Memorial Medical Center (MMC) has signed a letter of intent to join Spectrum Health. While non-binding, the letter of intent establishes that MMC will work exclusively with Spectrum Health to develop a definitive agreement.

The agreement will assure a future with a strong local healthcare presence. The agreement will preserve MMC’s Board of Directors, meaning there will continue to be a local voice in governing the hospital. Other benefits include expanded healthcare services, better access to capital, improved access to medical specialists, additional professional opportunities for community physicians, and retention of MMC’s local staff.

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For media inquiries, please contact Bill Kerans, Communications Coordinator, at (231) 845-3658 or email billk@mmcwm.com

Memorial Medical Center (MMC) has added hospitalists—staff doctors who specialize in treating patients in the hospital—to its medical staff.

Hospitalists of Northern Michigan will work with the Ludington hospital to provide this important new service. There will be at least one hospitalist on duty 24 hours a day. They will provide direct care to adult primary care inpatients, handle any urgent issues that arise, and coordinate with the patient’s regular physician as needed.

An audience of more than 60 attended a recent presentation on advancements in treatment of major joint pain, featuring orthopedic surgeons Michael Kennedy, MD, and R. Joseph Grierson, DO. The event was held at Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Ludington as part of a series of community health presentations sponsored by Memorial Medical Center. Both physicians emphasized that they focus first on non-surgical treatments, but offer a variety of surgical treatments when appropriate for an individual patient. Included in their repertoire is the hospital’s highly ranked major joint replacement surgery for such joints as knees and hips.

A full house of about 60 people recently gathered in the meeting room at the Ludington Area Senior Center for a discussion of women’s heart health with Amanda Overmyer, MD.

Dr. Overmyer emphasized that heart disease should be a primary health concern for everyone. She noted that it is even more prevalent among women than men, contrary to the persistent assumption that it is a primarily male disease.

Strategies for Women’s Heart Health

A full house of about 60 people recently gathered in the meeting room at the Ludington Area Senior Center for a discussion of women’s heart health with Amanda Overmyer, MD.

Dr. Overmyer emphasized that heart disease should be a primary health concern for everyone. She noted that it is even more prevalent among women than men, contrary to the persistent assumption that it is a primarily male disease.

She discussed the risk factors for women in developing heart disease and explained that not all of the “typical” symptoms of a heart attack occur for women as they might for men.   She emphasized that once a person has heart disease, they will always have it, and while it can be controlled and treated, it cannot be reversed. 

“The earlier we adopt a preventive lifestyle, the better,“  Dr. Overmyer advised.

“The best approach is to try to reduce the risk factors of heart disease, which means preventing plaque build-up in the arteries.  This can be done—to the degree possible given each woman’s genetic predisposition to the disease—through healthy lifestyle choices such as a diet that limits fat and through getting enough exercise.” 

The Ludington physician recommended at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, after consulting with a doctor on individual health factors.