Baldwin, Big Rapids, Cadillac, Grant, McBain and White Cloud


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Community Health Center Advocate Retires

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Kathy Sather, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Family Health Care (FHC), headquartered in Baldwin, Michigan, recently announced her plans to retire effective September 1, 2020.

Kathy Sather, President & CEO

“I have enjoyed my time as CEO and will always treasure the fond memories of this organization and the great work staff does here every day, especially during this recent pandemic challenge,” said Sather. “The mission and vision of Community Health Centers and specifically FHC is what makes them successful in overcoming challenges and reaching so many successes in treating our communities’ health issues.”

Sather, a Registered Nurse licensed for over 45 years, retires with 32 years of experience in Community Health Center work and served as Family Health Care’s President and CEO since January of 2011.  Prior to that time, she served as the Chief Operations Officer of Cherry Street Health Services, a Grand Rapids-based Federally Qualified Community Health Center. Sather has served on various boards such as the State of Michigan’s School-Community Health Alliance (SCHAMI) and Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) in earlier years as a clinical advisor as well as holding an officer seat as the board secretary and a member of the Executive Committee. She began her career in a community health center with experience in migrant health as a nurse manager of clinical services in Sparta, Michigan. She earned her master’s degree in business at Davenport University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Grand Valley State University.

“We will certainly miss Kathy’s leadership, and are grateful that she and her Leadership Team have positioned the organization to further a safe environment for both staff and patients and that patients will continue to receive the quality care they need,” said Bob Fisher, Chair of the FHC Board of Directors.

Plans are in place for Julie Tatko to join FHC on August 7, 2020, to help with the responsibilities of CEO. Julie most recently has been the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Cherry Health in Grand Rapids. Her duties there included the administrative and operational oversight of the organization with an emphasis on medical and behavioral health programming.

“It has been a pleasure working with the staff at FHC.  And I’m confident Julie will do a great job leading the organization one step at a time toward further accomplishments while our Board searches for a new CEO,” continued Sather.

For the month of August, Tatko will be working with Sather on a part-time basis as an Administrative Consultant. Julie has many years of experience with the operations of Community Health Centers. Before joining Cherry Health, she was director of operations and enabling services at (MPCA).

She has a Master in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College.

Upon Sather’s retirement, Tatko will assume the role of Interim CEO while the Board of Directors makes further search decisions.

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Employee Accolades from Dr. Daniel Bow

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Our staff have put forth unprecedented effort for patients and each other during this pandemic and are very much appreciated. I wanted to take a moment to recognize certain ones that have stood out to me in a positive light.

Tiffany S. has been invaluable. She has been quick to resolve the issues I’ve run into with telehealth visits and has been professional throughout our interactions. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without her assistance.

Melissa T. has been quick to help me with Nextgen issues as they arise. While I haven’t worked with her quite as directly during the pandemic, I wanted to mention her for all the hard work she does for our organization.

Megan F. has worked so hard at getting telehealth visits scheduled, making sure patients understand how to connect to it and communicating with me. There have been several instances where we had issues getting patients connected. Megan was quick to resolve those issues and while still maintaining a positive attitude.

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Family Health Care Announces Changes in Services

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COVID-19 Announcement:
Updated March 30, 2020

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Family Health Care (FHC) is taking steps to protect patients and employees. Please note the following changes in our services.

ALL CLINICS: Due to the State of Michigan mandate, before entering any Family Health Care facility, all patients must complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. An employee will review this questionnaire before patients are authorized to enter any FHC building.

PHARMACY: All pharmacy locations are curbside pick-up service only for patients needing medications. Please call your local FHC pharmacy if you need refills or have a prescription to pick-up. Hours of operation for pharmacies are:

  • Baldwin: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Cobb Street (Cadillac): Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Grant: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • White Cloud: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MEDICAL: All FHC medical clinics are open for urgent medical needs and those with illness. If you have a scheduled medical appointment, staff will attempt to call you before the appointment to complete a mandated COVID-19 questionnaire.

  • Medical Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No late hours or Saturdays.

 CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH CENTERS (CAHC): The centers located in Baldwin Elementary School, Grant Middle School and White Cloud High School are open to all patients up to 21 years of age.

  • CAHC Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

DENTAL: All dental offices are closed.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Will remain open in the Baldwin, Cadillac, Grant, McBain and White Cloud Health Centers, as well as the Child & Adolescent Health Centers in Baldwin, Grant and White Cloud.

  • Behavioral Health Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VISION: All vision offices are closed.

RADIOLOGY: Ultrasound will be available for urgent needs only. X-Ray will continue to operate, but patients should call for availability.

IN-HOME RESPITE: Services will continue based on patient needs.

For additional information and updates on the coronavirus and Family Health Care please click here

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Understanding Work Requirements and the Health Michigan Plan

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Recently the State of Michigan has made a change to the eligibility requirements for Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP). The HMP provides health care benefits to Michigan residents at a low cost so more people can have health care coverage. We at Family Health Care want to be sure you are aware of the new requirement so you and your family can stay enrolled and insured.

Beginning January 1, 2020, Michigan law requires individuals and their families who have MI Health Accounts under the HMP to report work, school, or other qualifying activities to maintain health coverage. Paying your copays remains in effect, but it’s not enough to keep your coverage. Under this new rule, those with coverage through HMP must also verify they work or do other activities, like job searching, for at least 80 hours each month. These activities must be reported each month. This can be done by:

  • Online – If you have an MI Bridges account, use the MI Bridges Portal located at michigan.gov/mibridges. (Family Health Care has kiosks at each site with internet access)
  • By phone – Call the HMP Work Requirements and Exemption Reporting Line at 1-833-895-4355. (TTY 1-866-501-5656).
  • In-person – you can get help at your local MDHHS office.

Work and other activities must be reported if you are between the ages of 19-62 years of age, have the Healthy Michigan Plan, and do not have a reason to be exempt (excused) from this new requirement. You may use any combination of these work or other activities to report the 80-hour requirement:

  • Job or income
  • Job search
  • Student
  • Job training
  • Tribal employment program
  • Rehab (substance use disorder treatment)
  • Volunteering or internship

If you do not report and verify work, school or job searching activities, you may lose your HMP coverage. You can reapply once you meet the requirement but will receive a delay in coverage with a one-month penalty.

In some cases, you may be excused from the new requirement. Some people will qualify for an exemption (excuse). Many people have already received their exemption from these requirements. Reasons you may be eligible for an exemption include, but are not limited to:

  • Are pregnant or were pregnant within the last two months
  • Are the main caretaker for a family member under the age of six
  • Are a full-time student
  • Are medically frail
  • Have a medical condition that limits work
  • Care for a dependent with a disability

If you have questions or problems, call the Beneficiary Help Line at 800.642.3195 or TTY 866.501.5656. For a complete list of exemptions, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/ and click on the link for Healthy Michigan Plan. You can also contact a certified specialist at Family Health Care who can help you understand the new rule, assist you in applying for exemptions or reporting required activities. They are here for all community members, not just patients of Family Health Care. For more information on work requirements, visit https://www.familyhealthcare.org/work-requirements.

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Quick Tips for Avoiding Heat-Related Illness

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Heat-related illnesses affect people of all ages and can come on suddenly. That’s why at Family Health Care, we want everyone to know how to take care of their bodies when temperatures climb. The more you know about staying cool in the heat, the more protected you’ll be from heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

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