School, a 23-week training academy that is the first step in becoming a conservation officer. Recruit School #9 runs July 15-Dec. 21, 2018, at the training academy in Dimondale, near Lansing, Michigan. “The academy demands total effort and commitment,” said 1st Lt. Steve Burton, training section supervisor in the DNRLaw Enforcement Division. “It challenges recruits academically and physically. But those who succeed are on the path to an exciting, fulfilling career as a Michigan conservation officer. Not just anyone can wear our gray and green uniform. Only the finest men and women should apply.” The DNR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity among its applicants. During the academy, recruits become state of Michigan employees and are paid biweekly. After graduation, they become probationary conservation officers and spend several more months training throughout the state before being assigned to one of Michigan’s 83 counties, in which they will live. The entire training process, which includes the academy, takes one year before candidates become full-fledged conservation officers, due to the high quality and diverse nature of the training. An applicant must:
This year’s Recruit School is under way, with graduation scheduled in December. For a look at life in the academy, subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also is posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. View previous blogs from Recruit School #8. DNR conservation officers serve a distinct role in Michigan’s law enforcement community. They are certified police officers with full authority to enforce all of Michigan’s laws. As conservation officers, they also have specialized training in a variety of areas related to the protection of Michigan’s citizens and natural resources. This includes extensive training in fish, game and trapping enforcement; recreational safety and enforcement, as well as firearms, precision and off-road driving, survival tactics and first aid. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers. New Fremont Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic to expand hours, open on Saturday
FREMONT – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s new Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic in Fremont is now open on Saturdays and will begin expanded hours during weekdays starting in October. The walk-in clinic located at 204 West Main Street in Fremont is now open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting on Oct. 9, the walk-in clinic will open longer hours Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The new Fremont clinic adds to the walk-in option already available at the Gerber Memorial Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic in Newaygo. Convenient Care is a clinic where people who feel ill or have minor injuries – but don’t require emergency care – can get immediate attention without an appointment. Hours are also expanding at the Newaygo Convenient Care clinic located at 211 West Pine Lake Drive in Newaygo. The clinic will be open Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., starting Oct. 9. The Newaygo clinic will not be open Saturdays. Convenient Care Walk-In Clinics are designed to assist existing patients, new patients and visitors get primary care without needing an appointment. The clinic provides follow-up information back to each patient’s primary care physician if there is one, or offers the opportunity to receive primary care services from Spectrum Health if a patient has no primary physician. The Fremont and Newaygo walk-in clinics intend to improve access in three significant ways:
The Fremont clinic phone number is 231.924.1800. The Newaygo clinic phone number is 231.652.1631. Mammogram on wheels returns to White Cloud Sept. 29 to meet high demand for breast cancer screening
Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is bringing the mobile mammogram vehicle back to White Cloud on Friday, September 29, after a record number of women signed up for screenings using the high-tech, highly accurate 3D mammography technology. The vehicle will be at 103 North Charles Street in White Cloud, in the parking lot of Sally’s Restaurant, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A service of Spectrum Health Betty Ford Breast Care Services, the mobile mammogram unit visited White Cloud on July 7 and drew 10 women for screenings that day, largely through word of mouth, outreach by White Cloud community leaders and social media. During a previous visit to Croton Township in May, the unit saw seven women. The unit can typically take around a dozen people during a regular 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift. “When our mobile mammogram vehicle came to White Cloud in July, the response was overwhelming and sent a clear message that women in this community want a convenient way to get screened,” said Maria Frendo, Gerber Memorial’s lead mammography tech. “Gerber Memorial is excited by the positive response we saw in July. We’re also encouraged by the growing awareness among women that getting screened is an important step in fighting back against breast cancer, and that’s why we encourage women to sign up for a screening, either at our hospital or when the mobile unit visits White Cloud on September 29.” Because the mobile unit can take a limited number of patients, women are asked to make an appointment to reserve a spot, by calling 616.774.7998, option 1. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available. Women who schedule appointments are asked to bring insurance information. Free mammograms will be available for uninsured or underinsured women. For women who want to see if they qualify, call 616.486.6050. 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 with average risk of breast cancer 40 years and older have a mammogram once a year. Gerber Memorial Builds Stronger Communities by Connecting Neighbors in Need
Fremont- September 13, 2017 – Neighbor2Neighbor is a new community partnership between local organizations and Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial. Neighbor2Neighbor (N2N) connects Gerber Memorial resources with community organizations to create a support structure for members within the organization. The program educates and empowers community partner volunteers to provide basic support for members within those organizations who are in need, so they can focus on healing rather than worry about everyday duties. N2N is an adaptation of the Congregational Health Network out of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn. After 4 years of growth, early hospital research data showed a 50-percent decrease in mortality rate, a 20-percent decrease in hospital readmissions, and a savings of over $4 million in billable cost to the hospital. Once an organization partners with N2N, the organization appoints a liaison who enrolls members and volunteers to provide such things as mowing the lawn, taking care of pets, providing a meal, driving and other non-medical needs the member may have. If the community partner organization has a N2N member admitted into the hospital, SHGM can connect with the member to see if they have any individual needs that need to be met. “People simply heal better when they feel a sense of connection, compassion, and care from people within their own community,” said Stephanie Kooistra, community health program specialist at Gerber Memorial. “The more we can engage patients to be partners in their own care, the evidence shows that the better and faster their recovery. Neighbor2Neighbor is one way Gerber Memorial and our staff are helping bring our community together so we can better connect with families in need.” In addition to member support if a hospital stay should be necessary, Neighbor2Neighbor also provides free screenings and monthly health education classes for community partner organizations. These sessions cover topics chosen by the community partner organizations such as CPR training, diabetes education, blood pressure screenings, healthy eating, etc. “Gerber Memorial’s Community Health team is on a mission to support interested organizations or groups in improving the health of their community members as well as strengthening their network,” Kooistra said. “We are excited and passionate about serving as a resource to Newaygo County. By working together, we can build a stronger community.” To join Gerber Memorial’s Neighbor2Neighbor network or for more information, call 231.924.3073. Gerber Memorial to host expo on reducing dangerous falls that put seniors at risk
FREMONT– Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is hosting an informational expo to highlight ways people can prevent falls that often lead to injuries and even death as part of No Falls Day 2017. Gerber Memorial’s expo will be held Wednesday, September 20, and Friday, September 22 – the official No Falls Day nationwide – in the main lobby of the hospital 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days. The free event will also feature free giveaways, including free no-slip socks to the first 100 people to show up. In addition, attendees will also get free information from Gerber Memorial’s pharmacy team about medications that can contribute to falls, as well as free blood pressure screenings. Physical therapists and visiting nurses will be on hand to provide additional information and resources. “Gerber Memorial is excited to be part of a national effort to raise awareness about falls and share useful information to reduce its incidence, especially preventive and proactive steps we can all take to minimize falls,” said Susie Gatrell, RN, and organizer of the expo. “For older Americans, falls are the leading cause of injuries and death, threatening their independence, safety and even personal finances. Our expo and the health professionals who’ll be part of it will show how seniors and their families can take steps to make adjustments to reduce falls and help promote greater safety.” Attendees of the expo will also be eligible for raffles and free gifts. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls affect one in four Americans 65 and older, and older Americans die from falls every 19 minutes, making falls the leading cause of fatal injury – more than 27,000 deaths a year – and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Falls also cost families more than $34 billion a year, the CDC reports. |
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