News

Yes, the practice of midwifery still exists; however, it may not be exactly what you think it is. The four midwives at McLaren Flint do not deliver babies in the home, but they do provide care during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and more. This group of midwives’ practice encompasses sexual and reproductive health, gynecologic health, and family planning services, including preconception care. Midwives also provide primary care for women from adolescence into adulthood, as well as care for the heal...

When something suspicious shows up on a routine mammogram, patients are often asked to come back for further screening. It happened to Caroline Allen in May 2025.  “They called me back a week or so later and told me they saw something and wanted to take another look,” Caroline said. “I have dense breasts, so it has happened before. I didn’t think much of it.” Caroline got the shock of her life when she learned the radiologist discovered a mass on her breast ultrasound. “It was 5 millimeters- about ...

McLaren Health Care, the multistate, 12-hospital health care system, has named Angie Long, DNP, MSN/MBA/HC, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, its system-level Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, effective Oct. 6, 2025. Dr. Long assumes the role made available upon the departure of Jennifer Montgomery, McLaren Health Care’s inaugural CNO. Dr. Long returns to McLaren after having previously served as CNO at McLaren St. Luke’s, where her leadership led to the hospital’s improved clinical quality, safety outc...

There was something in the corner of Jerry Melendez’s eye, in the tear duct. He thought it was a stye or a cyst. “The eye doctor gave me steroids,” Jerry said. “He also sent me to a plastic surgeon for a biopsy, be he said he expected that to come back benign.” The growth in Jerry’s eye was not benign. It was cancer, and Jerry was floored. “I got the call on July 5, 2024, and it felt like the floor caved in,” Jerry said. “I looked at my wife and she started crying, and that made me cry.” Jerry’s surgeon...

Jim Hall’s job as a stationary steam engineer for General Motors (GM) required him to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which looks a lot like scuba equipment.  He worked in the powerhouse with boilers, and the SCBA was the equipment he needed to go into confined spaces or vessels.  “For safety, I had to be monitored with a yearly test for my respirator, to make sure it securely sealed against my face,” Jim said. “And every year, my doctor noticed my breathing was getting worse...

Congratulations go out to Dr. Benjamin Mize, McLaren Flint's Physician of the Third Quarter. Dr. Mize, who specializes in gynecologic oncology is well respected for his outstanding contributions to women's health in Genesee County and beyond. "Dr. Mize's professionalism and compassionate approach have earned him the trust and respect of colleagues and patients alike, helping them navigate complex cases with clarity," said Mize's nominator. "As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Mize inspires the next ...

McLaren Flint's Allied Health Provider of the Third Quarter is Matthew Martin, NP, Internal Medicine. Matt is respected by colleagues because he is an outstanding team player who displays great humility. "Matt is a very hard worker, very professional, compassionate, and kind. I have come across nothing but compliments for him from almost every patient he has cared for," said Matt's nominator. "He is always appreciative and never complains, whether he walks into a crazy, busy day in the office, or faces ...

Cancer has darkened Donna Ross’ door five times, and it all started with a lump in her left breast. “The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes,” Donna said. “I had a mastectomy at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, and I felt grateful I beat the cancer.”   However, in 2018 doctors discovered the cancer had spread to Donna’s brain, putting her life on the line once again. “That time I was treated at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint ,” Donna said. “And I have been fighting cancer with my c...

The feeling was something Rick Toldo had become accustomed to- his heart pounding in his chest so intensely, it stopped him in his tracks.   “The first time I was hospitalized with AFib was more than a decade ago,” Rick said. “The second time was just a few years after that. When the procedure I was supposed to have for it got cancelled, I just never rescheduled. I didn’t want to take the down time from work.” AFib or atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that happens when the heart’s up...

Family Birthing Centers at several McLaren Health Care hospitals have earned advanced Maternal Levels of Care verifications from The Joint Commission, an achievement and sign of those locations’ commitment to providing a capable and safe environment and enhance outcomes for the patient and the child. Family Birthing Centers at McLaren Flint, McLaren Bay Region (Bay City), and McLaren Greater Lansing have all earned Level II verification, and McLaren Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant) earned Level I. Mate...