Tag Archives: Healthcare

School-based dental programs give children access to adequate healthcare

November 6, 20233-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Kent County, medical moment, West MichiganChildren, dental health, Education, Healthcare, school dental programs, West MichiganDeborah Reed

Over 20 million children in the U.S. face barriers to receiving quality health care (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By Lauren Konsdorf

WKTV Contributor

The 19th century proverb, “An apple a day keeps the dentist away,” is easier said than done for some families. Over 20 million children in the United States face barriers to getting quality health care, with cost and transportation being two of these barriers.

Meeting families where they are

School is back in session, and this means more contact with other children and daily germs. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides school-based health programs, one of the programs tackling the most common chronic condition among children, tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the most chronic condition among children (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“It is a great partnership, and we are grateful for the services provided to our families,” Wyoming High School Principal Josh Baumbach said.

The Wyoming Public School district benefits from dental clinics which include preventative care appointments and performing most restorative procedures. Partnering with Cherry Street Health Center, Wyoming families have the ability to request dental services for their children.

Shauna Bayer, Associate Director of School-Based Programs at Cherry Health, said the programs participated in 857 exams last year in the Wyoming school district, 55 of which had urgent needs. Bayer also said the program treats every child the same whether they are insured or not. It provides families with care that they might not have access to.

“It makes it worthwhile to come to work every day,” said Bayer.

School-based dental clinics have helped over 1,000 children

Since July 2021, the school-based dental clinics have treated more than 1,000 children and have completed more than 7,000 procedures.

School-base dental programs help families access important healthcare (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director of School Health Services for Nationwide Children’s, wants to improve health outcomes for all children.

“We know that children can reach their full potential in the classroom when they are healthy, live in a safe and stable environment, and have access to the resources they need,” Irwin said.

The dental program creates outcomes for children and families that need access to important healthcare.

Irwin said working together and meeting families where they are is key to helping children access important care that they would not otherwise receive.

School-based dental services help with eliminating barriers that exist in receiving adequate healthcare for school children, creating a more resourceful environment and a future of children enjoying a five-letter facial expression – a smile.

Lauren is a senior at Central Michigan University and is studying Broadcast and Cinematic Arts with double minors in Journalism and Communications. She is a radio host for a specialty show on 101.1 The Beat, and is Promotions Video Editor for WCMU Public Media. She hopes to become a lifestyle reporter or host after college.

Local artist shares her gratitude to healthcare workers through film

February 8, 20233-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Entertainment, medical moment, WKTV ProjectsArtist, COVID, Debby Boone, film, HealthcareJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

A tragic situation lead local artist Kim Johnson to be a witness to the chaos world of the healthcare workers as they struggled to help those with COVID 19, which in turn has lead to an insightful and personal narrative of what Johnson saw.

“If My Paintings Were on These Walls” will premiere on Feb. 17 on WKTV’s Comcast Channel 25. (WKTV)

Friday, Feb. 17, WKTV will premiere Johnson’s short film “If My Paintings Were on this Wall” at 7 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25 or you can live stream it at WKTV.org. The film is a combination of watercolor paintings and an essay by Johnson with video clips, narrated by Grammy Award winner singer, actress and author Debby Boone.

“Having seen Kim’s artwork, I knew that she would do a beautiful job executing this project.” Boone said. “There is real emotion and humanity in these pictures that is quite beautiful and her essay really communicates the sacrifice [many] have been willing to provide for people during such a trying time with the pandemic and the overload in these hospitals.

“You know they are exhausted and their personal lives are maybe falling apart and yet, they still show up with love and compassion for the people they’re trying to serve.”

The story of Kim and Georgia Johnson

Covid 19 turned many people’s lives upside down and local artist Kim Johnson and her mother, Georgia thought that was going to be the case for them.

But a trip to the hospital lead to the discovery that Georgia did not have Covid like everyone thought, but rather metastasized breast cancer, which would take her life in 21 days.

During that time, Kim Johnson spent every waking hour at the hospital and when her mother was getting tested or sleeping, Johnson, with sketchpad in tow, would draw what see was seeing: the nurses looking so tired but kept going, health care workers being yelled and assaulted by frustrated and frightened patients; and those running from one hospital room to another to take care of patient needs.

“At the time, I was a pretty bitter person,” Johnson said. ”I disliked anyone in the healthcare field. I disliked [Georgia’s] doctor because I thought he could have caught it.

“I was pretty nasty and my attitude stunk in the time that she was there and a lot of times I left the room and took my sketchpad with me and God worked on my heart a little bit because one of the first things I saw, or rather heard, was there was a patient screaming. The F-bomb was flying right and left, and the next thing I know this nurse came out and she was balling…she crumbled to the floor in tears and someone came to console her.”

This would be the first of many sketches but after her mothers death, Johnson’s resentment toward anyone in the healthcare, caused her to pack up the drawings along with her art supplies. After selling the family home, she had no intention of having anything to do with art.

Finding compassion and gratitude

Six months later, Johnson began to have a change of heart, developing compassion for the healthcare workers. She rekindled her love for drawing and watercolor painting, and through most of her supplies were in storage, she was able to find a few supplies packed away including the sketchbook she had at the hospital.

It is from that sketchbook she wrote her essay about her experiences and interactions within those 21 days and painted 38 4×6-inch paintings, all of which is included in the video.

Johnson has long followed and admired four daughters of legendary singer Pat Boone since 1977 when Debby Boone recored the song “You Light Up My Life.” She also was a fam of the 1979 Boone Family Easter Special. Through a meeting on the now defunct My Space, Johnson meet and became friends with Cherry Boone O’Neill, Debby Boone’s sister. It was through that friendship, which eventually migrated to Facebook, that she met Debby Boone, who upon hearing of the project agreed to narrate it.

“Honestly, I never thought that I would ever have the opportunity to meet Debby Boone, let alone work with her on a project I created,” Johnson said. “She narrated something I wrote. I still cannot believe that it is happening. I am beyond honored.”

There will be a private showing of the film at the WKTV Community Media Center in February. In March, there will be a public showing that will be followed by a brief appreciation recognition for healthcare workers in all capacities. The film also will be available on Kim Johnson’s YouTube channel at the end of March.

Affording health care costs: Part 4

September 11, 20193-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingBrenda Long, Health Savings Account, Healthcare, HSA, Michigan State University ExtensionJoanne

By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension

The good news is there are ways to manage your health care costs to save money. This article will focus on Health Savings Accounts for your health care out-of-pocket costs. Also, look for related articles on reasons to have health insurance (Part 1) and Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Part 3).

Setting money aside to manage health care expenses helps reduce your need to use credit to pay medical bills and reduces your concerns that you can cover a bill, according to the University of Maryland Extension. You can save money in your emergency fund. You might qualify for a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are medical savings accounts available if you have a HSA-qualified, high-deductible health insurance plan. Ask your benefits office or insurance provider if your plan meets these criteria. If yes, you can open the account to save pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. You set up the account with a trustee, which can be a bank, an insurance company or any organization approved by the IRS to be an HSA trustee. You can comparison shop to choose an institution. Consider the fees, interest rate and convenience for deposits and withdrawals. Your money can be invested to earn interest, so manage these funds like you do your IRA or retirement savings accounts.

By using pre-tax dollars, you set aside money before taxes are taken out each pay period. Thus, you reduce your income tax bill and keep more money in your pocket. When you incur qualified medical expenses—copayments, coinsurance, prescriptions and other allowed costs as defined by IRS code—you can pay using the funds you have set aside.

You and/or your employer can contribute to an HSA, but you are the account owner. You can build up savings to help pay for future health care costs and earn interest on your contributions, within IRS limits. If you do not spend some HSA money, you can carry it over year to year.

How do you figure out how much to contribute? A good place to start is to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for the past year. You can get this information from receipts, looking at your explanation of benefits, or obtaining a print out from your doctors’ offices and pharmacy for all visits and prescription purchases. Use the worksheet online health care cost calculator.

Why Retire in the Midwest?

February 13, 20193-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingHealthcare, Midwest, Retiremens, Vista Springs Assisted LivingJoanne

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

Move over, Florida! The American Midwest may be the next hot retirement destination. With beautiful scenery, affordable costs of living, and great quality of life, this underappreciated region is a great place to spend your retirement.

The Midwest is officially made up of twelve states, though Midwestern opinions vary on which states make the cut. According to the US Census Bureau, however, the region consists of both Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.

Cost of Living

The Midwest far and away dominated other regions of the US in the category of financial stability and cost of living in LPL Research’s 2017 Retirement Environment Index. Michigan, in particular, experienced a huge improvement in its rank as a retirement destination, jumping from 19th to 2nd best state for soon-to-be retirees. This is due in large part to median income rising well above the national average and a lower tax burden in the face of rising taxes across the country.

In addition, the cost of housing in the Midwest is, perhaps not surprisingly, lower on average than any other region. The monthly cost of assisted living in Michigan is well below the national average, with other states in the area coming in at or below that average.

Access to Healthcare

The accessibility and affordability of healthcare is an incredibly important consideration as people age, and cities in the Midwest are quickly establishing themselves as centers for medical innovation. From Cleveland, Ohio, which has been ranked first in the nation for access to healthcare, to the centers for medical research in Ann Arbor, to the “Medical Mile” of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Great Lakes region is becoming a hub of great healthcare.

Climate and Landscape

In the wider imagination of the country, the Midwest doesn’t have the best reputation for breathtaking scenery and beautiful weather. While there’s some truth to the stereotypical image of farmland stretching to the horizon and frozen winters, these states have so much more to offer. In the space of a few states, you can experience vast mixed forests, miles of beaches, golden plains, mountain foothills, river basins, and waterfalls. Long traditions of outdoorsmanship make Midwestern states popular vacation destinations for any number of outdoor sports, and actually living there makes it so much easier to get active.

While it’s true that Midwestern winters can be arduous, residents relish in the ability to experience four distinct seasons, each beautiful in their own way. Spring thaws bring fresh air and wildflowers, summers are hot but never sweltering, and falls are defined by bright, warm colors and perfect sweater weather. And for winter sportspeople, waking up to a sunlight on a fresh layer of powder is always a beautiful sight.

Overall Quality of Life

Aside from all the financial and logistical considerations, the Midwest is just a great place to live. A psychological study on personality variation in different regions of the United States found that the Midwest was just plain friendlier than other areas. The researchers who conducted this study of over 1.6 million Americans defined “friendliness” as displaying traits of sociability, consideration, and a sense of duty. Though the South gets more lip service, this report could not be better for a region prides itself on its hospitality.

All of this bodes well for soon-to-be retirees who already have roots in the Midwest, as spending more time with family is a popular aspiration for retirement. For people who are deeply connected with their family members, moving away for retirement means less time with children and grandchildren. The overall quality of the Midwest as a retirement location means that the decision doesn’t need to be difficult.

Where to retire is a big decision, so it’s normal to still have questions. If you’re asking yourself, should I stay in my state? Home care or an assisted living community? What is assisted living? We can help: Download our eBook here to learn more.

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Living.

Getting help with Medicare

August 13, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior LivingArea Agency on Aging of West Michigan, Healthcare, medicare, open enrollment, Regina SalmiJoanne

By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

When it comes to figuring out Medicare, it can feel as though we’ve taken on an encore career trying to sort through it all. There’s Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental insurance, part D coverage and then the retirement insurance you may already have. It can feel overwhelming. With the Open Enrollment period right around the corner, it might be time to get some help with deciding what plans work best for meeting all of your healthcare needs. The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program, or MMAP for short, is available to do just that.

MMAP is part of a federal program that provides free local healthcare coverage counseling to people with Medicare. MMAP is non-profit and run by highly skilled volunteers.

Bob Callery, MMAP Regional Coordinator, states, “MMAP does not have any affiliations with insurance companies and our volunteers are not licensed to sell insurance.”

This is important, because it means the MMAP counselor is looking at what is in your best interest. MMAP counselors will explain Medicare benefits and how they work, review prescription plans, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap policies. They are also able to help individuals apply for benefits. Having the right coverage can make a big difference in a person’s life (and their finances).

Sharon, a MMAP counselor, met with a woman who was living on about $900 per month. She was a widow and paying for the health coverage her husband had before he died. She was paying approximately $400 a month for this coverage.

“That didn’t leave her much to take care of her house and utilities,” Sharon relates, “We talked about getting her on supplemental insurance through Medicare. She was really reluctant at first, but in the end we were able to save her about $300 more a month.”

Another MMAP counselor shared a similar story. Karen received a call from a person living on a little over $700 per month who exclaimed, “I can either eat or take my medications.” Karen was able to get help her do both by reviewing her coverage and helping her get the benefits that worked best for her.

Open Enrollment for Medicare begins Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7. MMAP recommends Medicare beneficiaries review their plans every year to check for policy changes. The plan you’re currently on can change the medications they cover, their network of pharmacies, even premiums, deductibles and co-pays. At the same time your own needs might be changing as well, requiring a different kind of coverage than you had this year. Reviewing your benefits and insuring your coverage is right for you might help you avoid costly payments.

The Social Security Administration has also begun releasing the new Medicare cards. In an effort to reduce identity theft and fraud, the cards were redesigned to remove your social security number and to replace it with a unique identifier. Michigan residents will see them arriving this fall with all new cards being mailed before March 31, 2019.

Callery advises, “These cards will be mailed to the current mailing address on file with Social Security. Make sure you contact them if your address needs to be updated.” Mr. Callery also warns, “Social Security and Medicare do not call beneficiaries to update their records. If you receive a call like this, it is a scam. Do not give any of your personal information to the caller and hang up the phone!”

MMAP counselors are available to meet with people in person, over the phone and are available for home visits for those who are home-bound. If you’re interested in working with MMAP to review your Medicare benefits you can reach a MMAP counselor by calling your local Commission on Aging, dialing (800) 803-7174 or contacting Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org. You can learn more about MMAP by visiting their website, www.MMAPInc.org.

Need help meeting a basic need? Call 2-1-1!

March 24, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Our CitiesACSET Community Action Agency, Assistance, Employment, food, Healthcare, housing, Kent 2-1-1, Kent County, Utilities, VeteransJoanne

By ACSET Community Action Agency

Sometimes life can bring unexpected challenges. The loss of a job, unexpected medical bills or a house fire can make a financially stable family face homelessness. Unfortunately, unexpected emergencies can happen at any time. There are many organizations in Kent County that provide assistance in these situations. But how do you know whom to contact? What if you need help with food and paying utilities and rent all at the same time?

There is one resource that connects residents to more than 2,900 services in Kent County. The Heart of West Michigan United Way’s 2-1-1 database is the first place families should go in their time of need. Information can be easily accessed by calling 2-1-1 anywhere in Kent County, emailing HWReferral@incontactemail.com or online at: http://www.referweb.net/hwmi/. They even have their own app available for androids and iPhones — just search Kent 2-1-1 to download.

Whatever your situation, you are not alone. In Kent County, it is estimated that 39% of households are struggling to afford basic needs. Last year our local 2-1-1 answered 65,000 calls for help. Most calls are for assistance with:

Food
Healthcare
Housing
Utilities
Transportation

The database also offers resources specifically for Veterans and information on employment services, education and arts & recreation.

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org

Metro Health to partner with U-M Health System

June 21, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Health, Our Cities, Tech TrendsHealthcare, increased access, Metro Health, U-M, University of Michigan Health SystemsJoanne

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

Amongst all the medical facilities and providers in the greater Grand Rapids area, Metro Health Corporation can now be considered one of the ‘Leaders and Best’ after recently announcing their intent to join the University of Michigan Health System.

Both organizations signed a letter of intent to bring Metro Health’s hospital and network of doctors, nurses and other providers together with U-M (health system), expanding this academic medical center’s care in western Michigan.

“The U-M Health System is a top-ranked academic medical center with a world-class medical school, extraordinary hospitals and clinics, and groundbreaking research facilities focused on moving cutting edge discovery to patients’ bedsides in order to improve lives,” said Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of medical affairs and Dean of the U-M Medical School. “We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Metro Health’s expert physicians and health care professionals in stepped up ways.”

While Metro Health already partners with U-M for clinical services like radiation oncology, this affiliation agreement gives U-M its first hospital near Grand Rapids.

Michael Faas, President of Metro Health, added that joining with the U-M clinical enterprise will bring additional options for complex care to Metro Health patients and to the greater Grand Rapids community.

“It is no secret that U-M has some of the best providers in the state and country,” said Faas. “By joining the ‘leaders and best’ we can build on our existing expertise and provide our patients and community with enhanced access to specialized health care services, scientific discovery and advanced technology.”

The letter of intent signed by both organizations is not a sale and no layoffs are expected at either health system. Also not expected, a U-M satellite medical campus like Michigan State University has with Spectrum Health.

“There are currently no plans for a medical school to come as a result of the partnership,” said Metro Health spokeswoman Ellen Bristol.

The partnership with U-M comes a year after a proposed partnership with a for-profit Tennessee-based hospital chain dissolved. The Tennessee organization was to contribute between $100 to $125 million in capital to Metro Health.