MICHIGAN MEDICINE

Beds are filling up at U-M hospital as officials report an increase in COVID activity.

Deborah Rutherford, a registered nurse with Michigan Medicine, draws a liquid solution of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from a vial at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in the Jack Roth Clubhouse at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News

After being named one of the best hospital’s in the nation earlier this year, a nonprofit group has once again placed Michigan Medicine as a top facility for patient safety. The health system and academic medical center for the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor was given an “A” grade by the Leapfrog Group Fall 2021 Hospital Safety Grades. This continues a streak of straight “A’s” for patient safety since 2012— one of only 23 hospitals in the country to do so.

Michigan Medicine's Gifts of Art recognized by the National Organization of Arts in Health.

Michigan Medicine will start administering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines on Monday.

U-M Health patients can now access their COVID-19 vaccine and testing information on their smartphones.

Staff at Mott Children's helped patients and their families get into the Halloween spirit.

The manhunt for an accused murderer came to an end only after police discovered their suspect had been in the Wayne County morgue the entire time.

Michigan Medicine has promised that changes will come to the Wayne County Morgue. The promise comes after a series of reports by the Local 4 Defenders.

U-M will soon take action against employees who fail to comply with its vaccine mandate.

Students gathered on U-M's campus on Sunday to host a family-friendly event.

While vaccines have been overwhelmingly successful at protecting people from contracting the virus, in rare cases, there have been documented illnesses and even deaths.

Another person spoke with the Local 4 Defenders to share a horror story about how her loved one’s body was treated at the Wayne County morgue.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Multiple fire crews from across Washtenaw County responded to a three-alarm fire inside Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor Tuesday afternoon. “Firefighters did outstanding work with this very challenging fire,” said Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy. Our firefighters performed flawlessly.”Multiple fire crews from the surrounding area assisted at the scene including the Ann Arbor Township Fire Department, Scio Township Fire Department, Pittsfield Township Fire Department, Superior Township Fire Department, Saline Area Fire Department and the Northfield Township Fire Department. The University of Michigan Division of Safety and Security, Michigan Medicine security and staff, the Ann Arbor Police Department, HART Huron Valley, assisted at the scene as well. Developers unveil plans for 47 homes on wooded land outside Ann ArborPolice believe 6 downtown Ann Arbor business break-ins are connectedAnn Arbor library creates self-guided walking tour of historically Black neighborhood

Michigan Medicine and Food Gatherers have held four food drives over the past 18 months.

ANN ARBOR, MI — With the main access bridge to the Michigan Medicine complex in Ann Arbor deteriorating, University of Michigan officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened to another pair of city bridges over a decade ago. If that happens to the East Medical Center Drive bridge, it could be really challenging for hospital patients and ambulances, she said. Other council members expressed concerns about widening the bridge, which carries a four-lane road over the Amtrak rail line. The potential need for future road widening should be addressed now as part of the bridge rehabilitation, Nelson maintains. “Second-guessing this plan based on generalized opposition to road widening is absurd,” she said.

University of Michigan continues to report a decrease in COVID cases among students.

Two emergency physicians at U-M share when patients should seek out emergency care as ERs fill up.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan Medicine and St. Joseph Mercy Health System have announced a partnership with a Lansing health plan to expand Medicare Advantage choices to Washtenaw and Livingston county residents. The team-up with Lansing-based Physicians Health Plan will be marketed under the name UM Health + St. Joe’s Advantage, according to a Sept. 29 Michigan Medicine news release. The UM Health + St. Joe’s Advantage plans feature access to all Michigan Medicine providers, hospitals and ambulance services, the release states. The next year, the PHP commercial health plan Michigan Care became available to Michigan Medicine and Sparrow Health employees, the release states. In addition to the UM Health + St. Joe’s Advantage plan starting Oct. 15, PHP also offers Sparrow Advantage in Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Montcalm and Shiawassee counties.

Researchers at U-M found an explanation for why patients with diabetes are at high risk for developing severe COVID infections.

Researchers at U-M found an explanation for why patients with diabetes are at high risk for developing severe COVID infections.

The event is free and open to the public.

WCC will host a fundraiser during the first week of October to purchase gaming devices for patients at Mott Children's Hospital.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Due to their union contract, nurses at Michigan Medicine are not required to receive full COVID-19 vaccination. ‘Bad news’ for displaced University of Michigan students: Move-in delayed until NovemberHundreds of displaced University of Michigan students have had the move-in date at their apartment complex delayed twice. Dozens of landlords sue Ann Arbor over new renter rights lawA group of local landlords is suing the city of Ann Arbor over a new renter rights law. See which Washtenaw County students are National Merit Scholarship semifinalistsEighty-four Washtenaw County high school students are among the approximately 16,000 semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship. Ann Arbor man donates kidney to help lifelong friend move up on transplant listSteve Shalit and Mark Klein, now in their late 60s, grew up in Ann Arbor, but their friendship has endured decades.

ANN ARBOR, MI - As part of the University of Michigan’s mandate, Michigan Medicine staff members are required to receive full COVID-19 vaccination. And that is the case with the Michigan Nurses Association. “The Michigan Nurses Association strongly encourages everyone to get vaccinated and has been at the forefront of fighting for vaccine access,” said Anne Jackson, a Michigan Medicine registered nurse and union board member. “This was an agreement made between both Michigan Medicine and nurses together,” Jackson said. Read more University of Michigan news:Rising COVID cases delay return to in-person work at Michigan MedicineLow COVID-19 test rates continue on University of Michigan campusTentative contract agreement struck between University of Michigan, lecturers’ union

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan Medicine has pushed back the deadline for its employees’ return to in-person work. Remote work will still be allowed past the original Sept. 13 deadline, as long as Michigan Medicine staff do not need to be in-person to perform their duties, Spokeswoman Mary Masson said. Michigan Medicine delayed the return to work mandate due to continued concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, Masson said. The deadline was extended in early April, according to a Michigan Medicine alert at the time. “Michigan Medicine is doing everything possible to allow our health care workers to get much needed rest,” she said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A drive to help families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is now underway. Michigan Medicine started the month-long drive to collect food and toiletries, as well as money to buy supplies, for Food Gatherers on Aug. 31. This is the fourth such drive Michigan Medicine has done since the pandemic began in March 2020. Volunteers from across Michigan Medicine volunteers are available to help unload donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends. For more information, visit the fall fund drive website.

Michigan Medicine and Food Gatherers are hosting their fourth food and toiletry drive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new poll by the University of Michigan reveals what parents around the country are worried about heading into the 2021-2022 school year.

For context, the last surge resulted in 4,391 confirmed deaths between March and June, and Michigan has reported 20,113 confirmed deaths since spring 2020. Assuming similar age distributions of cases and hospitalizations as the spring surge, the models project between 12,186 and 25,505 hospital admissions for COVID-19. A modeling scenario for Michigan for the August 2021 surge, developed by Michigan Medicine, which projects COVID-19 hospital admissions for each age group between August and November 2021. The state had 96 COVID-19 hospitalizations per million people and a positive test rate of 8.4% as of Friday, Aug. 20. To find a vaccine near you, visit Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.

Michigan Medicine announced on Monday morning new restrictions to visitors as COVID cases climb.

A negative pressure tent invented at U-M has received emergency use authorization from the FDA.

Students return to class at U-M on Aug. 30.

Many older adults reported decreased physical activity during the pandemic, which can increase the risk of falls, says U-M.

University of Michigan will require COVID vaccinations for the entire school community, including Michigan Medicine, by the start of the fall term.

ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan is imposing a new vaccine mandate heading into the fall semester. The email was signed by President Mark Schlissel, along with other UM officials, including UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso and UM-Flint Chancellor Debasish Dutta. The university-wide vaccine requirement also applies to Michigan Medicine, the university hospital system, and to those working or learning remotely, officials said. UM officials note vaccines are free and available at most retail pharmacies and health care providers. Appointments are available through Michigan Medicine and the University Health Service.

Michigan Medicine is currently seeking patient attendants.

U.S News & World Report has ranked Michigan Medicine as the No. 1 hospital in the state.

Prescriptions for children during the pandemic fell by more than 25 percent.

Young patients admitted to hospital for eating disorders more than doubled during the pandemic at Michigan Medicine.

See how you can apply for available full-time positions.

All Seasons Ann Arbor is located at 4600 All Seasons Circle.

U-M updated its campus COVID safety policies on Monday.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Survivors of sexual abuse by late University of Michigan athletic doctor Robert Anderson gathered this week in Ann Arbor to call for full transparency from the university. Man shot multiple times outside restaurant dies after driving himself to hospitalA Romulus man shot outside a Pittsfield Township restaurant Wednesday afternoon drove himself to the hospital where he later died, police say. Here’s what’s different about Ann Arbor’s Art Fair this yearThe Ann Arbor Art Fair is going to look a little different this year. Ypsilanti Township mulling ‘public nuisance’ lawsuit against man accused of shooting 6-year-oldRyan Le-Nguyen is already facing four criminal charges, including assault with intent to murder, for the June 6 shooting of a 6-year-old in Ypsilanti Township. Man killed by Amtrak train in Ypsilanti TownshipAn Amtrak train struck and killed a 36-year-old Ypsilanti man Tuesday evening, police confirmed.

Mott Children’s Hospital has been ranked as the best in Michigan and No. Mott was nationally ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties evaluated in the 2021-22 Best Children’s Hospital rankings, including No. 17 rankings in both nephrology and pulmonology and lung surgery. Hospitals were ranked based on how well they performed in areas including patient outcomes, available clinical resources and compliance with best practices. “Our exceptional care and advanced research will continue leading Michigan children toward healthy outcomes, as we work to beat this virus.”Specific rankings for Mott Children’s Hospital in the 10 different specialties include:Nephrology: No.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan Medicine is using an old name for its future adult inpatient facility currently under construction. The building will be called the Pavilion at University of Michigan Health, according to a Michigan Medicine release on Monday, June 14. This is a callback to an extension to the original 1876 University Hospital also known as the Pavilion. Michigan Medicine began building the $920 million hospital in October 2019, but work was paused due the pandemic and its financial impacts. The 12-story, 690,000 square-foot building will include 264 private rooms and an additional 110 private rooms in University Hospital by reducing semi-private rooms.

The new hospital is set to open in 2025.

Fundraiser will take place at Nightcap in downtown Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Physician assistants at the University of Michigan represented by the United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine have approved a three-year contract with the health system.

Ypsilanti not-for-profit organization Hope Clinic announced the public launch of its $5.5 million Hope For Tomorrow fundraising campaign to expand access to its health services.

One couple is helping other same sex couples planning a family after a long journey through surrogacy.

Experts at Michigan Medicine have used modeling to predict an upcoming baby boom.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The newly established United Physicians Assistants at Michigan Medicine union has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the health care system. The group represents approximately 340 physician assistants across Michigan Medicine and the University of Michigan. UPAMM was officially recognized in June 2020 and began negotiating with the health care system in September 2020. “Physician assistants do incredibly important work taking care of patients in every part of the health system. READ MORE:Michigan Medicine giving employees $1,500 bonus for work during COVID-19 pandemicMichigan Medicine begins vaccinating teens at the Big HouseMichigan Medicine opens COVID-19 long-haul clinics

The county Health Department will soon shift to smaller vaccination clinics as vaccine supply grows.

Hear from two U-M experts on why COVID vaccines are safe.

Michigan Medicine is on the search for patient attendants at its Ann Arbor hospital.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Michigan Medicine is giving its employees a $1,500 bonus for their work over the past year and their commitment to the health care system, officials announced May 26. Leaders at Michigan Medicine, including executive vice president for medical affairs and UM Medical School Dean Marschall Runge, said in a message to employees that Michigan Medicine has done “exceedingly well in operational and financial performance” while thanking employees for their efforts during the year. Michigan Medicine has received unanticipated funding from the Provider Relief Fund and has successfully managed expenses through the Economic Recovery Plan, Runge said. The $1,500 bonus is set to be included in upcoming paychecks for Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and house officers, including bargained-for employees, according to the message. As of May 25, Michigan Medicine has given 134,619 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since it began vaccinations in December 2020.

UPAMM has reached a tentative deal with Michigan Medicine after months of talks.

Michigan Medicine will soon allow one visitor per adult patient.

Beaumont Health, McLaren HealthCare and Michigan Medicine announced Monday they are relaxing some COVID-19 visitor restrictions as case rates fall.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Cartoon and video game-themed masks adorned the faces of kids at the Big House Friday during the first day Michigan Medicine began vaccinating children age 12-15 against COVID-19. A mix of around 600 adults and teens were vaccinated inside the Jack Roth Stadium Club on the third floor of Michigan Stadium Friday, May 14. Leela’s visit to Michigan Stadium marked her and her family’s next step to a return to normalcy, she said. “That’s a pretty effective vaccine,” Kileny said. People can sign up for a vaccination appointment at Michigan Stadium through Michigan Medicine’s patient portal or by calling 734-763-6336.

Michigan Medicine is now booking appointments to vaccinate the 12-15 age group against COVID-19.

Michigan Medicine doctors will answer parents' top questions during a live Q&A about children and teens receiving the newly-approved Pfizer COVID vaccine.

Lab technicians are often an unseen force in the fight against COVID-19.

A Metro Detroit mother who has relied on a mechanical heart pump for years while she’s waited to get on the organ transplant list.

For some survivors, the battle against COVID-19 will be measured in months and even years.

"Management is working with us now," said UPAMM President Jill Hasen.

Michigan Medicine is now offering care to its patients experiencing long haul COVID-19 complications.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Post-discharge care for COVID-19 “long-haulers” is now being offered by Michigan Medicine through a mix of virtual and in-person clinics. Michigan Medicine is establishing clinics to provide post-discharge care to both adult and pediatric patients experiencing long-term post-COVID symptoms and complications. Formally named the Multidisciplinary Post COVID-19 Clinic, the adult clinic located at Domino’s Farms, 4000 Ave Maria Dr. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are experiencing a broad spectrum of long-term multi-organ issues involving pulmonary, cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic, mood and neurologic complications, with more than 1,500 adult patients having been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 at Michigan Medicine. Additional specific criteria for lab and other tests will guide personalized referrals to selective virtual specialties based on how each patient presents in clinic, Michigan Medicine noted.

Madison Foor, 14, is like thousands of others who have lingering symptoms after COVID-19. Two new clinics at the University of Michigan aim to help.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Michigan Medicine is hosting a walk-in clinic for first-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments at Michigan Stadium on Friday. Michigan Medicine cannot accommodate anyone who has already received a first dose of any vaccine as the walk-in clinic is for first doses only, officials said. No registration is necessary and people must be older than 16 and present a Michigan Medicine medical record number at the door, according to the website. READ MORE:Mandatory COVID vaccination for students, staff, faculty urged by University of Michigan groupOne public Michigan university is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for students. ‘We cannot be bystanders:’ University of Michigan leaders issue statements on Derek Chauvin verdict

One of the state’s biggest hospital network is warning Michiganders that hospitals and staff have hit critical capacity levels. Health care workers are now

One of the state’s biggest hospital network is warning Michiganders that hospitals and staff have hit critical capacity levels. Health care workers are now

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise to dangerous levels, Michigan officials have asked the Biden administration to increase supplies of life-savings v

ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Medicine is rescheduling some surgeries as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise at the health system and across the state. Michigan Medicine has 77 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and 17 patients in intensive care units with COVID-19, state data shows. Michigan ranks highest in COVID-19 hospitalizations amid surge as model predicts further worseningRecent estimates from Michigan Medicine expect the state could set a new record for hospitalizations as early as April 12. Michigan Medicine recently implemented visitor restrictions due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations with visitors only being allowed for adult patients when medically necessary. READ MORE:Michigan Medicine enacts visitor restrictions due to rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizationsFirst case of B.1.3.5.1 COVID-19 variant found in Lapeer CountyWhitmer on CNN: Michigan could shed COVID-19 restrictions, fully reopen this summer

ANN ARBOR, MI – Michigan Medicine is implementing a restricted visitor policy beginning Friday, April 2 due to increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the health care system announced Thursday. Other Michigan Medicine visitor policies include the following:Two parents/caregivers are currently permitted for inpatient hospitalized pediatric patients (under 21 years old), and this will remain the same. COVID-19 cases in the university community have increased in recent days and now represent 15% of all cases in Washtenaw County, according to UM’s COVID-19 dashboard. As of March 31, Michigan Medicine has administered 87,517 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. READ MORE:First case of B.1.3.5.1 COVID-19 variant found in Lapeer County1,800 University of Michigan faculty members publicly condemn Ron Weiser’s commentsDespite criticism, Michigan Medicine is giving COVID-19 vaccine to non-frontline workers

ANN ARBOR, MI — Construction on Michigan Medicine’s new $920-million hospital is set to resume in the coming months, as construction costs continue to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan Medicine began building the state-of-the-art hospital in October 2019, but work was paused due the pandemic and its financial impacts. “Michigan Medicine is restarting construction and expects to complete the project as announced previously, within the $920 million budget approved in 2019,” Michigan Medicine spokeswoman Mary Masson said in a statement. University of Michigan approves $920 million for new hospitalAccording to its original plans, the hospital will include 264 private rooms and an additional 110 private rooms in University Hospital by reducing semi-private rooms. As of March 8, Michigan Medicine has administered 72,378 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to its vaccine dashboard.

ANN ARBOR, MI - With more teachers and school staff expecting to return to the classroom soon, the Washtenaw County Health Department is getting assistance from health care providers to meet the demand for COVID-19 vaccinations. Invitations for that group are expected to be extended to all county school employees next week, she said. As of Feb. 24, 97,376 doses of vaccine have been administered in Washtenaw County between its various health systems. The Washtenaw County Health Department is responsible for administering 19,572 of those doses. READ MORE:AAPS, Michigan Medicine vaccine partnership a ‘game-changer’ in students’ return to classroom, officials sayVaccination frustration: Washtenaw County has state’s lowest percentage of vaccinated teachers20,000 Washtenaw County residents waiting for COVID vaccine appointment

The new first-dose appointments were opened Feb. 23 and quickly reserved for patients 65 and older, as well as a limited number of Michigan Medicine health care workers who work on-site at health care facilities, according to Michigan Medicine officials. Michigan Medicine attributed the limited vaccine supply to a change in the COVID-19 vaccine implementation schedule on the state level. Change in vaccine strategy ‘dramatically impacts’ Michigan Medicine vaccine rollout, officials sayMichigan Medicine recently announced a partnership with Ann Arbor Public Schools to quickly vaccinate teachers and staff. The Washtenaw County Health Department is working with Michigan Medicine and IHA to vaccinate approximately 1,200 elementary school educators on Saturday, Feb 27. AAPS, Michigan Medicine vaccine partnership a ‘game-changer’ in students’ return to classroom, officials sayAs of Wednesday, Feb. 24, Michigan Medicine had administered 66,537 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Changing the distribution process of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure it’s more equitable is the main focus of a virtual town hall meeting Thursday. “COVID-19 and the African American Community: Equitable Vaccine Distribution” is being hosted by Michigan Medicine from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25, and is being livestreamed on the Program for Multicultural Health at Michigan Medicine’s Facebook page. The event features discussions on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process, how to increase vaccinations among African Americans, and what changes need to be made to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. Those wishing to submit questions before the event, can do so here. Read more:New Michigan vaccine data shows disparities along racial linesLiquor license suspensions upheld for 8 violators of Michigan’s dine-in banJohnson & Johnson vaccine effective against COVID-19, analysis says, clearing way for FDA authorization

ANN ARBOR, MI - A partnership between Ann Arbor Public Schools and Michigan Medicine to quickly vaccinate teachers and staff will factor into the district’s recommendation to return students to the classroom, officials said. In addition to the vaccinations, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has permitted AAPS to expand rapid testing for students and staff in school buildings, school officials said. The developments are a “game-changer” for a healthy and safe reentry to AAPS school buildings, school officials said. Also included were small groups of middle and high school students most in-need of in-person classes. Additional stages proposed bringing students back by grade level in one-week increments, with middle and high school students entering the hybrid format last.

It was a priority to get teachers vaccinated because they are face-to-face with 20 to 25 students daily, Saunders said. The Wayne County Health Department recently partnered with Detroit Medical Center Children’s Hospital to vaccinate the county’s teachers. “Michigan Medicine has offered to assist the Washtenaw County Health Department in the vaccination of K-12 teachers when vaccine supply is available,” Masson said. The county is “almost done” vaccinating around 3,500 teachers and school staff older than 50, she said, which was a priority for the health department. Two months later, Keteyian said all Jackson County teachers and staff requesting the COVID-19 vaccine will have received both doses.

ANN ARBOR, MI – For the second week in a row, Michigan Medicine is unable to open any new first-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments due to limited vaccine supply. Invitations for first-dose appointments for the vaccine will remain open, but Michigan Medicine is asking people to check next week to see if new appointments are being offered, the email states. It’s expected that there may be further reductions in the amount of vaccine supply sent to hospitals, the email states. As of Tuesday, Feb. 16, Michigan Medicine has administered 61,169 vaccinations. All Michigan Medicine employees – including those working remotely – fall under Phase 1A eligibility, Michigan Medicine spokewoman Mary Masson previously said, and all employees were invited to be vaccinated.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A revised COVID-19 vaccine implementation schedule from the state has ‘dramatically impacted’ Michigan Medicine’s ability to provide first-dose vaccinations, officials said. For the week of Feb. 9, this revision has resulted in a low vaccine supply that prohibits Michigan Medicine from opening up any new first-dose appointments, according to its COVID-19 vaccine website. Invitations to schedule first-dose appointments are being deferred until there is enough vaccine supply, officials said. Sixty percent of the state’s vaccine doses are being sent directly to local health departments and the other 40% is going to health systems like Michigan Medicine, the release states. As of Feb. 9, Michigan Medicine had administered 56,656 vaccinations, it’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard states.

ANN ARBOR, MI – All Michigan Medicine employees – working in person or remotely – are allowed to get the COVID-19 vaccine under the first phase of vaccine distribution, according to state guidelines and Michigan Medicine officials. “All Michigan Medicine employees are crucial to the functioning of our health care system,” Masson said. Michigan Medicine employs about 26,000 workers and has administered more than 53,000 vaccinations as of Feb. 2, according to its vaccine website. All Michigan Medicine employees have been invited to be vaccinated, Masson said. Appointment invitations are sent in waves and handled by Michigan Medicine’s COVID-19 vaccine team, according to the website.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Medicine is hosting a virtual town hall Saturday, where community leaders plan to engage with residents to answer questions about COVID-19 and alleviate concerns about vaccines. The Program for Multicultural Health at Michigan Medicine has organized the virtual event, “COVID-19 and the African American Community,” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16., to discuss steps toward equitable and ethical healthcare. Panelists include Kiela Samuels, clinical pharmacist at Michigan Medicine’s Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Dr. Jessie Kimbrough Marshall, adjunct assistant professor at Michigan Medicine’s Division of Hospital Medicine, and the Rev. Orthelia Pryor, senior project manager at Michigan Medicine’s Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, will serve as moderator. A live discussion will tackle the lack of trust in healthcare within Black communities, answer questions based in science and share personal stories about COVID-19, officials said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Medicine officials are citing lower-than-expected COVID-19 vaccine supply for a delay in vaccinations. Michigan Medicine said it has established capacity to administer up to 12,000 vaccines per week, and will resume scheduling new first-dose appointments as soon as sufficient supply is available. Related: Who’s eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion“We are committed to administering COVID-19 vaccines to our communities as quickly and safely as possible,” officials said in update. Michigan Medicine is instructing those waiting to be notified when they are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to go through the MyUofMHealth patient portal. As of end of day, Thursday, Jan. 7, Michigan Medicine had vaccinated 15,411 people, according to its COVID-19 dashboard.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Medicine is moving into the next priority phase of vaccinations, with plans to begin vaccinating patients 65 and older against COVID-19 during the week of Jan. 11, the health system announced in a news release Thursday. On Monday, Michigan Medicine patients in that age group currently under the care of a Michigan Medicine primary care provider, or those who have had a visit with a Michigan Medicine provider in the last two years, will begin receiving invitations to schedule appointments. While available appointments each week will depend on vaccine supply, Michigan Medicine said it hopes to offer vaccination to all patients in this group who would like to be vaccinated in the next two to three months. More than 200,000 patients from communities across the state fall into the 65 and older category. Michigan Medicine is responsible for vaccinating the entire University of Michigan community, which stretches over three campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint.

While Michigan Medicine received 1,950 doses of the vaccine, Michigan Medicine did not know it was getting those vaccines until Dec. 11, according to Dr. Sandro Kurt Cinti. Michigan Medicine also wanted to try its vaccination method to see what it needed to learn from giving the vaccine, Cinti said. “It’s a lot different than influenza,” said Cinti, a professor at Michigan Medicine who specializes in infectious disease. Michigan Medicine will be prepared to use both, Cinti said, but it depends on what the state decides to do. READ MORE:‘I really want things to get back to normal,’ says Michigan Medicine physician who got COVID-19 vaccineMichigan Medicine to begin vaccinating health care workers this weekHow Michigan will prioritize who gets the first COVID-19 vaccines

Michigan Medicine to begin vaccinating health care workers this weekWith FDA “emergency use authorization” of the COVID-19 vaccine, Michigan Medicine announced Monday it will begin vaccinating its health care workers this week. ‘We’re in turbulent waters.’ Ann Arbor faces potential $9M budget shortfallAfter finishing last fiscal year in June with a $1 million surplus, Ann Arbor officials predict things will get harder in the months ahead. More than 120 physicians join push for in-person classes in Ann Arbor Public SchoolsMembers of the Ann Arbor area medical community are joining calls from parents urging Ann Arbor Public Schools to set a target date to return to some form of in-person learning. Downtown Ann Arbor traffic to be rerouted throughout DecemberTraffic in the downtown Ann Arbor area will be rerouted for various construction projects. Since then, the brand grew to Chicago’s Hyde Park -- and now Ann Arbor, opening a shop recently at 3362 Washtenaw Ave.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Dr. Payal Patel, an infectious disease physician at Michigan Medicine, has been working on the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus since March. As the latest spike in hospitalizations continues to strain health care workers, the recently approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was made available to a select group of health care workers at Michigan Medicine Monday at a critical time. “This is a great day!” said Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, dean of the University of Michigan Medical School and executive vice president of University of Michigan medical affairs. For more general vaccine information and frequently asked questions, click the following link to be taken to the Michigan Medicine Headlines page. READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Trucks carrying Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine depart Michigan facility for distributionHow Michigan will prioritize who gets the first COVID-19 vaccinesPfizer’s coronavirus vaccine now 95-percent effective, company announces

ANN ARBOR , MI — With FDA “emergency use authorization” of the COVID-19 vaccine, Michigan Medicine announced Monday it will begin vaccinating its health care workers this week. Starting the week of Dec. 13, healthcare organizations from around the country, including Michigan Medicine, will begin vaccinating people based on the recommended prioritization guidelines from CDC and MDHHS, the healthcare system said. Michigan Medicine said it expects to receive 1,950 doses Monday and should continue to get more vaccines on a weekly basis. Michigan Medicine has about 28,000 employees, so this first shipment is a limited supply, she said. Michigan Medicine has identified about 200 team members who all fall into the recommended first phase who are volunteering to participate this week in a “test run,” the health care system said.

ANN ARBOR, MI - No visitors will be allowed with adult patients in Michigan Medicine hospitals, except when medically necessary, as the health system tries to minimize COVID-19 spread. Michigan Medicine announced the changes that will go into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Mott Children’s Hospital; and no visitor rule for adult patients at Michigan Medicine clinics, unless the patient has a cognitive or physical impairment that requires assistance. As of Nov. 23, Michigan Medicine reported 103 patients currently admitted that tested positive for COVID-19 - the highest number since late April. READ MORE:Wear masks, Michigan Medicine leaders tell public as hospitalizations surgeMichigan coronavirus outbreaks increase 45% in 2 weeksExhausted in a ‘nightmare’: A look inside a Michigan hospital COVID unit

ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Medicine leaders are calling on the public to not let its guard down as hospitals across the state experience rapid surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. “I’m very glad that we at Michigan Medicine are joining with healthcare systems nationwide to encourage the simple behaviors that are proven to work: Mask up, socially distance, wash your hands,” Washer said. During the past three weeks, Michigan Medicine has seen an increase in COVID-19 patients, Runge said. “At Michigan Medicine, and all of Michigan’s healthcare providers, we need your help,” Runge said. He cited new Michigan Medicine research about lasting effects in previously hospitalized patients.

Some health care workers were infected with COVID-19. "We currently have adequate PPE supplies now, and we have never had to limit PPE," said Mary Masson, a spokesperson for Michigan Medicine. Its surgical mask supply is expected to last 15-30 days, and it has more than 30 days' supply of gowns and eye protection. And just like most of the other U.S. health care systems, we're heavily, heavily reliant upon supplies coming from overseas. "Community spread is occurring and health care workers are not exempt, Karasinski said.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security is seeking the public’s help to find a missing 71-year-old man. Richard Allen Clark, Sr. walked away shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 from the emergency room at Michigan Medicine, 1500 E Medical Center Drive. Clark, a Novi resident, was previously diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the department at 734-763-1131 or email University of Michigan police Detectives West or Mathews at mjmath@umich.edu or nfrsdlaw@umich.edu. Read more:Man arraigned in shooting death of 11-year-old stepson during youth huntDrowning victim remembered as jokester, loving family manPreliminary exam delayed for alleged accomplices in Flint murder case involving mask dispute