It’s not that Simple

When most people decide to take a long distance trip all they have to do is either hop in the automobile or purchase an airline ticket; but it’s not that simple for everyone. 

When our nephew Jake, who lives in Oregon, decided to visit us for a week this summer in Arkansas, there were hurdles he had to overcome.   He could not just hop in his automobile and go, he could not just call a travel agent or even purchase a ticket online without first doing some other things. 

New Trends In Diabetic Care

As the parent of a child with diabetes, I can tell you first hand how one of the newest medical products -- the insulin pump -- has revolutionized diabetes care and changed our lives. 

Gone are the days of painful, multiple injections and guessing how much insulin she will need at night to keep her regulated.  It’s hard enough to give your own child injections, and with the invention of the insulin pump neither the school nurse, a friend’s parent, nor we ourselves should ever need to do so.  

 Insulin pumps are a computerized device approximately the size of a cell phone.  They can be clipped on a belt or worn in a pouch.  The pump holds a reservoir containing enough insulin to last for several days.  Here’s how it works. 

The Women’s Health Center of West Michigan

The exuberant growth along the medical mile has extended its long arm to women with the opening of the Women’s Health Center of West Michigan, a beautiful complex located at 555 MidTowne Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503. 

Within this gorgeous new building is Grand Rapids Women’s Health, PC, a recent amalgamation of three different practices: Grand Valley Gynecologists, PC, Knollcrest OB/GYN, PC, and Newton, Frank, and Blickley OB/GYN, PC.

September 1, 2009

Marianne Melnik, MD, has joined the Spectrum Health Medical Group effective today.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Melnik to our group," said James M. Tucci, MD, MMM, president, Spectrum Health Medical Group. "Dr. Melnik brings outstanding skills and experience in the critical area of surgical oncology, particularly in breast care."

September 1, 2009

David Scheeres, MD, has joined the Spectrum Health Medical Group effective today.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Scheeres to our group," said James M. Tucci, MD, MMM, president, Spectrum Health Medical Group. "Dr. Scheeres brings invaluable experience as a general surgeon and medical educator that will help reinforce our comprehensive, patient-centered care and our academic aspirations."

An obstetrics nurse (a labor and delivery nurse) who is also a certified mid-wife, whom I will call Susan, graciously granted me an interview regarding some of the current changes she sees in obstetrics. 

Did you know that Kent County passed a senior millage specifically designed to fund programs that help  the elderly maintain independent lifestyles?  It was started in 1998 and has since been renewed with an increase in funding. 

Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, had its humble beginnings in 1846 with a few women who wanted to ease the suffering of the people they saw around them in the village of Grand Rapids. The women set up a charitable association and then cared for their patients in a small cottage.

TREATING YOUR CHILDREN
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is the largest children’s care facility in West Michigan. And with 40
pediatric specialties, it provides the broadest range of children’s services and programs in the region. Of special note is the hospital’s treatment of cancer - one of the largest hematology and oncology programs in the US.
 
In 2006 construction began on a new, state-of-the-art hospital and teaching facility will open in 2011. Learn more about the new building

 Butterworth Hospital got its start in the 19th century as an 11-room house staffed not by professionals but by some compassionate ladies with time on their hands. Today Butterworth is the largest campus in the Spectrum Health group and is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in West Michigan.