For Immediate Release Contact: Bobby Maldonado 248-858-6662 Bobby.Maldonado@stjoeshealth.org
ANN ARBOR, MI, (Nov. 17, 2021) – IHA, the medical group for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and a member of Trinity Health, has appointed Cindy Elliott, RN, FACHE, to be its next president. Today’s announcement follows a unanimous vote from the IHA Governing Board and the Trinity Health Michigan Board, and Elliott’s successful leadership in the interim role for the past several months.
Elliott becomes just the third president in IHA’s 27-year history, after Mark LePage, MD, and the late William Fileti.
“Cindy has been part of the IHA family for more than 22 years and was the clear choice to lead Trinity Health’s largest multi-specialty medical group,” said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan. “We are fortunate to have a leader with Cindy’s skill, vision and values helping forge the future of care for communities here in Michigan.”
Elliott has extensive clinical and operational experience over her distinguished 30-year career. She joined IHA in 1999 as director of Medical Management and progressed to positions of higher authority. In 2007 she was appointed COO and in 2016 she became president and COO. Together with the team at IHA, Elliott has led the organization through several significant phases of growth – taking the medical group from 180 providers in 2009 to more than 1,000 providers serving 125 locations across six counties. She also led the effort in establishing IHA’s 24/7 Service Center, which in 2020 took in more than 3.4 million incoming phone calls from patients. “Cindy is passionate about serving our community as if every single patient were a member of her own family,” said Robert Breakey, MD, chairman of the IHA Governing Board of Directors. “She is highly respected across IHA, is known for her caring and compassionate demeanor, and has a tremendous work ethic and drive for delivering outstanding results.”
Elliott earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Master of Health Administration from Eastern Michigan University. She has completed the Healthcare Executive course with Harvard’s School of Public Health and is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University and has served on several boards, including EMU’s Physician Assistant Program Advisory Board and the United Way of Washtenaw County.
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About IHA
Established in 1994, IHA is one of the largest multi-specialty medical groups in Michigan delivering more than one million patient visits each year, practicing based on the guiding principle: our family caring for yours. Led by physicians, IHA is committed to providing the best care with the best outcomes for every patient and an exceptional work experience for every provider and employee. IHA offers patients from infancy through senior years, access to convenient, quality health care with extended office hours and urgent care services, online patient diagnosis, treatment and appointment access tools. IHA is based in Ann Arbor and employs more than 3,000 staff, including more than 700 providers consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, care managers and midwives in more than 100 practice locations across Southeast Michigan. IHA serves as the Medical Group for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and a member of Trinity Health. To learn more about IHA, visit www.ihacares.com.
If you have tried to read an expiration date on a medicine bottle through blurry eyes in the middle of the night, this post is for you. If you have used four band-aids to cover a knee scrape on a crying child, this post is also for you. A well-stocked medicine cabinet is a must-have for every household. An illness or injury can sneak up on you at any point, day or night, and emergency trips to the drugstore in your pajamas are no fun. Here’s our (pediatrician & urgent care physician approved) medicine cabinet inventory list. As we head into cold and flu season, there’s no better time to stock-up.
Always remember to check with your child’s pediatrician or your primary care physician before giving or taking any medications and if the illness sticks around for more than a day or two. Always keep all medications out of reach of children.
Pain Relief You will want to have both Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for both children and adults, on hand. A children’s does is based on weight, so be sure to check with your pediatrician before giving your child a pain reliver. • Acetaminophen: o Medications containing acetaminophen can be used on headaches, muscle pains and fevers. • Ibuprofen: o This one is more effective for strains and sprains, but can help with fevers, too. (not to be used in children less than 6 months of age) • Ice Pack: o For bumps and minor injuries, have a reusable ice pack in the freezer or ready to fill with ice. Look for a soft or flexible ice pack for children.
Skincare From bug bites to rashes to burns, the skin can be vulnerable to injury. Here are a few things to keep in your medicine cabinet to treat multiple issues. •Petroleum Jelly o A home-care basic, this can be used to treat dry or irritated skin, eczema rashes and diaper rash. • Hydrocortisone Cream 1% o A tube of this over-the-counter steroid can help relieve symptoms from a bug bite, eczema, and other rashes.
Allergy Relief
• Antihistamine o It’s good to have a non-drowsy and preferably a long-lasting version of this medication for everyone in the house. Allergy symptoms (itchy nose and eyes, sneezing or skin irritation) aren’t always just seasonal. o Make sure to check with your child’s pediatrician or primary care physician before giving antihistamines for kids
• Saline Nasal Spray o This can be helpful when noses are blocked, itchy or dry. Remember to spray away from the center of the nose, toward the ear. o The saline drops are great for babies and toddlers who can’t blow their nose well • Eye Drops o Long days of screentime can result in tired, dry eyes. If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, have a bottle of lubricating eye drops in the house. A couple drops of “tears” will refresh and soothe dry eyes.
Cold Treatment • Vics VapoRub o This topical cough suppressant can be purchased in different strengths for babies, kids and adults, but for babies and toddlers, it can be more irritating than helpful so it’s typically not recommended until the age of 4 years old. Check with your child’s pediatrician before using it on babies or children. Rub a ¼ – ½ a teaspoon of this ointment on the chest and back to help relieve congestion and cough symptoms. This is especially useful at night when a cough keeps you awake. • Cough Syrup o Although this medication cannot be given to kids under 6 years old (and you should check with your pediatrician for ages 6-11), it can relieve an annoying cough for older children and adults in your house. When purchasing cough syrup, look for one with dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. • Nasal Aspirator o Before babies know how to blow their nose, a nasal aspirator can help relieve congestion.
Wound Care • Bandages o Look for a box with a variety of sizes. From fingertips to knees, you never know what size you may need. If shopping for children’s bandages, let them pick a fun design. It might make their injury feel a little less traumatic. • Roll of Gauze and Medical Tape o When a bandage won’t cut it, have a roll of gauze or gauze squares handy to cover the boo-boo. Use the tape to secure the gauze in place. • Antibiotic Ointment o Use an ointment like Neosporin to keep minor cuts, scrapes and burns from getting infected. Tools • Thermometer o For infants less than 6 months of age, use a rectal thermometer and a temporal or oral thermometer for older kids and adults. • Tweezers o Because splinters happen. Also, ticks can be safely removed with tweezers.
If you or a family member ever experiences an illness or injury more serious than the medicine cabinet and handle, contact your primary care physician or pediatrician.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to children ages 5 to 11. Here’s what parents and children need to know about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the possible side effects, and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
We Recommend the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Age 5-11
On November 2, 2021, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for emergency use for children ages 5-11. It is a 2-dose series taken three weeks apart. Each dose will be 1/3 the dosage of the adolescent/adult vaccine.
The vaccine for children ages 5-11 years is effective: · 90-100% effective in clinical trials. · There were no severe cases of COVID-19 in clinical trials. · The vaccine works against Delta and other known variants of concern.
IHA Pediatrics has been vaccinating children ages 12 and up since May of 2021, and we have confidence that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for our patients. As of October 2021, more than 11.1 million adolescents have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Appointment Available
IHA Pediatrics is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to current patients aged 5-11 however, availability may be limited.
We are working quickly to begin vaccinating our younger patients and will share more information on how to schedule your child’s COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days. Please continue to check our website and social media for the latest updates. If your child has an appointment scheduled at IHA Pediatrics in the next few weeks and is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, please ask for it at your appointment.
We also encourage you to search vaccines.gov to enter your zip code and easily find locations where vaccines are available.
Don’t Forget the Flu Vaccine! It is more important than ever to stay healthy and protect yourself against preventable illnesses. It is safe to receive the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.
Top Ten Questions Parents Ask about the COVID-19 Vaccine
Should I worry the vaccine is too “new”? No.
As of October 2021, more than 6.63 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given worldwide, with more than 416 million doses in the United States. For adolescents alone, over 11 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine tell us that this vaccine is no longer “new.” Scientists and pediatricians feel confident in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. Waiting puts you at higher risk for infection and illness.
The vaccine got to us fast due to:
The vaccine research for mRNA started in 1961 and, in the last decade specifically, was focused on SARS.
The vaccine was released more quickly than other vaccines because the production started before the clinical trials. This was due to the pandemic, which provided funding and resources to make that happen.
Due to high disease rates in our community during vaccine development, we didn’t have to wait for a minimum number of cases for clinical trials, as is standard with vaccine development.
Will we need booster shots every year? We don’t know yet.
It depends on how many people get vaccinated and if the virus continues to spread and change. As the population becomes vaccinated, we reduce the spread of the virus, which helps to prevent it from continuing to change. We won’t need boosters if we are reducing and eliminating variants of COVID-19.
Does it affect puberty or fertility?No.
Based on our knowledge of mRNA, we are confident that the COVID-19 vaccine will not have long-term effects on puberty or fertility. mRNA cannot integrate with DNA or alter cells.
Vaccine ingredients are cleared from the body quickly. mRNA is fragile and breaks down within 72 hours after injection. Ingredients do not linger in the body.
Thousands upon thousands have gotten pregnant after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
mRNA vaccine is not made up of COVID-19. It is only the protein.
There are reports of menstrual cycle changes after the COVID-19 vaccine. This is due to the body mounting an immune response and a temporary side effect, like a fever.
What are the most common side effects for children? They can vary but are minimal.
Side effects that have been reported are mild to moderate such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, diarrhea, or muscle aches.
More children reported side effects with the second dose compared to the first dose.
Rare side effects can happen, such as swollen lymph nodes or skin sensitivity, but these are not long-term and resolved in most cases in a few days.
How do we know about long-term side effects? Decades of research.
Based on our knowledge of mRNA and the human body, we don’t expect long-term side effects since it breaks down in the body in 72 hours.
As with all vaccines, including the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, concerning side effects have occurred 6-8 weeks after injection. Vaccine development is based on decades of research. Scientists have done a rigorous review of all available data before approving for children. Our history of science tells us that if there are no side effects in those first few weeks, we are confident that concerns that arise with any patient decades later are unlikely to be related to any vaccine.
mRNA cannot be converted to or inserted into DNA. It’s not scientifically possible.
How common is myocarditis for children after vaccination? Extremely rare.
Myocarditis means “inflammation of the heart muscle.” This can happen due to the robust immune response the vaccine can have on your body.
It is very rare, about 26 cases per 1 million.
Myocarditis has occurred rarely in some people following the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, typically within a week after the second dose.
The risk is highest in males 12–29 years of age.
The risk of myocarditis after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is lower than the risk of myocarditis from the actual COVID-19 virus in adolescents and adults.
When myocarditis occurs in those with COVID-19 infection, it is more common, severe, and lasts long-term.
No cases of myocarditis were reported in the vaccine clinical trial among ~3000 children, ages 5–11 years.
Symptoms of myocarditis are most commonly chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a fluttering heartbeat.
Adolescents who have had this rare side effect are monitored closely. Most make a full recovery in 3-4 weeks by using anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
No children have died of myocarditis after the COVID-19 vaccine.
My child had COVID. Do they need the vaccine? Yes.
We know that “natural immunity” can be high at first. However, protection can drop off quickly or change based on circulating variants.
Getting a vaccine, even for those who have already had COVID-19, strengthens your immune response.
If you had COVID-19 once, it is possible to get a different strain again. The immune response after infection is not as focused. Evidence shows the vaccines protect you longer and for all the variants to date.
Most importantly, the vaccine gives protection and prevents hospitalization for several of the COVID variants.
Your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine once they are out of quarantine. There is no “waiting period,” as another strain may come, and the vaccine will protect from getting hospitalized.
Can children become very sick with COVID? Yes.
COVID-19 disease in children can range from no symptoms to severe illness.
As of October 2021, over 6.3 million COVID-19 pediatric cases have been reported.
Only 43% of children under 12 have natural immunity.
30% of hospitalizations for children with COVID-19 had no underlying medical conditions. As of October 2021, there were 5,217 MIS-C cases linked to COVID-19 in children. This multi-organ system effect makes children extremely ill and requires hospitalization, often in the ICU.
Long COVID, or lingering COVID-19 symptoms, can lead to learning problems, heart problems, exercise fatigue with sports, and respiratory issues. This has been reported in about 8% of children who have had COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began, over 600 pediatric deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported. It is now a top 10 cause of death for children in the United States.
What are the ingredients? Put simply, it’s fat, salt, electrolytes, and sugar.
Lipids are the “fatty layer” that protects the delicate mRNA so it has time to work before getting chopped up. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), the most famous lipid, is also the main ingredient in MiraLAX (which you know about if your child has ever been constipated).
The ingredients are only just salt, some electrolytes, mRNA, fat, and sugar. These ingredients help keep the vaccine stable and are natural preservatives.
Is there less quarantine from school, sports, or activities if vaccinated? Yes.
This pandemic has been traumatizing, especially for children. Their lives were abruptly disrupted in March 2020, and their mental and physical health has suffered. Anxiety and depression rates are up.
Based on the State of Michigan’s current guidelines, students who are vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 can remain in school and wear a mask.
We know that less quarantining will only benefit all children.
