Jan 2025 Community E-Newsletter

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Please Pardon Our Digital Dust!

This past weekend, Munson Healthcare teams worked hard to successfully go live with one patient electronic health record system. This unifies all our facilities under one set of records which will allow for a more seamless experience for our patients.

Like with any big change, we are working through a few temporary hiccups this week. If you are visiting any of our facilities soon, we ask for your patience as you may face some brief delays. Thank you and stay warm!

—The Munson Healthcare Team

Living with Pain? Find Relief

Is chronic pain getting on your last nerve? Get answers and find relief with Munson’s anesthesia pain experts. The Munson Neurosciences Team is committed to your chronic spine and nerve pain using leading-edge procedures including:

Spinal epidural steroid injections | Spinal nerve blocks | iovera® knee injections |
Trigger point injections | Radiofrequency ablation for arthritis, back, neck, and joint pain

The pain experts at Munson Neurosciences are accepting new patients. Click below to schedule via phone – or call 231-935-8540 – and be seen within two weeks.

Call to Schedule

On the Rise: Viral Infections

Winter is in full force, bringing viral illnesses like the flu, RSV, and Norovirus to our region. While many infections are treatable at home with plenty of rest and fluids, more severe symptoms should be seen by your family provider or urgent care – and in some cases, your nearest emergency department. Depending on the virus, more severe (but non-emergency) symptoms can be treated with medication to speed up healing and prevent more serious complications.

Learn more about the most common viral infections affecting people at this time, including prevention and at-home care tips and when you should seek medical care.

Common Winter Viral Infections

Early Detection for Cervical Health

Cervical cancer impacts thousands of women each year and prevention and early detection is key.

“Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. When diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 91 percent,” says Dr. Stephanie Fitzgerald, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with Munson's Manistee OB/GYN.

Talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling important exams and routine screenings, including your annual well-woman exam.

Women's Health Services at Munson

Munson Donates $100,000 to Safe Harbor
Emergency Shelter & Resource Center

Earlier this month, we committed to donating $100,000 over the next two years to Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, which provides food and shelter to nearly 300 people from October to April each year. Starting this year, a two-year pilot program, funded in part by our gift, will support Safe Harbor's operation year-round. This contribution is part of our broader effort to support people experiencing homelessness in our region.

“Secure housing is a significant social determinant of health, and as the largest health system in Northern Michigan, we feel strongly about supporting overall public health and Safe Harbor in this important work,” says Munson CEO and President Ed Ness.

To learn more about the community organizations and programs we proudly support, click below.

Our Commitment Runs Deep

Justine Pearl, MD, Is Committed to Genuine Care

“When I was younger, I dreamed of being the quintessential ‘small-town doctor’ who took care of everyone. Years later, as I discovered my passion for neurosurgery, I sadly realized there was no such thing as a 'small-town neurosurgeon.’ However, at Munson, I can care for a special community of people and provide them with the absolute highest standard of care.

Offering world-class neurosurgical care to our Up North community is incredibly unique and one of the best parts of being at Munson. I am so grateful and proud that our talented team can spare patients the stress of travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and added expense by handling even the most complex neurosurgical diagnoses right here, at their home hospital, where they belong.”