Health care organizations predict healthy 2016
Jan. 1, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal
The past year was filled with announcements from the areas health care leaders. It seemed as soon as a ribbon-cutting occurred, a new multi-million-dollar project was announced.
… Pine Rest will join Mercy Health, Cherry Health, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids Community College, Muskegon Community College, Montcalm Community College and West Michigan Works to introduce a new U.S. Department of Labor-approved medical assistant apprenticeship program. The first class of students will begin this month.
“There is a huge need in the community for medical assistants,” said Linda Witte, program developer and manager of health programs for GRCC Workforce Development. “As employers are growing, the number of physicians to take care of the increased number of people who are eligible for health care, they need staff, and that would be medical assistants.”
How living as an undocumented immigrant inspired musician Diana Gameros
Dec. 29, 2015; PBS Newshour
For Mexican-born singer-songwriter Diana Gameros, music has always been a deeply personal endeavor, acting as both a lifeline and a retreat from the world’s complications.
… Gameros moved to Michigan and studied music for four years at Grand Rapids Community College. Her dream of becoming a musician “gave me all the drive to do whatever I had to do to be here,” she said.
New DNR agents patrol Branch County
Dec. 30, 2015; Hillsdale Daily News
COLDWATER — Issac Tyson, one of the two new Department of Natural Resources officers for Branch County, started this fall, joining Joshua Jackson, who began work earlier this year.
… Tyson, originally from Sparta, located north of Grand Rapids, spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves while studying law enforcement at Grand Rapids Community College and Ferris State University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree.
Dec. 29, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Jenelle Marie Davis is the founder of TheSTDProject.com, the STD expert for Answers.com, a Hepatitis C expert for HepatitisC.net, the spokesperson for PositiveSingles.com, and an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College.
In the Kitchen with Chef Gilles
Dec. 29, 2015; Revue
Someone was about to get chewed out by Chef Gilles Renusson when they returned to class on Monday.
Late on a Friday afternoon in November, the world-renowned pastry chef at Grand Rapids Community College noticed a dirty baking sheet on a nearby desk in his kitchen lab, apparently left behind by a student earlier that day. It was quiet here, presumably after what is a reportedly hectic environment.
Workforce agency appoints leaders
Dec. 29, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A newly formed regional workforce entity has its leadership in place.
… Board members
… Bill Pink, Grand Rapids Community College
Regional Health names chief nursing officer
Dec. 24, 2015; Prairie Business (Grand Forks, N.D.)
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Laura Wightman has been selected Regional Health’s chief nursing officer. In this new position, Wightman will oversee nursing throughout the health system. She will work closely with market presidents, physician and nursing leadership in Regional Healths hospitals, clinics, hospice, home care and senior care facilities. She will lead efforts in regard to nursing leadership development, standardization of patient care and implementation of best practices throughout the health system.
Wightman comes to Regional Health from St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Calif., where she was chief nursing officer. Wightman previously worked as chief nursing officer for Mercy Hospital Grayling in Grayling, Mich. Her career in the Michigan marketplace included senior leadership roles as administrator of a surgical center, director of a heart and vascular service line, site director of perioperative services and clinical director of home care. Wightman also served as adjunct faculty for Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich., Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., and Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Mich.
College notes: Wayland’s Presley Hudson is only a freshman, but leads CMU in scoring
Dec. 24, 2015; MLive
… BASKETBALL
Alex Musert, Northern Michigan University: Musert had 15 points and a season-high nine rebounds in a 73-71 loss to Findlay on Dec. 12. The junior forward (GR Christian), who transferred from Grand Rapids Community College, is fourth on the team with 8.9 points per game and second with 5.3 rebounds.
Meijer Scholar Athlete: Nicholas Turowski
Dec. 24, 2015; WZZM
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (WZZM) — This week’s Meijer Scholar Athlete is Comstock Park’s Nicholas Turowski.
… He’s taking two AP classes this semester and is dual-enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, which he hopes can translate into a chance to play football and study engineering in college.
Baylor TE Gus Penning (Jenison) has talent, will travel
Dec. 27, 2015; The Detroit Free Press
ORLANDO — After one year of college football one where he didn’t even play in a game Gus Penning thought his career may be over.
… Grand Rapids Community College ended its football program after the 2011 season and Penning, of Jenison, was one of the casualties, even more than many others because he had redshirted as a freshman.
Son of Former Holland Mayor Tabbed to Circuit Court Bench
Dec. 22, 2015; WHTC
BATTLE CREEK, MI (WHTC) – The son of former Holland Mayor Lou Hallacy has received a judicial appointment from Governor Snyder. John Hallacy will fill a vacancy in the Calhoun County Circuit Court bench until this coming November, when the seat will be contested in an election to complete the final two years of Conrad Sindt’s term.
(This article doesn’t mention it, but Judge Hallacy is a GRCC alumnus.)
Tom Rademacher: After nearly 40 years with Press, it’s time to say farewell
Dec. 31, 2015; MLive
Over the course of nearly four decades, countless readers have asked me to define the most memorable piece written for my beloved Grand Rapids Press. And in this moment, I’m inclined to answer, “Today’s,” because it’s my last. But of course, there were too many others. Others of real import. And there are no words to convey the sense of gratitude I have for what never felt like work, only opportunity. For a kid who was born and raised in Grand Rapids and really never left its embrace, I was blessed not only with a window on the world, but privileged to bring to your front porch the stories of people both struggling and soaring. I was only as good as the editors and photographers who dressed my stuff in headlines and pictures. And ever-cognizant of the fact that no writer bats a thousand, I made just as many mistakes as I hit home runs.
(This column doesn’t mention it, but Tom Rademacher is a GRCC alumnus.)
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