Posts for UPHP News
Marquette, Mich. – (Great Lakes Radio) – “Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures” is a joint effort between Upper Peninsula Health Plan and Upper Peninsula Health Group designed to highlight the importance of annual preventative care for kids of all ages.
UPHP Clinical Coordinator and LPN Chelsea Tonn joined the Sunny Morning Show today to talk about the key parts of this initiative.
Tonn said UPHP is teaming up with over 20 different care providers across the U.P. and promoting the campaign throughout the Upper Peninsula.
She said the overall goal is to make sure area children get the regular health care they need for a healthy future.
Tonn says the effort runs July 8th through September 30th and there will be prizes for the kids who go in and get the well care visits they need.
LISTEN IN to the full interview with UPHP Clinical Coordinator and LPN Chelsea Tonn here.
This story was originally posted by Great Lakes Radio, Inc. July 2, 2019.
Marquette, Mich. – (Great Lakes Radio News) – On our latest Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) Update, we were joined by Claudia Chavez-Rhoades, Quality Improvement Project Coordinator at Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions (UPHCS).
Chavez-Rhoades explained that UPHCS is a subset under UPHP and is a network of community health care providers in the Upper Peninsula with a shared vision of collaborating together in areas that will provide UP citizens with access to high quality, affordable health care.
She said the two groups have been busy over the last several months planning the first-ever Marquette County Community Resource Fair, which will take place Friday, June 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at Lakeview Arena in Marquette.
Chavez-Rhoades said the goal of the fair is to connect Marquette County residents directly with local organizations that are available to assist and support their day-to-day health and social needs.
She said the resource fair is free and open to the public, with no tickets or registration are required, so she encouraged everyone to stop by and learn more about the resources and services available to help our community.
LISTEN IN – Claudia Chavez-Rhoades with more about the Marquette County Community Resource Fair.
VISIT – The Marquette County Community Resource Fair Facebook event page.
This story was originally posted here by Great Lakes Radio, Inc. June 4, 2019.
Marquette, Mich. – Citizens of Marquette County are invited to join Upper Peninsula Health Plan and Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions for the first-ever Marquette County Community Resource Fair. Free and open to the public, the fair will connect residents directly with local organizations that are available to assist and support their day-to-day social needs. Event attendees will be able to receive onsite navigation assistance, in addition to becoming more aware of the resources available to them in our communities. With more than 50 community-based organizations committed to participate, attendees will have the opportunity to get connected with:
- Housing Assistance
- Food Assistance Programs
- Health Care Services
- Utility Assistance
- Senior Services
- Transportation Services
- Children’s Services
- Mental Health Services
- Women’s Services
- Employment Services
The event will also offer several free services and items such as haircuts, dental screenings, rapid HIV testing, bike helmets, bike raffles, backpacks filled with essential items, the Feeding America Mobile Food Truck, and boxed lunches.
Another goal of the event is to improve coordination between primary health and social service providers/organizations, allowing them to work collectively to address the social determinants of health – like employment and work conditions, physical environment, and education – that have a negative impact on health outcomes for many members of our community.
“We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to organize this event for the members of our community,” said UPHP Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Holmquist. “Many of the services and resources needed to improve the health and wellness of our community are already here. Our hope is that this event will help raise awareness of them with both Marquette County residents and health- and community-based organizations, so that we can work collectively to improve health and social outcomes for all.”
Event Information:
When: June 21, 2019 from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Lakeview Arena
401 East Fair Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO REGISTRATION/TICKETS REQUIRED.
Event Poster:
MARQUETTE – May is Women’s Health Month, and to celebrate and encourage women across the Upper Peninsula to take charge of their health, Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) and Upper Peninsula Health Group (UPHG) have launched the “HealthyHer” campaign! A play on the word “healthier,” the campaign focuses on women putting their own health first by establishing one healthy goal for themselves. The goal can be anything from getting well-care exams, to exercising more, to taking time to unplug from technology and be present.
UPHP and UPHG have also engaged provider offices to participate in the campaign. Offices were sent promotional materials such as posters, magnets, pins, and health education literature to help encourage participation among female patients in their offices.
UPHP wants to remind women that prevention is key. There are a number of preventive exams and screenings that women can get to stay on top of their health, like their annual well exam, Pap smear, mammogram (if over the age of 40, or earlier based on a provider’s recommendation), and various screenings for things like cancer to sexually transmitted diseases. These preventive exams and screenings are important to get done, even when feeling healthy, as they are designed to catch health issues early when they are more easily treatable.
The video below tells the story of Ashley, who was a seemingly healthy women in her mid-20s when her doctor discovered she had cancer at her annual well-woman visit. Luckily, because Ashley went in for her exam and the doctors caught it early, she was able to beat it and is now healthy and thriving!
To learn more about women’s health and what is appropriate for your age, visit https://www.womenshealth.gov/.
Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio) – Kaitlyn Schroderus, Clinical Coordinator at Upper Peninsula Health Group, a subset under Upper Peninsula Health Plan, joined the Sunny Morning Show to discuss Women’s Health Month and shared some good tips for improving health for women.
Schroderus talked about a project that UPHP/UPHG is currently working together on called the “HealthyHer” campaign to promote women’s health.
She said women, especially those with children, tend to put their own health last, and they want to encourage women to put themselves first by establishing at least one healthy goal, such as quitting or cutting down on tobacco use, to drinking more water, to being more active.
Schroderus added that they have engaged about 20 provider offices throughout the Upper Peninsula to take part in the project by running their own “HealthyHer” campaign within their offices.
She added that for good women’s health, prevention is key, with a number of preventive exams and screenings that women can get to stay on top of their health, like an annual well exam, pap smear, mammogram, and various screenings for things such as cancer to sexually transmitted diseases.
Schroderus closed with the advice that if you’re trying to get healthier, start small, because by choosing one simple goal and being diligent about sticking to it, that can get the ball rolling to lead to to better health and wellness.
This story was originally posted here by Great Lakes Radio, Inc. May 7, 2019.
Marquette, MI – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) proudly names Krystina Gwinn the 2018 Employee of the Year. Each year, UPHP names an Employee of the Year from a pool of Employee of the Quarter and “Caught ‘Cha” candidates. Each Employee of the Quarter is nominated by their manager. The nominees are then reviewed and a winner is selected by the senior management team. UPHP employees also participate in a peer recognition program called “Caught ‘Cha.” This is an employee-driven incentive program in which all employees can write a “Caught ‘Cha” note and give it to someone they caught doing something great. Along with each Employee of the Quarter, the two highest “Caught ‘Cha” recipients each year are entered as candidates in a company-wide vote for Employee of the Year. Krystina was one of those “Caught ‘Cha” winners.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to be selected as UPHP Employee of the year! I love servicing our members and providers. Working for UPHP has been amazing – the organization really goes above and beyond to show appreciation for their employees.”
Much of Krystina’s success can be attributed to her positive attitude and commitment to UPHP and our community. “Krystina’s knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare policies has allowed her to become a respected employee within our organization,” said UPHP Customer Services Manager Melissa Provo. “She frequently can be found volunteering her time with community and company-sponsored events, as well as belonging to Connect Marquette (formerly 40 Below). She brings the type of positive energy and commitment to her position that makes her a joy to work with, and I am so happy that she has been given this very well-deserved award and recognition. UPHP is truly fortunate to have such a dynamic young lady as part of our organization!”
Krystina has been with the UPHP Customer Service Department for three years. She grew up all over the world, as her father was in the United States Air Force. When her parents retired from the Air Force, she and her family moved to Marquette, where she has now called home for more than fifteen years. Krystina received her Bachelors of Science degree from Northern Michigan University.
When she’s not at UPHP, Krystina enjoys DIY projects, reading, knitting, working out, spending time outdoors, making bagels, and walking her cats, Nash and Luna. She and her husband, James, live in Marquette.
About UPHP
Upper Peninsula Health Plan currently manages the care of nearly 50,000 Upper Peninsula residents enrolled in Michigan Medicaid, Children’s Special Health Care Services, Healthy Michigan Plan, MI Health Link, and Medicare Advantage. Its network exceeds 2,000 providers. Learn more at www.uphp.com.
MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) is joining the nation in celebrating national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable. Routine screenings starting at the age of 45 for men and women can help to detect and treat it in its early stages. If you have a family history of the disease, screenings are recommended earlier. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your risks.
In the videos below, learn about prevention and what is involved with the different screening options from James Surrell, MD, a former colorectal surgeon, patient, Jackie, and UPHP Clinical Coordinator Steve Rudness.
Video 1: Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Video 2: Colorectal Cancer Awareness After Show
Follow us on Facebook for more information and updates, or learn more at
https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/
UPHG Provider Resource Services Advisor, Rachel Riley
Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio) – On the latest Upper Peninsula Health Plan update, we heard from Rachel Riley, Provider Resource Services Advisor under Upper Peninsula Health Group.
Riley explained that UPHP and UPHG are currently working together on the SmartRx Campaign to assist providers in educating patients on appropriate antibiotic use as antibiotics are not indicated for viruses.
She also talked about the differences between a viral infection and a bacterial infection and shared some good tips on staying healthy during this cold and flu season.
Riley said that the two groups are providing materials to practices to assist in staying healthy and to help if someone becomes sick with a viral infection.
They include informational posters for waiting rooms/lobbies and Cold Kits that consist of tissues, lip balm, thermometers, and hand sanitizer as an alternative treatments.
Riley added that for more information about appropriate antibiotic use go to www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ or visit the UPHP Facebook and Twitter pages.
LISTEN IN – Rachel Riley with more about appropriate antibiotic use.
This story was originally posted here by Great Lakes Radio, Inc. on February 7, 2019.
Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio) – On the latest UPHP Update, we heard from Clinical Coordinator Chris Rhoades about preventive care in living a longer, healthier life.
Rhoades joined the Sunny Morning Show to talk about what preventive care is and what some good examples of it are.
He also explained the differences between preventive care and diagnostic care as part of your personal health journey.
Rhoades also delved into the importance of knowing your insurance benefit coverage and how to use it to maintain your preventive care regimen.
He wrapped up with some good tips about preventive care and using the new year as the springboard to get checked and get active.
LISTEN IN – UPHP Clinical Care Coordinator Chris Rhoades with more about preventive care.
This story was originally posted here by Great Lakes Radio, Inc. on January 8, 2019.
MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Health Plan has made a $50,000 contribution to the Beacon House’s “Legacy of Love” capital campaign. The Beacon House is an independent, non-profit organization and does not charge guests for their stay. The “Legacy of Love” capital campaign project kicked off in 2016, since then dozens of sponsors have pledged their financial support. To date the Beacon House has raised $2.1 million of the $3 million phase one goal of the building project.
Upper Peninsula Health Plan and the Beacon House have long been partners. The Beacon House has provided hospitality for UPHP members and their families since opening their doors in 2002. UPHP members travel from across the Upper Peninsula to receive specialty medical care in Marquette and the Beacon House allows them to stay near their loved ones. Hospitality houses need to be within walking distance of hospitals. There is a strong correlation between proximity to healthcare services and recovery. The Beacon House has provided several thousand overnight stays for UPHP members from all across the Upper Peninsula- averaging 750 nights annually in recent years.
For over 16 years, the Beacon House has been a home away from home for patients and families traveling to Marquette for specialty medical care. “Worrying about where you will stay when a loved one is in the hospital can be stressful. Having a facility like the Beacon House close to the hospital can help reduce fear and anxiety allowing the focus to be on recovery,” said Melissa Holmquist, UPHP CEO.
The Beacon House operates on a donation basis and guests are expected to contribute at a level that is affordable to them. No family is ever turned away for lack of funds. To contribute to the Beacon House’s “Legacy of Love” capital campaign, you can make a donation or pledge online at www.upbeaconhouse.org or by calling 906-225-7100. For additional information please contact Mary Tavernini Dowling at mary@upbeaconhouse.org or 906-225-7100.
About UPHP
Upper Peninsula Health Plan currently serves nearly 50,000 members across five product lines (Michigan Medicaid, Children with Special Health Care Services, Healthy Michigan Plan, MI Health Link, and Medicare Advantage) and its network exceeds 2,000 providers. Learn more at www.uphp.com.