Dedicated to every COMMUNITY in our region

Friendly neighborhoods...Good schools...Strong family ties. These are just a few of the things that make this region such a great place. Here at Memorial Healthcare, we feel so fortunate to be a part of it, especially since we have the opportunity to provide a positive impact on the quality of life in our region.

One of our primary goals is to promote health in our community. That means we are more than just a hospital where people are treated. We also reach out to our communities in our region- through education, wellness and prevention programs to promote health.

Being based in the heart of Shiawassee County, we strongly believe in community service. Special Memorial partnerships include the provision of prenatal services at the Shiawassee County Health Department to those who are underinsured.

Memorial FIT Kids

Memorial FIT Kids is a joint effort between Memorial Healthcare, area school districts, University of Michigan, Baker College of Owosso, and the Shiawassee Family YMCA. The program is funded by the Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

This program is dedicated to improving the health of the Shiawassee County region's youth through education and screening. This program has evaluated over 4,000 area sixth grade students for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors over the last six years. In 2008, FIT Kids piloted the Project Healthy Schools program, in conjunction with the University of Michigan and Corunna Public Schools, to conduct CVD risk factor assessment followed by 10 weeks of in-class, interactive health education. Following the 10-week education program, students are re-tested to evaluate behavioral changes and health perceptions and to determine if CVD risk factors have decreased or increased. Students participate voluntarily (with parental permission).  In 2009, the Memorial FIT Kids program was expanded to include Bryant Elementary in the Owosso Public School District and St. Paul's Catholic School, also in Owosso.

The Memorial FIT Kids program has proven effective in lowering total cholesterol and lipid levels in the sixth graders who participated. We are seeing a good trend in lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL and a significant trend in lowering resting heart rate. Students are also changing their behaviors in a positive direction.

All of the other area school districts receive 2 interactive lessons during the school year. The nutrition lesson includes information about food portions and how portion size has changed over the years, how the media affects our food selection decisions, and how kids can be healthier in their daily food choices. The physical activity lesson, presented by the Shiawassee Family YMCA, provides knowledge of the importance of aerobic exercise and alternatives to traditional exercise such as Tai Chi and basic kickboxing with in-class demonstration.

Health Fairs & Screenings

We coordinate a wide variety of informational programs targeted for men and women. We also provide several free or low-cost health fairs throughout the year.

Support Groups

Memorial Healthcare either provides or supports many groups to help patients and families get the information and support they need, including:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Bereavement - Children & Adults
• Cancer (Turning Point)
• Diabetes
• H.O.P.I.N.G. (Helping Other Patients in Normal Grieving)
• Hospice
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Organ Transplant
• Prostate (Us, Too!)

To learn more about the groups which meet at Memorial, visit our Calendar of Events