Jan 22, 2021
UPHCS Executive Director Melissa Holmquist and Baraga County Memorial Hospital CEO Margie Hale present $25,000 check to GLRC Eastern UP Operations Director Shawn Baker. (Submitted photo)
From Upper Peninsula
Health Care Solutions
MARQUETTE On behalf of its 14 member hospitals, Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions has made a $25,000 donation to Great Lakes Recovery Centers in support of its project to expand recovery services and relocate the Men’s New Hope House. GLRC’s Men’s New Hope House is a 16-bed residential facility for males over the age of 18 with a substance use disorder.
Last year alone, there were a total of 129 residents with the average length of stay being 42 days.
To the editor:
We, the medical staff of Baraga County Memorial Hospital, bring your attention to a document, titled the Baraga County Manifesto and signed by county officials. We received a concern from a community member who had read the Manifesto. She was worried about whether it would still be safe to come to the hospital, thinking the Manifesto required us to change our practices. Though the county officials are entitled to their opinions, we want to clearly state that this Manifesto in no way requires BCMH to change its practices.
We are concerned that following a Manifesto such as this may lead to harm to the residents of Baraga County and as their medical providers, we stand firm in our agreement with the recommendations and public health orders which have been put forth by the state of Michigan. With Baraga County’s death rate (deaths per capita) being the highest rate of all Michigan counties, we continue to follow the orders ourselves and we continue to encourage our pa
rspitza@miningjournal.net
L’ANSE A letter from Baraga County officials denouncing COVID-19 restrictions within the county earlier this week made the rounds across the Upper Peninsula.
The letter, signed by Baraga County Sheriff Joe Brogan and eight other county officials, called out the state of Michigan’s coronavirus restrictions and stated that the county no longer has the “intention of participating in the unconstitutional destruction of our citizens’ economic security and Liberty.
“We further declare our intention to take no action whatsoever in furtherance of this terribly misguided agenda,” the letter continued.
Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L’Anse responded to the letter Thursday, reassuring hospital patients that it’s still safe to visit the facility if need be.
gneese@mininggazette.com
L’ANSE Rebuking a public letter by Baraga County officials against the anti-COVID restrictions, Baraga County Memorial Hospital staff posted a statement indicating their agreement with the orders and urging residents to follow state public health orders and recommendations.
BCMH posted the statement on its Facebook page Thursday night, three days after Sheriff Joe Brogan’s post of the “Baraga County Manifesto,” signed by him and eight other county officials. The county officials’ post decried the state restrictions and said the county should not enforce state orders related to the pandemic.
A resident had asked hospital staff if it would still be safe to come to the hospital, thinking the officials’ letter had affected the hospital’s practices, the BCMH letter said. BCMH’s practices will stay the same, the letter said.
Western Upper Peninsula Health Department
HANCOCK The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) announces that the agency is set to begin COVID-19 vaccination of residents age 65 years or older. The first clinics will be held beginning Monday, Jan. 11, at both the Hancock and Bessemer locations, with limited appointments available.
Due to the lack of a sufficient supply of vaccine, clinics are by appointment only. No walk-in clinics will be held. WUPHD has launched on online scheduling tool for appointments. The tool can be found at https://westernuphealthdepartmentscheduler.as.me/schedule.php. People are encouraged to check the website frequently for newly added clinics and locations. Residents may also call 906-482-7382 for assistance with making an online appointment.