McLaren Proton Therapy Center

10/31/2025

WHAT'S GOING AROUND?— Each week, we ask our ER physicians what ailments and conditions are commonly being seen in our Emergency Room.

THIS WEEK, Dr. Osama Fashho, an emergency physician with McLaren, reports:

Upper Respiratory
There has been a significant increase in pediatric patients receiving treatment for an upper respiratory infection and symptoms of cough, congestion, and sore throat.

Gasto
Common for this time of year, gastroenteritis has been trending among pediatric and adult patients, with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Allergies
Though late in the season, many asthma sufferers are continuing to experience varying degrees of complications caused by allergies and other environmental irritants.

Injuries
Even with weather cooling, there continue to be a steady volume of patients seeking treatment for orthopedic and soft tissue injuries in the trauma center.

10/29/2025

McLaren Greater Lansing, part of the statewide McLaren Health Care system, has completed the phased opening of McLaren Grand Ledge, its newly constructed, $40 million multidisciplinary medical campus in Delta Township, with the launch of the township’s freestanding emergency department.

McLaren Greater Lansing, part of the statewide McLaren Health Care system, has completed the phased opening of McLaren Grand Ledge, its newly constructed, $40 million multidisciplinary medical campus in Delta Township, with the launch of the township’s freestanding emergency department. The phased...

10/28/2025

Congratulations to ED Tech Debra Palmateer, emergency department, our October 2025 Outstanding Employee of the Month. In her 23 years with McLaren Flint, colleagues have come to think of Deb as someone they can count on for her kindness and rock-solid work ethic.
"Deb is one of the hardest working people in the emergency department," said her nominator. "In all of my years here, I have never seen her in a bad mood. She goes above and beyond for patients and her team. She is a role model for her team and embodies the values of quality patient care."

10/27/2025

McLaren Flint is excited to partner with Mid-Michigan NOW and former news anchor and prostate cancer survivor Bill Harris for a free prostate cancer screening event in honor of Veterans’ Day.
Veterans will not only get free PSA prostate cancer screenings at the event, diabetes, foot, and sleep screenings, along with a colorectal questionnaire will also be available. The event will be held at the McLaren Family Medicine Residency Clinic on Thursday, November 6 from 4 until 6 p.m. Those interested in the screenings are asked to schedule an appointment. To schedule, call (810) 342-4473.

10/26/2025

A 6-million-dollar gift from Joe and Julie Serra, inspired by Joe's own open heart surgery experience, will transform cardiac care for future patients at McLaren Flint. Joe, a former patient who has endured a heart attack, multiple stents, and quintuple bypass surgery, can attribute his cardiac challenges to genetics despite his healthy lifestyle. Now, he and Julie are advocating for others and investing in the very care that saved his life. Learn more about what their philanthropy will mean at the link below.

A $6 million gift from Joe and Julie Serra, inspired by Joe's own open heart surgery experience, will transform cardiac care for future patients at McLaren Flint. Joe, a former patient who has endured a heart attack, multiple stents, and quintuple bypass surgery, can attribute his cardiac challenges...

10/24/2025

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Whether you're managing stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed, support is available and you're not alone. McLaren Health Care offers compassionate, confidential Behavioral Health Services to help you take control of your mental well-being. Take the first step!

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. In fact, caring for your emotional and psychological well-being plays a vital role in how you feel, function, and live every day. At McLaren Health Care, we believe that mental health matters, and we're here to provide guidance, s...

10/22/2025

A freestanding emergency room and many other medical services are coming to the McLaren Bay Region West Campus on Midland Road.

10/21/2025

The McLaren Proton Therapy Center congratulates Terry Matzke of Midland. Terry rang the bell marking the end of his cancer treatments with us.

10/21/2025

The emergency department at McLaren Grand Ledge is NOW OPEN! Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gYHFPT

10/17/2025

Congratulations to Kyle JansenVanGalen, our latest Tulip Award winner. Kyle Is a hospital pharmacist. The quarterly Tulip Award recognizes McLaren team members who embody the values of kindness, compassion, dedication, and excellence in patient care.
"Kyle is such a brilliant pharmacist. He has an enormous knowledge base and is always willing to educate or answer any questions we have," said one of his nominators. "He is so helpful during codes with putting in medications. He is such a great resource! Every day Kyle comes into work he helps make critical care a better place."

10/17/2025

WHAT'S GOING AROUND?— Each week, we ask our ER physicians what ailments and conditions are commonly being seen in our Emergency Room.

THIS WEEK, Dr. Evan Coyne, an emergency physician with McLaren, reports:

Viral upper respiratory
While viral upper respiratory infections, with symptoms of congestion, runny nose, and persistent cough, continue to be a common condition treated in the emergency department, though those instances are trending downward. These viral conditions have largely tested negative for influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19.

Gastro
Common throughout the colder months, patients experiencing a viral gastroenteritis infection and symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, have begun to be diagnosed in greater volumes.

Injuries
Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries continue to be a very common condition treated in the trauma center, with youth sports athletes the most frequently cared for.

10/16/2025

When faced with an emergency, knowing where to go for the right care can make all the difference. We're breaking down the difference between Urgent Care, a traditional emergency department (ER), and a freestanding ER, such as the new facility opening in Grand Ledge on October 20.

When faced with an emergency, knowing where to go for the right care can make all the difference. Through modern health care, patients now have a wide range of services available to them, from urgent cares for non-life-threatening conditions to emergency departments for more serious illnesses and in...

10/16/2025

Congratulations and thanks go out to Daisy Award winner Nichole Smith, RN, ICU. The quarterly Daisy Award recognizes nurses who are committed to providing expert, compassionate care to every patient, every time.
"Our family member had no Medical Power of Attorney. Decisions on her behalf were having to be made by her 92 year old mother. Those decisions were heavy for her to carry," said Nikki's nominator. "The first day that Nikki was assigned to our family members care, she understood the dilemma that we were facing. That very day, with Nikki’s professional and empathetic support, our family member was taken off the ventilator. Again with Nikki right there by her side, she was able to tell us what she wanted in terms of her medical care."

10/15/2025

The McLaren Proton Therapy Center congratulates Sylvester Richmond of Flint. Sylvester rang the bell marking the end of his prostate cancer treatments with us.

10/15/2025

Staff at the McLaren Imaging Center recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month in multiple ways each year. They all wear their pink to show support. They also have baskets full of goodies for each patient to choose from after their breast imaging is complete. The trinkets include pink pens, small pink ribbon bags, breast cancer awareness emery boards, stickers, and pins.

10/14/2025

McLaren Health Care is proud to recognize more than 80 of its affiliated physicians who have been named to Hour Detroit magazine’s 2025 “Top Docs” list — a reflection of McLaren’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence across Michigan.

McLaren Health Care is proud to recognize more than 80 of its affiliated physicians who have been named to Hour Detroit magazine’s 2025 “Top Docs” list — a reflection of McLaren’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence across Michigan. Each year, Hour Detroit part...

10/14/2025

Caroline Allen's routine mammogram showed something suspicious back in May. She had to return for further testing, which revealed a mass on her left breast. A biopsy confirmed Caroline's worst fear- she had breast cancer. Caroline says working with the teams at Karmanos Cancer Institute and the McLaren Proton Therapy Center helped her immensely during this dark time in her life. Find out why she now looks back on her battle with cancer as a "beautiful journey" at the link below.

When something suspicious shows up on a routine mammogram, patients are often asked to come back for further screening. It happened to Caroline Allen in May 2025.  “They called me back a week or so later and told me they saw something and wanted to take another look,” Caroline said. “I ha...

10/14/2025

There is still time to make an appointment for the free breast screening with Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint breast surgeon Dr. Ashley Richardson and Carrie Lovik, P.A. It is this afternoon from 4 to 6 at McLaren Flint Comprehensive Breast Care, 1314 S. Linden Road, Suite B, Flint. To schedule an appointment call 810-342-1757. You can also watch WNEM TV5's recent interview with Dr. Richardson about breast cancer here.

10/13/2025

Today marks Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a day aimed to shed light on breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, and highlight those who have gone through this on their cancer journey. When it comes to preventing cancer, knowing your risk is most important.

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , cancer centers, and other organizations nationwide recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer affects more women each year than any other cancer, making up about 30% of cancer diagnoses among females each year...

10/13/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to share some good news from the McLaren Imaging Center. This week, the center expects to be 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 sponsors and attendees of the hospital’s annual gala this past June,” said Doug Glazier, Vice President of the McLaren Flint Foundation. “Our goal was to support women’s services, and what better way than to help provide technology that supports high-quality patient care.”

10/13/2025

There will be a free breast screening for the community tomorrow, Tuesday, October 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint breast surgeon Dr. Ashley Richardson and Carrie Lovik, PA will provide the free clinical exams. Free mammograms will be available for those who qualify. Under and uninsured women are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call (810) 342-1757.

10/09/2025

Staff at the new Grand Ledge Emergency Department, coming soon on October 20, participated in a "Day in the Life" exercise to prepare for opening day. Thank you, Delta Township Fire Department, for also participating in this exercise, as well as filling in as the "patient" while staff walked through triage procedures.

Learn more about the new emergency department coming to Grand Ledge and Delta Township by visiting https://bit.ly/4gYHFPT

10/08/2025

What started as a suspected stye in Jerry Melendez's eye led to a diagnosis of a rare form of lymphoma. Jerry suddenly found himself in the fight of his life. He had great support and a doctor he trusted, but he still suffered anxiety and depression. Jerry opened up to his doctor about his struggles and got the help he needed. Read about Jerry's journey and how conquering his challenges helped him fight off cancer at the link below.

There was something in the corner of Jerry Melendez’s eye, in the tear duct. He thought it was a stye or a cyst. “The eye doctor gave me steroids,” Jerry said. “He also sent me to a plastic surgeon for a biopsy, be he said he expected that to come back benign.” The growth in Jerry’s eye ...