McLaren Flint's Community Connections Fall and Winter 2023

One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. Early detection greatly improves the odds of survival, which is why the McLaren Flint Foundation, in conjunction with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, sponsored a free breast screening for the community in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The October 30 screenings included a clinical exam performed by Karmanos at McLaren Flint breast surgeon Dr. Ashley Richardson.  The event, held at McLaren Flint Women’s Health South, focused on the underinsured and uninsured in the community.

Two fall initiatives gave McLaren Flint employees an opportunity to share the warmth with the community.  It started in October when nutritional services held the Socktober Sock Drive for Catholic Charities. Socks are the most needed yet least donated item to homeless shelters. Employees donated 287 pairs of socks.  In December the trees outside Ballenger Auditorium were decked out for more than the holiday season.  The warming trees provided a drop-off spot for employees to donate scarves, gloves, and hats. Donated items went to those served by Catholic Charities and My Brother’s Keeper.

McLaren Flint’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee connected with the community through events celebrating Black business leaders. In August, the committee hosted the African American Advisory Committee (AAAC) of the Flint & Genesee Chamber for a Small Business Month celebration. Committee chairperson Dr. Nicole Franklin shared important information with attendees. In November, the committee hosted the AAAC Black Business Brunch, celebrating the achievements and potential of Black-owned businesses in Genesee County. Two deserving AAAC members received grants at the event.

In early December Fenton Emergency Department Nurse Manager Kevin Freeman and RNs Jennifer Bender and Meghan Burtner were a hit at Fenton High School's career day. The trio shared with students information about nursing education requirements and job projections for the next ten years. Nearly fifty students requested to be in their room to learn about nursing careers. Besides listening to the trio and asking questions, the students were put to the test on a mannequin, trying to match compression rates with the LUCAS device to sustain adequate circulation during cardiac arrest.

In January 2022, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation granted $25 million to expand the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s public health presence in Flint. The gift extended a years-long partnership between MSU and the Flint community. McLaren Flint is one of the project's community health collaborators.  Efforts include increasing public health faculty, academic research, and community health collaborations. Soon MSU will expand its building downtown and its services in Flint. On November 21, 2023, collaboration leaders held a town hall to share project updates, discuss future projects, and answer questions. McLaren Flint President and CEO Chris Candela was one of the town hall participants. During the town hall, Candela shared insights on current initiatives and partnerships the hospital is a part of to bring and retain primary care providers to Flint and Genesee County.

Genesee Career Institute High School Student’s Job Shadow at McLaren Flint

High School students from Genesee Career Institute were welcomed to McLaren Flint on December 13 and 14, 2023. They came to job shadow leaders and educators for career experience in 21 different departments. The opportunity gave the students a first-hand look at careers they are considering. Each of the 35 students spent more than five hours shadowing one or more staff members. This is just one example of how McLaren Flint is trying to engage young people in our community to take an interest in all the medical and non-medical careers available to them in our hospital. We thank our employees who spent time with the students to make their experiences at our facility educational and inspiring.