Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health

02/21/2026

Today we honor all caregivers for their time and compassion. If you would like to learn more about being a caregiver in our region, please visit the Caregiver Incentive Project's website: https://caregiverincentiveproject.org/ or UPCAP's Caregiver Connection webpage: https://www.upcap.org/up-caregiver-resource-center

02/20/2026

Today we joined friends at the Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center in the celebration of the installation of A Caregiver’s Butterfly Garden, a statewide traveling art and advocacy exhibit honoring direct care workers and caregivers.

The exhibit is supported through a grant awarded to Impart Alliance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The grant supports innovative community engagement strategies that elevate and strengthen Michigan’s direct care workforce.

The creative display is all in thanks to the vision of IMPART Alliance Artist-in-Residence, Zahrah Resh. Visitors will experience hundreds of hand-crafted butterflies displayed in an immersive installation designed to spark conversation about aging, caregiving, workforce needs, and community responsibility. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular business hours. Additional community activities supporting this project will be held throughout the coming year.

02/14/2026

Today we honor organ donors and encourage others to consider becoming one. To get registered click/copy the link: https://www.registerme.org/

02/13/2026

Congratulations to our colleague Anna Christiansen, Assistant Director, on being accepted as a member of the To***co Use Assessment Steering Committee - formed through the To***co Control Program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in partnership with the Michigan Public Health Institute.

Steering Committee efforts will include conducting an assessment of commercial to***co use. This assessment will build upon the goals outlined in MDHHS's Strategic Plan and will allow them to better understand the reasons for commercial to***co initiation, re-initiation, and the barriers to to***co treatment for Michigan youth and adults. The assessment results will be used to develop key recommendations for improving to***co prevention and control programming and resources in our state.

Congratulations, Anna! Thank you for engaging others, supporting U.P. voices, and for representing our region in this important work.

02/11/2026

Please help us spread the word about these upcoming, FREE, virtual events that the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan has scheduled. Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with epilepsy for years, or support someone who does, these following events are amazing and are open to the public. Participation is voluntary, cameras are optional, and all are welcome to learn about helpful tools and resources—all from the comfort of home.

Monthly U.P. Virtual Meet Ups – For people with epilepsy and their families or caregivers. This Thursday, February 12th from 7:00 – 8:00pm ET and the 2nd Thursday of every month via Zoom and pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link. See the flyer for more details.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) – For people living with epilepsy. Meets virtually via Zoom Wednesday’s from 6:00pm – 8:00pm ET. This interactive workshop provides an opportunity to connect with others living with epilepsy and to explore techniques for managing challenges common for people living with a chronic illness. Next session starting soon! Pre-registration is required. See the flyer for more details.

Quarterly Virtual Book Club – For people with epilepsy and their families or caregivers. See the attached flyer for list of books, dates and how to register. Pre-registration is required.

02/09/2026

We're so appreciative to WNMU-TV for airing programs that engage and educate people about health. If you missed last week's Ask the Dentist program, you can view it via this link: https://wnmuvideo.nmu.edu/video/dentists-2-n0ucfs/

And a special shout out to NMU Pre-Dental Students Elena, Evan, Laney, Liam and Noah for answering phones on behalf of our Center at last week's Ask the Dentist show!

02/04/2026

"Almost 1/3 of all cancer deaths could be prevented through routine screening, early detection, and treatment" (WHO). To read more facts and stats about cancer click/copy the link: https://www.worldcancerday.org/about/why-cancer

02/01/2026

Honored this evening to join NMU students, faculty, administrators and a few Board of Trustees as we welcomed health colleagues from across the U.P. in the President’s hockey suite and cheered on the Wildcats!

01/14/2026

Thrilled to have joined partners this morning with promoting the upcoming Grief Support Training in March. Collaboration = greater support, outcomes and impact!

We'd like to send a HUGE thank you to Audrey and John for having our collaborative crew on TV6 & FOX UP Upper Michigan Today to talk about the U.P. Grief Support Training that is happening in March! Thanks to a grant provided by the Superior Health Foundation and the hard work and partnerships with Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice, Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health, Dr. Yan Ciupak (Co-Founder of NMU Grief Support Specialist Program), U.P. Home Health & Hospice and the U.P. Hospice Foundation we are proud to develop and bring this conference to U.P. professionals, educators, and caregivers.

Another thank you to the West End Health Foundation and the Upper Peninsula Health Plan for their sponsorships, allowing us to bring this conference at an affordable cost for those looking for continuing education credits, community members, and students.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from the NMU Center for Rural Health. Wishing you health and wellbeing in the year ahead.

12/25/2025

Season’s greetings from all of us at the NMU Center for Rural Health! We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

12/23/2025

Start the new year by getting certified as a Community Health Worker! Registration is currently open for our next virtual class scheduled to start on January 27th. Thanks to the Michigan Center for Rural Health, Everyday Life and multiple other U.P. Workforce Innovation Network (U.P. WIN) grant partners, the cost remains significantly discounted for individuals working in the U.P.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://nmu.edu/ruralhealth/nchw-certification