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Grace Health Receives RetinaVue from Molina Healthcare of Michigan

By Health Care News

 

Molina Healthcare of Michigan recently provided a RetinaVue 700 Imager to Grace Health which will be used for patients with diabetes.  The RetinaVue is a smart camera that is specifically designed to take high resolution images of the eye and retina.  Once the image is taken, it will be sent to a retinal specialist to determine if the patient has healthy vision or diabetic retinopathy.

By having a RetinaVue, Grace Health will be able to provide care for patients with diabetes who are not up to date on their diabetic vision exam.  Although having a diabetic eye exam with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is always the best option for a patient with diabetes, often there are barriers for patients which make it difficult for them to make it to these appointments.  With the RetinaVue, Grace Health staff can get imaging while the patient is in the office and know within 24 hours when patients have a serious vision issue and intervention from a specialist is needed.

Grace Health staff are currently being trained in the use of the RetinaVue and plan to start providing this service for patients with diabetes in January 2024.

Grace Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center and has been serving Calhoun County since 1986, providing care to 1 in 4 County residents.  In 2022, more than 96,500 visits were scheduled at Grace Health for just over 27,000 patients, averaging about 400 new patients each month.  As of 3rd quarter 2023, more than 81,200 visits have been scheduled for almost 25,000 patients.  Approximately 72% of patients seen at Grace Health either have Medicaid or are uninsured.  Grace Health employs almost 390 staff.  To learn more about Grace Health and services provided, visit the website at www.gracehealthmi.org.

Molina Healthcare of Michigan has been providing government-funded health care since 1997. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals), and Health Insurance Exchange programs throughout Michigan. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.2 million members as of September 30, 2023, located across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Michigan, visit MolinaHealthCare.com.

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Grace Health’s December 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Anna Wright for being nominated as Grace Health’s December Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what it means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Anna?  For me, Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. means to always show kindness and compassion. It means treating everyone as if they’re a member of my family. It means listening to the patients, asking questions and advocating for them. One of my biggest missions daily as a dental assistant is to make sure my patients leave feeling better than they did coming in. Many people have dental anxiety or special needs making it very difficult for them to come see us. I always keep that in mind. Sometimes, they just don’t understand the process of what we are doing and simply explaining it step by step puts them at ease. I truly love helping people. For me, nothing beats public healthcare.

What does Anna like about Grace Health?  Working at Grace Health has truly been one of the best experiences.  I love my dental department.  We have all like family and have so much fun while we work.  It’s one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.

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Grace Health’s September 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Emily Reidenbach for being nominated as Grace Health’s September Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what it means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Emily?  Communicating with HEART to me means listening and putting patients at the center of their own care.

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Meridian Update

By Health Care News

Grace Health is aware of the recent news that local hospitals are terminating their contract with Meridian, a Medicaid Managed Care Insurance Plan as of 1/1/2024.   Grace Health Administration is working on behalf of our Meridian patients to problem-solve with both the State of Michigan and Meridian to lessen the impact to our patients.  Grace Health is committed to continue providing care for our Meridian patients during this transition.  We will keep you informed as new developments occur.

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Grace Health’s August 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Taylor Warsop for being nominated as Grace Health’s August Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what it means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Taylor?  To communicate with heart to me means to be true to who I am with open ears, an open heart and an open mind.  I love the diversity of personalities, attitudes, and backgrounds I encounter every day.  I feel like I am capable of interacting with many different people and in many different ways.

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Grace Health’s June 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Megan VanSickle for being nominated as Grace Health’s June Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient! Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what is means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Megan?
Communicate with H.E.A.R.T is to show kindness to others. Sometimes patients can have anxiety, especially about dental related issues. I try to use empathy and to explain everything to patients so that they are informed. Sometimes the unknown is the biggest thing causing their anxiety. So, if I can do anything to help make their appointment enjoyable, that is my goal.

What does Megan like about Grace Health?
I previously worked as a phlebotomist and was assigned to work at the Family Health Center (Grace Health) blood draw site back in 2011. During that time, I witnessed what a fun atmosphere it was here. Even though we were not employed by Grace Health, we were invited to attend the monthly All-Staff meetings which were always in person before COVID. The meetings were something to look forward to – full of information, but also full of humor (Fish! Philosophy). Grace Health was the only place I applied to and the only place I had interest in applying to after dental hygiene school. After 9.5 years, there have been many changes and I still enjoy it here.

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Grace Health’s May 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Diana MacGregor for being nominated as Grace Health’s May Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what it means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Diana?  It means listening and actively hearing what the person is saying and treating everyone with kindness and empathy.  What does Diana like about Grace Health?  I work with the best people in IT who are helpful, knowledgeable, and fun.  I love building relationships with others at Grace Health, and we truly have the best people here.

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Grace Health’s March 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Emily Slucter for being nominated as Grace Health’s March Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what is means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Emily?  Communicate with H.E.A.R.T to me, means understanding that helping one, helps us all.  We all are connected in a way – no matter our differences, our socioeconomic backgrounds, upbringing, or education.  If we treat others with kindness and respect, good can ripple through in a lasting way.  What does Emily like about Grace Health?  What I love about Grace Health is their core values align with my personal values. Working here feels as though I am contributing to my community, and I get to help people of all walks of life. I love working in the specialties department.  We are a close-knit team and lucky enough for me I consider many of my “teammates” personal friends. My patients are some of the most interesting people I have ever met.  I enjoy being their listening ear, a quick confidant, a friendly face, and if possible, an educator – that feels most rewarding

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Grace Health’s January 2023 Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient

By Health Care News

Congratulations Carla Tungate for being nominated as Grace Health’s January Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. Spotlight Recipient!  Each month Grace Health selects a staff member, nominated by their co-workers, who exemplifies what is means to Communicate with H.E.A.R.T.

What does Communicate with H.E.A.R.T. mean to Carla?  Communicate with H.E.A.R.T to me, means truly listening not only with my ears but with my heart and being compassionate so that I can meet our patient’s needs. Every patient’s living environment is different, and we are not here to judge but to serve them equally.  I work in the Accounts Receivable area, so I have contact with patients that have a balance due. Sometimes the phone calls can get tough if the patient doesn’t think they owe a balance. My goal is to make sure that I am listening to them fully so that I can resolve the balance issue. Sometimes it is as simple as getting proper insurance information from them so that we can bill or rebill their balance. Sometimes I need to set up a payment plan to get the balance paid or it may be that our patient is in need of applying for Sliding Fee Discount.  I talk with a smile on my face so that it comes out in the phone call. I want the patient to feel comfortable to know that I am here to help.  It is always so gratifying to get a phone call that starts out bad and ends with the patient being thankful and happy that they come to Grace Health.

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Grace Health and Summit Pointe Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership!

By Health Care News

Grace Health and Summit Pointe share a common goal of providing patients with the healthcare, resources, and supports needed to reach their full potential for health and well-being.  By partnering together, they can better serve the community by increasing collaboration and creating an integrated model of care that combines physical and behavioral health services.

Over the past two years, Grace Health and Summit Pointe have strengthened their referral process, with care teams working closely together to ensure patients have access to primary care and behavioral and mental health care.  Grace Health’s medical staff provides primary care services, and the Behavioral Health team treats mild to moderate behavioral and mental health disorders.  When a patient’s risk and complexity of needs warrants higher level intervention, they are treated by Summit Pointe’s medical team until the patient’s condition is better managed and can be referred to Grace Health.  Historically, it has been difficult for each organization to provide effective, high-quality care alone.  Combining primary care with behavioral/mental health services and expertise will increase the quality of care and improve patient outcomes over their lifespan.

With smooth referral processes, and with care teams that are working closely together, Grace Health and Summit Pointe are working to further strengthen their model by partnering in medication management. Together, they can increase access to health screenings, medication reviews, and behavioral and mental health evaluations.  Over the next few months, Grace Health and Summit Pointe will be partnering to build a Grace Health Pharmacy that will be located at Summit Pointe’s College Street office. By having an on-site pharmacy at Summit Pointe’s College Street location, both the provider and patient can easily talk with the pharmacist, gain a better understanding of medications, when medications should be taken, dangers of sharing medications, and receive help in preventing drug interactions.  Until the new pharmacy is open, prescriptions will be filled by Grace Health’s main site pharmacy. To easily transfer prescriptions to Grace Health Pharmacy, call (269) 441-6774.  Grace Health Pharmacy offers delivery service, custom packing, and medication management services.

 

Grace Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has been providing health care services in Calhoun County since 1986.  In 2022, just over 96,000 visits were provided for more than 27,000 patients.  Grace Health services include Family Practice, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Dental, Behavioral Health, Optometry/Vision Care, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, and Pharmacy.  For more information about Grace Health, visit www.gracehealthmi.org or call (269) 965-8866.

For over half a century, Summit Pointe has provided behavioral health resources and support for individuals with developmental disabilities.  We have helped over 9,000 residents of Calhoun County a year gain independence, enhance skills necessary for success and maximize potential by providing evidence-based treatment services. Summit Pointe values partnerships, community, and service.   Visit https://www.summitpointe.org/ or call us at 269.966.1460 to learn more.

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