SPECTRUM

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A state board on Tuesday approved $10 million in brownfield incentives for an eight-story office building Spectrum Health is building on Monroe Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids. The incentives approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Strategic Fund board can be used to reimburse Spectrum for eligible activities, such as site preparation, associated with the $98.7 million project. The project includes the construction of the office building, two seven-story parking structures, and renovation’s made to the Brass Works Building, which Spectrum purchased in early 2021. Spectrum’s new office building is being constructed adjacent to the Brass Works Building, 648 Monroe Ave. NW. In addition to the state brownfield incentives, the city of Grand Rapids previously approved $6.2 million in local brownfield incentives for the project.

A surge of COVID-19 cases as well as a spike in non-COVID patients is severely straining resources at Spectrum Health, based in Grand Rapids, according to a top official. “Yesterday in Grand Rapids at Butterworth, Blodgett and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital combined, we had the highest number of inpatients that we have ever had,” Dr. Josh Kooistra, a Spectrum senior vice president and its chief medical officer, said Wednesday, Nov. 10. “Our regional hospitals are experiencing similar volumes, and our emergency departments are the busiest that they’ve ever been.”

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It was a deal that was kept tightly under wraps. If approved, it would create the largest hospital system in the state of Michigan.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health says it’s now offering COVID-19 vaccinations at all its primary care offices and urgent care clinics. Spectrum said residents with a Spectrum Health primary care physician can schedule a vaccine appointment through Spectrum’s online MyChart account, by calling their physician’s office or contacting the Vaccine Call Center at (833) 755-0696. Those who are scheduling a vaccine appointment for a child between the ages of 12 and 17 are asked to their child’s Spectrum primary care physician or (833) 755-0696. Vaccine appointments for one of Spectrum’s four urgent care locations can be made online through Spectrum’s MyChart or by calling (833) 755-0696. The vaccine call center, (833) 755-0696, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health is pushing forward with plans for a large-scale office complex, including a new eight-story office building and two 420-space parking garages, on Monroe Avenue just north of downtown Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids-based health care provider has also purchased the adjacent Brass Works Building for $24.7 million. Spectrum plans to make renovations at the building, where it leases office space, and build an elevated skywalk connecting the structure to its proposed eight-story office tower. Matt Cox, Spectrum’s chief financial officer, said the new complex would provide a central office for up to 1,500 administrative, non-clinical employees who are currently based at office space Spectrum is leasing throughout the Grand Rapids area. Construction of the new office building could start this fall.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is celebrating 10 years at its landmark blue building on Michigan Street along Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile. It’s named after the late Helen DeVos, the West Michigan philanthropist and wife of the late Amway co-founder Rich DeVos. In 1990, hospital leaders and donors pledged $44 million to build the Helen DeVos Women & Children’s Center at Butterworth Hospital. The center, essentially a hospital within a hospital, opened in September 1993, bringing together an assortment of services in one area. Having a dedicated children’s hospital building also helps with the recruitment of pediatric physicians and specialists, he said.

“It’s absolute euphoria amongst the team members who are able to get the vaccine,” Tuttle said in a Tuesday, Dec. 29, interview with MLive, speaking of emotional celebrations as the healthcare workers are vaccinated. The next phase, dependent on supply and delivery of additional vaccine doses, will begin as soon as possible, he said. Statewide, 71,256 people have been given doses of the vaccine, according to the COVID-19 vaccination dashboard on Dec. 30. A total of 313,375 vaccine doses were distributed to providers in Michigan between Dec. 14 and Dec. 29. The timing depends on the supply of doses, and the deliveries of vaccinations, Tuttle said.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- As demand for coronavirus testing grows and new cases skyrocket, Spectrum Health will now require appointments and screenings for those seeking tests. Spectrum officials noted a nationwide shortage of supplies and the sheer demand for testing as reasons for changing the eligibility protocol. For more about screening, go to Spectrum Health’s web page on screening and testing. The requirement for screenings and appointments could be relaxed at a later date if demand for testing weakens, officials said. More from MLiveIngham County inmate escaped by ‘meticulously’ dismantling jail window, police sayMichigan reports 8,516 new coronavirus cases and 118 deaths for Friday, Nov. 13

West Michigan’s largest hospital system says they could be hitting their maximum capacity “in a matter of days,” as new COVID-19 cases and deaths rise across the state. Spectrum Health said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday that they are working to expand intensive care capacity and to create more space for COVID-19 patients. “Even with these actions, the reality is that Spectrum Health and our hospitals across the state will be hitting their capacity in a matter of days,” Spectrum Health President and CEO Tina Freese Decker said, according to WOOD TV. Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, the president of Spectrum Health West, added that Spectrum will be prioritizing those with symptoms when providing COVID-19 tests. New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan.

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Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K- 2 or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Along with the free service promotions, Charter continues to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, a high speed broadband program for eligible low- income households. The company also has partnered with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely. The discount will be applied as a credit for two months on the account of new K12, college or teacher households who dont currently have internet or Wi-Fi service. Another option for Spectrum customers is the companys free Wi-Fi community hotspots.