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.

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.

• Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.

HOW TO APPLY

For assistance applying, contact our office to work with a Patient Resource Specialist.

The post Emergency Broadband Benefit Enrollment appeared first on Packard Health.

Packard Health is grateful to be selected (again) as a featured charity in the Probility Ann Arbor Virtual Marathon & “Mile-A-Day” Marathon Challenge “Spring Edition”. Prioritizing behavioral health, including mental health, has never been as important as it is now. The increase in need, especially during the uncertainty that has come with COVID-19, has resulted in offering telehealth appointments and the hiring of our first Director of Behavioral Health.

Due to the lingering concerns of COVID-19, the events leading up to the larger in-person marathon in the fall will be virtual but still every bit impactful. For every designated donation by registrants to Packard Health, Epic Races donates an additional $3. Participation directly helps Packard Health patients who live in your community and are being assisted in overcoming their behavioral/mental health challenges.

Important to know – all movers, not just runners, are encouraged to participate! The goal is to be physically active by completing one mile a day. This can take place just about anywhere but if you want to change it up, there are lots of places to walk in Washtenaw County.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

NOW until February 28, 2021 – Registration for Ann Arbor Mile-A-Day Marathon Challenge WITH swag ($50 + Sign Up Fee); Registration for the all in one day Virtual Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K ($50 + Sign Up Fee)

NOW until March 21, 2021 – Registration for Ann Arbor Mile-A-Day Marathon Challenge WITHOUT swag ($25 + Sign Up Fee)

March 21, 2021 – Virtual All In One Day Events (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K) via Zoom; Beginning of the 26.2 Mile-A-Day Challenge

April 16, 2021 – Completion of the final .2 (as a group virtually) of the 26.2 Mile-A-Day Challenge via Zoom

NOW until October 24, 2021 – Registration for the fall Probility Ann Arbor Marathon (Price varies by race selection, all prices increase after 4/30/21) & Charity Donations

The post Join Us in Moving to “E-Race the Stigma” this Spring appeared first on Packard Health.

Packard Health is partnering with VotER, an initiative that began at Massachusetts General Hospital by Emergency Medicine physician Alister Martin, MD, MPP.

The goal, to empower the patient population.

The initiative is a response to the staggering estimate of more than 50 million eligible people in the United States who are not registered to vote, as well as the number of patients who fall victim to failed public policy. Both groups are overwhelmingly one in the same with the top three categories being the low-income, people of color, and young Americans. Some of the policy issues hindering their health and care include homelessness, addiction, food insecurity, and lack of access to mental health care – exactly what is impacting many Packard Health patients.

The ability to request an absentee ballot using VotER is readily available by sending a text or using a simple link – vot-er.org/packard-votes.

In-person voter registration at your county clerk’s office ends at 8pm on November 3. Request to have an absentee voter ballot mailed to you by 5pm on October 30. Vote absentee to safely avoid the crowds on November 3 or be sure to mask up and safely distance as you make your voice heard in person.

Encourage your loved ones to vote. While one vote feels insignificant, thousands (especially millions!) cannot be ignored. Let’s make a change!

TEXT REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT:

• Text “Vote Packard” to 34444
• Click the blue link sent your phone
• Click “Register to Vote”
• Click “Vote by Mail” to request your absentee ballot

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT ONLINE

Information derived from: Voter Registration is Part of Physician’s Mission

The post Exercise Your Right to Vote! appeared first on Packard Health.

On “Washtenaw United” this week, Dr. Ankoor Soni, Medical Director talks with WEMU 89.1’s David Fair about the shift in perspective, from addiction as a crime issue to one of public health.

LISTEN TO DR. SONI HERE

WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area.

The post New Addiction Program Shows Promising Results – Listen in to Dr. Soni on WEMU appeared first on Packard Health.

If you had no home to return to, the story would have been very different.

The new Recuperative Care program at the Delonis Center is a healing place for people discharged from the hospital with no home to go to. Packard Health nursing staff provide care to recovering clients in a 6-bed, semi-private area on the second floor.

Being homeless can increase the odds of re-hospitalization within 30 days almost four-fold. The Recuperative Care program breaks this cycle with shelter, time to recover, medical supervision, case management, and importantly, a bridge to permanent housing. “The program goal of all of us here at the Shelter is to discharge no one to homelessness,” says Ravi Vadlamudi, MD, Packard Health physician and Medical Director of the Recuperative Care Program.

“The program delivers on so many levels, from compassionate care to a bridge to housing to cost savings. This is a great program and Packard is excited to be a part of it,” says Dr. Ravi.

The post Hospital. Healing. Home. Recuperative Care at the Shelter. appeared first on Packard Health.

• Packard is one of 11 “hublets” (community organizations) in Washtenaw and Livingston counties working to decrease inappropriate and unnecessary ER visits, via the State Innovation Model (SIM), a federally-funded project. By identifying underlying issues, the project seeks to match frequent users with appropriate medical or social services treatment. Thank you to Rebecca Fleming and Manisha Cole (pictured at left)!
• Presentations to UM Medical Students about “Social Determinants of Health, Health Care Disparities and how Packard Health addresses these from a Team-Based Approach” – Ronald Romero, Katie, Marquez, Karen Koeppe and Amy Rendon presented and talked about their experience at Packard.
• Sarah Bur and Gina Dahlem were panelists at Home of New Vision Event – “Highlighting Community Collaborations that Support Long-term Recovery.”
• AAPS English Language Learning summer project at Scarlet Middle School, “Make a Living/ Make a Life.” Katie Marquez, Patient Advocate Coordinator hosted students at Packard.

The post Packard in the Community appeared first on Packard Health.

Lori received a great honor last week – 2019 Hometown Health Hero from the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership. Lori created a program called F-SHARP (Family Shelter Assessment and Referral Program). She visits families in shelters across the county and connects them with health care at Packard and The Corner Health Center.

On her visits to INH-Alpha House, SafeHouse Center, Ozone House and Staples Family Center Lori meets with families, identifying immediate health needs, making referrals, and setting up appointments to see her at Packard Health or The Corner Health Center.

The post Hometown Health Hero – Lori Bennett, FNP appeared first on Packard Health.

Dr. Ravi Vadlamudi was in Nepal during the 2015 earthquake, and in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina. Like each and every Packard Health care provider, Dr. Ravi has a personal store of exceptional commitment and compassion. He’s drawn to help people in need.

Karen Koeppe, Certified Diabetes Educator and Dietitian, has worked with patients to manage their chronic disease for 18 years. She created the Packard Pacers, a group of patients that walk the trails of County Farm Park each summer.

On Sunday, March 24, 2019 Ravi and Karen will join a dozen other Packard Health staff in the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon. The community health center is a featured charity of the event.

Packard Health was founded 46 years ago with the vision that everyone deserves access to quality health care. Packard Health provides integrated, team-based care, regardless of patients’ ability to pay, type of illness or circumstance.

Picture Packard Health – on any given day, exam rooms are filled with at-risk patients. They have complex medical needs, addiction and mental health issues, immigrant concerns, and an array of social barriers to healthcare. They are the most vulnerable in our community.

It takes uncommon caregivers to effectively connect with the most vulnerable – people like Packard’s Dr. Ronald Romero, who received 2018 Clinician of the Year Award from Michigan Primary Care Association. People like Ravi Vadlamudi and Karen Koeppe, who will be on the course March 24^th, urged on by a cheering team of Packard Health volunteers.

Everyone deserves the best opportunity to achieve health. That’s the idea that Packard Health runs on.

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