Health and Wellness

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting an uptick in flu-like illness and other viruses. Agency health officer Rebecca Burns said the tri-county health department during February saw an increase in respiratory illnesses and gastro-intestinal illnesses, as well as other communicable diseases. According to Kim Wilhelm, prevention services director, it is typical for flu to peak in February and …

A federal grant in excess of $900,000 was awarded this week to support funding of a new health clinic for low-income and indigent St. Joseph County residents. Monte Bordner, chair of the Covered Bridge Healthcare of St. Joseph County board, said the $910,000 grant will allow the agency to continue services it offered under the name St. Joseph County Health …

State health officials say they have identified a cluster of tampon-associated cases of toxic shock syndrome in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that five cases have been reported since December. None were fatal. The past 10 years averaged fewer than four reported cases annually. The agency says toxic shock is a rare but serious …

State health officials have confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in Michigan. The state says Wednesday that an Ingham County woman contracted the virus while traveling in a country where it is transmitted and experienced symptoms consistent with the disease after returning to Michigan. Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes, and …

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced 121 new participants – representing 49 states and the District of Columbia – in an innovative initiative – Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) – designed to improve the care patients receive in the health care system and lowers costs.Three Rivers Health was selected as one of 100 new Medicare Shared …

Tampons would be exempt from the state sales tax under legislation introduced in the Michigan House.  State Representative Sarah Roberts is sponsoring the measure and says feminine hygiene products are necessary items for women – and other necessary items such as prescriptions are exempt – so why not add tampons to the list. She says, on average, a woman will …

Three Rivers Health is proud to announce the addition of Anil Patel, M.D., to the Three Rivers Health Family Medicine team. Dr. Patel will begin seeing patients March 1 at the Three Rivers Health Center for Family Medicine, located at 850 S. Health Parkway. Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College. He completed his internship at …

A group of 11 people have appealed their firings by the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital over the treatment of a patient. State of Michigan Freedom of Information Act assistant coordinator Rick Hamm tells the Kalamazoo Gazette in a FOIA request that the ex-employees are waiting to have their cases heard. An investigation found dozens of staff members either abused the patient …

About 700 letters for patients of a Kalamazoo hospital have been sent to the wrong addresses. MLive.com reports Friday that the letters were meant for Borgess Rheumatology patients. They were mailed Dec. 9. The mistake was discovered the following day. Hospital officials said steps were taken to contact patients and retrieve the letters. The information in the letters was limited …

A former Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital worker who was among those fired last year following an investigation into abuse of a patient is getting his job back. George White is scheduled to return to work Feb. 16 after he completes training that gives more guidance about how to handle violent patients. White appealed his firing, saying he was wrongfully discharged. He …