McLaren Bay Region

Healing Hard-to-Heal Wounds at the McLaren Bay Region Wound Care Center If left untreated, chronic wounds, which according to the National Institute of Health impact an estimated 10.5 million Americans annually, can cause serious infection, slower healing, gangrene, and even result in limb amputation or in a worst-case scenario, loss of life. Thankfully, patients with hard-to-heal wounds can turn to the McLaren Bay Region Wound Care Center, which offers progressive, patient-centered care that’s driven by a nationwide network of data and research. “At the McLaren Bay Region Wound Care Center, we have a dedicated multidisciplinary team of experts who provide a personalized patient approach to treat your wound, whatever the cause. We use advanced diagnostics, imaging, and clinical assessments to identify the underlying issue, and then deliver a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs,” says Nicolas Mouawad, MD, MPH, MBA, DFSVS, FRCS, FACS, RPVI, the medical director of the McLaren Wound Care Center. Those plans include some of the most advanced wound-care treatments available, including negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings, growth factor therapies, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Individuals with diabetes, vascular disease, venous leg ulcers, chronic swelling, obesity, and other health conditions are at high risk for chronic, hard-to-heal wounds. But everyone should seek care if they have wounds exposing bone, tendon, or joint capsule, or if they aren’t showing signs of healing within two to four weeks. Other signs to watch for include increased pain, redness, swelling, or change in flesh color or smell. Even with advanced treatments, prevention is still key. Anyone at high risk for chronic wounds should work towards adopting a healthier lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, wearing proper footwear, and staying vigilant by shifting positions during the day and checking cuts, scrapes, and bug bites for any signs of change. “Some wounds will heal with good hygiene and proper attention. Other more challenging wounds require medical care that begins with a certified wound care center that is committed to your betterment,” says Dr. Mouawad. Patients who feel they need specialized wound care are encouraged to talk to their primary care provider, but they can also reach out directly to the McLaren Bay Region Wound Care Center at 989-393-2870. The center is located on the third floor of our Uptown Bay City location at 4 Columbus Ave., Suite 310.

Through the strength of our patients, we have learned that a cancer diagnosis is the beginning of a new journey, not the end. With treatment options specifically tailored to each patient, Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Bay Region is here to give you your best chance forward. To learn more about our oncology services, visit https://lnkd.in/gutyeHYw

This week, we unveiled the 2024 Medical Staff Class Photo, which includes the images of 180 physicians. This is a tradition at McLaren Bay Region which began in 1948. We are thankful for the efforts made by each of our doctors and business development team to make this collection of photos possible, and will cherish it for years to come. It is located on the first floor in the hallway between the staff elevators and the green wall - go check it out!

At Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Bay Region, we offer cancer care services centered on you. From surgical to medical oncology, we are here to give you your best chance at beating cancer. To learn more about our oncology services, visit https://lnkd.in/gutyeHYw

McLaren Bay Region achieved a Safety Grade B from The Leapfrog Group, and we couldn’t be more proud! To celebrate, today, we hosted Burgers with the Big Boss! Our CEO, Jamie Carter, and CNO, Stacey Klump, were behind the counter serving a tasty lunch to the incredible people who helped to make our improved grade possible!

Watch below as we surprise Crystal Balderrama, Medical Lab Tech in Laboratory, by naming her our Employee of the Month for December! From her nomination by her peers: "Crystal always comes to work with a positive attitude. She always makes you smile when you are feeling down. Crystal is always a team player and very helpful to all. She is always positive towards her co-workers and supports them in their jobs. She comes in even on her days off and is willing to work for anybody. For 37 years, Crystal has been an asset to McLaren Bay Region Laboratory." Congratulations, Crystal, and thank you!

McLaren Bay Region Among Newsweek’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers McLaren Bay Region, part of statewide McLaren Health Care and Bay City’s leading provider of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation, was named among America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers by Newsweek. The hospital was the sole facility in the Great Lakes Region to be honored. Inpatient Rehabilitation provides intensive treatment to help patients achieve their highest level of independence after a serious injury, illness or surgery, such as spinal surgeries to neurological conditions resulting from a stroke. There are more than 1,100 of these facilities in the United States, so identifying the best fit can prove challenging. To help patients weigh their options, Newsweek has partnered with data intelligence platform Statista to rank America's Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers. The annual list, now in its fifth edition, awards the top 300 inpatient physical rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. Each center was assigned a score based on quality metrics, accreditation data, a national survey of industry experts, and Google reviews from patients. “It is an honor to have our rehab unit recognized among the best of the best in America,” said Judy Goik, director of rehabilitation services at McLaren Bay Region. “I am so proud of our rehab team and their commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the patients we serve. Our services, quality outcomes and patient satisfaction clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence.” Jill Leipprandt is among those patients and is forever grateful for the care she received. “In September of this year I sustained a horrific injury to my leg and ankle,” said Jill. “I was transported to McLaren Bay Region for surgery. From there, I was sent to McLaren Bay Region Rehab. I was scared and in a great deal of pain. I worried that I would not be able to walk correctly ever again and I was so very afraid of falling.” Once she began therapy, Jill noted that the nurses and the occupational and physical therapists, were so far beyond her expectations that she soon felt safe and confident. Jill is now home and on her way to a full recovery. She said she continues to use the skills she gained at McLaren Bay Region Rehab every single day. “Beyond the physical help they gave me, I think I’ve also learned to be a better person from interacting with those wonderful people and to treat every person and every situation individually with an open-minded focus on creative solutions. I miss every one of them every day and my gratitude is immeasurable.” Learn more about the services available through McLaren Bay Region at mclaren.org/bayregion.

Earlier today, Dr. Paul Lewis, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert at McLaren Bay Region, was a guest on WSGW's Art Lewis Show. To listen to the whole interview, visit https://lnkd.in/eFJAvkZu and click on today's episode! To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul Lewis, call McLaren Bay Orthopedic Surgery at (989) 393-2777.

Volunteers Bring Guidance and Comfort to all at McLaren Bay Region Being a volunteer takes a very selfless and giving person. The holiday season is a great time to remind us all that volunteers make a big difference year round at McLaren Bay Region. Ann Moseley is one such volunteer who has assisted at McLaren Bay Region for the past year. When she finished her medical career as a phlebotomist, she thought she was done, but another volunteer, Helen Cummings, convinced her to give volunteering at the hospital a try. “I work the front desk as a volunteer at McLaren Bay Region every Thursday and Friday,” said Ann. “Before, I worked in the medical field as a phlebotomist, drawing blood here. I worked all over going to different hospitals that needed help in the area.” As a volunteer, Ann can tell when there’s someone who doesn’t really know their way around and she enjoys helping them find where they need to be. “Patients will come up to me and say they’re looking to get to a certain procedure. Instead of just telling them where they need to go, I like to show them where they need to go. I prefer to walk with them if I can, especially if they have to register at South Tower, which happens a lot. I feel almost like an old pro now helping people get around the hospital.” Ann believes her love of “chit chat” and her experience working in hospitals has made her a perfect fit as a volunteer. “I love to talk, which is perfect for this. I love the outdoors, so I like giving people the weather forecast when they come in. I get here at 7:30 a.m., so I can see everybody coming into work in the mornings and I like to also give them a little laugh to start their day. I’ve been an employee at the hospital, so I get it. I understand that their jobs can be challenging, and I love to try and make everyone’s day a little brighter.” Ann says there will always be people who are in need at the hospital. “It’s just wonderful being here to help them. I’ve been on both sides of the fence, and I know what it’s like to be lost. Visitors and patients are so grateful when they find someone who can show them the way.” To Ann, the experience of helping someone gives her great happiness as well. “I think there’s no better feeling than to help someone. It makes me so happy. It helps us all in the long run. Being a volunteer gives me something to do, and I interact with so many great people. Getting to know them has been especially cool.” McLaren Bay Region volunteers make a difference in so many ways. Some of the possible ways to help as a volunteer include: greeting patients and visitors at the door, assisting patients to their rooms; delivering mail to patients being hospitalized, and helping out at the Helen M Nickless Volunteer Clinic, a Wednesday evening free clinic available to the uninsured. To learn more about becoming a volunteer at McLaren Bay Region, click here: https://lnkd.in/gASzsinJ

In honor of Veterans Day, here at McLaren Bay Region, sits an empty table. This Missing Man Table is a memorial to honor the fallen, missing or imprisoned military service members. The missing man table consists of the following elements: • A small table set for one, symbolizing the isolation of the absent service member. The table is usually set close to, or within sight of, the entrance to the dining room. • The table is round to represent the everlasting concern the survivors have for the missing. • A white tablecloth to symbolize the pure intentions of the service members who responded to the country’s call to arms. • A single rose in the vase symbolizes the blood that service members have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of the United States of America. This rose also represents the family and friends who keep the faith while awaiting the return of the missing service members. • The red ribbon represents a love of country that inspired the service members to serve the country. • Salt sprinkled on the bread plate symbolizes the tears shed by waiting families. • An inverted glass to represent the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake. • A lit candle symbolizes a light of hope that lives in hearts to illuminate the missing’s way home. • An empty chair to represent the absence of the missing and fallen Thank you to all who have served, and those who continue to serve our nation.