McLaren Northern Michigan

08/01/2025

The McLaren Stroke Network has once again earned top honors from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke program.

From McLaren Bay Region to Thumb Region, our hospitals are delivering faster, smarter stroke care—when every second counts. https://mclarenhealthcare.org/4mgOTQX

The McLaren Stroke Network, which provides timely and potentially lifesaving care in the midst of the medical emergency, has again earned national honors for the exceptional level of care provided at its network hospital sites. The American Heart Associated/American Stroke Association recognized sev...

07/31/2025

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS DR. VERBOS! 🎉 Our First Family Medicine Residency Graduate

We are proud to celebrate a historic milestone for our hospital and community. Dr. Verbos has become the first graduate of the McLaren Northern Family Medicine Residency Program!

Since the program's inception, Dr. Verbos has been instrumental in its development and growth, helping establish a strong foundation for future residents who will follow in his footsteps.

We're excited to share that Dr. Verbos will remain part of our McLaren family, joining McLaren Northern Family Medicine and Urgent Care. He will continue providing exceptional care to the patients he has built relationships with during his residency, while welcoming new patients into his practice.

Dr. Verbos' achievement represents more than a personal milestone; it embodies our commitment to training the next generation of family medicine physicians right here in Northern Michigan, helping address the physician shortage that affects rural communities like ours.

Congratulations, Dr. Verbos! We're incredibly proud of you! 🩺💙

07/28/2025

🌟 Congratulations, Dr. Patrick O’Callaghan! 🌟

We're delighted to celebrate Dr. Patrick O'Callaghan for receiving a Guardian Angel Award, a special honor made possible through a heartfelt gift from a grateful patient family.

Dr. O'Callaghan was recognized for his exceptional care of a young patient who required complex elbow fracture repair. The nominating family shared their heartfelt appreciation:

“Dr. O’Callaghan was truly exceptional. He skillfully repaired my daughter’s complicated elbow fracture with outstanding surgical precision—the results speak for themselves. Beyond his technical expertise, his bedside manner with kids is unmatched. He made my daughter feel comfortable and cared for every step of the way. We were seen quickly in his office, and he even stayed late to operate on his birthday. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication, compassion, and expertise. We are lucky to have him in Northern Michigan!”

Thank you, Dr. O'Callaghan, for your unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to our community! We're proud to have you as part of our McLaren Northern Michigan family.

Learn more about our Guardian Angel Program: https://mclarenhealthcare.org/4lP9AU0

07/28/2025

Mammograms are a standard screening radiology exam recommended for asymptomatic women over the age of 40 for early detection of breast cancer. But what happens if you get a call back from your screening mammogram, and further testing is recommended?

Mammograms are a standard screening radiology exam recommended for asymptomatic women over the age of 40 for early detection of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Recommended yearly mammographic screening helps detect breast cancer early, which is easily amenable to....

07/25/2025

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. Ali Saad, an emergency physician at McLaren reports:

Injuries
Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries sustained during outdoor activities continue to be the most common reason patients are seeking care in the emergency and trauma center. There has been a noticeable increase in the volume of elderly patients injured in falls.

Asthma
Allergies have caused asthma sufferers to experience exacerbated symptoms, with the most severe cases causing significant breathing complications.

Gastro
Continuing the trend throughout the summer, there has been a steady, though low level, volume of patients experiencing gastrointestinal distress.

07/25/2025

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the U.S. While one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, if you are experiencing symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the United States. While one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, if you are experiencing symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is cancer. Many symptoms of prostate cancer are the same for other prost...

07/23/2025

What's blood pressure got to do with your heart? Everything, according to some experts. The number one cause of death for both men and women is heart disease, and high blood pressure is a key risk factor for it. The trouble is, high blood pressure usually has no symptoms. That is why it is called the silent killer. Learn how to protect yourself and keep your blood pressure in check at the link below.

What do blood pressure and your heart health have to do with one another? Some experts argue, everything. According to the CDC , the number one cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. is heart disease, and high blood pressure is a key risk factor for it. “High blood pressure is called th...

07/23/2025

Fall sports are coming--schedule your child's sports physical now! Quick, easy, and required to play. Stay safe and game ready. https://mclarenhealthcare.org/4lKM8rc

07/21/2025

Did you know in Michigan alone, there are over 1.7 million family caregivers? Thanks to a grant from Exhale - The Family Caregiver Initiative, Karmanos will be able to continue the Give Yourself a Break Today program, a healing arts program specifically for family caregivers and cancer thrivers.

A $300,000 grant from Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative will allow the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to continue providing its Give Yourself a Break Today program, a healing arts program for family caregivers and cancer thrivers. This gift supports the program for three years in par...

07/18/2025

McLaren Greater Lansing is accepting applications for the Nursing Internship Program! Get a head start on your nursing career by taking advantage of this unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. To learn more or to apply, visit https://bit.ly/46cB9Sl

07/16/2025

As Pam journeyed down another road of cancer treatment after learning her first occurrence wasn't entirely gone, she was led to Karmanos, where she joined a clinical trial that gave her a "third chance at life."

“My husband and I talked about it and decided that even if it didn’t save me, if it could help someone else, I had to do it.”   It was a warm, foggy day in 1970 when Pam Roach, then a high school sophomore, spent a rare and cherished day at Lake Michigan with friends. She soaked in the su...

07/14/2025

Curious about how a wearable device can help boost your health? Dr. Lauren Vocke weighed in on the different devices available now and what they can tell you about your overall health and wellbeing.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, get motivated to exercise more, or another way to manage health condition, wearable technology may help you get started. These devices use sensors to track your movement and other body functions and collect data that tells you more about your wel...

07/11/2025

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, “What’s Going Around,” Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, a McLaren emergency physician, reports:

COVID-19
There were some, though very few, confirmed cases of COVID-19, with patients reporting symptoms of a sharp sore throat and congestion.

Asthma complications
Airbourne allergens continue to cause complications for patients with asthma, causing breathing complications in the most severe cases.

Injuries
Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries continue to be the most common reason patients are seeking care in the trauma center. A significant number of these injuries were sustained in car and motorcycle accidents.

07/10/2025

McLaren Greater Lansing’s labor and delivery unit, The Birthplace, is a proud recipient of the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health ( MI AIM ) platinum quality improvement designation in recognition of Michigan birthing hospitals that are improving care for mothers and babies. The p...

07/08/2025

This Independence Day was extra special as we welcomed two new arrivals into the world! While everyone was watching fireworks light up the sky, we had our own celebration happening right here at McLaren Northern Michigan.

Please join us in welcoming baby girl Leila, born July 4th at 9:18 p.m., and baby boy Forest, born July 4th at 9:41 p.m.

These two little ones chose quite a memorable birthday - they'll always share their special day with America's birthday!

Congratulations to both families on your beautiful babies.

07/03/2025

Whether you're heading to a backyard barbecue, enjoying the fireworks, or sneaking away for a weekend trip, McLarenNow makes it easy to receive expert care on the go—no office visit needed.

Don’t let an illness or minor ailment put a pause on your 4th of July plans. Get quick, convenient care from your phone, tablet, or computer, anytime, anywhere—so you can keep the celebration going.

Visit https://mclarenhealthcare.org/44rGHV8 and keep your holiday plans on track.

06/27/2025

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 at McLaren Macomb, reports:

Injuries
Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries continue to be the most common reason patients are seeking care in the emergency and trauma center.

Allergies
Environmental allergens coupled with the extreme heat have led to allergy sufferers, specifically those with asthma, experiencing complications, with the most severe cases causing breathing complications.

Viral
A viral infection has led to symptoms mirroring those of a minor upper respiratory infection.

GI
There has been a noticeable volume of patients experiencing gastrointestinal distress, a foodborne condition or a minor viral infection.

06/24/2025

The final stage of life can be full of emotion, reflection, and love. McLaren Hospice teams provide more than care—they bring comfort and peace to families when it matters most.

Learn how our team supports patients and loved ones: https://www.mclaren.org/main/hospice

06/18/2025

The summer sun is in full effect! Did you catch too much sun? Are you away from your regular health care provider? McLarenNow is available to help 24/7/365. Whether you're at the beach, hiking trails, or just hanging out in your backyard, having access to health care is crucial. You can connect with one of our excellent health care providers anytime and anyplace using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Don’t wait—get the care you need from wherever you are! To learn, more visit: https://mclarenhealthcare.org/44rGHV8.