News Releases from GMHS

Links to full articles are in PDF format.

February 11, 2010
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) Hosts 6th Annual Day of Dance
The 6th Annual, GMHS Day of Dance for Health event will be held at Newaygo Middle School, 850 E. 76th St., Newaygo, MI on Saturday, February 27th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (doors open for registration at 9:30 a.m.).  GMHS will present a fun-filled day of dancing and heart healthy activities with the theme, “Dancing Through the Decades”. Whether young enough for Hip-Hop or old enough for the Two Step, Day of Dance will provide dancing opportunities and activities for all ages.

With heart disease the number one killer of women and men, and February being proclaimed National Heart Health Month, Day of Dance, created through the GMHS affiliation with the national Spirit of Women organization, provides the perfect blend of opportunities for education and activity.
[Read full story here]

December 2, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services Sets Sights on Improved Patient Safety and Quality for Obstetrics and ER Care
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) is now participating in recently expanded statewide patient safety collaboratives focused on protecting mothers, newborns and emergency patients. The patient safety collaboratives, coordinated by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality, are known as MHA Keystone: Emergency Room (ER) and MHA Keystone: Obstetrics (OB).
[Read full story here]

November 17, 2009
New Cataract Removal System Acquired at Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS)
Gerber Memorial Hospital recently announced the purchase of the INFINITI Vision System for cataract removal. 

The device, called a phacoemulsifier, uses ultrasonic energy to safely break up and remove the cataract through a tiny incision that rarely requires a stitch. The new system was provides greater safety and is easier to use, according to Marianne Patten, RN, MSN, Director of Surgical Services for GMHS.
[Read full story here]

September 17, 2009
Gerber Memorial Hosts Special “Girls’ Night Out”
GMHS is hosting its 4th annual, educational and entertaining evening for woman of all ages on Thursday, October 8, from 6 – 8:30 PM, at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts in Fremont, Michigan.
[Read full story here]
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August 5, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) Cancer Care Center and the American Cancer Society to Host Cancer Survivors’ Garden Party
Capping a week of celebrating 30 years of caring for, and treating, cancer patients in and around Newaygo County, the GMHS Cancer Care Center is hosting a Cancer Survivors’ Garden Brunch for all cancer survivors in the area. The Brunch will take place Saturday, August 22, from 9 AM – 11 AM on the patio at GMHS’ Tamarac, The Center for Health and Well-Being, 1401 W. Main St. in Fremont.

“Thanks to the progress made in the fight against cancer, more than 11 million people who have heard the words ‘You have cancer,’ are survivors today,” stated Kim Wernstrom, Community Program Manager for the Lakeshore area of the American Cancer Society.  “In honor of all those who have battled this disease, we are pleased to co-host the second annual Cancer Survivors’ Garden Brunch with Gerber Memorial.
[Read full story here]
[View invitation]

July 20, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services Among Those Chosen in National Project to Reduce “Rehospitalizations”
Gerber Memorial Health Services has been selected to participate in a three-state project that will seek to reduce the number of people who must be readmitted to the hospital for clinical reasons related to the initial hospitalization.

The project targets unplanned, related “rehospitalizations,” which are the admission of people who – after a hospitalization - return to the hospital for a related reason within 30 days. The pilot project, named STate Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations (STAAR), seeks to reduce - by 30 percent - the number of patients being hospitalized again while increasing patient and family satisfaction with transitions and coordination of care.
[Read full story here]

June 23, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services and Spectrum Health To Explore Affiliation
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) and Spectrum Health have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore a potential affiliation. The process to evaluate the relationship will begin immediately and continue over the next year.

“This change would formalize an established relationship that has existed between our organizations since 1987,” said Richard C. Breon, Spectrum Health president & CEO.
[Read full story here]

March 11, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services Elected To Participate In National Quality Improvement Collaborative
Aligning Forces for Quality in West Michigan announced today that Gerber Memorial Health Services has been selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to participate in a new effort to improve the quality of care in hospitals. The program, called Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB), will help nurses and other frontline staff identify, test and implement changes that will improve the quality and safety of patient care in their medical and surgical units.
[Read full story here]

March 6, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services Awarded Opens New Wound Care Clinic
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) announced today that it has opened a new Wound Clinic devoted to the assessment and treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds. The Clinic, named the Gerber Memorial Wound Clinic at Grant Medical Center will be open every Tuesday morning from 8 AM until Noon. The Clinic is now taking patient appointments.
[Read full story here]

February 19, 2009
Gerber Memorial Health Services Awarded Certification From The Joint Commision
Gerber Memorial Hospital and the GMHS Continu-Care Home Health Agency have earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality and safety, and have been granted accreditation status by the Joint Commission, a national agency that surveys health care organizations.
[Read full story here]

January 7, 2009    
Gerber Memorial Health Services Receives 3 Major Awards From National Rating Organization
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) has been notified by HealthGrades, a national ratings organization, that it has been recognized as one of only 11 hospitals in Michigan to receive the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for 2009.
[Read full story here]

December 31, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services and Tamarac, The Center for Health and Well-Being, Name Bob Springstead “Citizen of the Year
In a year of great success stories at GMHS’ Tamarac, The Center for Health and Well-Being, none compare to Bob Springstead’s: a story of courage, determination and perseverance that resulted in an amazing loss of over 160 pounds in just 12 months.

(left) Bob Springstead with his wife Terri, before his weight loss. (right) Bob, 12 months later and over a 160 pounds lighter!

[Read full story here]

November 17, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services Receives Governor’s Award and Governor’s Recognition of Excellence
Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) has received MPRO’s 2007 Governor’s Award for Improving Patient Safety and Quality of Care in the Hospital Setting. GMHS received this award for improving patient care for Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Acute MI (Heart Attack). In addition, GMHS also received the Governor’s Recognition of Excellence for being a top performer.

Several of the providers involved in quality initiatives— which resulted in receiving the Award of Excellence— pose here with the Award. L-R: Carl Tuuk, RN, Surgery; Jennifer McAlister, MD; Ted VanderKooi, MD; Marianne Patten, Director of Outpatient Services; Doug Johnson, MD; Jim Patenge, DO; Jim Bender, DPM

[Read full story here]
 
October 28, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services Provides Free Care, Targeted Outreach Programs
Gerber Memorial Health Services provided $13,722,079 in community benefits programs such as free and discounted health screenings, prescription drugs, free clinics, health fairs, counseling and direct patient care to Newaygo County residents in fiscal year 2007.
[Read full story here]

July 18, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services Recognized for Fighting Cancer on Multiple Fronts
Gerber Memorial Health Services will be honored in August by the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Inc. with a Five Star Community Investor Award and a Five Star Investor Award. This award recognizes the Hospital for its work in the fight against cancer.
[Read full story here]

July 15, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services announces new president and CEO
Randall J. Stasik has been named the new President and CEO of Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS). Stasik replaces Ned B. Hughes, Jr., who will retire from GMHS on August 1, after 23 years as the organization's president and CEO.
[Read full story here]

July 8, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services President to Retire
After 23 years of successfully guiding the Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) organization, Ned B. Hughes, Jr. has announced his retirement, effective August 1, 2008.
[Read full story here]

June 27, 2008
Gerber Memorial Health Services President Receives Top Honor
Ned Hughes Jr., president, Gerber Memorial Health Services, Fremont, yesterday received the Meritorious Service Award from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA).
[Read full story here]

March 21, 2008
GMHS Awarded 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan
The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) agrees with GMHS employees that Gerber Memorial is one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in West Michigan.
[Read full story here]

February 15, 2008
Michigan Hospital Inform
The Michigan Hospital Association (MHA) , of which Gerber Memorial is a member, has launched a groundbreaking program to reduce medical errors and improve the quality of patient care. The link to the MIHospitalInform web site will give you access to information on the charges for services and quality information on all Michigan hospitals which are members of MHA. This information comes to you free of charge.
[Read full story here]