October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder of the important role that regular screenings play in protecting your health. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and routine mammograms remain one of the most effective tools for detecting breast cancer early, often before symptoms appear.

Early detection can make a significant difference in treatment options and outcomes. That’s why keeping up with recommended mammogram screenings is an important part of preventive healthcare.

If you’re due for a mammogram, now is a great time to schedule one. Talk with your healthcare provider about when screening is right for you based on your age, personal health history, and family history.

At Packard Health, we’re committed to helping our patients access the preventive care they need. If you need a mammogram, your Packard Health care team can help you schedule your screening.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a step toward protecting your health. Schedule your mammogram and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same.

To learn more or discuss breast cancer screening, talk with your Packard Health provider today.

The post October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Make Time for Your Mammogram appeared first on Packard Health.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available at Packard Health! As we head into cold and flu season, getting your annual vaccines is one of the best ways to protect yourself from serious illness and stay healthy throughout the months ahead.

Vaccination also helps protect the people around you, including family members, friends, neighbors, and others who may be more vulnerable to illness. When more people are protected, our entire community benefits.

We encourage you to schedule your appointment today and head into the season with added protection and peace of mind.

Call (734) 971-1073 to make an appointment.

The post Schedule Your Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines Today appeared first on Packard Health.

Packard Health was recently recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for its efforts to improve health and well-being throughout Washtenaw County.

As part of American Heart Association’s Heart Ball supporting the future of cardiovascular care, Packard Health was invited to share its impact story and how community partnerships are helping connect people with the resources they need to live healthier lives.

The event centered around the American Heart Association’s four “Chambers of the Heart”: Discovery, Knowledge, Access, and Advocacy. Packard Health was selected to represent the Access chamber, recognizing the organization’s work to reduce barriers to care and improve access to health and wellness resources.

Representing Packard Health at the event was Rebecca Fleming, Director of Programs and Community Health Initiatives, who spoke about the organization’s work through the Washtenaw Behavioral Health Project, an American Heart Association grant initiative focused on cardiovascular and whole-person health. Fleming was joined by Steve Sarns, a longtime supporter of both Packard Health and the American Heart Association, and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, who attended the event in support of efforts to improve community health and well-being.

Through this initiative, Packard Health partners with the Ann Arbor YMCA, Jewish Family Service of Ann Arbor, and behavioral health providers to help patients access resources that support healthier lifestyles. The program provides eligible patients with tools and services such as blood pressure monitors, YMCA memberships, and nutrition consultations, helping address both physical and behavioral health needs.

The event also featured representatives from the Discovery, Knowledge, and Advocacy chambers, each recognized for their unique contributions to improving health outcomes. Together, their stories highlighted the important role that research, education, access, and advocacy play in building healthier communities.

Packard Health is honored to have been recognized by the American Heart Association and grateful for the opportunity to share how partnerships and innovative programs are improving health and well-being across our community.

The post Packard Health Recognized by the American Heart Association for Expanding Access to Care appeared first on Packard Health.

Every recovery journey is unique.

For individuals living with a substance use disorder, recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. It looks different for each person and can involve many forms of support, treatment, and connection along the way.

“The process of recovery is highly personal and occurs via many pathways. It may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other approaches. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness and managing setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery.”
– SAMHSA

At Packard Health, we have the privilege of supporting people in recovery every day, both in our local community and across Michigan.

Many patients know us as their primary care provider, but they may not realize how much of our work focuses on supporting individuals with substance use disorders. On any given day, our team is caring for patients who are just beginning their recovery journey as well as those who have been in recovery for years.

Through partnerships with organizations such as Dawn Farm and Home of New Vision, we help connect patients with the care and resources they need. Our Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program continues to grow, providing evidence-based treatment and lifesaving medications that support long-term recovery. We also partner with the statewide OPEN Warmline, helping expand access to support and treatment for people throughout Michigan.

Recovery is about more than medical care.

It’s also about connection, encouragement, and having someone who understands what you’re going through. That’s why our peer recovery coaches play such an important role in our work. Their compassion, experience, and dedication help patients navigate some of the most challenging stages of recovery.

This Recovery Month, we’re celebrating the resilience, strength, and determination of everyone who is working toward recovery or supporting a loved one on that journey. Recovery deserves recognition, not just in September, but every day of the year.

If you know someone in recovery, take a moment to acknowledge their hard work and wish them a Happy Recovery Month. 💜

The post Celebrating Recovery Month: Recovery Happens Every Day appeared first on Packard Health.

Packard Health is grateful to announce that we have received a grant from The Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation to support our Beyond Incarceration program, which helps people preparing for release from the Washtenaw County Jail connect with the resources they need to successfully return to the community.

Beyond Incarceration provides individualized support and care coordination, connecting participants with healthcare, behavioral health services, recovery resources, housing support, transportation assistance, and other essential services. The program is designed to help people navigate the challenges of reentry and build a stronger foundation for health, stability, and recovery.

The support of the Towsley Foundation will help Packard Health continue providing these critical services and expand opportunities for individuals leaving incarceration to access the care and support they need.

The transition from incarceration back into the community can be difficult, particularly for people facing barriers to healthcare, housing, transportation, and recovery services. Beyond Incarceration helps bridge those gaps through one-on-one support and connections to trusted community resources.

The program was recently featured by Concentrate Media’s On The Ground Ypsi and 89.1 WEMU, bringing attention to the importance of reentry support and the impact Beyond Incarceration is having in Washtenaw County.

We sincerely thank the Towsley Foundation for their investment in this work and their commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities. Their support will help ensure that people returning from incarceration have access to the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to move forward and thrive.

The post Towsley Foundation Supports Packard Health’s Beyond Incarceration Initiative appeared first on Packard Health.

Photos by Doug Coombe

Packard Health’s Beyond Incarceration program was recently featured by Concentrate Media’s On The Ground Ypsi and 89.1 WEMU, helping bring attention to the critical support available for individuals returning to the community after incarceration.

In the Concentrate article, reporter Lee Van Roth spoke with Rebecca Fleming, Packard Health’s Director of Programs and Community Health Initiatives, and Jessica Slone, Reentry Coach for the Beyond Incarceration program. The story highlights how the program connects people preparing for release from the Washtenaw County Jail with healthcare, behavioral health services, recovery resources, housing support, transportation assistance, and other essential services.

Jessica also joined Lee Van Roth for an interview on WEMU’s On The Ground Ypsi, where she discussed the challenges people face during reentry and the importance of trusted relationships, community support, and access to care. She shared how her lived experience helps her build connections with participants and support them on their path toward stability and recovery.

We are grateful to Concentrate and WEMU for helping shine a light on this important work and the impact of strong community partnerships.

Read and listen to the coverage:

• Concentrate:“Beyond Incarceration: New program offers supportive services for people leaving Washtenaw County Jail”
• WEMU:“#OTGYpsi: Packard Health’s ‘Beyond Incarceration’ initiative connects former inmates to supportive services”

The post Beyond Incarceration Program Featured by Concentrate and WEMU appeared first on Packard Health.

Produce season has arrived, and Packard Health is expanding its food pantry services with the return of our Fresh-a-Sprout Market! Opening this Tuesday morning, June 2, at Packard Health West, the market offers free, fresh produce to anyone in the community.

The Fresh-a-Sprout Market is a seasonal supplement to Packard Health’s existing food pantry, providing an additional resource for fresh fruits and vegetables during the growing season. The market runs weekly on Tuesday mornings and alternates locations between Packard Health West and Packard Health Main, making it accessible to a wide range of community members.

Learn more and see the full schedule of dates and locations!

The post Free, fresh Produce Now Available Through Fresh-a-Sprout Market! appeared first on Packard Health.

Cardiac arrest can strike anytime, anywhere — at home, at work, or in your community. But right now, only about 40% of people step in to help. That means too many lives are lost, not because people don’t care, but because they aren’t prepared.

For American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is giving you the tools to take control of that moment. For adults and teens, Hands-Only CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival — and it only takes two simple steps:

Step 1: Call 911 immediately if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse. 

Step 2: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100 beats per minute (like “Staying Alive”).

You don’t need a medical degree. You don’t need a uniform. You are the first responder until help arrives.

We can’t always choose when an emergency strikes — but we can choose how ready we are to face it. Learn CPR. Join our Nation of Lifesavers and be ready to step up for a loved one, a neighbor, a friend, or a co-worker. 

Because protecting your family, your friends, and your community starts with being prepared.

Find more resources at heart.org/nation.

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Learn more about the HBU program at Packard Health

The post Healing Brothers United in the news! appeared first on Packard Health.

SCHEDULE A COVID-19 VACCINE

COVID-19 Testing is No Longer Available
Packard Health’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is closed.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE COVID-19  |  TRANSPORTATION | ADDITIONAL VACCINE PROVIDERS | WHY THE VACCINE IS IMPORTANT | RESOURCES

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE COVID-19

• Symptoms include: Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Call the office: 734-971-1073
• Our staff will ask you questions and you will be given further instructions
• Remember, it might be a cold, flu or other disease

SCHEDULE A COVID-19 VACCINE

Please call (734) 971-1073 for vaccine availability and to schedule an appointment. Vaccine availability in the area can be found at vaccines.gov by searching by zip code.

ADDITIONAL VACCINE PROVIDERS

WHY THE VACCINE IS IMPORTANT

Packard Health is optimistic that the COVID-19 vaccine approvals represent the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Vaccines work with your immune system, preparing it to fight the virus if exposed. When considering the new vaccines, Packard Health providers were initially cautious. However, after a thorough review of the available data, Packard Health feels confident to recommend that our patients receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Below are some important points that we want to share with you about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Safety First

The approved Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been studied in the usual way in very large studies of over 30,000 people each. Although there are minor side effects, and, as with every medical agent, some patients are allergic, there have been no serious side effects found.

The vaccines have prevented over 90% of symptomatic infections in the studies. They are very effective and vaccination will help protect you and your loved ones from getting sick or hospitalized from COVID-19. Wearing masks and social distancing will continue to be required to help reduce spreading it to others that may have not been vaccinated. Ending the pandemic requires the use of all tools that we have available.

RESOURCES

• COVID-19 Essential Services in Washtenaw County – Childcare,  Evictions, Internet, Unemployment, Utilities, School Food, etc.
• COVID-19 Washtenaw County Resource Guide – Business Assistance, Childcare, Education, Employment/Unemployment, Food & Home Goods, Housing
• Michigan COVID-19 Resource Guide, University of Michigan – Unemployment & Worker Assistance, Food Assistance, Utilities & Housing, Childcare, much more. Spanish version
• COVID-19 Multi-Language Materials
• Washtenaw County Department of Health
• State of Michigan – COVID-19 Vaccine
• Michigan Department of Health & Human Services – COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – COVID-19 

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