Adrienne Bartee has been named the Employee of the Month for November. She has worked at McLaren Port Huron for seven years and is currently a registered nurse in the operating room.

Bartee was nominated by her coworkers because she is a true example of a caring, professional nurse. She treats each of her patients with kindness and compassion. She has a calm, caring demeanor and always displays the hospital values in her work. Bartee encourages and supports her team, always has a positive attitude and is pleasant and easy to work with.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

For those who drove a truck in the military, getting a civilian Commercial Driver’s License could become much easier. Bills to streamline the process of getting a CDL have made it through the Michigan House and Senate and await the governor’s signature to become law.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has endorsed the bills, saying, “Those who serve in our armed forces undergo extensive training to fulfill their duties, and often receive certifications specific to their services, including commercial driver’s licenses.”

Benson said she looks forward to implementing the necessary changes at the department “to ensure military veterans who have successfully earned the equivalent of a CDL do not have to repeat the process.”

According to the Senate analysis of the legislation, the change will cost the state nothing but will remove the driving test requirement for those who have the federal endorsements from their military service.

Disruptions to the supply chain have often been blamed on a shortage of truckers. Over-the-road trucking moves about 70% of the nation’s freight. The American Trucking Association has estimated that there is a shortage of 80,000 truckers nationwide.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Businesses that suffered economic impacts from the pandemic are eligible for help with the passing of the supplemental spending bill that allocates American Rescue Plan money. The Department of Treasury has been charged with disbursing the money.

The money is to go to “afflicted businesses”, which include entertainment venues, exercise facilities, food service establishments, and recreational facilities like bowling alleys and others. It also includes those businesses that were forbidden to open during the early days of the pandemic like hair salons, plant nurseries, and others.

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County is keeping an eye on the development of the required website and application process that will be rolled out by the Department of Treasury. The EDA advises that there are specific rules laid out in the legislation as to who gets the money and how much they get.

Applications for the relief money are due April 1st, 2022 with the grants being paid out by July 1, 2022, according to the legislation.

A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

https://edascc.com/covid19/funding-financial-relief-resources/

As the holidays approach, McLaren Port Huron is easing visitor restrictions effective Monday, December 20. Visiting hours will remain from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visiting guidelines include:

• Visitors must be over age 18.
• Visitors should remain with the patient in their room, unless asked otherwise by the clinical team.
• All visitors will be screened when entering the hospital to verify they do not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
• Visitors must wear a mask at all times and should remain with the patient, unless asked otherwise by the clinical team.
• No visitors are allowed for patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests, including in the Emergency Room.

Exceptions include:

• Mental Health: Visiting hours are Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m.; one visitor per patient is allowed.

In recognition of how important it is for patients and families to be together over the holidays, on Christmas Eve and Christmas (December 24 and 25), COVID patients can have one visitor at a time.

We will continue to monitor and assess visitation policies. For the most updated information, visit mclaren.org/phvisitors. The goal is to protect patients, their families and the McLaren Port Huron health care team.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron Hospital