McLaren Flint Heart Program Among the First to Offer Three Advanced Treatments

The most recent "FIRST" took place on June 3, when Dr. Mustafa Hassan and staff became the first in Mid-Michigan to use the FARAPULSE™ Pulse Field Ablation System (PFA), a unique and advanced technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), also known as AFib, a leading cause of stroke.

An alternative to the traditional approach, FARAPULSE uses non-thermal electrical pulses to ablate the damaged tissue while avoiding damage to surrounding structures.

Further details can be found here.

PULSE HEADLINES

McLaren Flint Honors Graduating Residents and Fellows and Readies for New Physicians

FDA Approval Brings McLaren Proton Therapy Center One Step Closer to Offering New Treatment

Pictured l to r: Vahagn Nazaryan, Executive Director McLaren Proton Therapy Center; Leo Cancer Care treatment chair; Stephanie Angell, Radiation Therapist.

The Food and Drug Administration's 510(k) regulatory clearance of Leo Cancer Care's Eve upright patient positioning system further reassures that McLaren Proton Therapy Center is on the right path in a development project partnership with Leo.

Front Entry Construction at Karmanos and McLaren Flint

Construction on both the McLaren Flint and Karmanos Cancer Institute main entrances will impact how patients get around both buildings.

Signage on the campus directs them where to go to park and enter the buildings. 

The McLaren Flint website has information about both Valet parking and the free shuttle van options for patients and visitors here.

McLaren Health Plan Chosen to Provide Medicaid Benefits Statewide

McLaren Health Plan is approved to offer health care benefits to Medicaid beneficiaries in every county in Michigan’s lower peninsula. It is the only health plan in Michigan with this designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

“I am delighted McLaren Health Plan has the opportunity to serve members – and prospective members – in every county in the lower peninsula of Michigan,” said Nancy Jenkins, president and CEO. “Our team has worked tirelessly to embrace the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare throughout our great state and to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries get the care and service they need and deserve. The awarding of this contract extends the 25-year commitment McLaren Health Plan has with MDHHS and enrollees in the State of Michigan.”

Bidding plans were scored based on established measures, including access to care, provider engagement, population health management, data analysis, quality improvements, partnerships and community collaboration, and payment reform.

The contract will be effective October 1 for a term of five years, with up to three, one-year extensions.

McLaren Flint Names Physician of the Second Quarter

Congratulations to Dr. Theresa Cooley, McLaren Flint's Physician of the Quarter. She was recognized in front of her peers on May 9.

Dr. Cooley has been a specialist in the McLaren Flint Emergency Department since 2012. During her time with the hospital, Dr. Cooley has covered half of the night shifts each month and is known as the Midnight Doc Anchor. She also occasionally works shifts in the Fenton ED. 

"Dr. Cooley qualifies for this prestigious award as she is a dynamic doctor, a true leader, and an integral part of our Emergency Department's success," said Dr. Cooley's nominator. "She always finds time to involve the staff in looking at radiology findings and explaining laboratory results, which leads to a better understanding of patient care decisions. She also helps make the night shift a little less stressful for everyone. It is not uncommon for her to stay after her shift is over to assure all her patients and their families are up to date." 

Haley Reulbach, NP Named Allied Health Provider of the Second Quarter

Congratulations, Haley Reulbach, NP, McLaren Flint's Allied Health Provider of the Second Quarter. Haley works in surgical oncology at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint. Her nominator noted Haley's positive impact on colleagues and on the patients in her care and their families.

“Haley always comes to work happy and positive. She never complains no matter how hard the day is," Haley's nominator said. "She’s always happy to help Dr. Kizy, Dr. Wallbillich, and Dr. Mize, on top of her work duties with Dr. Oyasiji. She goes above and beyond to care for cancer patient, giving them extra time, phone calls, coordination, etc. A million stars to her!” 

Reminder: Vendor Credentialing Policy Updated in April

As a reminder, McLaren Health Care updated its systemwide vendor credentialing policy to further ensure the safety and security of everyone in our facilities and to track whether we are using the most appropriate supplies, pharmaceuticals, and devices for our patients.

The function that had allowed outside vendors and reps to check in via their mobile devices is discontinued. In an April 12 email, we asked for your support in ensuring reps follow the updated process:

1. Check-in for the appointment at a kiosk.
2. Print a paper badge via the kiosk printer. (Badges cannot be reused for subsequent visits.)
3. Wear the paper badge for the duration of their appointment window.
4. Check out at a kiosk.

Any vendor found to be without a paper badge or reusing a badge from a previous appointment will be asked to leave and subject to disciplinary action.

Vendors were previously notified of this update via email, and we thank you for your assistance in ensuring their compliance with this process.

RNs Honored During Hospital and Nurses Week Celebration

Nursing excellence awards are a Hospital and Nurses Week tradition. This year's Margaret McLaren Nursing Excellence Award went to Vanessa Whipple, RN, Cardiac Stepdown Unit.

Nursing Excellence award winners are nominated by their peers, and Vanessa's nominators call her an RN who goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care for her patients. They also say they can rely on Vanessa when they have questions, especially in difficult situations.

Congratulations also go out to Kelly Jakubik, RN, ICU Nurse Manager, who received the DAISY Leadership Award.

This award recognizes those who do not work in direct patient care, but who create a compassionate, skillful environment for care. Nominators call Kelly reliable, good-hearted, and knowledgeable, and say she makes the unit a rewarding place to work.

WELCOME NEW PROVIDERS TO THE MEDICAL STAFF

Lisa Bentley, NP

Venu Vadlamudi, MD

Amanda Wiant, MD

Mohammed A. Hussain, MD

Robert W. Schulz, DO

Ryan A. Nelson, DO

Erika E. DeGayner, DO

Alexandra Jurenka, NP

Erin R. Rohlfing, PA

Mohammad A. Jondy, MD

Lori M. Burke, MD

Jennifer T. Hoffman, MD

Mohamed A. Khedr, MD

Adam Kuz, CRNA

Andrew J. Martin, MD

Alison Ralston, MD

Binu Malhotra, MD

Mohammad A. Khalid, MD

Asma Haydar, NP

Michelle Bez, DO

Cheryl L. Zilinski, CRNA

Urology

TeleRadiology

TeleRadiology

Radiation Oncology

Emergency Medicine

Orthopedic Surgery

Gastroenterology

Endocrinology

Internal Medicine

Family Med/Sports Med

OB/GYN

OB/GYN

OB/GYN

Cert. Reg. Anesthetist

TeleRadiology

Emergency Medicine

Hematology & Oncology

TeleRadiology

Nurse Practitioner/Family Med

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Cert. Reg. Anesthetist

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 Endoscopy- "All McLaren staff who assisted me from check-in to preparing me for my procedure and after were above excellent. All made me feel cared for and a priority. Thank you, McLaren staff and Dr. Mamoon Elbedawi! You all are amazing and appreciated!"

Facebook- "We really like Dr. Morgan Miller. She is very caring and knowledgeable."

Facebook- "Dr. Arvind Kunadi is the best! He took great care of my husband, Ray."

Facebook- "Dr. Gregory Forstall is a great doctor. He saved my husband's life."

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

Mark Barton, MD

Divyakant Gandhi, MD

Josephine Bello, MD

Paul Musson, MD

Adbulkader Razzak, MD

Pankaj Vakharia, MD

Randolph Schumacher, MD

Joe Danko, NP

Jessica R. Samuelson, NP

Riad Al Natour, MD

Jenny Dudley, NP

Tracie Henline, NP

Julie Widzinski, NP

Teri Kinney, NP

Kristi Wilson, NP

Jacob Jewell, NP

Radiology

Thoracic Surgery

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Surgery/Neurosurgery

Surgery/Neurosurgery

Internal Medicine

Cardiology

Emergency Medicine

Surgery/Neurosurgery

Surgery/Thoracic Surgery

Surgery

Surgery/Neurosurgery

June

• June 19 World Sickle Cell Day
• June 19 Juneteenth
• June 20 Summer begins
• June 27 National HIV Testing Day
• June 10-June 16 Men's Health Awareness Week
• June 25-July 1 Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week
• Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
• Men's Health Month
• Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
• PTSD Awareness Month
• Scleroderma Awareness Month

July

• July 4 Independence Day
• July 28 World Hepatitis Day
• Cord Blood Awareness Month
• Group B Strep Awareness Month
• Healthy Vision Month
• Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
• National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
• Sarcoma Awareness Month
• UV Safety Month

August

• Aug 1 World Lung Cancer Day
• Aug 31 International Overdose Awareness Day
• Aug 1- Aug 7 World Breastfeeding Week
• Aug 4- Aug 10 National Health Center Week
• Aug 12- Aug 18 OSHA's Safe and Sound Week
• Aug 18- Aug 24 Contact Lens Health Week
• National Breastfeeding Month
• Gastroparesis Awareness Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• Psoriasis Action Month
• Children's Eye Health and Safety 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.