Monthly Archives: July 2020

(July 28, 2020 11:59 AM) Spring Arbor University has announced its plan for resuming traditional undergraduate, adult and professional and graduate-level learning this fall. SAU says It is their priority to care for the health and well-being of  students and community as they provide a quality, Christ-centered education. The university issued the following guidelines that comply with state and federal regulations and will allow SAU students to retain a sense of community during the COVID-19 pandemic. “SAU remains fully committed to providing a transformational and Christ-centered education for our students. We are excited to have students back on campus this fall, and we are taking every precaution necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our community,” said SAU President, Dr. Brent Ellis. Traditional Undergraduate Students Beginning this summer, athletes and student employees will undergo regular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, a test with 99 percent accuracy in detecting COVID-19. At the beginning of the fall semester, all students will receive PCR testing upon arrival to campus. Students will also complete an online health screening daily before they arrive on campus or leave their residence halls. Any student identifying virus symptoms will receive testing from the Holton Health and Wellness…

(July 28, 2020 11:48 AM) Henry Ford Health System is the only hospital system in Michigan chosen as a Phase 3 trial site for the Moderna mRNA-1273 Coronavirus Efficacy (COVE) vaccine study, the National Institutes of Health announced.  Henry Ford is enrolling volunteers into this randomized double-blind study of whether a two-dose vaccine prevents COVID-19 infection in those exposed to the coronavirus. About 90 healthcare systems across the United States are working competitively to enroll a total of 30,000 volunteers to participate. The study will close to volunteers once 30,000 people are enrolled, so signing up at www.HenryFord.com/ModernaVaccine quickly is crucial. “Henry Ford Health System is proud to be part of the fight against this deadly virus,” said Dr. Adnan Munkarah, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Henry Ford Health System.  “As one of the region’s major academic medical centers with more than $100 million in annual research funding, Henry Ford is involved in numerous COVID-19 efforts with partners around the world.” The study’s first two phases found the vaccine to be safe and produce antibodies; Phase 3 will determine whether it provides any protective benefit. “Our best hope of controlling COVID-19 is with a vaccine,” said Dr. Marcus Zervos, Division Chief of Infectious…

(July 28, 2020 10:06 AM) Today, American 1 announced two donations to The Salvation Army of Jackson County totaling over $10,000. Of the more than $10,000 donation, $5,100 comes from American 1’s first-ever Virtual Car Sale that was held in June. American 1 closed 51 loans during the sale and donated $100 to The Salvation Army for every loan closed. American 1 looks for opportunities to support local organizations as often as possible, and their car sales and other events are no exception. “American 1 is a good neighbor to The Salvation Army – not only with proximity of their Home Office to our building, but also with the way they consistently support our organization,” said Major Jose Tamayo, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Jackson County. “From volunteer support, to in-kind donations, to sponsorships, American 1 is always there when we need them, and we are thankful for their partnership.” Additionally, American 1 provided a $5,000 donation for The Salvation Army of Jackson’s Red Shield Benefit to be the presenting (or General level) sponsor. In 2020, the event will be a virtual one and is scheduled for August 31. The goal of the event is to raise needed…

(July 28, 2020 7:22 AM) Michigan consumers and businesses will see an estimated savings of $96,767,175 as a result of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services’ (DIFS) orders requiring that insurers provide adjustments or credits for worker’s compensation policies and partial refunds of automobile insurance premiums. During COVID-19, many insurance companies saw a significant drop in claims, so the premiums paid by their customers could not be justified. “Consumers and businesses should not be required to pay insurance premiums that do not reflect the changes they have made to day-to-day activities during the pandemic,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “As a result of COVID-19, businesses have made significant changes to the way they operate, and individuals have significantly reduced the amount they are driving, both of which have significantly reduced insurers’ payments on claims.” In three orders, DIFS Order No. 2020-10-M, DIFS Order No. 2020-11-M, and DIFS Order No. 2020-13-M, DIFS required insurers offering worker’s compensation or automobile insurance policies to file plans with DIFS to issue adjustments, credits, endorsements, or refunds, as appropriate, due to reduced utilization during COVID-19 or demonstrate why such plans were not warranted at that time. The orders also required detailed communication plans…

(July 27, 2020 8:41 PM) To protect employees, customers and communities from the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) launched a State Emphasis Program (SEP) focused on retail, restaurant, bar and service industry establishments that addresses the need for increased partnership, education and enforcement to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.  “The vast majority of employers are working hard to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on their business and the economy. This new initiative is aimed at helping them educate employees and customers on best practices and assure that all workplaces remain safe for the community,” Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said. The focus of this SEP is to educate and seek compliance with guidelines and rules that will protect workers and customers in locations serving the public where community spread of COVID-19 is a risk. The SEP includes businesses such as bars and restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores, grocery stores and other retail establishments. Recently, Michigan has seen an uptick across the state. MIOSHA will conduct inspections by referral or randomly at bars and restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores, grocery stores…

(July 27, 2020 4:36 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health is one of ten Michigan hospitals included on Newsweek’s annual list of the best maternity hospitals in the United States. Partnering with a panel of national experts and the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers, Newsweek compiles a list of hospitals across the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in maternity care. To be considered, hospitals must meet the Leapfrog Group's standards for excellence, which include measures related to screening newborns, lowering rates of caesarean deliveries and episiotomies, and following medical research and best practices to protect mothers and babies. “We are delighted to be included on Newsweek’s elite list for maternity care. This is a recognition of our diligent efforts to apply best practices to provide the safest and best overall birthing experience for mothers and babies,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health’s Clinical Nurse Manager of Women’s and Children’s Services Pamela Suckow. “This information can help Michigan families make informed decisions about this important choice.” According to the Newsweek report, Henry Ford Allegiance Health has 1,580 deliveries annually.