Tag Archives: Mercy Health

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s first in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccine

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Mercy Health Saint Mary’s became the first health facility to require the COVID vaccine in order to work at its facilities. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Those working for, contracting with, or conducing business at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 21.

Trinity Health, the parent organization to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, recently announced effective immediately, the national health system will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19.  The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide. 

 

This includes roughly 24,000 Trinity Health Michigan colleagues working across five Saint Joseph Mercy Health System hospitals, three Mercy Health hospitals – such as Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and two employed medical groups – IHA and Mercy Health Physician Partners. Along with the hospital located in downtown Grand Rapids, there is a Mercy Health Southwest Campus in Byron Center, Mercy Health Physician Partners in Wyoming, Mercy Health Southeast Lab in Kentwood and several other Mercy Health locations in and around Grand Rapids.

Trinity Health is the second known healthcare organization to announce the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Henry Ford Health System in Detroit made a similar announcement in June. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s is the first known health organization in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccines. Officials from both Spectrum Health and University of Michigan Health – West (formerly Metro Health – University of Michigan Health) stated while encourage team members to get vaccinated, the vaccines are optional and not mandated.

Spectrum Health officials said nearly 70 percent of Spectrum’s on-site team members have been vaccinated.

“We continue to practice active infection control measures, including heightened cleaning protocols, masking n all clinical areas and a daily symptom survey for all on-site team members,” according to a hospital statement. “Additionally, we continue to monitor positivity and vaccination rates in the community and amount our team members.”

Since December 2020, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, Trinity Health has strongly encouraged vaccination for all colleagues and within the communities its various Health Ministries serve.  To date, the health system estimates that nearly 75 percent of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.

“As a faith-based health care system we have pledged to protect the most vulnerable, those that have a high risk of developing severe health complications if they were to contract this deadly virus,” said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan and Southeast Regions.  “We are grateful to all colleagues working inside our hospitals, and specifically those navigating the frontlines.  We understand that not everyone will agree with this decision, but after listening to their feedback, and after careful consideration, we know this to be the right decision.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 331 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States. The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death, with more than 99% of COVID-19 deaths today occurring in unvaccinated people.

“As a trusted health care leader within Michigan communities, our patients and colleagues look to us to keep them safe,” said Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, PhD, MD, chief clinical officer of Trinity Health Michigan.  “There is widespread acceptance of the vaccines and their effectiveness within the medical community.  The science is clear – vaccines protect against infection and they help save lives.”

Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring them to submit proof of vaccination by Sept. 21, 2021. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually, but if so, employees will also need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented, and approved.  Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will have their employment terminated.

Health Department partners with two hospitals for vaccine clinic at DeVos Place

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DeVos Place will be the home of the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic. (Public Domain)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“No one wants to stick it to you more than the Kent County Health Department,” said the department’s public relations director Steve Kelso after a Friday afternoon press conference.

And that is fairly obvious as the press conference was to announce a new cooperative between the Health Department, Mercy Health and Spectrum Health to host a central community vaccination site. the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Scheduling is now taking place at the new location with it being open on Monday, Jan. 25.

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic will be by appointment only. Area residents are encouraged to register by visiting wmvaccineclinic.org. For those unable to register online, they may call 833-755-0696. According to Spectrum Health Chief Operating Officer Brian Brasser, who will be overseeing the clinic, when vaccines are available, registered participants will be notified to make an appointment.

Kent County Health Director Dr. Adam London at today’s virtual press conference announcing the new West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place. (WKTV)

Those coming for appointments will be directed to park in the underground parking and will have the first two hours of their parking waved, which according Brasser, will be enough time for the person to go through the vaccine process.

Funded currently by the three organizations, Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said the location was chosen because it is convenient for a large number of area residents, with the organizations hoping to deliver about 20,000 vaccines a day.

Due to “kinks” in the supply chain delivery, the facility will start by administrating around 7,000 doses.

“In reality, it is always better to start out lower than your expectations to help work out the efficiency,” said Spectrum Health President Darryl Elmouchi at the press conference.

London, Elmouchi, and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s President Hyung Kim all acknowledged the frustration over getting appointments due to delivery issues. London said the Health Department will not make appointments for vaccines it does not have.

“The demand is high and we are trying to do our best,” Elmouchi said. The Kent County Health Department will administered and has scheduled 8,000 doses, according to London with plans to administer 3,000 doses about every week. Kim reported that Mercy Health has distributed 14,000 of its 15,000 vaccine doses. Spectrum Health, which is covering the southwest lake area up to Ludington, has administered about 43,000 vaccines with another 30,000 scheduled, according to Elmouchi. The population of Kent County is around 660,000.

Creating a cooperative partnership and providing a centralized location that will allow for thousands to receive the vaccine should help the West Michigan area get an increase in vaccine supply.

“This is what the state is looking for,” Elmouchi said, adding that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is what state officials want to help with getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

The partnership allows the three organizations to pool resources for staffing and other needs when it comes to getting people vaccinated, Kim said. The clinic also will provide a safe and comfortable environment that is dedicated to the vaccine process, London said.

Representatives for Spectrum Health and Mercy Health St. Mary stated that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic would be in addition to current vaccine clinics being offered by those organizations. London said the Health Department plans to move its community operation to the DeVos site and focus on targeting specific or underserved areas.

London also noted that the University of Michigan Health – Metro Health will not be partnering in this project. but is focusing on offering more availability to those on the southwest side where its main facility is located.

For more information about the clinic, how to schedule an appointment or if you are eligible for the vaccine, visit wmvaccineclinic.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

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People in north Michigan are not different at all from people in southern Alabama. Trust me, someone who’s spent a lot of time in both places. They’re all hardworking, simple people.

Musician Kid Rock


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Two for the price of one

The 28th Street Metro Cruise organizers announced this week that Woodland Mall will be a second main event spot for the 2020 28th Street Metro Cruise. The new location, which will be open only on Aug. 22, will feature a wide array of collector, sports, and antique cars along with other activities. Of course the main event will remain at Rogers Plaza and will include many of the activities that are popular at the 28th Street Metro Cruise. For more information, click here.

Tag teaming against cancer

Stating Jan. 1, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health and Michigan Medicine launched the new initiative the Cancer Network of West Michigan. The initiative is designed to integrate cancer care services in West Michigan with the goal of bringing broader access to advanced, state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnosis treatment and support across leading health care institutions. How will this impact patient care? Click here to find out.

Leslie Odom Jr. (Photo by Nathan Johnson)

‘Hamilton!’ Fever

If you did not get a chance to see “Hamilton!” or just did not get enough, the Grand Rapids Symphony has some great news: Leslie Odom, Jr. who originated the role of Aaron Burr in the musical will be performing with the Grand Rapids Symphony in its 2020-21 season. This and the symphony’s Classical Series lineup was announced this week. Don’t miss your shot by clicking here to learn more.

Happy Quasquicentennial!

Mackinac State Historic Parks mark its 125th anniversary this year with lots of celebrating planned throughout the year. Mackinac Island was actually the second national state park, designated in 1875. The park was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895 at the request of then Governor John T. Rich with a condition: that the area remain a state park or the land would revert back to the United States. For more information on the 125th Anniversary activities, visit mackinacparks.com/mackinac125.

Three area institutions partner to form new Cancer Network initiative

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Since 2010, the Centers for Disease Control predicted that the number of new cancer cases has increased 24 percent. 

For those in the medical field, the reason for that increase varies from early detection to people living longer. Because of some of those reasons, many agree that cancer care has become subspecialized and getting the right care often means that some West Michigan residents have had to leave home to find it.

Dr. Peter Hahn, President and CEO of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health (WKTV)

However, three institutions — Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health, and Michigan Medicine (formerly the University of Michigan Health System) — are looking to change that with a new initiative launched at the beginning of 2020, the Cancer Network of West Michigan.

The Cancer Network is being designed to integrate cancer care services in West Michigan with the goal of bringing broader access to advanced, state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnosis treatment and support across leading health care institutions.

“We are really bringing together the talents of three world class organizations and combining it with the world class expertise of Michigan medicine,” said Dr. Peter Hahn, CEO and President of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

Dr. Kim Hyung, President of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s (WKTV)

Dr. Hyung Kim, president of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, said the partnership is actually a natural extension of partnerships that already exist between the institutions. They Cancer Network of West Michigan will build on the foundation established by a radiation oncology collaborative already linking radiation oncology services between Michigan Medicine and Metro Health and between Michigan Medicine and Mercy Health.

Hyung said the question became “What can we do to take it to the next level. Especially in something like cancer care where there are more therapies and things are getting more complicated. Working together can make a big different in terms of what you can offer a community.”

Combined, the three West Michigan facilities treat 13,658 cancer patients a year. They bring to the collaboration a combined of 63 cancer specialists and sub-specialists, along with access to the latest research, treatments and clinical trails.

 

What does this mean for the average patient? Two or three years ago, a person with lung cancer only had one option, which was standard therapy such as chemotherapy, Hahn said. Today, there are so many different advances in terms of molecularity therapy that through the Cancer Network, the three partnering organizations will be able to offer that care in West Michigan versus a person having to travel to Ann Arbor or the Mayo Clinic, he said.

“We all know that people do better if they get excellent care close to home,” Hyung said.

For patients, the new Cancer Network will provide a more standardized cancer base-care with less variance. No matter which facility a patient goes to, they should receive the same treatment options.

 

Dr. Gary Allore, President of Mercy Health Muskegon (WKTV)

The initial announcement of the new initiative was received quite favorably by staff, acceding to the hospital officials. Currently, the three organizations are working to build the leadership team for the Cancer Network. There is a nationwide search for the person who will head the Network with the recruiting process for the specialists, who are in high demand, underway as well.

By having access to world class trials and advance therapies, Hahn said he believes the Cancer Network could help make West Michigan a destination for cancer care treatment.

“There is a lot of work to come, but we are all confident this could be a regional leading, potentially a national leader, in cancer care,” Hahn said. 

To learn more about the Cancer Network of West Michigan, visit wmicancernetwork.org.

Kentwood Community Church hosts last job fair for 2016

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job_fair_athens

Kentwood Community Church is set to host its last Community Job Fair for this year on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at its Wyoming campus, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW.

 

The Community Job Fair, which is from 9 a.m. to noon, has been around for three years and continues to draw employers from all trades, including healthcare, industrial, transportation, retail, sales and more. About 47 employers will be on site hiring for hundreds of locally available jobs. Many employers interview on the spot.

 

For more information, visit www.grjobfair.com.

 

Employers registered to be at the fair cover a variety of fields from the building industry to the restaurant business. Some of the employers scheduled to be at the fair are Avalon Building Concepts, Avis Budget Group, Block by Block, Blu Perspective, Boardwalk Subs, Compass Point Labor Management, Dean Transportation, Diversified General Contracting Inc., Electro Chemical Finishing, Elwood Staffing, Enviro-Clean, FedEx Ground, Fettig, Genius Phone Repair/Tech Defenders, Grand Rapids Building Services, Griffin Transportation/Accurate Truck Service, Haworth, Kent Quality Foods, Life EMS Ambulance, Macy’s, Mercy Health, Manpower, Maxim Healthcare Services, Michigan Turkey Producers, MOKA, Morrison Industrial Equipment, Health Care Associates.Community Caregivers, New York Life, Notions Marketing, PineRest, Porter Hills, Snelling, Spectrum Community Services, Stratosphere Quality, Taco Bell, Tekton, Teleperformance, The Avon Shop, Thresholds, Tradesmen International, Two Men and a Truck, UFP Technologies, Unidine Corporation at Metro Health Hospital, Williamson Employment, and WSI

 

A current list of employers and jobs available is available at:
http://kccarena.com/Custom/OnlineForms/community_job_fair_registered_employers.pdf

 

Job seekers are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume. Online registering is encouraged. Pre-registered participants will receive a packet upon arrival.

 

All job seekers who both pre-register online and attend the Nov. 9 Community Job Fair will be placed in a drawing for a $25 MasterCard/ Gift Card.

 

Several service and support organizations including: AARP, Disability Advocates of Kent County, GMSK Foundation (Veterans Services), Goodwill’s ACHIEVE Program  and Celebrate Recovery will be on hand to assist job seekers who may need information regarding interpersonal and professional skill building, resume assistance and interview classes.

 

For more information about the event, visit the Community Job Fair Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1759335601018528/