News

The McLaren Imaging Center is now using its brand-new 3D imaging equipment. This is the second Hologic Genesis 3D unit at the center. This technology is widely considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening, especially for women with dense breast tissue. Additionally, the new equipment will enable staff to offer more appointments daily, as well as accommodate a higher volume of walk-in appointments for screening mammograms.  “The purchase of the equipment was made possible by the generous...

Chest pain is always a cause for concern. There are so many things it could be- a heart attack, angina, pulmonary embolism, gallstones, stomach ulcers, panic attacks- all potentially serious issues- or it could just be heartburn. “Heartburn pain can be severe, and can be frightening, especially if you have never experienced it before.” said McLaren Flint gastroenterologist Dr. Ghanem Almounajed . “Getting down to the root cause of chest pain often means taking a closer look at the accompanying symptoms....

Ken Kitner doesn’t hold back when asked to compare his 2021 treatment for an abnormal heartbeat, commonly known as AFib, with his second in the fall of 2025. “Amazing, is all I can say,” said Ken. “The first time was horrible. I really thought I was dying that first night after my procedure. I was bloated with water, miserable, and after recovering, afraid to ever have to go through that again.” When medications cannot keep AFib under control, for decades, the second traditional method of treatment has ...

When most people think of diabetes, blood sugar is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But diabetes is much more than controlling blood sugar levels. It can affect the entire body. “Diabetes can cause multiple problems as it affects both the body's vascular system and nervous system,” said Dr. Robert Molnar , a board-certified vascular surgeon and chief of surgery at McLaren Flint. “The real issue is the complications that diabetes brings to several of the body's organ systems. Diabetes signific...

Stress is part of the job description for 911 operators. Colleen DeMars-Eickholt found different ways to cope; some were not so healthy. “I smoked for 40 years,” Colleen said. “I would have a cigarette to calm down between calls.” Colleen had COPD and knew she needed to quit, but it wasn’t until someone she loved faced a health crisis that she finally did something about it. “My husband developed a heart issue because of his smoking,” Colleen said. “I smoked my last cigarette on October 30, 2024.” She s...

Logan Wirebaugh’s first pregnancy was difficult. She became seriously ill and had to stop working.. However, her second pregnancy had an even more devastating, life-altering impact: her daughter was stillborn. Overwhelmed by grief, Logan went into a deep depression. “It was pretty rough, and it put me, my fiancé, and our home into a really dark place,” Logan said. That darkness seemed insurmountable at first, but then a visit to the McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency Center gave Logan the glimmer o...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and the second most common cancer for both men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. What’s especially troubling is that it is often not diagnosed until it’s already advanced. That’s why early detection through screening is so important. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn about your risks, understand the importance of screening, and take steps to protect your health or encourage...

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many will gather for parties and celebrations with family, friends, and co-workers, which coincides with cold and flu season. So how do you take part and stay healthy at the same time? “The best ways to promote staying healthy are through hand hygiene, being mindful of your surroundings, and practicing appropriate etiquette when it comes to coughing or sneezing,” said Mai Phuong Truong, MD, internal medicine physician at McLaren Flint-Grand Blanc Community Me...

From the patients served by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Institute to the businesses and organizations that Karmanos patients support, Karmanos has launched a new brand campaign. Michigan residents will be immersed in the stories of Karmanos cancer survivors, who share their journeys at staple businesses in the community, providing new imagery, radio spots, billboards, print, and digital advertisements. Six stories are presented in the latest phase of this marketing campaign. Patients, a physician and staff...

Though he tried to stop dozens of times, smoking was part of Steve Hollenbeck’s life for decades. “When I was a teenager, the macho man had to smoke, had to be the Marlboro man,” said Steve. “I tried to quit probably 30 times, but when my wife, Nora, got throat cancer, and she quit smoking, I quit cold turkey. I didn’t want to smoke in front of her. That time it just worked.” In 2015, just two years after giving up cigarettes for good, Steve was stunned to find out that he had lung cancer.  “I was ...