Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has awarded the Health Project $15,000 as part of the non-competitive portion of the 2011 Strengthening the Safety Net: Improving Health Care Access Through Michigan’s Free Clinics grant program. BCBS supports clinic initiatives because they provide a vital safety net and help uninsured families get needed care. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a mission that is different from that of other health insurance companies: to make quality health care accessible for all Michigan residents.
October 2011: Muskegon Area Medication Disposal Program
October 8 2011: Muskegon Area Medication Disposal Program (MAMDP)
MAMDP will host a a Medication Disposal event from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on October 8th at the Norton Shores Fire Department on Pontaluna Road near the Grand Haven Road intersection. Anyone interested in the proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs is invited to bring the medication to the site for disposal. The event will be sponsored by the Muskegon Area Medication Disposal Program. for more information on MAMDP visit their website at http://www.mamdp.com or follow them on Facebook (link). If you have questions or comments on the program, contact Stevi Riel with the Health Project at (email address). The Medication Disposal Program is a community benefit coalition supporter by the Health Project and Mercy Health Partners to make Muskegon a safe and healthy community.
November 2011: 8th Annual African American Diabetes Conference
Saturday, November 5, 2011: Muskegon Heights High School - Breakfast & Registration: 9am Conference starts: 10am - 2pm
June 2011: Pharmacy Bulk Shipping
Our Pharmaceutical Access Program was approved as an additional Trinity Health site for the Eli-Lilly Bulk Shipment program. Bulk Shipment programs are offered by some pharmaceutical manufacturers and differ from typical patient assistance programs. Rather than serving the client on an individual basis, they provide product in bulk for facilities that serve indigent and uninsured patients, such as health centers and community pharmacies. This program will allow the MHP retail pharmacies to dispense high volume prescriptions such as Humalog insulin, Cymbalta and Prozac to Pharmaceutical Access Program patients without waiting for paperwork to be signed and processed. The goal is to have this program in place by the beginning of the fiscal year.
June 2011: Lions Club Endowment
The Health Project received a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Lions Club Endowment Fund. Staff have begun to contact the back-log of 235 waiting applicants. They are being asked to fill out applications by June 30; over 150 have already been contacted. Eligible applicants will be issued a voucher that is good for 60 days.
June 2011: Senior Resource Service Agreement
The Health Project entered into an service agreement with Senior Resources in the amount of $2,000 to assist with a Spanish language class of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Program at a time to be arranged before September 30, 12011. Master Trainer, Liz Chala-Hidalgo will provide the service.
June 2011: Oceana County Health Care Needs and Outreach Services
This collaborative continues to meet every six weeks in an effort to provide life-long prevention services/ lifestyle changes in the Oceana area. The group is currently working on transportation issues and barriers, especially having to do with the scheduling of dialysis patients for travel to Muskegon. By inviting various community organizations to present at the meetings, much has been accomplished with educating the team on the many opportunities and programs available at the hospital and clinics in Oceana County, which in turn provides guidance in resolving issues and barriers that currently exist.
June 2011: Medical Navigation Program For Parolees
The Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa MPRI program continues to benefit the health of parolees who are returning to their homes in the three above listed counties. Since April of this year 35 parolees have been assessed for health care needs and the prescription assistance program, of the 35 parolees 21 have been assigned to a medical home and 15 have been assisted with receiving medications.
Our MCHP Health Navigators assisted 20 parolees with the food stamp application process. Parolees returning to Muskegon County from other Correctional Facilities can still come into the Health Project on Thursdays to be assessed for health needs.
Staff continues to identify diabetes, high blood pressure, and Asthma as a trend among local parolees. Jimmie notes that he has recently seen a rise in depression and mental illness. All clients are being referred to the Pharmacy coordinator to ensure medication and treatment access.
June 2011: #1 In 21
The Rotary Club’s Healthy Muskegon project has progressed significantly since the initial March 16th organizational meeting with two follow up community meetings in April 29th and May 20th. The Health Muskegon vision is Muskegon will be the Healthiest County in Michigan by 2021 with a suggested slogan of “#1 in 21”. Choosing for focus on Obesity and Smoking as their issues.
MCHP staff serve on the steering committee, have assisted with the facilitation of the meetings, and are working on the initiative subcommittees. MCHP has also offered to assist with the development of Federal grant applications working on specific initiatives.
The Health Project has made a commitment of $2,000 to support this effort as part of the Steering Committee Team.
April 2011: Muskegon Alcohol Liability Initiative
Muskegon ALI members launched April’s Alcohol Awareness Month activities with the in-school promotion, “Face the Book’. This year’s campaign highlights the legal and social consequences of drinking capitalizing on the popularity of the Facebook. Muskegon ALI member distributed posters and brochures to every school district with a Facebook & and connected You Tube page.
Muskegon ALI members also distributed education materials to over 280 alcohol retailers visiting every establishment reiterated the importance of retailer vigilance in not selling to minors. Members are also launching their Volunteer Beverage Service education program for festival volunteers expecting at least 600 people complete the training during the summer beer tent festival. In addition to the Muskegon PD, Muskegon Sheriff’s Dept. and Public Health staff, Norton Shores PD is having two officers certified as trainers in beverage service.
Members are also providing ‘party patrol’ and high visibility enforcement support during the prom and graduation party season assisting schools with their alcohol prevention effort. Muskegon ALI also added two new members, the Fruitport and Montague Police Departments.
April 2011: Muskegon Area Medication Disposal Project
The MAMDP project held its second event on April 30th at the Muskegon Fire Department in downtown Muskegon with the best turnout to date with over 200 participants who turned in 706 pounds of medications, of that 89 were controlled medications. MHP CEO Roger Spoelman and wife Jan and Michigan House of Reps staff, Margo Williams were special guests at the event.
April 2011: Men's Health Fair
The Health Project was informed by Dr. Sprague that a total of six men were notified of evaluated PSA readings at this year’s Men’s Health Fair. Of the six, one has been diagnosed with Cancer. This individual was referred to a physician, had surgery and is now recovering with a good prognosis. The importance of the Men’s Health Fair cannot be understated. 90% of these men are uninsured, unemployed and have no medical home. Over the years, the Men’s Health Fair has identified many diseases and illness that might have gone undetected in this very vulnerable population.
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