The global health crisis continues to challenge all of us, including Packard Health. It has been a long and difficult year. At Packard, we have been pushed to begin new services and redesign care delivery, often in timeframes that were incredibly short. I am profoundly grateful to our staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers for tirelessly helping us weather this storm. 

I am also grateful that Packard Health’s finances remain strong. This facilitated the high quality new services and redesigned care that we offered our patients and also meant that we did not have any staff layoffs or furloughs this year. I thank you for all you have done, not only for Packard Health, but also for all of the organizations in Washtenaw County and beyond that need your financial support.  

Every new year offers opportunity, and Packard Health intends to build on what we have learned in 2020. Our team has learned that we are stronger together. Our response to the pandemic has been innovative and immediate. Solutions we have found to be most effective in preventing the spread of the virus are now permanently affixed in our toolbox – telehealth appointments, drive-thru COVID-19 testing and flu vaccine services, and the ability to pre-screen patients and visitors for symptoms of illness. 

Publicly announcing our stance on racial equity this year was one way we chose to express our commitment to the community we work with and serve.  

Our facilities need to and will reflect the value and dignity of each of our patients. We have plans that will better show our patients that they deserve top quality healthcare in facilities that honor the trust they have placed in us. Programming will be expanded to offer patients opportunities to improve their personal health outside of the exam room. Packard Health’s plans will begin to become a reality in 2021, and I look forward to sharing them with all of you. 

While a COVID-19 vaccine is what everyone has had their sights on, Packard Health included, we have been diligently focused on planning for life after the vaccine. The mantra has been that the future ‘normal’ might be a new normal. We can guarantee that Packard Health’s future will be not only new, but also built on its foundation of 47 years of caring for our patients. We hope you continue to follow along as our story unfolds.  

Thank you for your tremendous support and for being part of our year. I wish each of you a very Happy and Healthy 2021!

With sincere appreciation,

Raymond Rion, MD
Director Ejecutivo
Packard Health

The post Final Reflections of 2020 appeared first on Packard Health.

June 8, 2020

For almost 50 years, Packard Health has stood with the most vulnerable residents of our community across all racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic lines. Packard Health, like the public at large, is appalled by the murder of George Floyd, and it stands today with Black people everywhere who are suffering disproportionately from deeply rooted systemic racism. We stand today with our colleagues and patients of color and with those who declare that racism is a public health crisis.  

The pandemic has disproportionately affected Black communities across the country. It has laid bare festering health inequalities. As of June 2, 2020, 41% of hospitalized COVID-19 cases and 30% of COVID-19 deaths in Washtenaw County were among Black residents, though they comprise just 12% of the county’s total population. Fifty percent of cases in Washtenaw County have been among residents of 48197 and 48198 zip codes, zip codes with predominantly Black residents. In 2019, 40% of Packard’s 11,800 patients were living in one of those two zip codes. 

Packard Health’s doors have always been – and always will be – open to everyone.  

Packard Health vows to continue to work consciously, with urgency, and in partnership and union with others to find local solutions to health disparities, thus affirming that Black Lives Matter.  

Packard’s core values include justice, diversity, and humanity. We believe in a fundamental and unshaken conviction that health care is a human right, and that all people are entitled to resources to maintain and support health. We are enriched by and supportive of the diversity among our patients, staff, board, and other volunteers, and we will draw on diversity’s great reservoir of strength as we continue to affect change in our community. 

Raymond Rion, MD
Executive Director, Packard Health

The post Solidarity. Statement on Racism and Public Health appeared first on Packard Health.

Listen in! The coronavirus pandemic has affected virtually everyone, but it has been particularly difficult for those who struggle with access to health care. On “Washtenaw United,” WEMU’s David Fair talks with Dr. Raymond Rion, Executive Director of Packard Health. It is the non-profit mission to help that part of the community, but there are changes in how many of those services are rendered. Dr. Rion explains how Packard Health has maintained service levels by launching telehealth, and how telehealth may be a key piece of the medical system post-pandemic.

The post Health Care in the Pandemic. Listen in to Dr. Raymond Rion appeared first on Packard Health.

In our offices and out in our community, the Packard team is tackling some of our county’s most pressing health care problems. Here’s just a FEW examples of great work:

• • Gina Dahlem, FNP at the Delonis Center and UM Nursing Professor, delivers her Naloxone training program and kits to community agencies throughout southeastern Michigan, with more than 250 overdose saves. Gina is a member of Packard’s Medication Assisted Treatment team.
  • Ronald Romero, MD, builds linguistic and cultural bridges to our Latino community, for which he was awarded 2018 Michigan Clinician of Year by the Michigan Primary Care Association.
  • Dr. Ravi Vadlamudi, MD provides “backpack medical care” to individuals onsite at Avalon Housing’s Miller Manor or in their homes. He’s breaking down barriers to health care, including lack of transportation or severely limited mobility.
  • Karen Koeppe, MS, RDN, CDE educates patients about chronic disease and nutrition in her office and throughout the community, including Packard Pacers, Cooking Matters classes, CROP Walk, and speaking to UM undergrads.

I could go on and on about how everyone on the Packard Health team puts the “care” in health care. For our patients who trust us with their care, it is all very good news, indeed.

Sincerely,

Raymond Rion, MD
Director Ejecutivo

The post Uncommon Caregivers appeared first on Packard Health.

Strong relationships are the cornerstone at Packard Health – patient, provider, and therapist are a team, and communication and collaboration are key. For our patients, the Packard Care team model is a proven winner. For those with complex medical needs and complicated lives, it is often life-changing.

In 2018 Packard Health Integrated Care rose to the next level with the addition of our Addiction Treatment Services team. We’ve gathered an exceptional group of trained and experienced addiction specialists. Led by Assistant Medical Director of Addiction Services, Sarah Bur, MD, the team works seamlessly with our primary and mental health care staff. Integrated care that includes addiction treatment options has never been more urgent – in Washtenaw County one resident overdoses on opioids every day, and one resident dies of overdose every week.

45 years ago Packard Health was a pioneer in integrated health care. Today we are still at it, working that model that has improved so many lives.

I want to take this opportunity to personally and professionally commend our caregivers. Their commitment is the key to Packard Care. Together with our patients, we are a team, and that’s what integrated health care is about.

Raymond Rion, MD

Director Ejecutivo

The post Packard Health Integrated Care 2.0 appeared first on Packard Health.

The season of thanks is here and I want to lead a round of applause for the men and women I work with every day – our Packard Health team. They are All-Stars of collaboration, commitment and compassion. Together they divide the tasks – and multiply our success.

Team members have been stepping up to new responsibilities and positions, and reaching out to help with workload. We’re moving our West office to a new location (read more below) and I appreciate the detailed coordination and cooperation that entails. We’re growing our behavioral health program, a quest that takes thoughtful planning and commitment. And throughout, there is Packard’s dedication to high-quality care for our patients.

I simply want to pause and say, “Thank you.”

It’s the season of thanks – but my deep appreciation for the Packard team runs round the year.

In good health,

Dr. Ray Rion
Director Ejecutivo

The post Here’s to the team appeared first on Packard Health.

Food insecurity has an adverse impact on health. A person without access to good food has a doubled risk of type 2 diabetes, and probably struggles with obesity and hypertension. Food insecurity, chronic disease, and poor health outcomes form a vicious cycle, with constant stress at the very center. This is the life of many of our patients.

Packard Health links low-income patients to healthy food. In this month of Hunger Action, I want to tell you about our efforts, the collaboration of compassionate staff and generous community partners.

• Patients at risk for food insecurity are assisted immediately at their office visit.
• Our 2 food pantries (Main & West) offer a wide selection of nutritious food.
• We help patients enroll in SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• Our Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator is a key member of our health care team, working with side-by-side with patients and providers.
• Generous Food Gatherers delivers food (including fresh produce) on a weekly basis and stocking of our pantries is done by a team of wonderful volunteers.
• Church of the Good Shepherd-UCC plants 9 raised beds and since 2009 we have received the veggie bounty. In winter we receive cases of fresh citrus.
• Ann Arbor CROP Hunger Walk has selected us over many years as a local recipient for donations. CROP Walk is coming up September 25. Come out!
• Via “Prescription for Health” of the Washtenaw County Health Dept., 60 low-income patients receive $100 in produce at the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets.
• Our food pantry clients receive Good and Cheap:  Eating Well on $4 a Day cookbook thanks to donors who organized a drive and raised the funds.

I’m proud that Packard is helping to fight food insecurity in our community, and very appreciative of all who join in that important work.

In good health,

Ray Rion, MD, Executive Director

The post Hunger is a health issue appeared first on Packard Health.

Here at Packard Health we’re reaching out in new ways to our under-served and vulnerable neighbors, guided by a vision that’s as old as we are. Simply put, we meet patients where they are.

Wherever they may be – in medical condition, in span of life – we meet patients with respect, and with care that meets their individual needs. Wherever they may be in location, we strive to bring health care closer. We build relationships between care team and patients, many of whom have complex medical conditions and chaotic lives. Wherever they are, we meet them there.

I’m pleased to share good news and exciting initiatives over the past 6 months as we strive to meet patients where they are. Much of this work is in collaboration with our community partners and we are honored to work with them.

•  New Packard Health Office in Ypsilanti

•  Operations of the Shelter Health Clinic at the Delonis Center

•  Outreach to small family shelters and Miller Manor, an affordable housing unit of Avalon Housing

•  Packard’s prenatal, pediatrics, and women’s health services – busier than ever!

•  And let’s hear it for our seniors – some have been with us for over 40 years!

In good health,

Dr. Ray Rion
Director Ejecutivo

The post Patients – We’ll meet you there appeared first on Packard Health.

“Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care.” 

As Packard Health and our partners in the community focus hard on the most vulnerable citizens in Washtenaw County, there’s energy, innovation and commitment in the air. Packard Health is honored to be a part of this unfolding story. Here are two examples of great news and hard work.

$650,000 in Federal Funding to Serve Our County’s Most Vulnerable

Packard Health went after federal dollars for our community – and a call from Rep. Debbie Dingell’s office delighted us with the news – we got it! The renewable annual grant funding will aid our county’s homeless and uninsured, and enables us to bring our unique, integrated model of care to more patients. We currently see 7,000 patients a year, and we’ll work to reach an additional 3,000 with a new office in Ypsilanti and expansion of care at the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor. You’ll be hearing lots more.

Exploring Supportive Housing Linked with Health Services

Ann Arbor was the scene of an inspiring CSH Social Initiative Fund SIF Conference last week, part of a national 5-year initiative to address rising health care costs by pulling people with the most complex issues out of the revolving door of crisis health services. Packard Health is exploring ideas with Avalon Housing to grow an effective new model that blends housing and cost-effective health services for our most vulnerable – the complex homeless who bounce from shelter to hospital to detox center to the streets again.

Packard Health has been an important community safety net for 43 years. We’re strengthening those strings as never before and I extend heartfelt appreciation to all who work to make that so.

Dr. Raymond Rion
Director Ejecutivo

The post Good, good works appeared first on Packard Health.

A round of applause, please, for our team – the Packard Health staff. They are All-Stars of commitment, collaboration and care. I admire their ability to divide and conquer – and multiply our success.

Here at Packard, it’s lively times. Staff members are embarking on new education, celebrating new babies, and handling family responsibilities. At the office there are expanded responsibilities and new systems, and our overriding commitment to high-quality health care for our patients.

I simply want to stop and say, “Thank you.”

I am deeply appreciative of the Packard Health staff and their exceptional teamwork. They step up and give a hand to each other, they are positive and patient-centered.

Summer is underway – appreciation has no season.  Thank you, Packard staff!

Dr. Raymond Rion
Director Ejecutivo

The post Appreciations appeared first on Packard Health.