Amanda, a 23-year-old, uninsured Hispanic woman was admitted to the Mercy Campus with complications from pneumonia and spent 6 days in the hospital. Upon discharge, the physician prescribed a costly antibiotic—one of the only ones that had been proven to be effective throughout her hospital stay. The social worker contacted MCHP staff for assistance and informed staff that the doctor would be forced to keep the patient for an additional week of antibiotic therapy as an inpatient if she were unable to get this medication. The medication was provided though the Hospital Discharge Medication Access process and the patient was able to go home!

Job Healthy

Mr. Henley came to the Health Project from the Urgent Care center seeking assistance with a prescription for his blood pressure medication. This client was in Muskegon after a trip to Minnesota to accept a position with the Department of Transportation; however, the DOT was unable to extend employment to this patient when he failed the physical health exam due to uncontrolled blood pressure. Mr. Henley had no primary care physician, had not had preventative medical care in over 10 years, and was staying at the Men’s Rescue Mission. MCHP staff assisted Mr. Henley with a financial assistance program application and secured him an appointment with a Mercy Health Partners’ primary care physician, as well as an application for food stamps and pharmaceutical assistance. Mr. Henley and his PCP are now working together to manage his high blood pressure, and MCHP staff is assisting Mr. Henley by making coordinated referrals for housing and mental health services through the Case Managers’ Committee of Muskegon County. He was enrolled in the Low-Income Pharmacy Care program, and given a blood pressure monitor so he can monitor his health daily. He is in touch with the Department of Transportation and is looking forward to reapplying in the fall—with a healthy heart!

Feb 25, 2011

CADCA Recognizes Muskegon Community Health Project staff
for Drug Prevention Advocacy Efforts

Washington, D.C., - The Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) recently recognized Laura Fitzpatrick, Program Manager at Mercy Health Partners' Muskegon Community Health Project, for her advocacy efforts on behalf of the Coalition for a Drug Free Muskegon County.
"We were thrilled to be able to recognize Laura, a true champion for the substance abuse prevention field. Her local and national advocacy efforts have made a significant impact in securing authorizing language, and funding, for programs that are critical to the substance abuse prevention field," said CADCA Chairman & CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean. "The legislative victories that CADCA achieves only are accomplished with the dedication and action of people like Laura and I congratulate her for her tremendous commitment."

Among the coalition's victories were the passing of a smoke-free work places ordinance in Muskegon County: inviting the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to meet more than 50 elected officials in Muskegon; advocating for the a single community needs assessment; and developing solid relationships with local, state, and federal representatives. In September, Laura and coalition leaders welcomed U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to the Mercy Campus as the Senator presented a check for the Drug Free Communities support program grant.
The CADCA award was presented on Feb. 10, 2011 during an awards luncheon at CADCA's 21st annual National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD. CADCA's National Leadership Forum is the nation's largest training conference for community coalition leaders and substance abuse professionals, bringing together nearly 3,000 drug prevention and treatment leaders from across the country.

"I'm honored to receive this advocacy award from the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America,' said Fitzpatrick. "I enjoy working with policy makers and community leaders as they truly want to understand the issues and make informed decisions. It's more important than ever to educate our elected officials on youth substance abuse issues and to ask them to be a part of the solution."

Laura was active in local Northern Michigan politics as aide to former Congressman Bart Stupak and State Representative Pat Gagliardi. She left politics to pursue her MPA from Central Michigan University and then began her career in non-profit management. She has remained active in advocacy efforts in the past ten years through her work with the statewide association of local United Ways and then with the Muskegon Community Health Project. She's been coordinating the Coalition for a Drug Free Muskegon County since March of 2007. In 2008, she won a seat on the City Council in Roosevelt Park, Michigan and is Treasurer of the Muskegon Area District Library's Board of Trustees.