Monthly Archives: November 2020

(November 24, 2020 10:47 AM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health is advancing radiation treatment for cancer patients in south central Michigan and beyond with the Varian Ethos™ therapy system. Driven by artificial intelligence technology, the system provides a real-time view of a patient’s anatomy and allows the radiation dosage to be adapted in real time to continuous variations in the shape and positioning of the individual’s tumor and normal tissues. Ethos is an advanced software update to the state-of the-art Halcyon linear accelerator, which Henry Ford Allegiance Health was the first in Michigan to use in December 2019. The personalized targeting capability of Ethos helps improve overall outcomes and reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissue. “We are the first hospital in Michigan and the fifth in the United States to offer the combined Halcyon technology and Ethos adaptive therapy, which increases the capability, flexibility and efficiency of radiation treatment. It delivers radiation doses more quickly while enhancing precision and safety,” said Annette Kretzler, MD, MD, Medical Director Henry Ford Allegiance Radiation Oncology. A radiation treatment session, including the adaptive Ethos option, typically takes just 15 minutes. “Henry Ford Allegiance Health is on the leading edge of radiation treatment. Adaptive radiation therapy…

(November 23, 2020 6:42 PM)  Jackson Public Schools is extending the return to in-person learning until January 11, 2021.  In a Facebook message to JPS families, Superintendent Jeff Beal said “the numbers and information regarding COVID-19 cannot simply be pushed aside”. Beal points to the increase in positive cases and testing needs in Jackson.  The Jackson County Health Department has reported 698 new positive cases in the past week. The district had previously planned to return to the hybrid in-person learning plan on Monday, November 30th for K-8 students.  The recent MDHHS order prohibits in-person learning for high school students through December 8.  Beal wrote, “I am making the decision to once again suspend in-person at JPS for all grades (Y5-12) until we return from (after) Christmas Break. This means that students and staff will continue to work online until we return for Cohort A on Monday, January 11, 2021, and for Cohort B on Thursday, January 14, 2021.” The normal return for Christmas break was January 4, 2021.  The district will not be returning back to in-person learning until the following week. Beal encouraged families to consider their actions as they plan for the holidays.  “Today’s limit of exposure…

(November 23, 2020 5:56 PM) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today issued Thanksgiving celebration guidance for vulnerable populations to help ensure their health and safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19. “While we are advising everyone to avoid Thanksgiving gatherings beyond their own households, it’s especially critical that residents of nursing homes and other group homes remain in their homes during the holiday,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “If these individuals contract COVID while traveling, they run the risk of bringing it back to others who are especially vulnerable to illness and death. This year, please celebrate Thanksgiving by Zoom or by phone, and next year’s Thanksgiving will be better.”  On Nov. 18, MDHHS issued an epidemic order that limited indoor gatherings to no more than two households. This order does not prohibit residents of the facilities above from leaving a care facility; however, it is recommended that: Residents be strongly encouraged to stay in place, especially in light of increasing prevalence of COVID-19 cases. Providers and direct care staff educate residents and their family and friends on the associated risk of leaving a care facility and attending gatherings with family and friends as well as the…