 Some tips from the offices of N3 World Headquarters & Christmas Cookie Withdrawal Center Are you in the practice of resolving to do better when the new year comes along? To admit and accept the need for a bit of a personal tweak here and there then devising some form of battle plan to carry it out? Some say they don’t make them because they don’t keep them. Perhaps they’re tired of failing or just feel discouraged if the same res fails to come to fruition over, say, a decade or so. More intriguing to me is when I hear folks say “I don’t make resolutions” in a manner that seems to indicate there’s no room for improvement. Inevitably I find them seriously mistaken in their personal assessment. (Resolution Note to Self: Try being less judgemental) I seem to identify more with those who just keep on trying. We who not only desire to change but welcome the challenge in accomplishing it. While we may not also obtain the change desired, generally we put up a pretty good fight while delivering hope for success the next time around. The most common resolutions? Health related. Getting fit, exercising more, dropping some poundage and for some… Ending an enduring relationship with tobacco. A CDC report from 2011 found that about 70% of those who use tobacco would prefer to quit. But alas, it is the rare person who successfully silences the siren of nicotine. Those who do may have tried a time or two (or 20) with limited success until finding the right time and combination of strategies that made them a non-smoker. Rod Glupker of the CDB Store of Michigan in Fremont offers up this article on how CBD can help folks through the withdrawal process that sabotages many I Quit efforts https://www.cbdstoremi.com/cbd-store-of-michigan-blog/can-cbd-help-you-quit-smoking#/ The fine folks at LiveWell have a number of programs and initiatives for this as well as info on many other health related areas. https://www.livewell4health.org/tobacco-cessation Getting Fit part of your plan? We have some truly fine workout facilities in our parts. Newaygo Fitness has established itself as one of the most popular gyms around, while Tamarac in Fremont has an extensive roster of classes and aquatics. White Cloud Physical Therapy has a fitness club in their building and the Fremont Rec Center has workout rooms as well as the ever popular pickleball and a pool. A bit wary of working out inside right now? Our area has a number of great trails for snowshoeing or cross country skiing and the county Sports Park has an awesome sledding hill. And if those don’t interest you, then walk. There’s the scenic walkway that follows the river in Newaygo, the town and country path in Fremont, or White Cloud where pockets of county employees take in one of the neighborhood routes during the noontime. The main thing is to move as the watch that Lil talked me into buying often reminds me to do and I find necessary to ignore most times A common new year desire is to become more organized. And here’s where it gets personal. For many years I have considered this commitment to an organizational aptitude more in line with that of my Lifetime Spousal Companion. A retired nurse, Ms. Lil is perhaps one of the most organized people I know. And patient if only by virtue of having tolerated living in the same house for close to 50 years alongside a mate with a chronic shortcoming in this area. She generally utilizes the “Can’t stop him only hope to contain him” defense that has led to an office area of my own that is out of her sight and serves as a secret repository for any of the more, uh, unique items brought into the house by yours truly. But perhaps this is the year the office gets organized and reduced to only necessary items arranged in a way to maximize efficiency. Perhaps not, of course since every effort made to this inventory results in spending hours poring over interesting finds while realizing the foolhardiness in even thinking of getting rid of them. This effort might require outside intervention via bringing someone in to assess what is necessary and what is merely clutter. And no, my well organized and lovely LSC is not a candidate. While well meaning she may not be aware of the importance that can be placed on long retired baseball mitts, an extensive collection of memorable pins, some softball trophies, a mannequin and a plethora of photographs including those of orphaned shoes found along the road sent to me by folks aware of my obsession. I haven’t pulled the trigger on this yet but I’ll keep you posted.  The desk in the office. A place to start?
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 Newaygo & Mecosta: Highest In Cases, Lowest In Vax Rates From Jordan Powell, MPH, Epidemiologist, District Health Department #10: Our jurisdiction’s daily cases per million decreased, but the percent positivity has increased since last update. There has also been a decrease in cases (-22.8%) when comparing the most recent 7 days (12/22-12/28) to the 7 days previous (12/15-12/21). There was a decrease in deaths (-85.7%) when comparing deaths that occurred in the most recent 7 days to the 7 days previous. As of today, all of our counties remain in the high transmission level categories. At the time of this email there are no known Omicron variants in our ten county jurisdiction. There are currently 819 confirmed Delta variants in our jurisdiction: 73 in Crawford, 8 in Kalkaska, 19 in Lake, 14 in Manistee, 129 in Mason, 144 in Mecosta, 44 in Missaukee, 95 in Newaygo, 159 in Oceana, and 134 in Wexford. As of yesterday, there were 13 COVID-19 inpatients in Munson Cadillac, 11 in Munson Grayling, 7 in Munson Manistee, 10 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids, 6 at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, and 12 at Spectrum Health Ludington. Attached are graphics from the Munson and Spectrum System websites highlighting vaccination status of hospitalized patients both as of 12/28/21.    This information is of 12-22-21, 4 deaths recorded in county From Jordan Powell, MPH, Epidemiologist, District Health Department #10 Our jurisdiction’s daily cases per million and percent positivity have both decreased since last update. There has also been a decrease in cases (-26%) when comparing the most recent 7 days (12/15-12/21) to the 7 days previous (12/8-12/14). There was an increase in deaths (+27.3%) when comparing deaths that occurred in the most recent 7 days to the 7 days previous. As of December all of our counties remain in the high transmission level categories. At the time of this email there are no known Omicron variants in our ten county jurisdiction. There are currently 789 confirmed Delta variants in our jurisdiction: 72 in Crawford, 8 in Kalkaska, 19 in Lake, 14 in Manistee, 127 in Mason, 136 in Mecosta, 43 in Missaukee, 84 in Newaygo, 152 in Oceana, and 132 in Wexford. As of yesterday, there were 13 COVID-19 inpatients in Munson Cadillac, 15 in Munson Grayling, 5 in Munson Manistee, 12 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids, 6 at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, and 15 at Spectrum Health Ludington. Attached are graphics from the Munson and Spectrum System websites highlighting vaccination status of hospitalized patients both as of 12/21/21.   Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial recognized as one of nation’s best maternity hospitals
FREMONT, Mich. (Dec. 16, 2021) – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has been recognized as one of the nation’s best maternity hospitals, according to the inaugural list of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is truly honored to join some of the best hospitals in the nation for maternity care and the recognition speaks volumes about the outstanding care our OB/GYNs, certified nurse midwives, nurses and entire team provide to the families we serve,” said Gerber Memorial President Drew Dostal. “Gerber Memorial’s maternity team truly reflects Spectrum Health’s commitment to providing personalized, exceptional care. We are extremely proud that we can help improve health and inspire hope in the community we serve.” Gerber Memorial is one of 12 hospitals in Michigan that U.S. News recognized for high performance in maternity care. Out of the 2,700 hospitals across the United States that offer maternity services, 237 were identified as “high-performing.” The Best Hospitals for Maternity evaluation looks at hospital data relating to uncomplicated pregnancies at five different factors: · Scheduled early deliveries · C-section rates in low-risk women · Newborn complications · Rate of exclusive breast milk feeding · Option for vaginal births after cesarean. · Participating hospital profiles also include a variety of relevant information on services and amenities, like private rooms, valet parking and availability of child birthing classes. Three of Michigan's Rural Hospitals were recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care, all of them Spectrum Health hospitals: Spectrum Health Big Rapids, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and Spectrum Health's Pennock Hospital in Hastings. Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett, as well as Zeeland Community Hospital, were also recognized for high performance in maternity care. The maternity care recognition expands the U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, ratings and data offerings.  Front - Malachi Graves, Aleeya Grifford, advisor Jan Tuman, Brooke Ringler, Ryleigh Balke, Samantha Kukal & Lillian Holmes Center - Kyleah Baker, Carsyn Scarlavai & Santa Back - Kobe Canning, Sydnee Ochs, Lillie Keith, Alex Cruzan, Kiara Edwards, Christian Ringler, Zane Keith, Will Fehrlen & Jared Watson White Cloud High School Voice of Reason is a group of like-minded students who want to participate in their school and community. There are no awards or certificates for participating, it is solely volunteer.
This is the 19th year that VOR was able to host the "Jimmy's Kids Holiday Fun Day" at our elementary school. It was as much fun for the little kids as it was for the big ones!  Health Dept weekly COVID report N3: The true medical experts among us, whether national, state or local, concur that getting the vax helps you, your family and friends, and your community. And boy oh boy would it ever help our local hospitals as can be deduced by the chart above depicting the % of unvaxxed folks filling up the beds and creating huge issues for our local health providers. So even if you’re still a bit iffy for whatever reason, just take one for the team this one time. If getting our vax numbers above the abysmal stage doesn’t help bring this scourge to some semblance of manageability you can feel free to deliver as many ‘I told you so’ reprisals as desired, but for now, get the vax. Maybe save a few lives. Including, perhaps, those of the people you love. And now here’s the latest from Jordan Powell, MPH Epidemiologist | District Health Department #10 From DHD#10Our jurisdiction’s daily cases per million has increased, however our percent positivity has decreased since the last update. We observed a decrease in cases (-32.3%) when comparing the most recent 7 days (12/8-12/14) to the 7 days previous (12/1-12/7). There was a decrease in deaths (-70.8%) when comparing deaths that occurred in the most recent 7 days to the 7 days previous. *Please keep in mind that deaths should be reported to local public health within 24 hours, however, this is not always the case and it also takes time to review and confirm these deaths. As of today, all of our counties remain in the high transmission level categories. At the time of this email there are no known Omicron variants in our ten county jurisdiction. There are currently 726 confirmed Delta variants in our jurisdiction: 72 in Crawford, 7 in Kalkaska, 18 in Lake, 11 in Manistee, 123 in Mason, 127 in Mecosta, 38 in Missaukee, 72 in Newaygo, 140 in Oceana, and 118 in Wexford. Our hospitals continue to experience elevated capacity levels, as there are 16 COVID-19 inpatients in Munson Cadillac, 14 in Munson Grayling, 9 in Munson Manistee, 27 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids, 14 at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, and 19 at Spectrum Health Ludington today. Attached are graphics from the Munson and Spectrum System websites highlighting vaccination status of hospitalized patients both as of 12/14/21.   Crowd at recent groundbreaking for the Center Gerber Foundation gifts $50,000 to The Center for Hope and Healing Campaign The Gerber Foundation, through its West Michigan Grant Program, recently gifted $50,000 to the Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NCPCA) capital campaign. The $50,000 will support the renovation of Leighton Hall in White Cloud into a state-of-the-art Center for Hope and Healing. The Center will provide a wide range of services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo and Osceola counties. According to Darkness to Light statistics, child abuse is more prevalent than most realize. Their research found that 1 in 10 children either has experienced abuse, is experiencing abuse, or will experience abuse by the time they are 18. Additionally, 60 percent of abuse and/or neglect cases are never reported. Recent Kids Count data reports that over the last three years in the four Counties the Center will service, 15 percent of the child abuse/neglect investigations were substantiated for children between 1 and 17 years of age and of the confirmed cases, 58 percent of the cases involved children under the age of 8. Children who are victims of sexual abuse and/or neglect often experience physical, emotional, and mental health problems. Academic struggles, depression, suicide attempts, substance abuse, delinquency and crime are often early indicators that a child may have been abused. Intervention is essential in helping traumatized children heal. The Open Arms Child Advocacy Center (OACAC) and NCPCA will be co-located in the facility and will partner to provide critical intervention and support, resources and prevention education to children and their caregivers in a private, safe, comfortable, and child-focused environment. The Center will have forensic interview rooms, family advocacy rooms, art and play therapy and child reading rooms, a medical suite, newborn safe sleep education and resources, a volunteer center and community store. Additionally, multidisciplinary teams that include medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health providers, prosecution, child protective services, and victim advocates will have a place meet, discuss, and make decisions about how to best move forward in child abuse and neglect cases. “We see how the mission of the Center for Hope and Healing fits well with our mission” said Randy Puff, Chair of The Gerber Foundation Heritage Committee, “and we are very excited to support this project.” To donate to The Center for Hope and Healing Capital Campaign go to: www.center4hopehealing.org.   L-R Patti VanDyke, Danielle St. Amour with items headed for Compassion Home Gerber FCU Colleagues Support Newaygo County Compassion Home FREMONT, Mich. (12/9/2021) Gerber Federal Credit Union employees raised a total of $3,083.00 for donation to the Newaygo County Compassion Home for the Terminally Ill. Gerber FCU colleague, Patti VanDyke, presented the check to Diane Rudholm, the Newaygo County Compassion Home Executive Director. Each year colleagues donate their own funds, collect funds and hold fundraisers such as Squeegee days in our drive-ups or Bake Sales in our lobbies to raise funds for the Compassion Home. Colleague Patti VanDyke organized a donation drive in November to gather items needed to supply homes available to individuals in our community who are nearing the end of life. Additional colleagues, including Danielle St. Amour, sell books at our Corporate and Main Street branches year round to raise funds for the Compassion Home.  Compassion Home Director Dianne Rudholm (L) receiving the check from Patti VanDyke  Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial announces hospital lab hours for December through March 2022
FREMONT, Mich. (Dec. 6, 2021) – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial today announced temporary lab hours at the hospital in Fremont that will be in effect from Dec. 13 through March 5, 2022. The temporary hours are:
The lab at Gerber Memorial Family Medicine-Newaygo will remain unchanged, Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m., with last patient at 4:15 p.m. Gerber Memorial Lab Manager Julie Ward recommended individuals use the self-scheduling online service to lock in their appointments and for their convenience. Self-scheduled appointments are available at the hospital Mondays to Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a lab appointment online, go to mychart.spectrumhealth.org. Then schedule a lab appointment and select a location, such as “Gerber Memorial.” To call the lab at the hospital: 231.924.1363  Toll reaches 98 From Jordan Powell, MPH, Epidemiologist | District Health Department #10 Our jurisdiction’s daily cases per million has increased, however our percent positivity has decreased since the last update. We also saw a decrease in cases (-22%) when comparing the most recent 7 days (11/24-11/30) to the 7 days previous (11/17-11/23). As of today, all of our counties remain in the high transmission level categories. A new variant of concern, Omicron, emerged in the news earlier this week. At the time of this email there are no known Omicron variants in the United States. There are currently 473 confirmed Delta variants in our jurisdiction: 49 in Crawford, 5 in Kalkaska, 12 in Lake, 9 in Manistee, 101 in Mason, 80 in Mecosta, 31 in Missaukee, 27 in Newaygo, 68 in Oceana, and 91 in Wexford. Our hospitals continue to experience elevated capacity levels, as there were 25 COVID-19 inpatients in Munson Cadillac, 17 in Munson Grayling, 5 in Munson Manistee, 20 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids, 16 at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, and 16 at Spectrum Health Ludington yesterday.  |
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