HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM

On Thursday, the Henry Ford Health System in Jackson showed off its new facility and took a significant step towards opening its doors to the community.

Rock ‘N’ Rides is returning to downtown Royal Oak to kick off summer.

Next week the third annual Rock ‘N’ Rides is returning to downtown Royal Oak to kick off summer.

Henry Ford Health is issuing a warning to its hospitals are they see an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health announced Thursday that he is stepping down and taking another position with a Chicago-based health system.

Henry Ford Health System is no more.

Henry Ford Health Systems’ Vice Chair of Surgery and System Director of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Ikenna Okereke, immigrated to Detroit from Nigeria in middle school. He moved away but always remembered Detroit as the place that gave his family a chance. Now that Okereke has returned, he wants to provide Detroit area youth with an opportunity too.

Not everyone knows what their neighborhood looks like at 4 in the morning, but Jeff Clark of Brooklyn does.

Thinking back on that night, in particular, it seems almost absurd that we talked about that first case in such detail, with millions more still to come.

If you couldn’t receive the vaccine because of an allergy or other reaction, or your immune system is severely compromised because, for example, you’ve had a transplant or you’re on chemotherapy. The vaccine isn’t going to be as protective.

Ed Smith, a well-renowned boat racer from St. Clair, noticed a small lump in his neck. “It went from the size of a pencil eraser to a golf ball within two months,” Smith said. “I knew it was time to see a doctor.”

Doctors at Henry Ford say now is not the time to let up on COVID precautions.

Officials with the Henry Ford Health System have reported seeing encouraging signs over the past week, including a decrease in the number of COVID-positive patients admitted to the hospital.

Tensions continue to mount on the Russia-Ukraine border as an estimated 100,000 Russian troops are being staged for what some believe could be an imminent invasion. Every Ukrainian American has a different story of why mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers left a land they loved.

The Henry Ford Health System also held a press briefing on some hopeful signs in their system.

For the first time since the start of the COVID omicron surge in Michigan, hospital officials with the Henry Ford Health System said they’re starting to see some signs of early progress.

Leaders of the Henry Ford Health System held a news briefing Wednesday afternoon to provide an update on COVID and its impact on nursing.

Our Dr. Frank McGeorge, MD, has been answering questions about COVID-19, the vaccines and masks since this pandemic started.

Leaders of the Henry Ford Health System provided an update Thursday morning on the status of COVID hospitalizations and the virus’ impact on operations.

Henry Ford Hospital officials spoke Thursday about COVID in Michigan, providing an update on the rapid spread of omicron and revealing that there are both hundreds of patients hospitalized and hundreds of employees out due to the virus.

Here are this morning's top stories.

Here are tonight's top stories.

The omicron variant is spreading across Michigan and local hospitals are feeling the impact.

Here are tonight's top stories.

For nearly two years, health care workers have been giving so much in the battle against COVID.

Officials from Henry Ford Health System provided an update Wednesday on the state of COVID in Michigan, saying the current situation is a “crisis” and worse than a year ago.

Dr. Adnan Munkarah with Henry Ford Health System said there’s no other way to put it: Our COVID numbers in Michigan are going in the wrong direction.

Michigan’s record-high number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has dipped, the first drop in 49 days as health leaders continue to urge vaccinations while describing a dire situation inside hospitals.

Officials from Henry Ford Health System provided an update Wednesday on the state of COVID in Michigan, saying the current situation is a “crisis” and worse than a year ago.

Officials with the Henry Ford Health System held a virtual news conference Wednesday morning to provide an update on COVID-19 hospitalizations, vaccinations and the virus’ impact on operations.

Leadership from the Henry Ford Health System and Beaumont Health have warned the COVID surge is having serious effects on hospital operation and the ability of everyone to get care.

A special new float paraded through Downtown Detroit during America’s Thanksgiving Parade: Henry Ford Health System’s new “Making the Impossible Possible.”

After a lengthy stay in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU), some people experience lingering cognitive, emotional or behavioral issues for weeks or months afterward.

Physicians and leaders of Metro Detroit health systems sat down with Devin Scillian on Flashpoint to discuss the factors behind Michigan’s latest COVID surge and what's next.

Michigan health officials reported 21,034 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. That’s an average of 7,011.3 cases over the past three days.

Here's what's coming up on Local 4 News at 5.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 4.

More than 300 Beaumont Health employees are now suspended after not getting the COVID vaccine by Monday’s deadline.

Scammers are evolving with technology. Now even a phone call from a trusted number may not be all that it seems. That’s the case for a number listed with the Henry Ford Health System.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Dr. Megan Weatherhead caught COVID from a patient, found out she was pregnant and had to make a difficult decision regarding vaccination.

A major Michigan heath care provider says it is looking overseas for hundreds of nurses.

Obesity rates in America are on the rise and the problem is spreading across the country -- including here in Michigan.

As of Monday, 98% of all Henry Ford Health System employees were compliant with the system's COVID vaccine mandate.

As of Monday, 98% of all Henry Ford Health System employees were compliant with the system's COVID vaccine mandate.

A major health care provider in southeastern Michigan said 92% of employees were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by a Friday deadline.

Dozens of employees are suing Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) over their policy that mandates COVID-19 vaccinations, among several others, for all staff members.

Over the course of the COVID pandemic, we’ve picked up a lot of habits -- and some may be worth hanging onto after the pandemic ends.

The Henry Ford Health system provided an update on Wednesday (Sept. 1) on the impact of COVID on Michigan.

For many parents, the biggest concern has been how to protect children under 12 who cannot yet receive the COVID-19 vaccine and whether or not they can bring the virus home from school.

For many parents, the biggest concern has been how to protect children under 12 who cannot yet receive the COVID-19 vaccine and whether or not they can bring the virus home from school.

All of Wednesday’s patient appointments are being rescheduled to other Henry Ford locations.

With more than half of all Michiganders still not being fully vaccinated, Dr. Adnan Munkarah said his colleagues are now fearing the worst.

Medical leaders at the Henry Ford Health System are calling for all people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

A community center in Southwest Detroit said it can double the number of women it can get screened for breast cancer thanks to a grant from the Empowerment Foundation.

Most large employers have an employee assistance program, but the Henry Ford Health System has taken it one step further.

Here are tonight's top stories.

There has been a serious increase in COVID delta variant cases nationwide.

The Henry Ford Health System has been a leader in combating the misinformation being spread about COVID vaccines.

Only two Metro Detroit healthcare systems have mandated vaccines -- Henry Ford and Trinity Healthcare. Other big names, like Beaumont and Michigan Medicine, have not said whether they will follow suit.

All employees of Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) will soon be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, officials announced Tuesday.

A Detroit-based health system is enrolling children ages 6 months to 11 years old for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine study.

The Rock ‘n’ Rides carnival is making a triumphant return to downtown Royal Oak this weekend.

Rock n’ Rides will be June 17-20.

Henry Ford Health System is enrolling children for a Moderna vaccine study. Participation is open to children ages 6 months to 11 years old.

Here's what's coming up on Local 4 News at 5.

Here is how one woman is using coffee shops and her battle with brain cancer to raise awareness about an important cause.

“I can’t describe the pain,” King said. “I would hate for anyone to share that pain with me.”

Henry Ford Health System announced Thursday, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that it is boosting access to monoclonal antibody therapy in southeast Michigan.

Henry Ford Health System announced Thursday it is partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to increase access to monoclonal antibody treatments.

At age 27, Dorthilen Haynes was shocked to learn she had aggressive triple negative breast cancer. But just before treatment was to begin, she would have another shock: she was four weeks pregnant.

Every week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services puts out new data on different aspects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The homeless are one of the most vulnerable populations during the COVID pandemic.

The spread of coronavirus is not slowing down in Michigan.

Michigan has started listing local health departments accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations.

DETROIT – Local 4 is getting a look at how the plan to vaccinate Michigan residents at Ford Field is going. Michigan residents can register for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Ford Field in Detroit. READ: Ford Field mass COVID vaccination site aims to administer 355,000 vaccines over next 2 monthsGov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday that the Ford Field clinic will administer more than 350,000 vaccine doses in the next two months. FEMA’s representative said the Ford Field site is deeply personal to him because family members of his struggled with COVID.

Jackie Dennis, left, and her husband, Ricky Dennis, pose for a photo with their daughter, Mia Rose, at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit on March 17, 2021. She needed a double lung transplant in January 2021 to survive COVID-19. (Ray Manning/Henry Ford Health System Via AP)DETROIT – A suburban Detroit woman infected with COVID-19 gave birth then underwent a double lung transplant just weeks later to save her life, doctors said Wednesday. Two months after the transplant, Jackie Dennis, a teacher in New Boston, said she’s doing well. She and the medical team at Henry Ford Health System shared her remarkable story with 4-month-old Mia Rose in her arms.

DETROIT – Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) has been named the medical director for a mass vaccination site at Detroit’s Ford Field. Officials said Henry Ford will “provide onsite expertise and oversight for the vaccine administrations and medical care as well support for the site’s operations.” Other support partners include FEMA, Wayne County, City of Detroit, Ford Field, the Detroit Lions and Meijer. The health system held a similar position at the TCF Center in 2020. “Henry Ford Health System is thrilled to serve as the health system partner for this mass vaccination effort, joining our local, state and federal partners to expand vaccination opportunities, especially in our underserved communities,” said Dr. Steven Rockoff, service chief of Emergency Medicine at Henry Ford Health System. It was initially reported in February that officials from FEMA were touring Ford Field and planning to turn the home of the Detroit Lions into a vaccination site.

OAK PARK, Mich. – In partnership with Henry Ford Health System, the city of Oak Park is providing COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the city’s Municipal Complex. Officials said registration is open to Oak Park residents 65 years of age and older (with or without health issues) as well as residents between 50-64 years of age who have health issues. Once they qualify, residents will receive a phone call or text to confirm their appointment. “We’re doing what we can to return Oak Park to the safe and healthy community we all know and love. If you’re eligible, please take advantage of this opportunity with our great partner HFHS,” read a statement from City Manager Erik Tungate.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Stella and Maybree are two Ann Arbor girls who have been best friends since kindergarten. The two sixth graders have grown up figuring out ways to help others and when they saw the news reports of health care workers in need, they wanted to help. They saw news stories about health care workers who were struggling to get the personal protection equipment they needed. Stella and Maybree took it all in, not as 11-year-olds, but as humans who simply care about other humans. They decided to raise money to help Henry Ford Health System’s COVID emergency relief efforts.

Now I had to tell my family I have cancer,” Stokes said. Reconstructive surgery“Todd’s cancer was unique because he was a fairly young patient who was very active and full of life,” Ghanem said. Prior to going into surgery, the Henry Ford team gathered his family to explain what to expect along with follow-up care. (Henry Ford Health System)Stokes went through six weeks of radiation therapy after the procedure and some speech therapy to help with recovery. “I owe my life to Dr. Ghanem, Dr. Wu -- everyone I encountered at Henry Ford was truly exceptional.

This Sept. 2020 photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows a scientist in Janssen laboratory in Leiden, The Netherlands. Johnson & Johnson said Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 that in the U.S. and seven other countries, the first single-shot vaccine appears 66% effective overall at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19. More: Henry Ford to carry out phase 3 of COVID-19 vaccine trial in Metro DetroitThat trial showed that the single-shot version of the vaccine was 85% effective overall in preventing severe disease and complete protection against COVID-19 related hospitalization and death. It was 65% effective overall in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19. Anyone interested in volunteering may sign up at this link on the Henry Ford website.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. When it was revealed that one of the newest features of the Apple iPhone 12 was a strong magnet that would help maximize charging, it piqued the interest of cardiologist Dr. Gurjit Singh and his colleagues. “So, we began to wonder if the magnet in the iPhone 12 would affect the safe operation of these devices.”When Singh passed the iPhone 12 over the chest of a patient with an implantable defibrillator, he found that it was deactivated. “We saw on the external defibrillator programmer that the functions of the device were suspended and remained suspended,” he said.

DETROIT – Doctors at Henry Ford said that an iPhone 12 can pose dangers to people with an implanted defibrillators or pacemakers. READ: Henry Ford doctors say iPhone 12 can disrupt defibrillators, pacemakersA recent study found that the magnet in the iPhone 12 has the potential to stop the implanted device from working. “When I first was reading about the new iPhone, they said the magnet was so strong, you could actually attach it to your refrigerator. You know, I wonder what it would do to a potential device,” Dr. Greenberg said. It’s not just the iPhone 12 that doctors are concerned about.

DETROIT – Cardiologists at the Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute said that the magnet in the iPhone 12 can disrupt the function of a defibrillator. Their findings are backed by a warning from Apple that tells people with implanted pacemakers and defibrillators to keep their devices more than 6 inches apart. READ: Metro Detroit doctor encourages people to pay more attention to their heart healthMedical devices such as implanted pacemakers and defibrillators might contain sensors that respond to magnets and radios when in close contact. AppleAccording to Henry Ford, there are more than 300,000 recipients of implanted defibrillators and pacemakers every year. Henry Ford cardiologists, led by Gurjit Singh, M.D., released a manuscript about their findings and submitted it to the medical journal HeartRhythm.

The newly constructed, state-of-the-art Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit’s New Center area has opened its doors for patients. “The opening of the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion marks the beginning of a new era in cancer care,” said Wright Lassiter, III, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “This investment is a testament to decades of cancer care innovation at Henry Ford Hospital, where we’ve developed and delivered first in the world care. “This is a transcendent moment in the fight against cancer,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group and Chief Academic Officer of Henry Ford Health System. “At a time when our society has endured extraordinary challenges, the opening of this new Henry Ford Cancer Institute location in Detroit is a beacon of hope in the lives of everyone affected by this disease.

When Vic Thompson saw an advertisement for a lung cancer screening, something prompted him, after about 60 years of on-and-off smoking, to look into it. Once the lung cancer screening clinic determined Thompson was a candidate for the life-saving screening, he set an appointment to do it in March, but COVID-19 hit and elective procedures were postponed. Results from that screening led to a PET scan, which suggested there was a small nodule in Thompson’s lung. Popoff informed me that it was non-small cell lung cancer, stage one.”Thompson’s nodule was removed completely with no need for chemotherapy or radiation. “I want to encourage anyone who meets the criteria, to consider scheduling a lung cancer screening,” he said.

With demand high and supply low, getting an appointment to receive a coronavirus vaccine in Michigan can be tricky -- even for essential workers. Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesMeijer will administer COVID vaccines at its Michigan pharmaciesCOVID-19 vaccine questions? Ask the doctorMichigan has released a preliminary timeline to show a projection of when other phases can expect to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. People between 16-64 with health conditions that put them at high risk for COVID complications and remaining essential workers are expected to be vaccinated between May-September. A national crisis: Governors complain over pace of COVID-19 vaccine shipments

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is providing a grant for $48,000 towards a planning study with NW Goldberg Cares. The planned study is called “Reimagining Ferry Park.” The study is to help residents vocalize what businesses they would like to have within the commercial corridor on Ferry Park street between Holden and Lawton. So far NW Goldberg Cares has created three pocket parks, including a literary park funded by Detroit Future City. NW Goldberg Cares is a business community-led group actively seeking to maintain the viability of their neighborhood. If interested in the Reimagining Ferry Park project, you can attend any of their virtual meetings.

It’s not a comforting statistic: About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. That makes breast cancer the most common cancer among women, the site goes on to say. In fact, 90% of all breast cancer cases are now treatable, the American Cancer Society says. Breast cancer screening includes mammography and other breast imaging exams. An estimated 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, according to cancer.org.

One of the health care workers eligible to get vaccinated was Local 4′s own Dr. Frank McGeorge. Dr. McGeorge received an email from Henry Ford Hospital, where he’s an emergency room physician, informing him that it was his turn to receive the vaccine. Dr. McGeorge said in the hours after receiving the shot, he didn’t notice anything different. READ: New tool will help Centers for Disease Control monitor COVID-19 vaccine recipients for any reactionsMcGeorge plans to download the V-Safe app from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ask Dr. McGeorge

PORTAGE, Mich. – The shipments of the Pfizer vaccine out of Portage set in motion the largest vaccination effort in American history. Nearly 3 million doses of the vaccine will be delivered to all 50 states. In Metro Detroit, that includes Ascension Hospital in Warren and Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, which is expecting just under 1,000 initial doses. Beaumont Health is estimating they’ll get about 1,000 doses in the first batch before moving up to about 14,000 Pfizer vaccines as production kicks into high-gear. They have about 11,000 frontline workers who need vaccines, so a lottery system was set up and the first 1,000 workers know who they are.

DETROIT – Coronavirus hospitalizations have been steadily increasing in Michigan since October, and hospitals are feeling stretched thin. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: Below-average temps with even lower wind chills Saturday eveningSaturday evening will be partly cloudy and cold. Temperatures will be in the low 30s, then the upper 20s. Wind chills will be in the teens. 4 Fast FactsFriday, Dec. 4, 2020 --

COVID-19 continues to cause havoc in our areas and is now affecting hundreds of workers throughout the Henry Ford Health System. Henry Ford Health said 576 of about 33,000 employees are out of work because they either have COVID-19 or been exposed to coronavirus. READ: CDC releases new, shortened quarantine options for certain COVID-19 exposureHenry Ford Health System Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Adnan Munkarah said they are in quarantine. “It’s in the double-digit and it continues to be concerning, which means the number of affected people in the community continues to be high,” said Dr. Munkarah. Henry Ford Health System said two of its six hospitals are more than 90% full, those are in Macomb and West Bloomfield.

DETROIT – There is new hope that a coronavirus vaccine is closer than ever to making its way to Metro Detroit. Henry Ford Hospital said it could see its first doses being delivered in upcoming weeks, and they have the specialized freezers and equipment ready to go for when a COVID-19 vaccine arrives. Additionally, doses of Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody treatment have arrived. Dr. Adnan Munkarah, the chief clinical officer of the Henry Ford Health System, discussed the antibody treatment and preparing for the arrival of vaccines. We’re learning more about how quickly the coronavirus vaccine could be rolled out.

Once a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, Henry Ford says it is prepared to receive and store the vaccine -- which requires storage at extremely low temperatures. So far, Henry Ford has begun installing 12 freezers: six that can appropriately store the Pfizer vaccine, and six that can appropriately store the Moderna vaccine. Henry Ford hospitals in Wyandotte, Macomb, West Bloomfield and Jackson will each have one of each type of freezer. Pfizer formally requested an emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine on Nov. 20. Details about where the COVID-19 vaccine will first be shipped to in Michigan are still being finalized.

The main lab at Henry Ford was the first in Michigan, outside of the health department, to be able to test for COVID-19. Now, the health system tests over 1,500 samples a day and have done roughly a quarter of a million tests since March. Depending on the urgency of the result, the lab can actually choose to do the PCR test on a specific, smaller machine with a rapid turnaround. In general, the majority of tests take less than 24 hours to determine results when they’re done on the larger machines. Dr. Linoj Samuel with Henry Ford Health System explains the process.

DETROIT – Michigan announced 8,516 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, smashing the previous single-day record by more than 1,500 cases. A week ago Friday, Michigan reported 3,700 new cases, so the total has more than double. Dr. Adnan Munkarah, Henry Ford Health top doctor, is worried about the possibility of COVID-19 deaths jumping. “From a national data perspective, we’ve had close to 1,200 deaths in the past 24 hours,” Munkarah said. “In fact, in 100% of our testing, we weren’t getting back the results within 24 hours,” Munkarah said.

This Sunday is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day, and we spoke with Shaelyn Gurzick, a registered dietician with Henry Ford Health System about things to keep in mind when stocking your fridge. Condiments tend to be a product you use a few times and forget about, so the expiration date can come up before you know it. Where you store the groceries in your fridge can also be very important. The side door is the warmest part of the fridge, so Gurzick recommends you put food there that won’t spoil as quickly like condiments. The upper shelves of the fridge are warmer, because they get hit with warm air every time the door opens.

Michigan hospital leaders are worried about health care workers becoming exhausted by eight months of battling COVID-19 as hospitals start to fill up with patients once again. As state officials announce 6,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in Michigan, hospitalizations are starting to trend in wrong direction. During a virtual discussion with the presidents and CEOS of major Michigan health systems, the most pressing concern isn’t space, but staff availability. “It may not be access to a facility need, it may actually be staffing,” Decker said. So that has clearly been our top concern.”LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says