In 1991, Genesee County was suffering from population and job loss due to the flight of General Motors. Many were finding themselves without medical insurance and therefore, without a place to go when ill. As the population became sicker and sicker without any hope for care, local physician, Dr. M. Nagaraju, looked for an answer to a growing problem. He started a small free clinic in the city for those living in poverty and lacking insurance. Run completely on donations and through partnerships with multiple organizations, the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic (GCFMC) provides primary care services to those in need in Flint and the surrounding communities. In 2001, the clinic expanded service and moved into its current location at 2437 Welch Blvd. in Flint.
January is a month dedicated to increasing awareness of the many birth defects, causes of the afflictions, their impact and prevention. Birth defects are deemed those abnormal structural changes at (or before) birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body. Defects can be mild or severe depending upon the body part affected. They can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most defects occur in the baby’s first three months of development.
From a jar or a blender? Which is better for your baby: homemade or store-bought baby food? There is a lot of information on the Internet discussing homemade vs store-bought baby food when you start your infant on solid foods around six months of age, according to riseandshinechildrensnational.org.
One of the most common pediatric complaints is flat feet. Children’s feet go through a normal pronated (flat) developmental phase. The condition becomes a problem if the child complains of pain or has symptoms elsewhere that are related to the feet. Often, a custom orthotic (arch support) is needed to relieve the symptoms. Physical therapy can also help stretch, strengthen and achieve better range of motion of the ankle and foot joints. Severe cases that do not respond to custom orthotics, physical therapy and other conservative care may require surgery.
Last fall, Hurley Foundation unveiled the new Dr. R. Roderic Abbott Medical Education Center. The Center provides technology enhanced rooms for trainings and conferences within the hospital, enhancing our vision to be “leaders in transforming health through academic and clinical excellence, expanding access to innovative care.”
In the prosthetics industry, new technology is being introduced at a fast and furious pace. Mike Bugg, Owner/CEO of Orthotech Prosthetics & Orthotics, feels that although multiple new componentry are available, the three key advancements for the everyday walker and average amputee are the Symphonie Aqua Casting System, hydraulic feet, and advanced micro-processor knees.
Starting from birth, good vision is an integral part of a child’s physical and social development. Just as they must learn to walk and talk, babies must learn to focus their eyes and use what they see to understand the world around them.
For years, physicians have been discussing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. While there are numerous risks associated with obesity for adults, becoming pregnant while obese presents a distinct and significant set of problems. In obese women, there is not only potential harm to the mother but to the unborn child, as well. In this article, I will discuss the impact of obesity on pregnancy and options for obese women who are or want to become pregnant.
Dental health is important at every age and stage of life. As you age, the risks rise for things like gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, gum recession, etc. If you neglect these issues today, there will be bigger repairs tomorrow.
At its annual meeting on October 30th, the Hurley Board of Managers re-elected the following slate of officers: Jason Caya – Chair; Frances Gilcreast – Vice Chair; Phil Shaltz -Treasurer and Charlotte Edwards – Secretary. Board Officers serve one-year terms.
Congratulations on your new arrival! There is lots of joy and love and lots of sleepless nights in your near future. The last thing a new parent needs is the added stress of an unexpected medical diagnosis concerning the baby. Luckily, the issues addressed in this piece are relatively easy to fix.
As part of the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Community-Wide strategy to address the opioid epidemic, a new Community Toolkit is now available to Flint and Genesee County residents. This Community Toolkit includes information about the opioid epidemic, risks and side effects of opioids, signs and symptoms of addiction or overdose, and much more. This Toolkit is provided in tandem with a Quick Reference Referral Guide for Substance Use Treatment.
