 From left: Jena Zeerip, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial community health specialist; Josh Gustafson, Gerber Memorial’s community health director; Shelly Johnson, Gerber Memorial’s chief community outreach officer; Dave Wingard, director of research and strategic development at TrueNorth Community Services; Brian Russ, Newaygo County Mental Health director of community support services; and Diane Fleser, TrueNorth self-sufficiency and community health director. Gerber Memorial Wellness Project Snares Top Prize Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has been awarded a top prize from Spectrum Health that recognizes its work to build a healthier community – by partnering with Newaygo County organizations to work directly with individuals and families to help improve their wellness. Called MI Way to Thrive, Gerber Memorial spearheaded the collaborative action with social services organization TrueNorth, Newaygo County Mental Health, District Health Department #10 and others. “MI Way to Thrive reflects the outstanding work that people... ...across Newaygo County do day in and day out to share resources and support families so they can achieve their health, economic and wellness goals,” said Shelly Johnson, Gerber Memorial’s Chief Community Outreach Officer. “Our work together will help many families achieve success, on their terms, by shaping and defining a program that works for them. Through MI Way to Thrive, we can take a step toward improving the overall wellness of underserved individuals and families in our community, acting in a creative, community-driven way to bring about real and positive change.”
Launched in early 2016, MI Way to Thrive identifies individuals and families in need through social service programs at True North, who are then assessed for additional health and wellness needs. Those individuals and families then help develop a plan that addresses their economic and wellness goals, by providing input to MI Way to Thrive partners. The team then conducts follow-up visits and programs with participants of the program to help meet their benchmarks. The tactics range from nutrition support and fitness to mental health counseling to heating and electricity resources help, depending on the individual need. To date, the program is supporting about a dozen families. “TrueNorth is honored to be a partner with Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial on this project,” said Dave Wingard, TrueNorth Director of Research and Strategic Development. “The work is leading us to a better model for service delivery that will provide high-quality health and human services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Newaygo County.” Competing with multiple entities within Spectrum Health, including all 12 hospitals in the system and multiple departments and units, Gerber Memorial received the Spectrum Health 2016 Synergy Award for creativity at a ceremony in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Nov. 10. Comments are closed.
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November 2023
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