Posts for UPHP News
Upper Peninsula Health Plan Clinical Services Manager Lindsey Havel, RN, BSN, and Clinical Coordinator Jonas Hamren joined Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny 101.9 March 2 to highlight the importance colorectal cancer screenings during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Havel and Hamren discussed the importance of preventive screenings, like colonoscopies, for those ages 50 and over, or those with a family history of the disease. When colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 90%. They also stressed the importance of not delaying care due to COVID-19.
Listen to the full interview below to learn more!
Upper Peninsula Health Plan Community Health Worker Clinical Liaison Sue Sands, LPN, joined Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny 101.9 Feb. 2 to discuss all things pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine. Sands touched on why the vaccine is important, who is currently eligible to receive it, potential side effects, vaccine availability, and more. Listen to the full interview below to learn more, or head over to our COVID-19 vaccination page.
UPHP Community Health Worker Katie Poston joined Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny 101.9 this month to discuss social determinants of health (SDoH) and the UPHP Connected Communities for Health Program (CC4H). Poston explained that SDoH are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, which can be responsible for health inequities. She also discussed how the UPHP CC4H program is helping to address SDoH by connecting individuals with resources available in their communities to help with things such as food, employment, and housing assistance.
The 2020 Upper Peninsula Health Plan Community Benefit Report highlights the the plan’s contributions to our community and commitment to helping our region’s citizen’s live their healthiest lives possible.
UPHP Director of Population Health Janey Joffee, MBA, CPHQ, joined Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny 101.9 this week to discuss how to celebrate the upcoming holiday season safely amid the the coronavirus pandemic. Joffee encouraged individuals to follow guidance set forth by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reiterating that the safest way to celebrate is to stay home and only gather with those you live with.
UPHP Clinical Coordinator Adele Price, LPN, joined Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny 101.9 to discuss tobacco cessation and the Great American Smoke Out, taking place this month Nov. 19. The message behind this effort is that you don’t have to quit smoking in one day, but you can start with one. Price also explained that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States, and provided several resources available to UPHP members and the public to help them quit.
Marquette, Mich. – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) is proud to announce it was recently selected as a winner of the Governor’s Fitness Awards (GFAs)! Each year, the GFAs recognize communities, organizations, and individuals who inspire healthy choices. Winners are recognized in several categories; UPHP was selected in the Healthy Workplace – Small Organization category. This award in particular recognizes Michigan companies that create workplace wellness programs so their employees have access to resources to be fit, healthy, and more productive.
“We’re extremely honored to have been selected for this award out of such a deserving group of finalists,” said UPHP Chief Executive Officer Melissa Holmquist. “As a health care organization, it is our responsibility to be a community leader in all aspects of health and wellness, and that means starting with ourselves.”
UPHP has an established wellness committee that drives nearly all of its wellness efforts. The committee organizes fun wellness events/challenges throughout the year and provides health and wellness education that focuses on all aspects of health, including physical, mental, emotional, social and financial – all of which contribute to one’s overall health. Employees of UPHP are also offered reimbursement for monthly gym membership fees, helping to reduce the financial burden sometimes associated with getting healthy.
“Our wellness program has given our staff the knowledge and resources they need to be the healthiest versions of themselves. It’s very rewarding to see them thrive, and become ambassadors for healthy lifestyles within our community,” said Holmquist.
Although many of its usual wellness activities have been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19, the Committee is still engaging staff with virtual challenges and accountability groups, and through regular wellness communications.
To learn more about the Governor’s Fitness Awards, visit https://michiganfitness.org/events/governors-fitness-awards.
Marquette, Mich. – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) has made a $50,000 commitment to Great Lakes Recovery Centers (GLRC) in support of their project to expand recovery services and relocate the Men’s New Hope House to a new location on West Easterday in Sault Ste. Marie. GLRC’s Men’s New Hope House, currently located on Spruce Street, is a 16-bed residential facility for males over the age of 18 with a substance use disorder. Last year alone, there were a total of 129 residents with the average length of stay being 42 days.
“We are honored to support GLRC’s project to expand these essential services to citizens of the Upper Peninsula who need them,” said UPHP Chief Executive Officer Melissa Holmquist. “This work definitely supports our mission to advance the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
Residential substance abuse treatment allows individuals to live in a therapeutic environment, alongside other residents, with 24-hour supervision and comprehensive programming. Residents at Men’s New Hope House are assigned a counselor who provides one-on-one services and meets frequently with them throughout their stay, while also attending group therapy and programs focused on acquiring new life skills.
“We are very grateful for the generous support from UPHP and their commitment to helping advance treatment and recovery programming in the Upper Peninsula,” said GLRC Chief Executive Officer Greg Toutant.
Additionally, GLRC helps connect residents with support services that may be beneficial once they leave treatment, including recovery meetings, employment and housing opportunities, family support groups, and health services.
To learn more, visit https://www.greatlakesrecovery.org/residential-services/mnhh/.
About UPHP
Upper Peninsula Health Plan currently serves over 50,000 members across five product lines (Michigan Medicaid, MIChild, Children with Special Health Care Services, Healthy Michigan Plan, MI Health Link, and Medicare Advantage) and its network exceeds 2,000 providers.
About GLRC
GLRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a variety of behavioral health services at 18 locations across the UP, including substance abuse and mental health counseling, residential programs, outpatient services, peer recovery, prevention services, and more. To learn more visit www.glrc.org.
Marquette, MI – During our latest UPHP update on Sunny 101.9 radio, UPHP Manager of Business Development Jennifer Wieczorek discussed the upcoming the Medicare Annual Election Period, which starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. During this time, eligible individuals can change their Medicare health plan or prescription drug coverage to better meet their needs for the following year. Listen in below to learn more, or head over to www.uphp.com/medicare.
Marquette, MI – During our latest UPHP update on Sunny 101.9 radio, UPHP Clinical Services Manager, Lindsey Havel, RN, discussed the upcoming respiratory flu season and the importance of getting vaccinated to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. Havel began by discussing what the flu is, common symptoms, what can be done to prevent, the flu vaccine, and more!