 District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is announcing upcoming COVID-19/Flu vaccination clinics. As a reminder, the new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination is now available at DHD#10 for everyone ages 6 months and older. To learn more about the COVID-19 immunization schedule, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html. DHD#10’s COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics have already begun for the fall season. DHD#10 COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics are added weekly; however, residents can schedule appointments at DHD#10 over the phone (888-217-3904) or online by visiting https://www.dhd10.org/schedule. DHD#10 is hosting public COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics at the following locations: Newaygo Congressional United Church of Christ 432 Quarterline St Newaygo, MI October 9, 9am-11am Grant Township Hall 1617 E 120th St Grant, MI October 10, 1pm-3pm
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 Unveiling of the Gerber Foundation NICU at The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in 2011 (Pictured Gerber Foundation Trustees, Staff, and The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Staff) The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday, September 13, with a brunch hosted by the Corewell Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundations at Corewell Health Place in Grand Rapids. In 1973, the Gerber Foundation made a landmark gift to advance neonatal care at Butterworth Hospital. In 1972, Dr. John Wilson, pediatrician for the Gerber children in Fremont, Michigan, approached Dan Gerber with an appeal to support neonatal intensive care at Butterworth Hospital. Dan Gerber sent John Whitlock, president of what at the time was known as the Gerber Baby Foods Fund, to Grand Rapids for an on-site visit. History was made when the head nurse placed John Whitlock’s gloved hand into an incubator and into the grasp of a two-pound baby girl who grabbed his finger with her tiny hand and wouldn’t let go. “I felt she was pleading with me to help her live. I lost it then, and I still do today,” said John Whitlock. “I told Dan, ‘We have to do this. We have to help save babies’ lives.’” The Fund made its largest gift ever at the time, $100,000, to establish a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Butterworth Hospital. The Gerber Foundation continued to support the NICU with several capital gifts throughout the years. In 2006, during the construction of the new Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (completed in 2011), the Foundation made a landmark $5 Million gift, establishing The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center. “We could see there was something very special going on at Butterworth and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital that made us want to continue to partner with them to help bring the dream of world-class care for children in West Michigan to reality,” said Barbara Ivens, Board President of The Gerber Foundation. During its 50-year history, The Gerber Foundation NICU has served over 46,000 babies, become the largest NICU in Michigan, and is designated as the highest level of NICU able to care for the most critically ill babies. In 2023 alone, 1,706 babies were admitted to the Gerber Foundation NICU. The NICU employs over 300 nurses and ten neonatologists and cares for babies from 37 counties in the state of Michigan. At the 50th Anniversary celebration, the Board of Trustees of The Gerber Foundation presented a gift of $50,000 to purchase equipment that will enhance the staff's ability to care for babies in the NICU. “We are incredibly proud of the NICU that bears our name. We thank all the incredible staff, past and present, who work tirelessly to make world-class care possible in our backyard,” said Sara Hohnstein, Foundation Director of The Gerber Foundation. To see a video about The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center, go to: https://www.gerberfoundation.org/2024/09/the-gerber-foundation-nicu-celebrates-50-years/  Celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at the Corewell Health Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
White Cloud clinic adds physician and dentist WHITE CLOUD, Michigan – Christopher White, DDS, and Jack Norgren, DO, recently joined Family Health Care’s clinic in White Cloud. Dr. White is a general dentist with nearly ten years of experience providing care to rural communities. He graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. “I bring enthusiasm to the dental clinic while helping patients achieve all of their dental needs,” said Dr. White. “I take pride in helping my patients achieve systemic health by working with the other service lines at Family Health Care to offer integrated care that treats the whole person.” Dr. Norgren is a family medicine physician who recently completed his residency at Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. He earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. “I am excited to join a team that is dedicated to providing health care that is affordable and accessible to everyone,” Dr. Norgren said. “I have a passion for rural medicine and serving communities that otherwise would not have the same opportunities for health care that larger communities have.” Julie Tatko, CEO of Family Health Care, said adding Dr. White and Dr. Norgren will benefit Newaygo County. “Newaygo County is a medically underserved community. By adding an additional dentist and a family medicine physician, we will be able to increase access to care,” said Tatko. “This includes medical and dental services to Medicaid patients or those with limited income and would benefit from our sliding fee scale, which provides services at a cost tailored to what they can afford.” Tatko said Family Health Care is fortunate to have providers of Dr. White and Dr. Norgren’s caliber join their team. Family Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy, laboratory, and X-ray services. Dr. White and Dr. Norgren are currently accepting new patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 689-5943.   Post pandemic plunge draws concern
Vaccines came into the forefront during the Covid Pandemic. Many folks were skeptical about the efficacy of the new development designed to help combat and/or contain the illness while helping to build a stronger community immunity. There has always been an element of anti-vax folks around, whether due to religious beliefs, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, fear of the possible risks involved or other reasons. However, the controversy surrounding the COVID pandemic seems to have sparked a dramatic increase in those choosing to eschew immunizations for our county’s children aged 1 ½ to 3. This is the age when kids generally are getting the usual complement of recommended immunizations aimed at preventing measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio and more. And while the percentage in the state of Michigan as a whole has rebounded from a 4 year decline and improved, the rates in Newaygo County continue to head south. In July of 2019 the vaccination rate for this age group in Newaygo County was 74.6%.. In 2023 it was 61.3% having tumbled each year since ‘19. And while this statistic may be applauded by skeptics of this form of preventative medicine, their decision is likely to make many of the young folks in our community more vulnerable. Some diseases that have been almost completely eliminated from the U.S., like measles in 2000, have found their way back and health care workers and researchers say this is due to lowered vaccine rates. "Lower vaccine rates are not just a concern for individual health, but a threat to public health as a whole,” said DHD#10 Family Health Clinical Director, Sheila Parker. “The resurgence of preventable illnesses, like measles, serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination in safeguarding our communities against preventable, dangerous disease.” There continues to be a lot of disinformation regarding these vaccines out there thriving on various social media sites, but for accurate information on vaccines, speak with your licensed health care provider before making decisions for your children. For the DHD#10 Policy statement on vaccines please go to: https://www.dhd10.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/06/DHD10_VaccinePolicyStatement_11x17.pdf |
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