October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Experts recommend women with an average risk of breast cancer get an annual mammogram starting at age 40, earlier if there is a family history of premenopausal breast cancer. As healthcare professionals, it is imperative to encourage and provide the resources patients need to seek preventive care like a mammogram. 

Mission Mammogram
Did you know Grand Traverse County has the highest breast cancer incidence in Michigan? Mission Mammogram is Munson Healthcare's goal to increase preventative measures for breast cancer.  Here is what you need to know as a healthcare provider: 

3D Mammography

• Is for anyone. It is no longer just for women considered at higher risk or for women with dense breast tissue.
• Is the preferred choice for patients and radiologists when it is the patient's first mammogram.
• Nearly all insurances cover 3D mammograms. 

Mammogram Orders

• Check your EHR records and make sure you have 3D mammogram as the first/preferred choice when ordering. 
• Reference mammogram locations in the Munson Healthcare System
  • Cadillac Hospital – 3D
  • Charlevoix Hospital – 3D
  • Grayling Hospital – 3D
  • Kalkaska Memorial Health Center – 3D
  • Manistee Hospital – 3D
  • OMH Indian River - 2D
  • OMH Medical Group – Lewiston – 3D
  • Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) – 3D
  • Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital – 3D
  • Prudenville - 2D
  • Smith Family Breast Health Center in Traverse City – 3D
    

Note: On Sat., Oct. 22, Munson Healthcare is hosting a mammography screening day with limited appointments still available in Kalkaska and Grayling. 

CANCER CARE RESOURCES

MHC Cancer Care Locations

Cowell Family Cancer Center
MHC Grayling Hospital
MHC Cadillac Hospital
MHC Charlevoix Hospital
Manistee Cancer & Infusion
MHC Otsego Memorial Hospital
KMHC (chemotherapy only)

Munson Healthcare Breast Cancer Conference
When newly diagnosed with breast cancer, a patient’s case is presented to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and more to discuss and document best treatment options.

Support Services
Oncology Nurse Navigator offers personalized support to patients, families, and caregivers to ensure the best experience possible between diagnosis and treatment.

Palliative Care provides relief from symptoms and stresses of serious illness to achieve the best quality of life.

Social Work connects multiple areas of support including advance care planning, psychosocial assessment, counseling patients and caregivers, education, ancillary services, and support groups.

Scheduling Mammograms After COVID-19 Vaccination or Booster:

• Do not delay any diagnostic imaging regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. When possible, schedule screening mammogram before 1^st dose or 4-6 weeks after the second dose or booster of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• If it will push a screening mammogram more than 14 months beyond last screening mammogram, do not delay the screening mammogram.

“My goal at Munson Healthcare is to continually expand access to affordable care to the communities we serve and to bring more advanced services to our system hospitals,” expressed Branden. “We have an extraordinary and dedicated radiology team who improve lives every day. I am grateful to be a part of this remarkable team.”

Branden is married with two daughters. The oldest is a graduate of Central Michigan University, while his youngest is pursuing a degree in criminal justice. In his spare time, he enjoys paddle sports, hiking, and being outdoors.

GETTING TO KNOW

East Region General Surgery Team
Please join Munson Healthcare in welcoming our newest members of the general surgeon team in the East Region (Charlevoix, Grayling, and Otsego Memorial Hospitals). They bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to their patients and communities.

“I enjoy practicing medicine in a rural setting where I can really become part of the community. I have felt welcomed by everyone and appreciate the professional comradery among the Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital physicians." 

Phone: 989-731-7987 | Direct Trust: Lyndsay.Harden@omhmedicalgroup.directbygreenwa

Having had operations himself, he understands that surgery is an anxious time. By recognizing and knowing those fears, he desires to remove that fear of the unknown in order to draw up a clear path leading up to surgery, which can maximize short- and long-term recovery. Dr Maillefer is married with 5 grown children. He has a deep faith and enjoys mentoring, mission work, volunteering, outdoor recreation, and home improvement projects.

"Using clear words and compassionate care, I desire to partner with my patients to develop a plan of care that optimizes their physical and emotional recovery after surgery."

Phone: 231-547-2812 | Direct Trust: ROGERMAILLEFER@cah.cerner.direct.com

Dr. McKerchie enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys. She loves outdoor recreation: camping,  hiking, kayaking and the beach, mission work and spending time with family. 

“Getting to know my patients and care for them like family is something I strive to do. It is a privilege to be able to serve people during their times of need.”

Phone: 231-547-2812 | Direct Trust: EMILYMCKERCHIE@cah.cernerdirect.com

"Modern medicine offers many options to patient's; matching the proper tool to your patient can create better outcomes than ever before. I'm happy to be in a position to help my patients thrive."

Phone: 989-348-0880 | Direct Trust: PREYNOLDS2@direct.mhc.net

RESOURCES

Provider Moves
The Provider Moves webpage that lists provider moves across the Munson Healthcare system has been updated for September, 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).

Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute Press Conference
Munson Healthcare held a virtual press conference on Tuesday introducing the new Orthopedic Institute that opened recently in Traverse City. If you missed Tuesday’s virtual press conference — watch it on MHC’s Orthopedic Institute Site or YouTube. The team discussed the institute’s comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care, robotic surgery, rehabilitation, and more.
Speakers included:

• Michael VanWagner, DO, Knee and Hip Orthopedic Surgeon, Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute
• Spencer Derenzy, Executive Director of Surgical Subspecialties and Orthopedics, Munson Healthcare
• Josh Thorington, Manager of Rehabilitation Services, Mary Free Bed at Munson Healthcare

Updated Onboarding Documents
The onboarding New Provider Checklist documents have been updated for all Munson Healthcare locations. All onboarding and offboarding documents can be found on the website. 

COMMUNITY HEALTH

Principals of Motivational Interviewing Series: EXPRESS EMPATHY

There are four principals of motivational interviewing used to speak to parents and children about vaccine hesitancy - Express Empathy, Develop Discrepancy, Roll with Resistance, Support Self-efficacy.  This month, we will take a deeper dive into Express Empathy. 

Principal 1: Express Empathy
In motivational interviewing, express empathy means helping a patient explore both sides of their ambivalence through non-judgmental curiosity and careful listening. In order to express empathy, clinicians must have a sincere desire to understand a patient's experiences and motivations as they relate to the problem.

Using reflective listening is key to express empathy. Focus on repeating and rephrasing what the patient has said versus telling them what to do. Remember, the patient is the expert on themselves. In motivational interviewing, clinicians should avoid acting as an expert but rather focus on listening, understanding and guiding the conversation toward change talk. 

COVID CORNER

Pre-procedural COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required

Effective October 3, patients scheduled for an aerosol-general procedure at a Munson Healthcare Facility will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 except when:

• patient is symptomatic for COVID-19
• it is otherwise clinically indicated
• provider’s discretion (e.g., patient recently exposed to COVID-19)

For more on this policy change, watch the Sept. 28 Provider Forum with Brian McComb. 

Flu Vaccines Requirements

REMINDER: MHC-credentialed providers and MHC employees must provide proof of flu vaccination by Mon., Oct. 31. Flu vaccination clinics will be held throughout the system with some clinics offering the COVID-19 bivalent booster. A full schedule of flu vaccination clinics is available here.  You can receive your flu vaccination at your PCP's office or local pharmacy. Please provide documentation to your local hospital's Employee Health office by Oct. 31.

All flu exemptions granted for 2021-2022 flu season will be reviewed carried forward for the 2022-2023 flu season, unless there is a change in condition. Any new flu vaccination exemption requests must be submitted by Oct. 15 to Employee Health, employeehealth@mhc.net or fax 231-935-7879.

Watch the Oct. 12 provider forum with Dr. Chris Ledtke discussing the Flu Season: What to Expect This Year and The Impact of COVID-19.

REMINDERS

Munson Partners in Health Closed on Mondays

Due to staffing shortages, Munson Partners in Health Primary Care Clinic will be closed on Mondays. Patients are being notified directly of this change in service hours and the pre-recorded message will reinforce this change. The clinic will remain closed on Mondays until staffing shortages are resolved. The new hours are Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. Front desk phone services end at 4:30 pm each day. 

Contact for questions: Munson Partners in Health, 231-935-0535

2023 PROVIDER SYMPOSIUM 

January 13-14, 2023 - Grand Traverse Resort

This dynamic provider event offers two days of varied in-person CME sessions tailored to the educational needs of Munson Healthcare providers, keynote sessions with renowned medical experts, a provider reception Friday evening to develop a stronger network of colleagues, and access virtual live-streamed CME sessions that count toward Michigan licensure requirements (pain and symptom management, medical ethics, implicit bias). Registration Required

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