Medical providers who begin providing or expand opioid addiction treatment are now eligible for student loan repayment through a new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) program.  The goal of the program is to increase availability of opioid use disorder treatment across the state, especially in areas where treatment is difficult to access.   MDHHS received a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to implement the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program to repay medical education loans.  “Michigan needs more health care providers that will treat patients suffering from opioid use disorders,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “This program provides critical educational debt repayments to incentivize providers to treat patients with substance use disorders in communities across the state. This will help strengthen our capacity to respond to this growing epidemic.”  The program is available to medical doctors and osteopathic medicine doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and substance use disorder counselors who begin offering opioid treatment or expand treatment that is already being offered. Providers who work in a variety of health care settings are eligible to apply.  Applications can be filed through June 30, 2019. Applications and other resources can be found on the Michigan Opioid Treatment Assistance website. Health care providers are encouraged to review the materials and submit applications when the cycle begins. They can contact Megan Linton at 517-335-6713 for more information.  Michigan has been significantly affected by the national opioid epidemic. The number of annual opioid-related overdose deaths in the state has more than tripled since 2011, from 622 to 2,053. As part of the state-government-wide plan to address the issue, MDHHS has developed an action plan that is focused on prevention, early intervention and treatment. Find more information atwww.michigan.gov/opioids.

McLaren Port Huron and the Karmanos Cancer Institute will host a cancer survivor picnic Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The picnic will take place at the Marysville Community Health Center, 867 East Huron Boulevard, Marysville.  Cancer survivors, their families and care team are invited to saddle up and celebrate survivorship at this western themed event. Enjoy barbeque vittles and fellowship, with special performances by the Hooked On Country Line Dance Team. This program is made possible by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Port Huron.  The picnic is free, but registration is required by June 12. For more information or to register, call HealthAccess at 1-800-228-1484.

Earl Smith Distributing, a family owned, independent beer distributor located in Port Huron, plays a role in the continued growth of Michigan’s beer industry.  According to a new report released by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Beer Institute, Michigan’s beer industry has a $10.2 billion impact on the state’s economy. Michigan’s beer distributors alone have an economic impact of more than $830 million and employ over 4,700 people in good-paying jobs with good benefits.  “This report leaves little doubt how much Michiganders love their beer, and it helps quantify just how much the state’s beer industry contributes to Michigan’s continued economic comeback,” said Erik Smith, Vice President of Operations at Earl Smith. “We’re proud to work with breweries big and small right here in Michigan, across the country and around the world to help them compete, grow and thrive on a level playing field.”   In 2018, the state’s beer industry, which includes brewers, distributors, retailers and supporting industries like agriculture, transportation and manufacturing, pumped nearly $10.2 billion into Michigan’s economy, employed over 62,000 people and paid more than $2.6 billion in wages.  “On all levels of the supply chain, the beer industry continues to have a positive impact on Michigan’s economy – from malthouses and hop farms to breweries and local retailers – and we expect this growth to continue,” Smith said. “Michigan is a Top 5 beer producer and home to some of the most innovative breweries in the country, making it not just the Great Lakes State but the Great Beer State, too.”  Earl Smith Distributing serves retailers in Michigan’s Thumb area including St. Clair, Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron counties.

The annual Rotary International Day Parade will once again be marching through downtown Port Huron this summer for its 99th year. The event will be on Wednesday, July 17 with a start time of 6:30 p.m. The parade has served as the opening event for Blue Water Fest for many years. This year’s theme is “Space” in observance of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. moon landing. McLaren Port Huron is the parade’s presenting sponsor. The Grand Marshall for this year’s parade is STARBASE Deputy Director Mark Muzzin. STARBASE is operated and located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  Registrations and sponsorships are currently being accepted online and via the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce office. The parade’s website is www.paradeday.net  Port Huron Rotary is a service club that will begin celebrating its 100th year as an active organization in our community starting in July 2019.

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee provides respite care grants to provide respite or relief, to the primary caregiver of an individual with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  This grant is available to residents of St. Clair County and there are no income requirements for program eligibility.  Approved local healthcare agencies will provide the care in the home or at an adult day program.   The agency will deliver services based on the individual’s needs, request, and aide availability.  This grant is made possible by the generous donations made to DARC throughout the year and during their annual walk & 5K run.  Limited funds are available, on a first-come, first-served basis, in amounts up to $1,000.00 per calendar year, and are paid directly to the approved agency.  For more information, or to receive an application, visit the website www.darcscc.org or call 810-990-9558.

Lake Huron Foundation’s Volunteer Organization is pleased to announce six (6) scholarships have been awarded to students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the health care field.

The 2019 Healthcare Scholarship recipients are:

• Sara Green (St. Clair), will be attending St. Clair County Community College – Medical Assistant
• Emily Jurkiewisz (St. Clair), attending St. Clair County Community College – Practical Nursing Program (LPN)
• Zaina Kabaa (Fort Gratiot), attending Oakland University – Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN)
• Julie Markey (Fort Gratiot), will be attending St. Clair County Community College – Associate Degree Nursing Program (RN)
• Justine Morden (Port Huron), will be attending St. Clair County Community College – Practical Nursing Program (LPN)
• Armani Paulding (Port Huron), attending St. Clair County Community College – Practical Nursing Program (LPN)

The eligibility requirements and considerations included: students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the field of health care, are currently enrolled, carrying a minimum of six (6) credits per semester and demonstrating satisfactory progress.   For more information on the programs and events at Lake Huron Medical Center, please visit www.mylakehuron.com.