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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...

After announcing its plans to increase community access to timely health care with the launch of an urgent care center, McLaren Northern Michigan, part of statewide McLaren Health Care, is pleased to share that McLaren Northern Michigan Urgent Care is now open. Located at 1890 US-131, near Plaza Drive in Petoskey, the office is also home to McLaren Northern Michigan Primary Care. The urgent care is an expansion of the office, with the primary care clinic remaining open and caring for patients. “All of u...

McLaren Northern Michigan, the regional health care provider for 22 northern Michigan counties, is bringing its Children’s Health Fair back for a 31st year. Parents and children of all ages are welcome to Petoskey Middle School on Sat., April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the free, fun, and healthy-focused event. “This has been a longstanding tradition for many northern Michigan families, and one we are very happy to organize,” said Gar Atchison, McLaren Northern Michigan President and CEO. “It is a pilla...

In recognition of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and to further raise awareness — and promote the importance of — early detection, the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Northern Michigan is providing free at-home screening kits throughout the month. Through March 31, members of the Petoskey community can register for the free kit by calling (231) 487-3390 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Registration is required. “Catching and identifying potentially cancerous tumors before the disease progresse...

McLaren Northern Michigan, the Petoskey-based health care provider serving 22 counties, has been listed among the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the country, according clinical and quality analysis by Premier, a leading health care organization aimed at improving how care is delivered. The hospital, which recently expanded its cardiovascular services by adding more providers — creating more access to its advanced level of care — has routinely ranked among the nation’s best, having been named to this...

When should you go to the ER for the flu? With the 2024-2025 flu season being described as the “most intense” in 15 years, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated there have been at least 24 million cases across the country. This has resulted in more than 310,000 hospitalizations and, tragically, 13,000 deaths. The widespread nature of this flu has caused many to seek care in their nearest emergency department, increasing the potential to overwhelm physicians and caregivers. In ...

At what point should a doctor evaluate headaches? Everyone gets headaches. They can range, perhaps starting as a dull pain before escalating to the squeezing, dizzying feeling, and start from a number of causes: a lack of/poor quality sleep, certain foods, alcohol consumption, stress, eye straining, dehydration/lack of food, among others. In many cases, a drugstore pain reliever or headache medicine will resolve the symptoms relatively quick. There does reach a point, though, that consistent headaches —...

McLaren Northern Michigan, part of statewide McLaren Health Care, has announced its plans to expand the community’s access to timely care with the opening of an urgent care center in Petoskey. Located within McLaren Northern Michigan MedCenter – South (1890 US-131 in Petoskey), the urgent care expansion is scheduled to open in March. “We are very excited to share our plans to launch an urgent care and increase our community’s access to timely care,” said Gar Atchison, McLaren Northern Michigan President...

It’s Not Too Late to Get Vaccinated Across the winter months, emergency departments across Michigan have been treating patients arriving after experiencing the classic symptoms of upper respiratory infections—the seemingly ever-present cough, congestion, runny noses, though with the occasional fever. While these symptoms can be mild and be a sign of common cold, they can also be symptomatic of the season’s more serious conditions: influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (though any condition can only be confirmed ...