Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals

03/06/2026

Not only are our patients rare disease warriors, but so are the families, researchers, and physicians who stand alongside them every step of the way. To every single one of them, we are grateful.

Thank you for your advocacy, research, and tireless dedication. You make progress possible every single day. Together, you are changing lives.

03/05/2026

Let’s give a high-five to Marley. 🙏 Our last, but certainly not least, rare disease warrior.

Magnificent Marley was born with a head full of silvery hair that many said mimicked X-Men superhero Storm's shimmery locks. But little did her parents know the kind of battle that really lay ahead for their mighty warrior. In 2018, Marley was the first patient ever to be diagnosed with Bachmann-Bupp Syndrome (BABS) by Corewell Health physicians and researchers and since her diagnosis, she has overcome superhero challenges thanks to the treatment her team of doctors discovered shortly after diagnosis.

“At first, I placed a lot of the blame on myself because the medical community didn’t give me any answers. Having a name to the disease doesn’t necessarily solve anything either. So many rare diseases are under researched and there’s such little information available. Sometimes having a rare disease doesn’t give you answers but opens a whole new world of questions. This is why supporting rare disease research is so crucial, because there’s a lot of rare individuals out there searching for more information and more answers.” Kelly Berthoud – Marley’s mom

03/04/2026

Can we get a shout out for rare disease warrior Liam?

From the moment he was born, Liam started having seizures and his mom Tammy knew something was wrong from the start.

After coming to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Liam was diagnosed with SCN8A, a rare neurological disorder that can cause severe epilepsy, developmental delays, and other complex medical challenges. Now, at 11 years old, Liam’s personality is on full display thanks to his doctors, nurses and so many more involved in his care.

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be his mom. I would never change our lives. He’s our sunshine boy. I wish that people knew that just because my child is rare, he still matters. Research is important, even though our numbers are ultra rare. I wish people knew how hard this life can be but also know I would never not choose him. He is our warrior and I wish I had as much strength as he does every day.”

03/03/2026

Say hello to Caroline. Another one of our awesome rare disease warriors.

In early 2023, sweet Caroline was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to form along nerves throughout the body. While the tumors are typically non-cancerous, they can cause significant medical complications for young patients.

Caroline is the “why” her mom, Danielle, founded Give NF a non-profit that recently gave a gift to support our Steensma Lab to further research in NF.

“As a parent, particularly a parent of a child with a rare disease, you are your child's best advocate. You sometimes have to do the research because there isn't a ton out there. You have to piece together the medical team that's the right fit for your child and your family, particularly with how specialized the medical field is these days. Yes, there's a point when you're "going down the rabbit hole" and it's not helpful, but it IS ok to advocate and research.” – Danielle Grover, Caroline’s mom.

03/02/2026

Meet Jameson, a rare disease warrior.

In 2020, Jameson was diagnosed with Bachmann-Bupp Syndrome (BABS), an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental condition. The diagnosis came after years of uncertainty, until one day, the work of our physicians and researchers brought answers. Today, Jameson is making remarkable progress, even taking his first steps without help not too long ago!

For those just starting their rare disease journey... “Reach out to the rare disease community however you can- social media, groups in your area or even around the world. Connecting with families who have rare diseases can be a huge asset to have. Not only does it help to feel not so lonely, but there is strength in numbers when it comes to research and the ability to learn more about rare diseases.” - Kayla Jibben, Jameson’s mom.

02/28/2026

Behind every rare disease diagnosis is a face, a family, a physician and a story worth sharing.

On this Rare Disease Day, we celebrate the incredible resilience of our rare disease warriors who remind us what strength looks like.

Follow their journey throughout the week as we share more about Liam, Marley, Jameson, and Caroline.

02/27/2026

Every day, our residents bring compassion, commitment, and strength to their work.

On Thank a Resident Day, we take the chance to recognize all that you do and the lasting impact you make.

Thank you to our incredible residents!

02/12/2026

Innovations like VR learning help Corewell Health ensure our rural communities have access to leading healthcare practices. Regional President for Southwest Michigan, Natalie Baggio, joined Health Care Rounds to discuss how Corewell Health is finding new ways to provide top-of-the-line healthcare for all communities. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.darwinresearch.com/health-care-rounds

02/09/2026

Corewell Health Center for Wellness is helping fight chronic health conditions through the power of food.

Weekly culinary classes teach students how to control conditions like diabetes and hypertension through the food they eat. Mindi Logan shares that the knowledge she gained through the courses helped her bring her A1C down to healthy levels in just six months.

In addition to nutrition education and how to make better choices at the grocery store, the classes focus on techniques to prepare the meals you love in healthier and more nutritious ways.

Registration is free and available to anyone in Berrin County. Sign up is available through the Corewell Health website.

https://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/longform/corewell-health-center-for-wellness-brings-nutrition-to-the-classroom/article_457a2766-485d-5c62-b116-5d4ebfe56401.html

BENTON HARBOR — People slicing peppers, cutting up cilantro and stirring up muffin mix is a common sight on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Corewell Health Center for Wellness in

02/02/2026

Berrien County has joined Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program, expanding support for parents and children in Southwest Michigan. Rx Kids is the nation’s first community-wide maternal and infant cash prescription program. Parents can receive up to $4,500 in financial support.

The Rx Kids program is funded through a public-private partnership that includes the State of Michigan, the Sam Fund at the Indianapolis Foundation, Berrien Community Foundations and Corewell Health Lakeland.

The recent expansion launched January 12 in Benton Harbor, Niles, Buchanan and Benton Charter Township. Learn more about the Rx Kids Program here:

Rx Kids is the first-ever community-wide cash prescription program for pregnant moms and babies. Rx Kids provides all pregnant moms in the City of Flint with no-strings-attached cash of $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 each month throughout a baby’s first year.

01/23/2026

Today we’re proud to celebrate outstanding caregivers across Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals.

• BEE Award: Diane Schneider, Nursing Technician, recognized for “Being Exceptional Every day” and providing calm, compassionate support when it mattered most.
• DAISY Award: Emma Kraklau, RN, honored for extraordinary nursing care and empathy for a patient’s family during an incredibly difficult time.
• DAISY Award: Lindsay Ruff, RN, recognized for clear communication, steady reassurance and going the extra mile for patients and families.
• Physician Excellence Lakeland Hospital: Ken Ochiai, MD, celebrated for compassion, accessibility and teamwork that improves outcomes for our community.

Join us in congratulating these exceptional caregivers!

01/19/2026

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we reflect on his belief that access to care is a fundamental human right.

This week, hundreds of Corewell Health team members are participating in community events and volunteer opportunities across our regions. Together, they are helping expand access and address the social needs that shape health.

We’re grateful for the partnership of the Urban League of West Michigan, Oakland University, Lake Michigan College, Muskegon Community College, Michigan Black Summit 2026, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University.

We’re working to make health extraordinary, easier, and more personal for everyone. Health is more than care, it’s connection, and together we can build a healthier future.