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September 2022

Update on Anesthesia Services at Munson Healthcare Sites

In response to Traverse Anesthesia Associates (TAA) notifying Munson Healthcare (MHC) that they will no longer operate as part of PhyMed Healthcare Group, effective mid-September, MHC is now employing anesthesia providers (physicians, CRNAs, CAAs)  at the following sites: Copper Ridge Surgery Center (CRSC), Kalkaska Memorial Health Center (KMHC), Manistee Hospital, Munson Medical Center (MMC), and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital (POMH). MHC also employs anesthesia providers at Cadillac Hospital, Charlevoix Hospital, and Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH).

We’re happy to report that as of September 12, a total of 24 physicians, 22 CRNAs, and 1 CAA are in the process of being hired and onboarded into Munson Medical Group. We are excited to have them join our team and are also continuing to recruit internally and externally for the CRNA and CAA positions posted to our Munson Healthcare Provider Recruitment website.

Neurosurgery Team Enhances Stroke and Neurointerventional Care

Two years ago, Munson Healthcare launched its Stroke Neuro-Endovascular Program. The implementation of this advanced stroke program has significantly decreased the number of patients transferring out of the region, allowing patients to receive care closer to home. 

The award-winning Stroke program provides advanced minimally-invasive surgical procedures removing the blockage causing a stroke using one of the two ARTIS icono Biplane Imaging units at Munson Medical Center. This technology utilizes two rotating cameras to produce highly-detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue, and blood flow in real-time to locate blockages and identify aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. By combining diagnosis and treatment into one procedure, precious time is being saved which can make all the difference in recovery for patients with acute stroke. Treating an average of 160 patients with minimally invasive surgical interventions annually, the stroke team is ready to meet the healthcare needs of our region.

In addition to stroke, our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients with aneurysms, cerebrovascular conditions, spine conditions, ENT conditions, and more. 

To refer a patient, please call 231-392-0640 or fax 231-392-0643.

Meet The Physicians
Accepting New Patients

Gary Rajah, MD, Endovascular Stroke Program Director
Dr. Gary Rajah has led the Endovascular Stroke Program since its inception in 2020 and continues to make strides toward a hospital goal of becoming a recognized comprehensive stroke center. Dr. Rajah has special interests in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, endovascular neurosurgery including stroke thrombectomy, aneurysm coiling, and skull-base neurosurgery.
Learn more about Dr. Gary Rajah

David Rosenbaum-HaLevi, MD
Dr. David Rosenbaum-HaLevi joined MMC in 2022 and has special interests in acute stroke intervention, cerebral aneurysms, carotid disease, complex cerebrovascular disease malformations, brain/ENT, tumor embolization, spinal vascular disease, and minimally invasive spine treatment. “Recent advances in technology allow us to treat and often cure medical conditions that could be otherwise devastating. I am excited to be part of this rapidly evolving specialty and consider myself fortunate to be able to provide this care to my patients.”
Learn more about Dr. David Rosenbaum-HaLevi

GETTING TO KNOW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Moving Beyond Crisis
Munson Healthcare Behavioral Health Services

Mental health is a crucial part of every person’s well-being. The increased number of individuals experiencing behavioral health concerns, such as mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) conditions, has prompted Munson Healthcare (MHC) and community partners to simplify access and expand the variety behavioral health services available. 

“Access to behavioral health services varies per county and can be challenging,” expressed Terri Lacroix-Kelty, Director of Behavioral Health at Munson Medical Center. “That is why we are moving into an integrated care approach with hopes for a person to get both behavioral and physical healthcare without barriers.”

Part of a more integrated approach to care includes partnering with community organizations to expand services. For example, there is a collaborative effort to create a Grand Traverse Community Mental Wellness Center to help those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Another resource is the CHIR Community Connections for local services. In addition, MHC added a day of intensive outpatient substance use disorder program at MMC Outpatient Behavioral Health to extend treatment options. As services continue to expand, the healthcare community should have key conversations or motivational interviews with patients, work to reduce stigma, and help make connections to treatment.

“The goal is to move beyond the crisis and into prevention and quick intervention,” said Lacroix-Kelty.

Munson Healthcare Behavioral Health Resources
Outpatient Clinics all locations offer hybrid services (face-to-face and/or virtual)
  • Traverse City | Referrals by Fax: 231-935-6920 | Phone: 231-935- 6382
  • Grayling | Referrals by Phone 989-348-0550 
    • Individual mental health therapy

  • Charlevoix | Referrals by Fax 231-392-7335 | Phone 231-547-8860 
    • Dale Owen, MD, Psychiatry
      • Psychiatric evaluation
      • Psychiatric medication review
      • Sees patients ages 18 and older
    • Michael Lucido, PhD, Psychology
      • Psychological and neuropsychological evaluations; including autism spectrum disorder, neurocognitive disorders, ADHD, and intellectual disability
      • Individual mental health therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy, eye-movement desensitization reprocessing therapy, cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, parent training and behavioral modification, and motivational interviewing
      • Sees patients ages 3 and up

  • Cadillac | Referrals by Fax 231-876-6299 | Phone 231-876-6200 
    • Individual mental health therapy

Emergency Departments / Inpatient

  • Munson Medical Center
    • Medication Assisted Treatment to assist in managing symptoms to support Opioid Use Disorder
    • D6 Inpatient Psychiatric Unit – 17 bed adult psychiatric unit
    • Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
    • Central Access Behavioral Health Crisis Team to cover the Emergency Department and hospital 24-7
    • Partial Hospital Program for primary mental health and co-occurring health concerns (e.g., mental health and SUD)
  • Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital and Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital
    • Medication Assisted Treatment to assist in managing symptoms  to support Opioid Use Disorder - Beginning Fall 2022
  • All Munson Healthcare hospitals
    • Take home Narcan distribution program to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. 

Provider Moves
The Provider Moves webpage that lists provider moves across the Munson Healthcare system has been updated for August, including new, location changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

COVID CORNER

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

Most individuals who are 12 years of age and older should receive a 2-dose primary series separated by 3-8 weeks. Individuals who are 12 years of age and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a 2-dose series; the 1st and 2nd doses are separated by 3 weeks. A booster dose using any COVID-19 vaccine is not authorized for those who receive a Novavax primary series.

For information on the use, efficacy, and safety of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, watch the Aug. 17 Provider Forum with Dr. Nick Torney. Slides are available here.

Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters

There are new booster recommendation for ages 12 and older to receive 1 bivalent mRNA booster after completion of a monovalent primary series, replacing all prior booster recommendations for this age group. The bivalent vaccines (a.k.a., updated boosters) contain 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) components of SARS-CoV-2 virus, 1 of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the other 1 in common between the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

  • Moderna: Ages 18 and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least 2 months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Pfizer: Ages 12 and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least 2 months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Monovalent mRNA (Moderna, Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccines are NO LONGER authorized for use as boosters in individuals ages 12 and older.
  • At-A-Glance COVID-19 Vaccination Schedules

This is the first time in the pandemic that the vaccine is matched to the currently circulating strains of COVID-19. Bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is currently available for inpatient administration. MHC ambulatory clinics will be able to administer in the coming weeks.

For more information on the bivalent COVID boosters, watch the Aug. 31 and Sept. 14 Provider Forum with Dr. Chris Ledtke.

REMINDERS

Regional Radiology Scheduling 

Please ensure you have the correct phone numbers for patients scheduling MHC radiology services. 

  • Cadillac Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Munson Medical Center, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital: call 231-935-7200 or 800-968-9292
  • Charlevoix Hospital, call 231-547-8801
  • Manistee Hospital, call 231-398-1114
  • Otsego Memorial Hospital, call 989-731-2100

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Breastfeeding Education 

"Building Bridges" Sessions - Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Zoom class with Live instructors targeting nurses, providers, and office staff who would like to learn more about how to help breastfeeding mothers and babies.
Print Flyer      Learn More/Register

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Munson Healthcare will have additional screening mammogram appointments available on Saturday, October 22 from 8 am - noon (unless otherwise noted) in the following locations:

  • Cadillac | Cadillac Hospital
  • Charlevoix | Charlevoix Hospital
  • Frankfort | Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital
  • Gaylord | Otsego Memorial Hospital
  • Grayling | Grayling Hospital
  • Kalkaska | Kalkaska Memorial Health Center | 1:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Manistee | Manistee Hospital
  • Traverse City | Munson Medical Center's Smith Family Breast Health Center

 

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