Central Michigan Community Hospital will open a free clinic Thursday, serving those who check-in at 2012 E. Preston St. between 5 and 6:30 p.m. that evening.

“It’s an important need in the community,” said Cindy Hales, vice president of resource development at CMCH.

Hales, who has headed the development of the free clinic, said the 2010 census reported 19 percent of Isabella county is uninsured.

The clinic will offer services for most treated ailments such as colds and flu, as well as chronic conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, Hales said.

“The philosophy of the clinic was not to compete with services available from the community,” Hales said.

The clinic will not provide: dental or vision care, sexually transmitted disease counseling, HIV testing or counseling, birth control or pregnancy testing, pre- or post-natal care, routine immunizations, TB testing, hearing aids, controlled drugs, substance abuse services or second opinions.

It will be funded and staffed by CMCH, and receive support from the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the Morey Foundation, CMCH volunteers, local churches and many individual donors.

Registered Nurse Nancy King said in an email the clinic is opening because of a tremendous need.

“It will benefit our community by assuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare delivered with dignity, respect and compassion,” King said. “Central Michigan Community Hostpital is committed to (the) health and well-being of all residents in Isabella County.”

King will manage the free clinic and help out as necessary when it opens.

This clinic was modeled after a sampling of the other 52 clinics in Michigan, Hales said.

Receiving treatment requires patients to bring a drivers license or a state-issued ID card and live in Isabella County at least 7 months out of the  year.

“We expect a large turnout on Thursday,” said Nicole Sanders, CMCH marketing and communications manager.

Appointments cannot be made in advance.

Patients should bring pay stubs, unemployment receipts or their most recent tax return to show they are at or below 225 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

Volunteers will staff the clinic including doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and others providing administrative support.

Thursday the clinic will open with three physicians or practitioners and an equal number of nurses, Hales said.

Hales said the goal is to keep people out of the hospital by treating patients sick with a cold before it develops into bronchitis and eventually pneumonia, for example.

“Hopefully in the long run it’ll make people healthier by helping manage chronic or acute (ailments) before they become severe,” Hales said.

Granke will be a leader in the CMCH Heart and Vascular Center, 1221 S. Drive, which opened its doors in mid-summer 2010, said Nicole Sanders, CMCH marketing and communications manager.

Dr. Kenneth Granke has been hired as a leader for Central Michigan Community Hospital's Heart and Vascular Center. Granke has also been pre-approved to teach at Central Michigan University's College of Medicine.

Granke works to help patients who suffer from problems with blood vessels, such as peripheral artery disease and varicose veins. His focus is on minimally invasive surgery, and in his research at the University of West Virginia, he co-invented a stent technology that allows medicine to be released from the stent to prevent scar tissue.

The mission of McLaren Health Care, which CMCH is a subsidiary of, boils down to quality outcomes and cost, and Granke said he is in full support of that mission.

“I like being driven by the right answer, not by the answer that makes the most money,” he said.

Granke said he likes being able to give his patients a second chance. Patients who are reffered to his care have been lifelong smokers, people who have fallen into a sedimentary routine, and those with high cholestorol, he said.

One aspect of work Granke said he enjoys is how the procedures he is performing often leave patients with a new perpective on how to live their lives.

Granke said his patients can see results quickly, but warns of what can happen if they don’t make a change.

“I can fix your arteries, but you’ve got to exercise,” he said.

Granke has already been pre-approved to teach at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine, with the first class scheduled to begin in summer 2013.

“The (College) of Medicine has made it easier for us to recruit top talent,” Sanders said.

Granke was recruited to the area after previously working at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, and before that working in southeastern Michigan and West Virginia.

He said he is looking forward to integrating himself in the area.

Sheri Myers, CMCH vice president of patient services, said the hospital chose to participate in being accredited by the health care association which made their unannounced visit in April 2011.

“They come once every three years to make sure we are following all of the policies and procedures,” she said. “Each department has set national standards and they make sure those are being followed properly.”

CMCH was notified the hospital received full accreditation after only one visit, meaning there was no provisional accreditation or major recommendations for change.

Myers said she wasn’t surprised by the award because the hospital was also named a Thomson Reuters Top 100 hospital in 2008.

“We are delivering top notch quality and safe patient care,” she said.” It is a big accomplishment, but it should be expected out of us with being a top 100 hospital.”

HFAP looks at the same standards that the officials who award the top 100 award do, she said.

Internal Auditing Manager Marybeth Mey said CMCH’s internal accreditation committee meets monthly to make sure CMCH is still achieving HFAP standards.

“We are constantly monitoring the standards for compliance and notify directors of any changes,” she said.

Employees stay current with implemented policies, reading and following rules set by government agencies, Mey said.

“It takes a lot of teamwork from everyone including the staff, directors and myself,” Mey said. “We go over and above to make sure we do what we need to do.”

Nicole Sanders, CMCH marketing and community relations specialist, said she was extremely excited about this award.

“It shows one more example of the quality in patient satisfaction,” she said.

Both graduates of Central Michigan University, Emergency Care Physician Dr. Brian Doughty and his son Kyle, enjoy working together as a team in the fast-paced environment of the emergency room.

Kyle works as an Emergency Room technician and said his father inspired him to follow in his medical footsteps.

“I had a lot of medical influence growing up, so once I entered high school, I knew I wanted to become a doctor,” Kyle said. “I became familiar with medical terms when I was younger because my parents used them, and it sparked my interest.”

Brian Doughty completed his undergraduate work at CMU in 1975. In December 2010, Kyle graduated from CMU with a major in biomedical sciences and a minor in chemistry.

Upon graduating, Brian became an orderly in the CMCH emergency room.

“Kyle has done really well,” Brian Doughty said. “First he did well in school, and then he got the job here on his own. I let him know about it, but he pursued it and stuck with it.”

Director of Patient Care Services Lea Curtiss said they set the example as role models for other CMCH staff.

“Both Kyle and Dr. Doughty are pleasant, respectful, and readily willing to help others,” she said. “As support staff in the Emergency Department, it is crucial to anticipate needs of the physician. When the ‘Doughty Duo’ team is working, their relationship enhances this.”

Kyle may continue in his father’s footsteps and attend medical school at Michigan State University. He is also considering attending Wayne State University in fall 2012.

“With all of my experience in the ER, I have an inclination toward emergency medicine over family practice,” Kyle said. “Thanks to my dad, I received the guidance and inspiration I needed to find a career I love.”

Curtiss said both Dr. Doughty and Kyle are patient, kind and knowledgeable, which is the foundation for success in medicine.

“We are very fortunate to have one Doughty working at CMCH,” she said. “Having two is truly a blessing.”

Central Michigan Community Hospital currently employs several PA’s who completed the program.

CMU 2011 graduate Alex Corcoran was hired as a full time PA at CMCH and will be accepting new patients at the office of family practitioner Dr. R. Scott Vogel located in the Central Michigan Health Park, 2935 Health Parkway, in the fall.

During his clinical year at CMCH, Corcoran said he learned how to deliver high quality patient care in a rural community. Corcoran said the local people are the main reason he enjoys working in town. “

There is more of a sense of gratitude among the patient population here in central Michigan compared to downstate,” he said in a CMCH press release. “I enjoy working in family practice because you get to develop a long term relationship with these patients and their families.”

Physician Assistant Lacey Gardner, graduated from CMU’s PA program in 2007 and completed her clinical rotations in the Bay City-Saginaw area.

Gardner said she always knew she wanted to work in health care and eventually decided on PA school.

“I like family practice because of the follow up and helping people improve and make changes in their lives,” she said. “It’s rewarding when you see someone quit smoking or get their diabetes under control.”

Gardner has been with CMCH for two years and works at the Weidman Area Health Clinic with Henry Szelag, DO, 3520 N. Woodruff in Weidman, and at the office of family practitioner Dr. Martin Jennings, 1970 Ashland Drive in Mount Pleasant.

She also works three to four days a month in CMCH’s emergency room.

“It can be hectic,” she said. “But I’m usually able to balance everything.”

Physician Assistant Debra Christie graduated from CMU’s PA program in 2007 as well, and completed her clinical rotations at CMCH. Christie worked as an obstetrics nurse for 13 years before returning to PA school in 2005.

“I didn’t want to do hospital nursing anymore,” Christie said.

Changing her career was a big switch for Christie and her family.

“It took a lot of cooperation from my kids, husband and extended family,” she said.

CMCH also hired Dr. Benjamin Debelak, a CMU alumnus, to practice orthopedic medicine.

Dr. Debelak will see patients at his new office location, Central Michigan Orthopaedics, 2890 Health Parkway.

Dr. Debelak completed his undergraduate work in 1999 with a biology major and chemistry minor. He recently completed an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at The Hughston Clinic in Georgia.

Along with working at his office, Dr. Debelak will begin providing orthopedic sports medicine coverage for CMU sports teams in the fall.

“I like the patient population of athletes,” he said. “Sports medicine works with young, motivated people looking to get back to their pre-injury competition level.”

The other half is comprised of “community members, who generally live within 15 to 20 miles of our location,” said Jason Chronowski, BioLife regional marketing representative, in an email.

“BioLife centers attract a wide mix of individuals: blue and white collar workers, stay-at-home parents, professionals and individuals in the military — people from all walks of life,” Chronowski said.

The major attraction of the plasma donation center, located at 4279 E. Blue Grass Road, is its reimbursement to donors. Eligible visitors are paid each time they donate, which can be up to twice in a seven-day period, with at least one full day between donations.

However, this reimbursement program restricts BioLife in how the collected plasma can be donated.

Monica Stoneking, communications manager for the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region, said paid plasma donations cannot be transfused into patients.

“We depend on volunteer blood donors,” Stoneking said.

Many plasma donors rely on the compensation for donating, so it is not uncommon to exclude information about recent tattoos, piercings, infections and other factors that could keep them from donating, Stoneking said.

Volunteer blood donors do not have the monetary incentive to donate, so they have no reason to fabricate their health situation in order to donate blood.

Stoneking said the Red Cross, Michigan Blood and other organizations rely on the research BioLife and other plasma donation services conduct with the plasma they collect.

“The plasma that is collected at BioLife centers is manufactured into a wide variety of life-saving products that benefit thousands of people every day,” Chronowski said in an email. “Plasma is used in the treatment of serious disorders such as hemophilia and immune system deficiencies, and to make products used to help treat and prevent diseases.”

The frog, “Captain Hook,” belonged to 6-year-old Zackery Hockridge, who was participating in Central Michigan Community Hospital’s annual doll hospital event.

“He wants a shot,” Zackery said.

“Why does he want a shot?” Wallace asked.

“Because he has the flu,” Zackery said.

Zackery was one of many first grade students to spend his Tuesday afternoon taking care of his stuffed animal at Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown St.

Wallace is working as a project manager for the doll hospital.

“The purpose of the program is to teach them how not to be afraid when you go to the doctors (and) how to act when you have to go to the emergency room,” she said. “(It’s) just to really get them updated on hospital procedures.”

The kindergarten and first grade students at the event started at an admissions table to receive bracelets and check their stuffed animals or dolls in.

From there, the students had their animals placed in a mock X-ray machine to ensure their bones were healthy. Stuffed animals received immunization shots before moving onto the third and final table, where their heart rates and blood pressures were checked.

Zackery said even though Captain Hook was not throwing up and just felt yucky, the process made the stuffed frog feel a lot better.

Beaverton senior Rachael McCowen interns with CMCH and helped as a program coordinator for the doll hospital. She said students and teachers talk about the event for weeks beforehand. Students always take care to select their favorite stuffed animal for treatment.

“This is all for their stuffed animals,” she said. “(It’s) just to try and get them so they’re not afraid of the hospital.”

McCowen said CMCH coordinates with Mobile Medical Response to bring an ambulance to the scene of each elementary school doll hospital event throughout the two week program.

Jerome Schantz said both he and fellow Emergency Medical Technician Basic Stephanie MacDonald give students a tour of the ambulance and let them ask questions.

“(We) show them around, show them some of the equipment we have (and) kind of what we do on scene before we take them to the hospital,” Schantz said.

MacDonald said the students learn that ambulances are not so scary, and they know what to expect if there is ever an emergency.

“If you take the fear out of those things, it’s not such a big deal for them,” she said.

He was turning left onto Tallgrass Street when his Ford Ranger was struck by a 4-door Saturn, driven by a 19-year-old female going east on Broomfield Street.

“He’s claiming possible head injury. She’s not claiming anything,” said Mount Pleasant Police Department Officer Jeffrey Thompson.

The driver of the Ford was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the accident, Thompson said.

Both cars were towed from the scene of the accident. No citations were issued.

“Central Michigan Community Hospital is a tremendous partner for our developing medical school,” said interim Medical School Dean Cam Enarson. “We’re pleased the medical students (can) use CMCH as a component of education.”

CMCH, 1221 South Drive, declared its partnership with CMU’s medical school at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting, and is the first hospital to sign a partnership with CMU’s school. The school is in talks with other hospitals as well, Enarson said.
The partnership, signed Dec. 1, extends through 2016.

CMCH President and CEO Bill Lawrence said he is “absolutely sure” partnering with CMU’s medical school is beneficial.

“This is a spectacular opportunity,” Lawrence said. “It brings so much to our hospital.”

Students will likely work with CMCH during their first two years of school, Enarson said. Having students involved in the hospital will help all employees, Lawrence said.

“It kicks everyone’s game up,” he said.

Students also will bring the newest concepts and ideas to the hospital, Lawrence said, keeping CMCH current in comparison with other hospitals.

The medical school’s groundbreaking ceremony and the official establishment of a private fundraising campaign is planned for Feb. 17 and 18, said Interim University President Kathy Wilbur. Phone interviews for the four open associate dean positions will occur in mid-December to January, Enarson said, and the finalists will attend campus for an interview next semester.

The Board also announced it is pursuing appointments for four associate deans.

Biotechnology building

The Board of Trustees approved a project request for a new biotechnology building.

The proposed 126,000-square-foot building will cost $75 million, with an estimated annual operating cost of $1 million.

The Board said it did not know the likeliness of it being funded by the state. The question, Wilbur said, is if this is the appropriate time for the state to fund such a project.

“Funding is available at the state level,” she said.

If approved by the state, the building would be built east of the Education and Human Services Building.

CMU sent a request in last year for the building to the state, but the request was denied.
The university expects to make a required match for funds through private donations and university capital funds.

CMU has added 248 new donors this year and is up $270,000 in donations from last year, said Ted Tolcher, interim vice president of Development and Alumni Relations.

“This is phenomenal in this economic time,” he said.

The proposed building has been brought up in trustee meetings for the second year.

The design phase will begin immediately, according to Board of Trustee documents, and construction would be expected to begin in a year if approved. The estimated completion of the building would be 18 months after construction begins.

“We didn’t get everything we wanted, but nobody ever does,” said Lisa Harrison, MNA labor relations representative. “I am very happy we were able to reach an agreement.”

The main sticking points of the deal were a wage freeze on the nurses contract and the nurses’ ability to give input for the hiring of new nurses. The wage freeze is still intact and no increases will be given for the length of the deal. The MNA was concerned a wage freeze could impact their ability to rehire its nurses and hire new nurses.

“The nurses will have input regarding the postings and vacancies,” Harrison said. “A wage freeze is a big compromise.”

The 111 registered nurses at CMCH had been working without a formal contract since February.

Negotiations broke down in September, with the MNA holding an informational picket outside CMCH.

The MNA had voted to authorize a strike in June, although the required notice was never given to the hospital.

The two sides came to an agreement Monday when both parties ratified the new deal, although the official contract still needs to be signed.

The new contract expires June 30, 2010, according to a press release from CMCH spokeswoman Darcie Van Dop.

The length of the contract is short, Harrison said, but the MNA is happy to have settled the labor dispute.

“All that matters fundamentally is that the parties reached an agreement,” she said.