News Redirect

Back and neck pain are extremely common. A stunning 80 percent of American adults will experience back pain, and nine percent suffer with it chronically.  Surgery is not the answer for everyone.  In fact, only about 10 percent of cases require it.  “Fortunately, the majority of back and neck pain cases respond well to physical therapy, pain medication, rest, or some combination of those three,” said McLaren Flint orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Satyajit Marawar . The McLaren Flint Spine Cent...

McLaren Health Plan, the 242,000-member health plan and part of statewide McLaren Health Care, announced today the selection of Yvanna Marlin-Guanga to the Health Equity Expert Work Group of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). As one of 14 members selected from across the nation, Marlin-Guanga’s appointment recognizes her leadership, expertise and long-standing commitment to improving health outcomes for local communities and health plan members. The committee brings together nationally ...

The Karmanos Cancer Network and the McLaren Center for Research and Innovation (MCRI) have officially partnered on their first collaborative research study spanning both oncology and non-oncology research sites. The project, Ask Questions About Clinical Trials (ASQ CT), marks a significant milestone in integrating research efforts across McLaren Health Care and reflects a shared commitment to improving patient-centered communication about clinical trials. Led by Lauren Hamel, Ph.D., MBA, co-leader of th...

Carri Martin found herself in a challenging situation. She didn’t have health insurance or a doctor for almost a decade. It was especially challenging because she needed to take her heart health seriously due to family history. Then, a routine eye exam in February 2024 changed everything. “They took my blood pressure, and it was elevated enough so that they told me it was serious and I should go see my doctor,” said Carri. “I started looking for someone to go to. I eventually found a primary care physic...

Congratulations to McLaren Flint’s January Outstanding Employee of the Month, Karlee Schmoak. Karlee is a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) in the OR. Her colleagues admire her attitude and helpfulness. “Karlee is the most positive ray of sunshine and always in the best mood,” said her nominator. “She does outstanding work and is always willing to lend a helping hand. We need more Karlees in this world.”  

The journey from a cancer diagnosis to survivorship is rarely a straight line. More often, it is a complex maze of specialists, appointments, and insurance hurdles. An oncology nurse navigator serves as a vital guide through this landscape, helping patients and their families dismantle the obstacles in their way. By managing these burdens, navigators ensure that the patient’s focus remains exactly where it belongs: on their treatment and healing. The oncology nurse navigators at Karmanos Cancer Institut...

Whether you’re dealing with a fever, persistent cough, or nausea, the last place you want to be is in a crowded waiting room. To help you get the medical care you need, while waiting in comfort, the emergency departments at McLaren Greater Lansing and McLaren Grand Ledge offer a convenient online check-in service that allows you to “save your spot” from home. Why Use Online Check-In? According to Dr. Traill , Emergency Department Medical Director at McLaren Greater Lansing and McLaren Grand Ledge, onlin...

During a routine visit, Jack Grossnickle’s dentist discovered a lump on the roof of Jack’s mouth. He referred Jack to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. “I also had a plugged-up nose, and it turned out that was because the lump my dentist found was pressing on a polyp in my nose,” said Jack. “The ENT said he wanted to do a biopsy to be on the safe side.” Jack had sinonasal adenocarcinoma, which is a rare form of cancer that develops in the nasal cavity and sinuses.   “It hadn’t spread, and ...

For many women, the annual trip to the OB-GYN is the one non-negotiable item on the health calendar. You get your Pap smear, renew your birth control, and check “see the doctor” off your to-do list for the year. However, some women miss the critical step of also seeing their PCP each year for an annual exam. This raises the question: Just how important is it to have both an OB-GYN and a PCP? The answer: It depends. While your OB-GYN is the expert on your reproductive health, they aren’t necessarily look...

The new year is more than just a calendar change; it’s an invitation to prioritize some of the important things in your life, like your health. As we age, our bodies start to face challenges — from rising risks of chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, to the mental health issues such as depression and anxiety that can come with the effort to maintain work-life balance. Lifestyle medicine offers a road map to navigate these changes, using daily habits as powerful medicine to prevent and trea...