Thanks to the dedicated staff at Munson Healthcare’s Northern Regional Bleeding Disorder Center* in Traverse City, a patient is thriving today after receiving gene therapy for hemophilia — a rare disease that prevents blood from clotting as it should.
Kathi Sheldon, RNC, Nurse Coordinator, at the center, was honored to be part of the patient’s care team at Munson. She shared, “Once the patient expressed his interest in receiving gene therapy, we knew we had our work cut out for us.” The treatment wasn’t available anywhere in Michigan at the time but, “we were determined to work through all the barriers to ensure that our patient received the best available treatment that he deserved.”
Coordinating everything for the patient:
The care team at the center worked together to coordinate every step of the process. They partnered with Hemophilia Outreach Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to arrange prior authorization, pre-treatment testing, virtual visits and the infusion itself — ensuring the patient had seamless access to this advanced therapy. Because of these efforts, this patient became the first person in Michigan and the 14th in the U.S. to receive gene therapy for hemophilia.
Providing post-care closer to home:
Post-infusion care was provided by the center and included 12 weeks of weekly lab monitoring at Charlevoix Hospital’s outpatient lab, a closer location for the patient. The patient also had monthly virtual visits with Kristian Koller, DO, the center’s Medical Director, as part of a full year of follow-up. One year after receiving gene therapy, he is doing exceptionally well — and remains the only person in Michigan to have undergone this treatment.
This successful outcome is a powerful example of how Teamness and a commitment to finding the right care, at the right time, in the right place can improve lives. Thank you to the Bleeding Disorder team for advocating for this patient and making this life-changing care possible.
*Munson’s Northern Regional Bleeding Disorder Center provides care for individuals with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other inherited bleeding and platelet disorders.