News

Spring has officially returned — both on the calendar and in the weekly forecast. And with the excitement to head back outside and in the sun to throw a baseball, swing the golf clubs, run or hike some nearby trails, or simply be active again after a dormant winter, this return to activity can be accompanied by some muscle soreness and achy joints. Much of that discomfort can be attributed to “shaking off the rust,” but there does come a point at which the pain remains, not going away even with rest, an...

With weight loss maintaining its top spot among the annual list of New Year’s Resolutions, April and the beginning of spring is a great time to check in and gauge progress over the first three months of the year. Are you where you want to be? Are you making headway? Have you encountered adversity? Have you deviated from your original plan? Are you as committed as you were when you started? Can you recommit to the goal? The good news is that there is no deadline for these goals and no expiration date on ...

Head and neck cancer is a general term to describe a number of tumors that originate in the mouth and throat. Other cancers in the head and neck area include thyroid, skin, salivary glands and sinuses. But what are the specific cancer sites that fall into that category? Oral Cavity : Cancers found in the oral cavity are generally called mouth cancers.  The cancer can develop in the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, the front of the tongue, the floor and roof of the mouth, and the area found behind the wis...

McLaren Medical Group, the employed provider group of statewide McLaren Health Care, has named Binesh Patel, MD, as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 31. Dr. Patel returns to McLaren Health Care after having served previously as Chief Medical Officer at McLaren Flint for more than five years until September 2022. He will assume the vacant MMG CEO role, which had been filled in the interim by Chad Grant, McLaren Health Care Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are excited and ...

McLaren Northern Michigan, the regional health care provider for 22 northern Michigan counties, has brought back the Children’s Health Fair for its 30th year, the event’s first since 2019. Parents and children of all ages are welcome to Petoskey Middle School on Sat., April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the free, fun — and healthy — event. “We have been eagerly anticipating the day when we could bring this event back, and now that the time has come, we could not be more excited,” said Jennifer Collison, M...

After another long (and extended) Michigan winter, people are ready to get active again following the prolonged months spent mostly indoors. But with an eager and energized return to outdoor activity can bring the risk and susceptibility of acute and chronic injuries . The more serious of the two, acute injuries are suffered after a fall, a blow, or when a joint twists or strains, such as bone breaks, fracture, dislocations . Chronic injuries, though perhaps less severe, can result from overuse, and lin...

Your genes determine your eye color and height, and they may also reveal your cancer risk. Having a family history of certain types of cancer can increase your risk of developing the disease. An estimated 5% to 10% of cancer cases are hereditary. There is a lot of information out there about genetics and cancer risk; sifting through it can be overwhelming and confusing. But you don’t have to go it alone; the Karmanos Cancer Institute Genetic Counseling Service is available to patients throughout the Kar...

Knowing your allergies is the best way to prepare for the season. If ‘April showers bring May flowers,’ that month of rain also brings about the beginning of allergy season for many sufferers. April allergy flare ups take their roots from the rain that leads to flowers and other flora blooming and spreading their pollen — plant, tree, and grass pollen can bring about symptoms that leave allergy sufferer in misery. Seasonal allergy symptoms include: Sneezing Itchy, running, or stuffy nose Cough Scratchy ...

McLaren Northern Michigan, part of statewide McLaren Health Care, has appointed John Kennedy, MD, MHA, as Chief Medical Officer of the 202-bed regional health care provider. Effective March 11, Dr. Kennedy assumes the role made available upon the retirement of Dr. Andrew McDonagh. Dr. Kennedy brings more than 20 years of experience leading medical staffs, overseeing an organization’s clinical quality and environment of safe patient care. A psychiatrist by education and training, he is also positioned to...

You may have heard that preparing for a colonoscopy is the hardest part. However, the instructions aren’t too bad. A colonoscopy is the only way to screen and prevent colorectal cancer . Having a clean colon makes it easier for the gastroenterologist to see if there are any abnormalities or polyps. If the specialist sees polyps, they can remove them while they are doing the colonoscopy, preventing cancer from developing. When you go to your colonoscopy consultation, you will receive instructions on how ...