Category: News/Blog

Stuffed Animal Clinic at Dexter Daze

Join us at Dexter Daze on August 14 & 15 for a stuffed animal clinic! We’ll be in the Family Fun Zone at Mill Creek Park North (behind the fire station). IHA providers will give your stuffed animal an X-ray, bandage them adn get them ready to play again! Parents can learn more about IHA’s local practice locations and Urgent Care locations.

Providers will be on hand from:
IHA Chelsea Family & Internal Medicine
IHA Chelsea Pediatrics
IHA Child Health – Ann Arbor
IHA Nurse Midwives
IHA Pinckney Family Medicine
IHA Internal Medicine – Livingston

IHA Milan Summer Fest 5K

IHA is proud to help bring back and serve as the lead sponsor of the 2015 IHA Milan Summer Fest 5K. The race is a 3.1 mile run though the north side of Milan and will start and finish at IHA Milan Medical Center located on 870 E. Arkona Road.

The IHA Milan Summer Fest 5K is a great event for the entire family and the serious runner.  We are bringing the community together for a morning of health and fitness.The run starts at 8:00 am on Saturday August 1, giving participants the opportunity to visit the rest of the Milan Summer Fest activities.

Race proceeds will go towards a running/walking map of the local trails around Milan. This will be placed in the downtown area making it highly visible for residents and visitors to see.

 

Event Details and Schedules
Registration is open! To sign up please arrive on race day at 7:00 am.

– Early registration fee is $20 – and ends at midnight on Wednesday, July 29
– Race day registration is $25 from 7:00 am -7:45 am Saturday, August 1
– Race packet pick up will begin at 7:00 am on race day
– Race happening rain or shine

Awards
– All participants will receive race shirt and a water bottle
– Overall male/female awards
– Age group awards will be handed out

Printable Flyer
Click here to learn more

Sponsor/Contact Information
Race Director: Cynthia Larson, MD
Race Coordinator: Devin O’Neill
Email: devin_oneill@ihacares.com

Breastfeeding: When and How Much Does My Baby Need to Eat?

The first few days your body will make colostrum- a thick yellow/orange colored liquid that is VERY important for your baby to eat. It is nutritious and will help protect your baby from sickness. There may only be a tiny amount and that is OK and normal.

Between days 2-5 your milk will come in and will start to change to a creamy yellow to milky white color and there will be much more. The most wonderful thing is that your body will make milk according to your baby’s needs both in quantity and in nutrition!

To make sure you have enough milk, feed your baby when they ask to be fed or “on demand” feeding. There is no need to wait a certain amount of time before feeding and it could be less than an hour before your baby wants to feed again. It is normal for a newborn not to have a pattern for when they would like to eat and it is important for you to feed them often for both their health and to make sure you have enough milk for them.

Look for signs your baby is ready to eat such as:

  • Making soft sounds, whimpering- don’t wait for a full-blown cry to try!
  • Mouth movements- licking lips, sticking tongue out
  • Trying to put hands/fingers in mouth
  • Turning head toward breast or chest (this is called rooting)
  • They are awake and looking alert

The most important thing is to feed your baby when they ask to be fed and to make sure they are feeding every 2-3 hours for the first 2-3 weeks.

Don’t let your baby sleep through the night at first, if needed wake your baby at least every 3 hours. This will ensure that your baby is getting enough to eat and that your body makes enough milk.

This will be at least 8-12 feedings in a day and it may be more that is OK and normal.

Once your baby is older and stronger, they may not eat as many times each day and will be able to sleep for more hours at night.

How do I know if the feeding is good?

  • You can hear your baby swallowing and may see milk in their mouth when they are off the breast.
  • You feel your breasts are softer after feeding
  • You feel strong, deep pulling as your baby eats
  • Your baby nurses for about 15-20 minutes each side or 20-30 minutes on 1 side.

How do I know if they are full?

  • Your baby may become drowsy or sleepy after feeding
  • They look relaxed (hands and shoulders are relaxed)
  • Their mouth falls off your breast because they are so relaxed

How do I know if they are getting enough?

  • Your baby should have at least 6-8 wet/poopy diapers per day
  • We will check your baby’s weight when you come in for appointments to make sure they are gaining weight.

Call our office, IHA Pediatric Healthcare – Arbor Park, if you have any concerns, we are here to support you! (734) 434-3000

 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Bring on the sunshine (and sunscreen)

With the snow we had in late April, it may be hard to believe, but warmer weather in Michigan is just around the corner! I’m sure we are all looking forward to putting away our heavy coats and snow boots, and enjoying some sunshine.

Those who already know me and the rest of our providers at IHA Dermatology may get a chuckle from that previous sentence, particularly the part about “enjoying sunshine,” given how often we stress to our patients the importance of protecting oneself from the sun and using sunscreen regularly.

As some of you may know, the month of May has been designated Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which makes it an ideal time to remind our family, friends, and colleagues to become educated about the importance of protecting our body’s largest organ, the skin.

To illustrate why this is such an important topic, I’ll share with you some facts and figures that are nicely summarized in websites for the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation, where you can find even more information about this serious subject.

Did you know that skin cancer is by far the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year? In fact, more new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed yearly than the combined incidences of lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Of particular concern, about 140,000 cases of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed this year, and on average, one American dies from melanoma every hour. Unfortunately, the incidence of skin cancer is rising, particularly in younger people and in women, and melanoma is now the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25 to 30. The good news is that most skin cancers are preventable and the vast majority can be cured relatively easily, especially if they are diagnosed and treated early.

That is why we recommend that everyone seek protection from the sun by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, and reapplying sunscreen at least every 2-3 hours. Staying shaded and wearing sun-protective clothing whenever possible is also very helpful. Tanning and using tanning beds are harmful, and if you are worried about cosmetics at all, be aware that tanning and excessive sun exposure ages your skin dramatically.

To aid in early detection of skin cancer, we also suggest that you become familiar with your own skin and check yourself about monthly for any spots, bumps, moles, or lesions that look different from the rest, or are changing in any concerning way, such as by bleeding, itching, not healing, or growing rapidly. For those with a lot of moles, you can use your handy cell phone cameras to take pictures and look at them monthly to see if any have changed.

In addition to performing self-skin examinations regularly, it is generally a good idea to have yearly full skin evaluations by your board-certified dermatologist or primary care physician.

If you are interested in having a skin cancer screening or would like to have a concerning lesion evaluated, our board-certified and experienced dermatologists at IHA Dermatology are always happy to help in any way that we can. Just call us at 734-667-DERM (3376) to schedule an appointment. On behalf of IHA and IHA Dermatology, we hope you have a warm, fun, and most importantly, healthy May and summer. Bring on the sunshine (and sunscreen)!

March of Dimes March for Babies

IHA and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are proud to sponsor March of Dimes March for Babies! Look for St. Joseph Mercy walkers on May 3 at Kensington Metropark. The IHA OB/GYN Division walkers will be on hand at Hudson Mills Metropark for the May 17 walk. Sign up today and join a walk! Please note that both Metroparks require a park entry fee, unless you have a recreation pass on your vehicle. Both walks will take place along the paved exercise paths at the Metroparks.

IHA names Chief Quality Officer

News Release
April 9, 2015
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
IHA
Amy Middleton
734-327-0877
Amy_Middleton@IHAcares.com

IHA names Chief Quality Officer

ANN ARBOR, MI – (April 9, 2015) – IHA is pleased to announce that Martha Walsh, MD, FACOG, an obstetrician and gynecologist with IHA since 2007, has been selected as IHA’s Chief Quality Officer (CQO). Dr. Walsh will assume her new role effective July 1, 2015.

Dr. Walsh received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Political Science from Albion College.  She later earned a medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Following her medical training, Dr. Walsh worked as an attending physician in a private practice in the mid-Michigan area before joining IHA as an attending physician in Associates in Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2007, where she practices in both their Ann Arbor and Brighton locations.  In 2013, Dr. Walsh was named Associate Division Head for Clinical Quality Improvement, and has participated in numerous clinical quality improvement initiatives and was instrumental in the creation of the OB/GYN Shared Call program and the formation of IHA’s Certified Nurse Midwife practice.  

“Dr. Walsh has been a valuable and well-respected member of the Clinical Quality Improvement and the Evidence-Based Medicine committees for the past two years.  Her contributions were instrumental to the successful completion of several initiatives,” notes Richard Duffy, Vice President for Quality and Performance Improvement. “Dr. Walsh is a strong advocate for improving quality while simultaneously improving the patient experience of care.”

In her new IHA wide role, Dr. Walsh will work with IHA’s Quality and Performance Improvement Department to develop and implement a comprehensive quality improvement and patient safety program.  She will also focus on working collaboratively both within and across IHA’s primary care and specialty divisions, as well as with other health care organizations with whom we share responsibility for patient populations.

“Dr. Walsh is an outstanding physician and will immediately impact IHA’s Quality and Performance Improvement team,” notes Mary Durfee, MD, Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for IHA. “Her enthusiasm for working with our primary and specialty care divisions will ensure that IHA has a strong, innovative and effective clinical quality program.”

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About IHA
IHA is one of the best and largest multi-specialty groups in Michigan. IHA employs more than 1,600 staff members, which includes 450 providers consisting of: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives across 55 practices in southeast Michigan. IHA provides high-quality medical care and excellent service to more than 355,000 active patients. Recognized as one of Michigan’s top performing medical groups, IHA also ranks in the top quartile for patient satisfaction nationally. Offering extended office hours, Urgent Care, and access to clinical research studies, IHA demonstrates that it cares by bringing safe, high-quality, comprehensive and affordable care to its patients. For more information about IHA, visit www.ihacares.com.

IHA appoints new Department of Surgery Chair

News Release
March 31, 2015
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
IHA
Amy Middleton
734-327-0877
Amy_Middleton@IHAcares.com

IHA appoints new Department of Surgery Chair

ANN ARBOR, MI – (March 31, 2015) – IHA is pleased to announce that Andrew Pruitt, MD, FACS, a cardiovascular surgeon with IHA, has been named the next Department of Surgery Chair. Dr. Pruitt will succeed Walter M. Whitehouse, Jr., MD, FACS, who has served in this role since 2013. Dr. Whitehouse will retire effective June 30, 2015.

Dr. Pruitt received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kentucky, graduating with highest distinction as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. He then completed his residency in general surgery and a fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, during which he received numerous prestigious awards during his training.

Following his fellowship, Dr. Pruitt relocated to Michigan where he joined the St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor medical staff and began practicing with the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Ann Arbor. Dr. Pruitt and his partners integrated with IHA in 2013. Dr. Pruitt has served in many leadership roles during his medical career in Ann Arbor, including Section Head for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery from 2002 – 2011 and Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery from 2009 – 2013. He also served on the board of Michigan Multispecialty Physicians and as President for a two-year term.

After medical school, Dr. Pruitt joined the U.S. Army Reserves and retired from the service in 2009 as a Lt. Colonel. Dr. Pruitt and his wife, Jenny Cotton Pruitt, MD, PhD, a dermatopathologist with IHA, reside in Ann Arbor with their children.

“Dr. Pruitt is recognized as an outstanding surgeon and colleague,” notes Mary Durfee, MD, Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for IHA. “His extraordinary surgical skills and high ethical character give him the credibility necessary to integrate diverse groups for the delivery of a remarkable patient experience. We are thrilled that he has accepted this positon. He understands how to work within physician organizations and will bring new perspectives and ideas to IHA.”

In his new role, Dr. Pruitt will be responsible for overseeing quality initiatives, developing innovative service delivery methodologies and creating cross-functional teams focused on delivering terrific surgical care. He will also focus on identifying and developing future divisional and departmental leaders.

“On behalf of IHA’s Governing Board and Surgery Department, I want to thank Dr. Whitehouse for not only his many years of dedicated service to his patients, but also for the outstanding leadership he has demonstrated during the past three years as IHA’s first Surgery Department Chair,” says Bill Fileti, president and CEO for IHA. “His commitment to building one of the best surgical divisions in the region has been truly exemplary and we congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.”

“IHA continues to evolve into one of the largest and best multi-specialty group practices in Michigan,” adds Fileti. “A number of exceptional surgeons were interviewed for this position and our search committee was impressed with the high quality of candidates. We are confident that Dr. Pruitt is the right person for this role and will expand our surgical capabilities in order to provide patients with truly outstanding care.”

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About IHA
IHA is one of the best and largest multi-specialty groups in Michigan. IHA employs more than 1,600 staff members, which includes 450 providers consisting of: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives across 55 practices in southeastern Michigan. IHA provides high quality medical care and excellent service to more than 355,000 active patients. Recognized as one of Michigan’s top performing medical groups, IHA also ranks in the top quartile for patient satisfaction nationally. Offering extended office hours, Urgent Care, and access to clinical research studies, IHA demonstrates that it cares by bringing safe, high quality, comprehensive and affordable care to its patients. For more information about IHA, visit www.ihacares.com.

Tutu Run 2015

Do you want to run a 5k while wearing your favorite tutu? Join us for Tutu Run on April 18, 2015 at Hudson Mills Metro Park in Dexter. Registration begins at 7:00 am, with the race beginning at 9:00 am. The race cost $25, proceeds benefit Ballet Chelsea. Visit the website to learn more, or to register today: http://www.tutu-run.com/