Munson Healthcare

02/09/2026

🥕🍇 Last Call! Submit by February 11 for the chance to win $1,000 for your community food pantry 🍅🥦

Northern Michigan communities thrive when everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. That’s why we’re inviting you to share your creativity in our Food Access Art Contest—because art can tell the story of care, tradition, and resilience.

Carrie Klingelsmith, Executive Director of The Manna Food Project—which distributes more than one million pounds of food annually—reminds us:

“Food access means having reliable access to healthy, nutritious food that supports families and communities.”

Your artwork can help raise awareness of food insecurity and support local pantries. The first 75 submissions receive a $50 fruit & veggie gift card (to use or gift to someone in need) plus a ticket to the Northwest Food Coalition Empty Bowls event. Winners in three age categories will each direct $1,000 to a local food pantry!

🔗 Submit your story today: https://foodaccess.voicesforcommunityhealth.org/

02/08/2026

🥕🍇 Last Call! Submit by February 11 for the chance to win $1,000 for your community food pantry 🍅🥦

Northern Michigan communities thrive when everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. That’s why we’re inviting you to share your creativity in our Food Access Art Contest—because art can tell the story of care, tradition, and resilience.

Carrie Klingelsmith, Executive Director of Food Project—which distributes more than one million pounds of food annually—reminds us:

“Food access means having reliable access to healthy, nutritious food that supports families and communities.”

Your artwork can help raise awareness of food insecurity and support local pantries. The first 75 submissions receive a $50 fruit & veggie gift card (to use or gift to someone in need) plus a ticket to the Empty Bowls event. Winners in three age categories will each direct $1,000 to a local food pantry!

🔗 Submit your story today: Foodaccess.voicesforcommunityhealth.org

02/05/2026

Know someone exploring a career in medicine? Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is now accepting applications for its Rural Premedical Internship Program. This flexible, self-directed experience is designed for premedical students interested in rural healthcare. Running May 20 – Oct. 15, the program offers exposure to rural medicine and activities that help strengthen medical school applications and interview skills. To learn more and apply by March 6, visit https://msururalhealth.chm.msu.edu/pipeline-program/index.html.

Did you know? Munson Healthcare serves as a robust teaching location for residents, interns, medical students and nursing students. We partner with Michigan State University, Northwestern Michigan College, and other academic centers to expertly train the next generation of clinicians. Munson Medical Center hosts 3rd- and 4th-year medical students from MSU’s College of Human Medicine and MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine for training, as well as medical students from other institutions. MHC also hosts a Family Medicine Residency program that trains resident physicians from both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical disciplines and supports 3rd- and 4th-year Pine Rest Psychiatry residents.

🌟 Exciting News from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that applications for the **2026 Rural Premedical Internship Program** are now open! This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring medical professionals to gain invaluable experience in rural medicine.

Ready to take the next step in your journey? Click the link in our bio to apply today! 📝✨

02/04/2026

As a cardiologist, I have a unique relationship with my patients. I often first meet them during a life-saving intervention and then have the privilege of getting to know them as they heal and grow stronger during their follow-up and continued care. In that sense, we’re able to make a meaningful difference in their lives, both immediate and long-term. It’s incredible to care for them on that journey. I treat hearts from the heart, which means taking time to listen, making sure patients feel seen and heard, and ensuring they understand their options so they can ultimately return to the activities and lifestyle they want.

When a patient comes to our clinics, they aren’t just seeing me—they're being cared for by a team of experts across cardiac subspecialties and cardiac care delivery. We work together to provide the best experience and outcome for each patient.

Get to know Dr. Howe and read more at: https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/about-the-system/commitment-stories

02/03/2026

February is Heart Month!

Kickstart your heart health with a FREE day pass to Manistee Health & Fitness — no strings attached!

Scan the QR code in the graphic or visit: https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/services/fitness/manistee-health-fitness-center/manistee-heart-month

Plus, join our 4 week Heart Health Series all month long:

Feb 1–7: Heart Disease Risk Factors
Feb 8–14: Exercise for Heart Health
Feb 15–21: Stress, Sleep & Heart Health
Feb 22–28: Women & Heart Disease

Small steps. Big impact. Stronger heart.

02/02/2026

Inspiring the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals

Heather Bluhm, PharmD, recently visited Manistee Area Public Schools as part of the Career Lecture Series sponsored by the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, giving high school juniors an inside look at the exciting world of pharmacy.

Heather walked students through the many paths within the profession, highlighting the vital roles pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play and demystifying the education and training required to get there.

To keep things lively, she led a round of pharmacy trivia, during which students learned fun facts, like how Coca‑Cola, Dr Pepper, and ginger ale were all invented by pharmacists!

The session wrapped with honest conversations about work–life balance, daily responsibilities, and what it’s really like to work in different pharmacy settings.

A big thank‑you to Heather for inspiring future healthcare leaders and bringing her expertise to the classroom!

01/30/2026

Ga***rd Surgery Center Hosts Preview for Physicians and Community Leaders

Munson Healthcare welcomed physicians and community partners for a tour of the new Ga***rd Surgery Center, opening soon. Guests explored the state‑of‑the‑art facility and heard from leadership about the vision behind expanding surgical access in Northern Michigan.

The new center will enhance patient convenience, support local providers, and bring high‑quality outpatient care closer to home for families across the region. Attendees also received a first look at the modern surgical suites, advanced technology, and patient‑centered design.

Following Ga***rd’s opening, the Cadillac Surgery Center — modeled after the same innovative approach — will further expand our commitment to accessible, high‑quality surgical care. These milestones mark an exciting step forward in strengthening healthcare for the communities we serve.

01/29/2026

Celebrating DAISY Award Honoree Kody Kelso, RN

Please join us in congratulating Kody Kelso, RN, on receiving a DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary comfort and compassion he provided to the family of an organ donor in the ICU at Munson Medical Center.

The patient’s daughter shared these heartfelt words about their experience:

“My mom had seven kids, their spouses, our father, and countless others circulating constantly to her bedside. The twenty-plus people that made their way through the ICU every day came out saying the same thing: ‘Kody is such an awesome nurse.’ Aside from his great nursing judgment, which clearly made my mother more comfortable based on her vitals, he also couldn't have been kinder to our family. Kody even made arrangements for us to hold a ceremony in the ICU so her granddaughter Allie could get married at her bedside because she wanted her grandma to be there. I'm pretty sure he is the most empathetic nurse I've ever met. MMC is blessed to have him, and we were blessed by his amazing care.”

Kody, thank you for embodying what it means to be a Munson nurse. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

01/28/2026

Building security. Building health. 💜

Economic security is a cornerstone of well-being — and Munson Healthcare is proud to invest in it.

Our Grayling team spent the day at River House organizing, cleaning, and painting for survivors. And we backed that up with a $10,000 gift to support programs that help survivors of domestic violence achieve financial independence and long-term stability.

Because when we strengthen security, we strengthen health.

01/27/2026

Severe weather across our state has forced the cancellation of blood drives, but the need for blood products remains as urgent as ever.

If you’re able to donate safely, please consider rolling up your sleeve in the coming days. Your donation can make a life‑saving difference!

Find a blood drive near you: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/zip

Winter storms can disrupt schedules. Patient care cannot stop.

Severe weather across the Great Lakes has forced blood drive cancellations and delayed thousands of donations, while hospitals continue caring for patients who need blood today.

Blood is required right now for emergency care, cancer treatment and surgeries already underway. When weather limits collections, the need for donors becomes urgent.

If you can donate safely, here is how to help now:
• Keep your appointment when conditions allow
• Visit a donor center if travel is safe
• Share this message so others know help is needed

Versiti teams are prepared to welcome donors and support safe donations whenever possible. Walk-ins are welcome when conditions allow.

Take action today: https://bitly.versiti.org/4mKSUwx

One hour. One donation. A lifesaving response when it matters most.

Hope. It’s in Our Blood.

01/27/2026

Celebrating Our Newest Nurse Residency Graduates!

Munson Medical Center recently recognized the graduation of our 6th Nurse Residency cohort! Eighteen newly licensed nurses have successfully completed a comprehensive 12‑month residency program designed to support their transition into professional practice.

As part of their residency, participants focused on strengthening nursing knowledge and confidence in accurate sepsis screening, identifying opportunities to enhance early recognition and improve timely intervention.

Congratulations to all our graduates! Your dedication, growth, and passion for patient care inspire us all. Welcome to the next chapter of your nursing journey!

01/26/2026

"For me, serving as a primary care physician is one of the most sacred relationships. I care for people through highs and lows of life, and patients trust me to care for them in their most vulnerable states. One of my favorite parts of family medicine is caring for multi-generations of families, through a patient’s pregnancy, then their children, and sometimes grandparents too. My best days are when I get to see and care for those families as they grow.

As a provider, I believe that knowledge is power—not just for me but for my patients. Taking the time to educate them about their health conditions and our treatment plan means better motivation to do their part, and better outcomes.

I am deeply motivated by knowing that what I do can drastically change a person’s life. The details patients share with me about their lives are what ultimately influences their present state of health and wellbeing. My role as my patients’ primary care provider is to advocate for them, connect them to other care, and ensure that when other services are needed, they are cared for." —Kate Shaffer, MD, Family Physician / Munson Family Medicine Residency Faculty

Read more at https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/about-the-system/commitment-stories .