145 Days in Munson Medical Center’s NICU: Rayden’s Story Six months into her pregnancy, Melinda Eastman suddenly got ill — so ill that she went to Cadillac Hospital Urgent Care. “It kind of came on like a strike of lightning,” said Eastman, whose pregnancy up until that point had been uneventful. “It was pretty scary.” Eastman was then sent to the hospital’s emergency department for evaluation. Fairly quickly, doctors determined she needed to be taken by ambulance to Munson Medical Center for additional care. After arriving, Eastman learned she had HELLP Syndrome, a series of symptoms

‘A healthy, handsome, happy baby boy’ Like many first-time mothers, Breeana Perkins was overwhelmed when she held her newborn son at Munson Medical Center. “I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t talk. I was so happy.” Unlike most mothers, Breeana’s moment of joy was delayed as her son laid on the chest of the young woman who had just given birth to him. With the birth mother’s blessing, Breeana was in the room to assist with and witness her son’s birth. The emotion-charged moments following the birth could have been painful, awkward, and uncomfortable as the baby’s birth mother cuddled him before

Gaylord Businessmen and Brothers Honor Father with Gift to Otsego Memorial Hospital Each morning, around 9 o’clock, Steve and Kevin Johnson joined their dad, Dale, for a cup of coffee and conversation at Diana’s Delights in their northern Michigan hometown of Gaylord. After starting the day at the office, the trio took a coffee break at this downtown fixture. Over breakfast, the sons heard their father share “the same stories over and over again,” as the brothers recalled with a smile – stories of growing up part of a farming family on the outskirts of Gaylord, of dropping out of school in the

Munson Healthcare Helps Bear Lake Couple and Their Twin Babies Thrive To describe the past 18 months as busy and emotional for Kristy and John Fortine would be an understatement. “It’s been a big year,” said John, 37, as he cradled in his arms his 10-weekold son Bode. Kristy, 28, seated next to her husband, held Bode’s twin brother Lucas. For the Bear Lake, Mich. couple, this particularly momentous time began with their 2016 wedding, followed by a Hawaiian honeymoon. Then they discovered they were expecting, and when Kristy was 12 weeks along in her pregnancy, they received the unexpected and

Near to the Heart Each passing second immediately following a stroke is critical. Perhaps no one understands this more than Traverse City native Kevin Schmuckal, who suddenly suffered a middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke just days shy of his 43rd birthday. “I was working out at the gym, and I was lucky enough to be in the same class as my wife; she was a couple of treadmills down from me and noticed physical changes to my face,” Schmuckal said. “I didn’t understand what was happening at the time. It was a very confusing situation – I actually tried to continue to run on the treadmill.”

Northern Michigan Comes Together to Navigate Pandemic A much-needed moment of joy took place at Munson Medical Center in mid-April following weeks of dire predictions, intense preparations, and relentless uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The first COVID-19 patient placed on a ventilator at the Traverse City hospital made a full recovery and was sent home on April 14. Masked nurses and staff gathered in a hallway to dance, sing, and celebrate as their patient prepared to leave the hospital. It was a welcome break from the anxiety of caring for people stricken with a virus that

Information for Patients: The 21st Century Cures Act In April 2021, the 21st Century Cures Act went into effect, which gives you more control over your own health information by ensuring patient access to electronic health information (EHI) in an electronic format. Patients have the right to request digital copies of anything in their Designated Record Set, which is a wide-ranging collection of documents, test results, and even clinicians’ notes. The Cures Act also prevents Information Blocking, which is any practice that interferes with a patient’s access to or use of EHI. What is the

Thank a Doctor for Doctors' Day The doctors of our northern Michigan communities have displayed continued leadership, expertise, and compassion towards our family, friends, and neighbors. Help Munson Healthcare celebrate National Doctors’ Day on March 30. Share a heartfelt message of appreciation for your physician by simply completing the form below. We will deliver your note to the doctor you wish to honor.

Manistee Hospital Emergency Department Tours April 6, 2023 | 10 am and 2 pm Please join Munson Healthcare Foundations on Thursday, April 6, for an exclusive tour of the newly renovated Emergency Department at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital! Tours will take place at 10 am and 2 pm on April 6. All tours will begin at Classroom 1 in the Hospital Education Center and will be led by Kelly Tomaszewski, Community President, and Debra Bowman, Manager of Nursing Services, Emergency Department. Manistee Hospital Education Center - Classroom 1 1465 E. Parkdale Ave. Manistee, MI 49660 To register for