News

Dr. Barbara Wolf, who served as the McLaren Health Care Director of Behavioral Health Education and Physician Well-Being, was posthumously recognized in Crain’s Detroit Business’ list of Health Care Heroes for 2025. Recognized as a Corporate Achievements Hero, she spent nearly 30 years at McLaren Flint and McLaren Health Care serving the behavioral health needs of her patients and as well as employees. Among her lasting legacy is Mindful Medicine, a course she designed that develops meditation and mindf...

During a routine visit, Marvin Tate’s doctor suggested a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test for the 56-year-old. “I didn’t know anything about PSA levels before that,” Marvin said. Marvin was about to learn more about PSA levels than he wanted to. His PSA came back extremely elevated. “My doctor referred me to a urologist, who suggested a biopsy,” Marvin said. “It came back positive.” Not only was his biopsy positive, but further screening revealed the cancer had spread to Marvin’s lymph nodes.&...

Mammograms are a standard screening radiology exam recommended for asymptomatic women over the age of 40 for early detection of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Recommended yearly mammographic screening helps detect breast cancer early, which is easily amenable to less invasive treatment, decreasing mortality, morbidity, and significantly improving survival. So, what happens if you get a call back from your screening mammogram, and further testing is recommended? There...

McLaren Thumb Region, part of McLaren Health Care and the statewide McLaren Stroke Network, has received the American Heart Association’s 2025 Get With The Guidelines® – Rural Stroke BRONZE award. This national recognition reflects McLaren Thumb Region’s ongoing commitment to improving stroke care through evidence-based practices and underscores McLaren Thumb Region’s dedication to enhancing outcomes for patients in the rural community. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of long-term...

When you check into McLaren Flint, chances are good, Mary O’Brien will be in Patient Registration to greet you. “Anyone having anything done at the hospital has to come through us,” Mary said. “I check people in and, after they get their bloodwork, help them get where they need to go.” Mary is technically not an employee, she’s a member of the hospital auxiliary who volunteers three mornings a week. “It’s just nice. I am busy all the time. There is no sitting and being bored,” Mary said. Showing people ...

After he was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, Brian Brandau’s doctor in Cheboygan referred him to the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint. “First I had surgery,” said Brian. “Then I had to come down to Flint every three weeks for immunotherapy.” The 260-mile trip from Cheboygan to Flint was tough, and often meant staying overnight for him and his wife Martha, before or after his treatments.   “Brian’s surgical oncologist recommended we consider staying at the Hospitality House right next...

The McLaren Stroke Network, which provides timely and potentially lifesaving care in the midst of the medical emergency, has again earned national honors for the exceptional level of care provided at its network hospital sites. The American Heart Associated/American Stroke Association recognized several McLaren hospitals with its Get With Guidelines® – Stroke distinctions, a sign that those hospital-based stroke programs consistently adhere to the latest care guidelines while achieving improved patient ...

Congratulations go out to psychiatric technician Timothy Sumrall, McLaren Flint's June Outstanding Employee of the Month. The behavioral health team has come to rely on Tim as someone always willing to go above and beyond for both his fellow staff members and the patients in his care. "Patients say Tim is kind, listens to them, and ensures they have what they need," said Tim's nominator. "Around the hospital, you will see Tim greeting fellow staff and helping visitors find their way around. Tim always k...

What do blood pressure and your heart health have to do with one another? Some experts argue, everything. According to the CDC , the number one cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. is heart disease, and high blood pressure is a key risk factor for it. “High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it is a disease that often has no warning signs,” said Asma Haydar , certified family medicine nurse practitioner at the McLaren Flint - Flushing Community Medical Center. “Having high b...

Innovative Partnerships Help High School Students Pursue Careers In 2024, McLaren Flint developed a Workforce Development Initiative to create a guaranteed-employment educational partnership with Genesee Career Institute, Mott Community College, and UM-Flint.   It is designed to build a pipeline of students with the promise from McLaren Flint to either provide support toward their tuition or associated expenses, such as housing, in exchange for a work commitment equivalent to the investment. T...