Hospital Main Entrance Open Again, but Construction Continues on McLaren Flint Campus


McLaren Flint's main entrance off Ballenger Highway is once again open to all patients and visitors. This means the departments temporarily located on 2 South are now seeing patients in their normal locations, like Patient Access on 1 Central.

This also means the hospital's visitor parking ramp is again accessible from the main entrance. Valet parking remains available to patients and visitors as well. Please note construction at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint and Proton Therapy Center is still underway. 

PULSE HEADLINES

McLaren Health Care Earns Systemwide Improvement in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades


McLaren Health Care, with 13 hospitals and multiple care campuses throughout the state, has earned substantial improvement across its system following the release of the Fall 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, a national distinction that recognizes the hospital system's achievements in protecting patients from harm while providing safe, compassionate health care. McLaren Flint improved, earning a grade of B.


"This improvement is a testament to the culture building within our organization, one established on quality care and dedication to our patients," said McLaren Flint President and CEO Chris Candela. "We are incredibly grateful to all of you for your focus and hard work in making this accomplishment possible."


Nearly all McLaren hospitals throughout Michigan improved their letter grades over their Spring 2024 Leapfrog release. Read more here.

Leo Cancer Care Visits for Video Featuring McLaren Staff

New Video Showcases Exciting Innovation Coming to McLaren Proton Therapy Center


In October, representatives from Leo Cancer Care visited the McLaren Proton Therapy Center to shoot a video about the progress of a major project at the center. Construction is nearly complete on one of the new rooms at the center that will house Leo's upright technology which will allow patients to be seated, rather than lying down during treatments. Hear from McLaren team members in this video.

Lung Nodule Program Coming in 2025


The care of pulmonary patients will be enhanced with the start of the New Year. Team members from McLaren Flint's executive leadership, business development, pulmonology, oncology, and thoracic surgery are currently finalizing processes and procedures for an early 2025 program launch. The program will include a nurse navigator who will be located in the hospital. Watch your email for a message with details, referral information, and much more coming soon.

McLaren Stroke Network Active in Clinical Trial That Updated Care Guidelines, Other Published Trials


The McLaren Stroke Network, with programs at multiple McLaren Health Care hospitals throughout the state including McLaren Flint, has further enhanced its profile as a leader in the care of stroke with its active participation in the EMBOLISE clinical trial, which was recently published in the prestigious and highly influential New England Journal of Medicine and will set a new standard of care for a life-threatening, emergency condition.

Learn more here.


Internal Medicine Residency Faculty's Article Published

in Journal of Graduate Medical Education


Three McLaren Flint Internal Medicine Residency Program faculty weighed in following an annual Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) survey resulting in their article being published in the Journal for Graduate Medical Education's December 2024 publication. The article "Non-Teaching Service Versus the Non-Teaching Patient" was authored by Parul Sud, MD; Halina Kusz, MD; and Molly Gabriel-Champine, PhD, LP. You can read their insights here.

Orthopedic Program in the Spotlight


McLaren Flint is currently running a marketing campaign for our comprehensive orthopedics program. The theme of the messages is “Get Back to What Moves You.” Information about services and providers can be found at mclaren.org/flintorthopedics. The campaign which began in November will run through January. Read more about our advanced knee and hip replacement technology here.

Important Medical Library Update


Changes are coming to the medical library. EBSCO will update its discovery tool and host databases effective January 7. For instructions to help you navigate these changes, and contact information for your librarian, click here.

MS Clinic Adds Patient Nurse Navigator


The McLaren Flint Multiple Sclerosis and Central Nervous System Immune Clinic has a new team member. Rebekah Nelson, RN is now at the clinic in the role of patient nurse navigator. When not at the clinic Rebekah serves in a leadership role in McLaren Flint's outpatient IV therapy clinic. Information about this specialty clinic can be found here.


New Medical Oncologist Joins KCI Flint Staff

The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint is pleased to welcome Medical Oncologist Vatsala Katragadda, MD. She is board-certified in medical oncology and brings nearly 20 years of experience to the team.

 

“I have a deep desire to change the course of the disease for patients with cancer,” Dr. Katragadda said. “Cure where possible and when a cure is not possible to extend and improve the quality of life remaining and provide effective relief of suffering and symptoms. This was my motivation for considering a career in Oncology.”  

 

After graduating from Guntur Medical College in India, Dr. Katragadda completed her internal medicine residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, MI. She went on to complete a medical oncology fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. Dr. Katragadda has spent her entire career in Michigan.

 


New Radiation Oncologist Joins KCI Flint and Proton Teams


Dr. Brooke Spencer is now seeing both radiation oncology and proton therapy patients. Dr. Spencer completed her radiation oncology residency at Karmanos Cancer Institute through Wayne State University. She earned her medical degree at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. 

McLaren Flint Welcomes Primary Care Physicians




Romy Bhagat, MD


Dr. Bhagat is a board-certified family practice specialist who is now caring for patients at the McLaren Flint-Davison Community Medical Center.





Kosta Vergos, DO


Dr. Vergos is a family medicine provider who is now caring for patients at the McLaren Flint Community Medical Center.

Physician of the Fourth Quarter Dr. Shagufta Ali


Congratulations to McLaren Flint's Physician of the Fourth Quarter, Dr. Shagufta Ali. Dr. Ali, a longtime member of our staff, specializes in infectious diseases. Previously a primary care provider, Dr. Ali recognized a need in Flint and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases. Colleagues praise her dedication and work ethic.


“Dr. Ali is one of the most engaged providers I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 30 years of my career," said Dr. Ali's nominator. "Dr. Ali is the always "yes" provider making her EASY to work with both as a leader and a member of the care team. Dr. Ali has been committed to our residency her entire career. She serves to teach our young future providers in a kind, gentle way making the environment safe for them to succeed.”

Allied Health Provider of the Fourth Quarter


McLaren Flint is pleased to announce its Allied Health Provider of the Fourth Quarter, Daniel Clark, NP. Daniel is a nurse practitioner in neurosciences. The quality care Daniel provides his neurocritical and stroke patients has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues.


"Dan is always ready to provide support to staff, families, and the patient," said Dan's nominator. "His ability to educate patients and families is so valuable during stressful times. His calm demeanor and always being willing to go the extra mile for his patients and team is so appreciated.”

WELCOME NEW PROVIDERS TO THE MEDICAL STAFF

Muhammad Ahmad, MD

Sajjad Gul, MD

Nathan Mollberg, DO

Shihab Rabh, MD

Pauline Aquino, MD

Rommel Aquino, MD

Leyda Su Ham, DO

Hani Al Halabi, MD

Lauren Beghtol, DO

David Pyatt II, DO

Christine Wade, MD

Satyajit Marawar, MD

Christopher Corbin, PsyD

Randall Raziano, MD

Sri Vibhavari Guntupalli, MD

Wasia Siddiqui, PA

Cole Szakal, PA

Nagabindhu Sri Aravapalli, MD

Vatsala Katragadda, MD

Peter I. Rossi, MD

Ahmed Aldabdob, MD

Kostadinos Vergos, DO

Khaleel I. Al-Obaidy, MD

Fatimah I. Alruwaii, MD

Ali M. Gabali, MD

Elly Landolfi, MD

Robert J. McDonald, DO

John P. LaGrand, MD

Diana L. Novak, MD

Sandra O. Kolapo, NP

Kim Horn, MD

Alyssa Goldbach, DO

Ali Khan, MD

Anwar Zaitoun, MD

Amy Zimmerman, NP

Matthew Marquart, DO

Mehboob Fatteh, MD

Akanksha Gupta, MD

Nikhil Mohan, DO

Nabeel Dar, MD

Maria Kotarska, MD

Shyla Penaroza, MD

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Radiation Oncology

OB/GYN

OB/GYN

OB/GYN

Orthopedic Surgery/Spine

Psychology

Radiology

Nephrology

Physician Asst./Internal Medicine

Physician Assistant/Cardiology

Internal Medicine

Hematology/Oncology

Thoracic Surgery

Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

OB/GYN

OB/GYN

Psychiatry

Psychiatry

TeleRadiology

Internal Medicine

Cardiology

Nurse Practitioner/Internal Med

Orthopedic Surgery

Pathology

Pathology

Emergency Medicine

TeleRadiology

TeleRadiology

TeleRadiology

PHYSICIAN AND ALLIED HEALTH PROVIDER RECOGNITION

Do you have a physician or allied health provider in mind to nominate for the next Physician or Allied Health Provider of the Quarter Award?

As a reminder, nominees must:

  • Be a current member of the McLaren Flint medical staff for at least one year.
  • Demonstrate compassion and concern for patients and staff.
  • Have a cooperative attitude toward patients, colleagues, and staff.
  • Strive for constituent quality outcomes.
  • Display leadership and support to the organization.



Allied Health Providers include: PA/NP/CRNA/CNM/PhD/PsyD


To nominate a physician or allied health professional, please use the form accessible at the link below.


DOWNLOAD THE NOMINATION FORM

GRATEFUL PATIENTS

Below is feedback regarding care from patients at McLaren Flint. This feedback is shared on returned surveys, through online reviews, or during a post-discharge call.


Outpatient Surgery- "Dr. Mark Mattingly is the best colorectal doc I know. Best hospital experience by far. All the nurses were so amazing."


Outpatient Surgery- "Dr. Ahmed Abdullah is amazing and caring and he really knows his stuff."


Fenton ER- "Dr. Morrison was very good. I was pleased with her being very thorough and ordering the appropriate testing. She took the time to listen and explain answers to our questions."


ER Flint- “Dr. Walid was amazing. He had a great bedside manner, listened to my concerns, and helped me fully understand what he felt was going on with me that day. I wish he was a primary doctor instead of an ER doctor. That's how much my husband and I liked him. 10/10!”



Google Review- "Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint Dr. Scott Kizy is a fantastic surgical oncologist! I would recommend him to anyone!"


5-Star Google Review- "Dr. Belal Tarakji fixed my shoulder up nicely. He is my hero!"

MEDICAL STAFF UPDATES

THE FOLLOWING PROVIDERS ARE NO LONGER ON THE MEDICAL STAFF AT McLAREN FLINT

Chester Wilson, MD

Amy Combs, CRNA

Cheri Mys, DO

May Ghalib, MD

Rebecca Pratiti, MD

Adnan Aldurah, MD

Craig Cordeiro, CRNA

Julie Climie, CRNA

Deborah Oxford, CRNA

Shrey Patel, MD

Mahmoud Shaqfeh, MD

Lafi Khalil, MD

Dennis Spender, MD

Khushi Nagori, MD

Doina David, MD

Weimin Liu, MD

Oumaima Chaib, MD

Majd Jundi, MD

Eugene Olsowka, MD

Shane Starr, MD

Ronald Lowe, DPM

Kevin Cuccinelli, MD

Amy Lewis, NP

Yitzchok Greenberg, MD

Robert Maccani, DO

Pratap Aravapalli, MD

Kimberly Carpenter, CRNA

Caroline Mathew, MD

Shereaf Walid, MD

Anne Cloherty, CRNA

Renee Patsy, DO

Robert Olson, CRNA

Samir Fuleihan, MD

Richard Rivard, CRNA

Robert Modes, DO

Terri VanHurk, CNRA

Maggie Cusack, PA

Mark Roy, CRNA

Brian Maynard, CRNA

Brian Shue, CRNA

Haroon Ahmed, MD

Radiation Oncology

CRNA/Anesthesiology

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

CRNA/Anesthesiology

CRNA/Anesthesiology

CRNA/Anesthesiology

Thoracic Surgery

Internal Medicine/Neurology

Orthopedic Surgery

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Podiatry

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine/Cardiology

Surgery/Plastic Surgery

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Internal Medicine

Emergency Medicine

Anesthesiology

Emergency Medicine

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Emergency Medicine

Anesthesiology

Emergency Medicine

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology

Emergency Medicine

OBSERVANCES

January

  • Jan 1 New Year's Day
  • Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas
  • Jan 12 National Pharmacist Day
  • Jan 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Cervical Health Awareness Month
  • National Blood Donor Month
  • Thyroid Awareness Month
  • Dry January
  • Veganuary


February

  • Feb 1 National Freedom Day
  • Feb 2 Groundhog Day
  • Feb 13 Fat Tuesday
  • Feb 14 Valentine's Day
  • Feb 14 Ash Wednesday
  • Feb 17 Presidents' Day
  • American Heart Month
  • Black History Month
  • National Cancer Prevention Month

Do you have information you would like to share in the next edition of PULSE?

We'd like to hear about your latest news: awards, recognition, presentations, upcoming conferences and seminars, and any other information that you feel may be relevant to McLaren Flint medical staff.


Submit your news to flintmarketing@mclaren.org.

McLaren Flint Marketing | 810-342-4475 | flintmarketing@mclaren.org | mclaren.org/flint
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