Since 1882, Port Huron Hospital has been committed to making a positive difference in the health of St. Clair and Sanilac County residents. In May 2014, McLaren Hospital purchased Port Huron Hospital, making it the 12th hospital in the McLaren system. There have been many benefits to McLaren purchasing Port Huron Hospital, one of which is the cancer center at McLaren Port Huron being purchased by Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center.
In an effort to get students excited and help make them aware of the changes happening at McLaren Port Huron, the Ross Medical Education Center staff and faculty invited Kelly DiNardo, RN Program Coordinator, Community Education & Outreach to come to the Port Huron campus to discuss her role at the hospital as well as other exciting programs and events offered by McLaren.
Kelly shared that she organizes three signature events throughout the year for McLaren Port Huron Hospital, one of which is the Children’s Fun & Fitness Festival held annually in March. This event provides many fun and interactive activities for children to participate in to promote healthy habits. Kelly emphasized to students and staff that the Children’s Fun & Fitness Festival is a free, public event and encouraged everyone to bring their families and friends. “This event keeps children very busy and engaged,” stated Kelly. “Children can dress as surgeons and ‘operate’ using the state of the art DaVinci, a robotic surgical technique. They can also learn about bike safety, visit the K9 companion dogs, and even run an obstacle course.”
Since 2011, the staff and faculty at the Port Huron campus have participated in this educational event by hosting a table where the children can play a large heart ring toss game. Each year the game continues to be a crowd favorite, drawing in the children to play and learn where the heart is located within the body. Instructors were on hand with their stethoscopes and encouraged the children to listen to their own heartbeat. “This event is always so well organized,” commented Mary Jo Jobbitt, Medical Assistant Clinic Instructor. “I like participating to see the community come out for this great event and to witness first-hand the facial expressions of children when they hear their own heartbeat, it is truly priceless.”
The instructors at Ross in Port Huron are always very engaged in this event and look forward to participating every year. Each instructor prides themselves in making the experience special for each child by taking time to help them hear their heartbeat and then by explaining to them what they have heard. “I think it is a very nice event for families to come and allow their children to see the hospital as a fun, positive environment. Some kids are afraid to go to the hospital because of a bad experience, and this event helps them not to be so scared.” commented Angie Wilczynski, Medical Assistant Administrative Instructor.
Ross continues to partner with McLaren Port Huron Hospital to build a mutually beneficial relationship. The 186-bed not-for-profit community hospital provides a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services including specialized centers accredited or certified for breast health services, orthopedics, stroke care, bariatric surgery, wound healing, cancer care, inpatient diabetes care, and sleep medicine. More information about the event and McLaren Port Huron can be found at www.mclaren.org.