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If you were in a serious accident or suffered a stroke, would the people closest to you know how you would want them to handle your health care decisions?  Getting this conversation started is exactly why Health Care Decisions Day is observed every April 16.  The idea is to educate everyone, including health providers about the importance of advance care planning. An advance directive is a legally recognized document that outlines how you want your medical care to move forward in the event you...

Summer is a great time to be outside — whether you're heading to the beach, playing sports, or just hanging out with friends. But with all that sunshine comes the need to protect your skin. The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage your skin even on cloudy days. Too much exposure can cause sunburns, early wrinkles, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Luckily, protecting your skin is easy when you make it part of your daily routine. Here are some smart and simple ways to stay safe in th...

In a career that has spanned nearly 20 years, Lyric Walsh, DNP, CNM, a McLaren Flint licensed midwife, who has been a partner and trusted guide for countless women as they navigate their pregnancies, has achieved a significant career milestone by delivering her 1,000th child. On Friday, April 18, Walsh was by the side of Jessica Akoto at McLaren Flint as Jessica welcomed her baby boy into the world. “It’s an indescribable privilege to be trusted by families during such an intimate and life-changing time...

Congratulations to Angela Dorr, Outpatient Behavioral Health Manager, our April Outstanding Employee of the Month. Angela’s colleagues value her work ethic, willingness to go out of her way for her team, and patient-focused mindset. "Angela has been a huge advocate for clients. When clients need someone to listen, Angela has been that person." said her nominator. "She also puts in a lot of extra hours to assist the program and staff. She has helped facilitate the overhaul of the partial hospital program...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is common and widespread virus, and about 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , it spreads mainly through direct contact, particularly during sexual activities such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There are over 200 types of HPV, but some of them can cause serious health problems, like cancer. Most of the time, the body fights off the infection on its own, but if certain types of HPV persist for too...

Friday, March 21 proved to be a day to celebrate for McLaren Health Care Graduate Medical Education. The annual Match Day — the day on which medical students learn the results of their residency or fellowship applications and receive their assignments to continue their training — concluded with McLaren GME filling its 149 available positions. This marks a 100 percent fill rate across the 42 GME programs throughout the system. “The result of Match Day 2025 further demonstrates the merit and proficiency o...

For two decades Kathy Carrithers has dedicated her life to service as a volunteer. On March 15 she celebrated 20 years as a member of the McLaren Flint auxiliary. “I love this hospital, and I love serving. It is a joy,” Kathy said. Kathy’s mother was a longtime volunteer at a Saginaw hospital, and when Kathy retired from Delphi/GM, she knew she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “When my mother was dying of cancer, I promised her I would become a hospital volunteer,” Kathy said. Kathy, a breast...

When Wiebke Papenfus and her husband lost their health insurance, she started skipping her annual mammogram. “I had been very diligent about getting them because my maternal grandmother died of breast cancer,” Wiebke said. During a self-breast exam Wiebke made a startling discovery- a lump in her left breast. “I went to a nurse practitioner who sent me for a mammogram and an ultrasound,” Wiebke said. “Then I had a biopsy.” The results of Wiebke’s biopsy came via email.  An occupational therapist by...

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who wants to think about cancer, much less get a diagnosis.  However, thinking about cancer now could improve your odds of survival if you have the disease.  Regular screenings can literally make a life-or-death difference.  Early detection is one of the most powerful cancer weapons our clinical experts have in their arsenal. “Catching cancer early is critical to survival. Screening is something we should all keep in mind. Cancer is not just an old...

McLaren Flint, part of the statewide Karmanos Cancer Network and a regional leader in cancer care and prevention, has enhanced its capabilities through the addition of Volpara® Risk Pathways™ , an industry-leading software program streamlining patients’ risk assessment and care management for breast and other common cancers. Volpara has further expanded the care abilities and proficiencies of the McLaren Flint Comprehensive Breast Care program. “Breast cancer risk assessment is a priority for McLaren Fl...