McLaren Flint

11/21/2025

As much as you may enjoy that morning cup of joe, coffee alone is not a sufficient breakfast. Even if you aren't a breakfast person, starting your day with food helps stabilize blood sugars, may help avoid high blood pressure, and provides your brain with energy from.
"Start small and try to have a granola bar and piece of fruit, or a slice of toast with peanut butter and sliced banana," said McLaren Flint clinical dietitian Elexia Sylvester. "This can also help you avoid overeating when you finally get to lunch."

11/20/2025

Between family gatherings, travel, and holiday meals, getting sick during Thanksgiving can throw off your plans. With McLarenNow Virtual Care, you can connect with a trusted provider anytime, anywhere, even on the holidays.

Whether you’re dealing with a cold, sore throat, or sudden stomach bug, our team is ready to help so you can get back to enjoying time with loved ones.

Learn more and visit https://mclarenhealthcare.org/4oQCW5B whenever the need arises for quick and convenient access to care.

11/18/2025

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many will gather for parties and celebrations with family, friends, and co-workers, which coincides with cold and flu season. So how do you take part and stay healthy at the same time? We spoke with a McLaren Flint internal medicine specialist and got a few tips. You will find them at the link below.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many will gather for parties and celebrations with family, friends, and co-workers, which coincides with cold and flu season. So how do you take part and stay healthy at the same time? “The best ways to promote staying healthy are through hand hygiene, ...

11/17/2025

Diabetes is known as “the silent disease” for a reason — many people have it and don’t even know it. Watch for early signs like constant thirst, fatigue, or frequent urination, and take simple steps now to protect your long-term health.

Diabetes is more common than ever — and the tricky part? Many people don’t realize they have it. It can develop slowly, without dramatic symptoms, earning it the nickname “the silent disease.” But the earlier you spot the  early signs of diabetes , the better your chances of avoiding se...

11/14/2025

If you are still eating the same boring salad for your lunch, it's time to consider sprucing up your greens a bit. A little makeover can also help make your salad even more nourishing.
"Adding grains like quinoa or brown rice will make a salad more filling," said McLaren Flint clinical dietitian Elexia Sylvester. "Top it with heart healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or seeds to sustain your energy. And of course, don't forget a protein source like beans, eggs or seafood."

11/14/2025

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. Stephanie Hernandez, an emergency physician at McLaren, reports:

Slip-and-falls
The sudden snowy conditions caused many to seek care in the trauma center after a slip and fall resulted in various orthopedic injuries to the extremities.

Viral infections
A viral upper respiratory infection has continued to spread, causing symptoms of congestion, cough, fever, and muscle aches, though tests have been negative for COVID-19, the flu, or RSV, but severe cases have led to strep throat in pediatric patients.

Shingles
There have been several cases of shingles reported in the emergency department and treated for symptoms of a rash and skin pain and sensitivity, though patients are not presenting in high volumes.

Gastro
Viral gastroenteritis cases continue to trend in significant volumes, causing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

11/13/2025

Many thanks to McLaren Flint employees who donated so generously to this year's Socktober sock drive. Our team donated 277 pairs of socks which will go to people in need served by Catholic Charities. The Socktober campaign is sponsored by nutritional services.

11/12/2025

McLaren Flint and its Family Medicine Residency Clinic , Karmanos Cancer Institute, and McLaren Management Group had booths set up at the 20th annual Grand Blanc Health Fair. The McLaren team members were among 20 vendors who participated. We provided blood pressure checks and physical therapy and health care awareness information.

11/11/2025

When Steve Hollenbeck’s wife was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx, he quit smoking. So, two years later, when Steve’s pulmonologist sent him for a PET scan of his lungs, he didn’t think much of it. Much to his surprise, Steve was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Ten years after he beat the cancer, a routine lung screening revealed it had come back. Read more about Steve’s journey, and the treatment that turned out to be the perfect option for a cancer recurrence at the link below.

Though he tried to stop dozens of times, smoking was part of Steve Hollenbeck’s life for decades. “When I was a teenager, the macho man had to smoke, had to be the Marlboro man,” said Steve. “I tried to quit probably 30 times, but when my wife, Nora, got throat cancer, and she quit smoking, ...

11/07/2025

If you are looking for a good protein source, consider seeds, which are plant-based proteins. Pumpkin and h**p seeds offer 9 grams of protein per ounce.
"That's more than 1 egg," said McLaren Flint clinical dietitian Elexia Sylvester. "Eating more seeds can provide you with fiber and improved cardiovascular health."
Many other types of seeds offer a similar amount of protein. Seeds are also a great source of fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

11/06/2025

Renovation of the hospital’s main electrophysiology cath lab (lab 5) is nearly complete. The two-month makeover included both technology and physical upgrades. New technology now in the lab is a Philips X-ray system and a Second FARAPULSE™ Pulse Field Ablation System (PFA), a unique, advanced technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a leading cause of stroke. Physical updates are new flooring, cabinets, and lighting.
This project was supported by the $6 million donation from Joe and Julie Serra to enhance the hospital’s cardiac program. The first project supported by their gift was the purchase of multiple pieces of equipment for the outpatient cardiac rehab program this past summer. You can read more about what their support will mean for patients in the future at the link below. https://mclarenhealthcare.org/3JGMXmU

11/05/2025

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., and it is also the second leading cause of cancer death among men after lung cancer.
Over the years, especially within the last decade, prostate cancer screening guidelines have changed dramatically. The guidelines even vary between different organizations. The core message in most health organizations’ recommendations is that whether to screen is something men should decide for themselves. Read about the conversation every man should have with his doctor at the link below.
Don't forget, veterans are eligible for a free prostate cancer screening this Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m. at our Family Medicine Residency Clinic in Flint. To schedule, call (810) 342-4473.

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., and it is also the second leading cause of cancer death among men after lung cancer. Over the years, especially within the last decade, prostate cancer screening guidelines have changed dramatically. The guide...