LANSING – The Michigan departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are issuing a public health alert regarding illness shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) from infections among people who have reported raw clover sprouts consumption in mid and southeast Michigan. At this time, MDCH is recommending that people avoid [...]

After halting its initial efforts toward pursuit of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program a couple of years ago, Three Rivers Health is resuming that journey. That was the indication from CEO Bill Russell in a ‘Board Education’ report to the Three Rivers Health Authority Board during its February meeting Thursday morning (February 23rd). Russell noted [...]

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter in partnership with Presenting Sponsor Absolute Homecare and Medical Staffing are pleased to present the 10th Dr. Richard Seyfarth Schreiber Memorial Conference on April 13-14.  This two-day conference will be held at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center in Kalamazoo.  Friday will feature a Professional Conference, [...]

Three Rivers Health Chief Executive Officer William Russell has announced the addition of a new emergency services partner to staff and manage the hospital’s emergency department. Hospital Physician Partners is one of nation’s leading Emergency Medicine management companies, and currently works with more than 100 hospitals across the country. “This partnership is a great fit [...]

Jan Reed, Collaboration Coordinator for the St. Joseph County Human Services Commission (HSC), is encouraging participation in the St. Joseph County Community Health Needs Assessment as the period for the survey draws to a close. Reed noted that, “This is a joint effort by both local hospitals, Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the [...]

The American Red Cross will hold a BLOOD DRIVE Wednesday (February 22nd) at the JOCO Center, 805 Wood Street in Three Rivers. The blood drive will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. For further information about donating blood, click here.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is now providing easier access for Sturgis residents to its WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. Beginning on March 9, 2012, the satellite clinic will be open at the Holy Angels Catholic School located at 306 S. Nottawa Rd. Sturgis, MI 49091. The clinic will be open on Fridays [...]

LANSING – With the sweetest holiday of the year upon us, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is encouraging children and parents to be mindful of good oral health when they give and receive valentines this year. Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, right in the middle of National Children’s Dental Health Month. As a [...]

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency – otherwise known as the Health Department – has received 400 doses of FREE flu vaccine to be dispensed in the agency’s three-county service area. That was the report from Health Officer Steve Todd during the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting last week. Todd indicated the flu [...]

The Three Rivers Fire Department (TRFD) Ambulance Service was in the spotlight Thursday evening (February 9th) as Three Rivers area governmental officials resumed the series of Community Development Meeting (CDM) discussions that began last April. The meetings – aimed at exploring ways to cooperate and collaborate in providing services – were launched by Ken Baker [...]

A Sturgis Journal story reports that Sturgis Hospital has completed the transition to electronic patient records. To access the article by Terry Katz, click here.

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners would like to explore the possibility of combining mental health/substance abuse and community health services under one department. In a 6-to-nothing vote during their meeting on Tuesday (February 7th), commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner John Dobberteen to “ask the CMH (Community Mental Health) board to explore the [...]

ROAD SIGNS, a new, proactive drug prevention and educational program aimed at teens, is starting up in St. Joseph County. The program, which enables parents to do drug testing on their children at home, was in the spotlight during a news conference Monday morning (February 6th) at the Courts Building in Centreville. Probate Judge Tom [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Community Health’s (MDCH) Michigan Tobacco Quitline is now offering free coaching for pregnant women who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid and want to quit using tobacco. Some of the immediate benefits of quitting smoking and staying smoke free after the baby is born include: A lower chance of [...]

The police agencies of St. Joseph County in partnership with the Prosecutor’s office, the Juvenile Court, CMH Substance Abuse Services, and the Human Services Commission are starting a new proactive drug prevention and educational program for St. Joseph County aimed at teens.  A press conference is scheduled on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. [...]

In an effort to plan for future health related needs, the St Joseph County Health Assessment Project – through the Access to Care Task Force – seeks to survey St. Joseph County residents.  The survey focuses on strengths, household challenges and issues, as well as public perception of needs in the area.  This “SurveyMonkey” will [...]

It’s time to start looking in your closets and pulling out your favorite red outfits!  Friday, February 3rd, is National Wear Red Day®. Don’t be shy ladies, put on that little red dress! Go Red for Woman is a campaign through the American Heart Association that partners with The Heart Truth® to support National Wear [...]

The St. Joseph County Substance Abuse Task Force will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday (February 1st) in the Lake Room at the Courts Building in Centreville. To view the agenda for the meeting, click here. The Task Force is a work group of the St. Joseph County Human Services Commission. For additional information, contact Amber [...]

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States and account for more than one of every five infant deaths. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency would like to remind you that January is “National Birth Defects Prevention Month.” This year’s campaign focuses on helping health professionals and citizens take steps [...]

LANSING – As January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is joining the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) to increase awareness of birth defects and help healthcare professionals and Michigan families take positive steps to reduce their risks. “Michigan continues to struggle with our infant mortality rate, [...]