For the most Up-to-Date info on the virus and how to stop its spread,
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BEAVER ISLAND RURAL HEALTH CENTER
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center continues to operate Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm, with a provider on call 24/7. Anyone needing medical attention is asked to call the Health Center (231.448.2275) first, no walk-ins will be accepted. ALL patients will be evaluated over the phone by the provider with on-site visits scheduled for those with acute illnesses or urgent needs.
UPDATE
Beaver Island Residents – COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol
Thank you for your timely and eager response to register for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic on January 19, 2021. The Beaver Island Rural Health Center is committed to making sure that every island resident who wants a COVID-19 vaccination will receive one as soon as possible. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is following Governor Whitmer's roll out plan when scheduling vaccinations for island residents. HDNW is currently scheduling priority level 1B, frontline essential workers and persons 65 years and older, for the January 19th clinic. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-432-4121.
If you are interested in receiving a vaccination and do not meet the priority 1B requirements, you can register online by using the following link
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4xP8m8Tf30ioPl-m-GgVOJGNgaFN23hCrtZMZ4IEWUVUMFlYQlcwRU1aRDlGTzRXNEQzNEk3NzhKSi4u
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan will contact you to schedule appointments when the date of the next clinic is established.
Please know too that the Beaver Island Rural Health Center is working with several island organizations, such as the Council on Aging, local churches, and similar groups to get the word out to residents about how to register for a COVID-19 vaccination and to insure our senior citizens, including house bound individuals, are registered.
If, for example, you are 60 or older and need assistance with registration, contact Lonnie Allen at 448-2124 or allenl@charlevoixcounty.org Lonnie Allen is the Council on Aging site Coordinator for Beaver Island.
BEAVER ISLAND RURAL HEALTH CENTER
COVID-19 TRACKING
These numbers are updated and posted to www.biruralhealth.org weekly, and distributed to the BIESA, BIEMS, BIFD, and the Township Supervisors. We hope this information will be helpful to you in understanding the impact of this pandemic on our Island community.
COVID-19 is currently setting records across the country, including northern Michigan. This is the time of year when many people are typically traveling and gathering for the Holiday Season. We encourage you to stay in place, if possible, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Beaver Island.
Last Updated: January 16, 2021
| Total Patients Tested | Patients Tested Positive | Patients Tested Negative | Patients Test Results Pending | Patients Test Positive & Hospitalized | Patients Deceased |
| 344 | 28 | 316 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *Six of the positive cases occurred prior to November 1, 2020. For more info click below | |||||
**mobile users best viewed in horizontal mode for complete chart
For updated Beaver Island information click on the "Coronavirus 19" Link on either township's homepage peainetwp.org or stjamestwp.org
Get the latest Charlevoix County info at http://www.nwhealth.org/covid19.html
State of Michigan info at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
And National updates at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
“Protect yourself. Protect the Island.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center is working with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan as they prepare to administer COVID-19 Vaccines on the Island. The Health Department will be here on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 to start Phase 1A by vaccinating the BIRHC Staff and the Emergency Medical Services First Responders. They will then schedule separate dates as they move through the vaccination phases (as described below), anticipating approximately three months to reach the final phase.
New Board Members Elected
On December 12, 2020 the Beaver Island Health Center elected five new members to its board of directors. The BIRHC Board of Directors consists of 9 members. The newly elected members are:
Larry Birch has over 30 years of experience in leadership positions in general management and finance. Larry’s foundational experience was at Baxter Healthcare where he led several divisions on a senior finance role. More recently, Larry served as CEO of the Evolve Audiology Group, where he was responsible for developing a new brand strategy and more efficient business model. For nine years he served as CEO and President of DataTrak, a clinical trials management company, where he led a successful restructuring. He was President and CEO of NeoPharm, where he turned around the company and developed a new drug research strategy. He has also served as interim President and CEO of Aksys, where he emphasized increasing sales and decreasing costs. Larry has broad board experience and serves on the boards of School Health Corporation in Chicago and Molecula in Austin, Texas. For the past eight years he was a member of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Board of Managers and he currently serves on several Life Science and Technology boards. Larry has a history of mentoring individuals. In 2018 Larry joined the Business Leader Faculty of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (IL), where he teaches leadership, strategy, and entrepreneurial finance. Larry is a CPA and is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Larry Birch resides in Peaine Township and maintains a home in Illinois.
Lori Taylor Blitz is the Executive Director of the Beaver Island Historical Society. During her tenure the Society completed a major addition to one of the two museums it operates, more than doubling the exhibition space of the Print Shop Museum. In 2019 Lori was responsible for securing funds to repair, restore, and preserve one of the Society’s most prized holdings, the historic WPA-era mural “Hauling in the Net” by the noted Hungarian born artist Zoltan Sepeshy. She has been successful in raising funds to bring several traveling exhibits to the island, chief among which was the Smithsonian’s Water/Ways Exhibition in 2018. In addition to fundraising and grant writing experience, Lori has been responsible for strengthening the Society’s community-centered focus, ensuring the institution’s relevancy to its audiences and the Island.
Lori is a 2018 graduate of the Leadership Charlevoix County program, a past advocate for two domestic violence shelters, and a volunteer for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). Lori Taylor-Blitz is a resident of St. James Township and maintains a home in Escanaba, MI.
Kate Leese Kate Leese is a Managing Partner of Kinetics, an emergency preparedness and change management consulting firm. Prior to joining Kinetics Kate served as Public Safety Director for Consumers Energy; was the Midwest Program Director for Witt Associates, a public safety and crisis management firm; was the Emergency Manager for Consumers Energy of Michigan; worked as an Emergency Management Associate for Georgetown University's Department of Emergency Management & Operational Continuity during the H1N1 pandemic and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the avian influenza outbreak. In 2009 the International Association of Emergency Managers selected her to be the recipient of the Association's Business and Industry Preparedness Award. She earned a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, a Master’s in Public Health and an MBA focused on Disaster Management. Kate is a native Michigander. Kate Leese moved to Beaver Island in 2020 and is a resident of Peaine Township.
Kellie Sopczynski has over 15 years of experience in the health and not for profit fields. She is currently Donor Services Manager for Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, with responsibility for overseeing blood centers located in the Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw areas. Her portfolio includes supervision of blood bank personnel, selecting and training new hires, and implementing safety standards and quality control practices. Her responsibilities involve ensuring that the blood bank services and laboratory operations adhere to all relevant medical regulations and that all personnel have the required licenses and qualifications. In addition, Ms Sopczynski is accountable for donor cultivation and retention. For the past several years she has been very involved with the annual Blood Drive here on Beaver Island. Kellie has received several performance honors since joining Versiti and they include a CEO Circle Award; recognition as a Staff Advisory Council Champion; and a Transformational Leadership Award. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and is currently working on her MBA. Kellie Sopczynski was raised on Beaver Island and resides in Bay City, MI.
Ed Troutman has extensive leadership and management experience, having served for more than 30 years in various executive leadership positions within the insurance industry. Prior to his retirement Ed was Senior Vice President of the Foremost Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Farmers Insurance. During his tenure with Foremost he was responsible for implementing innovative customer services and significant operational efficiencies. Ed and his wife Linda are members of the Health Center’s Legacy Tree and 1953 Societies. He has an extensive history of community engagement, including board service as Treasurer of both the Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association and Beaver Island Transportation Authority. as well as being a board member of The Preservation Association of Beaver Island (BIC Center). He served as Chair of the St. James Board of Review and the St. James Planning Commission. He was active in the Beaver Island Community School’s mentoring program. Ed Troutman is a resident of St. James Township and maintains a home in Indiana.
Peaine Township Selects Carla Martin to Serve on BIRHC Board
Carla Martin is the Clerk/Secretary of Peaine Township. She was the first elected to her position in 2016 and was reelected in 2020. Her responsibilities focus on statutorily assigned functions, most of which are administrative, such as maintaining custody of all Township records and meeting minutes, keeping township resolution and ordinance books, as well as the general ledger,and preparing financial statements. The Clerk is a voting member of the Township Board of Trustees. This is Carla’s first two year term as the appointed Peaine Township Representative on the Beaver Island Rural Health Center Board of Directors. In addition to her township duties Carla is serving her fourth year as a member of Beaver Island Airport Commission and is well into her second year as a member of the Beaver Island Transfer Station and Recycle Center Committee. Carla Martin is a native Michigander and is a resident of Peaine Township.
The vote to appoint Ms Martin to the Board was made by the Peaine Township Trustees at their December 8th meeting. The BIRHC Board has a total of nine directors, two of whom are appointed by the Township Boards of St. James and Peaine Township from among the members of their respective Township Boards. All other members of the Board of Directors are elected to the Board. Township board members serve 2 year terms elected directors serve three year terms.
How can you help during the coronavirus outbreak? - March 21, 2020
Here are some ways to help make sure vulnerable residents in our Island community are cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aid local nonprofits
- Support local restaurants and bars
- Assist at risk seniors
- Help “flatten the curve”
The coronavirus pandemic is posing numerous public health challenges, here in Michigan the outbreak has prompted closures of schools and businesses and is straining state, regional and local resources. Here is a way to help in our community to make sure vulnerable residents are cared for during the pandemic
Aid a local nonprofit: Many nonprofits have seen a surge in requests for assistance as the coronavirus sickens thousands of people and forces layoffs and school and restaurant closures. The Beaver Island Food Pantry is an Island nonprofit that would welcome donations.
- Beaver Island Food Pantry. The Beaver Island Food Pantry provides food items to individuals and families in need year-round. Collection points for food donations include the vestibule of the Beaver Island Christian Church, the Beaver Island Community Center, Beaver Island Rural Health Center, Fresh Air Aviation, Holy Cross Church, and Island Airways. More information about the BI Food Pantry may be found here: http://bichristianchurch.com/?page_id=395
Assist at risk seniors: Older people are among the most vulnerable to complications from coronavirus. If you know someone who is elderly and at home (or living at Forest View), consider checking in and asking if you can help shop and deliver groceries or pick up medication on their behalf.
Support local restaurants, bars and pubs: All Island food and drinking establishments have been ordered to reduce or close operations due to the outbreak. If you want to support our local eateries, bars, and pubs and those who staff them, consider ordering takeout or purchasing a gift card.
Help “flatten the curve:” One of the most important things you can do to help is protect yourself and others. Prevent the spread of the illness by practicing the CDC’s recommended guidance: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public area or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Not Sure? For additional ideas please see: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-how-to-help-donations-charities.html?searchResultPosition=4
COVID-19 Information and Beaver Island - March 21, 2020
The Beaver Island Townships of Peaine and St. James are maintaining a consolidated web page page of COVID-19 updates. The updates may be found here:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - March 19, 2020
What Michigan is Doing?
On Tuesday, March 10, Michigan’s Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency as the state’s first positive cases of COVID-19 were identified. The emergency declaration enables the state to quickly deploy resources (equipment, supplies and/or personnel) to local jurisdictions to support their response efforts in combating the spread of COVID-19. The declaration places Michigan at a heightened state of preparedness for response. All Michiganders are encouraged to follow the recommendations from MDHHS https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus and the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html to protect themselves and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Get the latest coronavirus updates from:
cdc.gov https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
michigan.gov https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98155---,00.html
Flu Shots Available – October 1, 2019
Call 448-2275 for an appointment
Dental Services Update - September 29, 2019
Dental Services will begin services again on the Island October 25 and October 26 which is a Friday and Saturday. They will start with hygienic services only and then expand when they have a Dentist on board again. Erika has selected a candidate for the Dentist’s position and has made an offer so hopefully she will have good luck there as well.
She did caution me that they already have over 70 patients signed up from the Island and they will reach out to these people first in getting their new appointments set up. Any new patients not already registered should feel free to call in, get registered, and then set up their appointments with the Clinic.
File of Life - January 1, 2019
Beaver Island EMS and the Beaver Island Rural Health Center are now providing community members with a free "File of Life." These "files" are a great way to keep pertinent medical and personal information readily available in case of an emergency. The information in these files include medical history, allergies, medications, and emergency contact information. Having this information on hand in an emergency is beneficial to responders, and can improve the quality and efficiency of care provided to a patient. The "File of Life' folder has a magnetic strip to be attached to a refrigerator to make it easily identified and utilized by Emergency Responders.
The "File of Life" will be available for free at the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and the Health Center will be available for any questions or assistance in filling out a "File of Life."
What Do I Do if I Have a Medical Emergency on Beaver Island? - January 1, 2019
If the emergency is life threatening, call 911. Remember to stay on the line, as there will be up to a 30 second delay. DO NOT HANG UP. If a 911 call is placed, EMS will respond to the scene. Depending on the situation, the patient will either be brought to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center via ambulance to be treated by the care provider on call or arrangements will be made to have the patient flown to one of the local hospitals.
If the need is urgent but not life threatening, call the Health Center at 448-2275.
The Health Center is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday (Closed 12-1 PM for lunch). Urgent patients can be seen immediately during regular hours. If you call the Health Center when it is closed your call will be automatically forwarded to the cell phone of one of our two care providers. They are on call 24 hours a day and can meet you at the clinic within 20 minutes. After evaluation by the care providers, the patient will be treated at the clinic and released, the patient will be instructed to go to the ER on his own or EMS will be notified to evacuate the patient to the appropriate hospital.
For directions or map to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, go here.
Do you have high blood pressure? - January 1, 2019
There’s only one way to know, and that is to have it checked!
Stop by the Beaver Island Rural Health Center for a free blood pressure check.
High blood pressure adds to your heart’s workload and can damage your arteries and organs over time, according to the American Heart Association. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have a stroke, more likely to develop congestive heart failure and more likely to develop coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.
High blood pressure has no symptoms, which is why it is called the “silent killer.” High blood pressure can usually be controlled by diet, more exercise and medication.
While you are at the Health Center, check on other diagnostic tests that are available to residents of the Island. Women who are ages 40 through 64 may qualify for free mammograms and Pap tests.
