2060 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Address Service Requested

Thursday, May 16, 5:30-8:30pm

Aaltech Automotive Service 3663 Broadmoor Ave SE Kentwood, MI 49546

Purchase tickets on-line: www.exaltahealth.org/events/artfeast-7/

Title Sponsor: The Joe Teater Imagine Fund

GUT CHECK

One of Exalta Health’s values is being Compassion Filled. Staff members focused on this value in March asking the question: What does it mean for us to “reflect Christ’s love and understanding in our relationships?” It’s not an easy question to answer. Anyone who has listened to me talk about spiritual care, knows that compassion comes from two Latin roots meaning “to suffer with,” a beautiful word picture for God’s way of being with us. Greek gives us a different word picture, one a little more interesting for my 8 year old son who has a keen sense of bodily function humor. The Greek root translated as compassion comes from the word for “bowels.” If you are feeling compassion, the Greek has you feeling it in your gut. The Gospels use this earthy word for compassion twelve times. One of them refers to a parable where a master felt for his servant in his gut and forgave his debt. Another refers to the father of the Prodigal Son, who felt something in his gut as he saw his son round the corner down the road and ran out to meet him with an embrace. Another refers to the Good Samaritan, who was unable to pass by on the other side, but was drawn, by something in his gut, to help the bloody mess of a mugged man lying by the side of the road. The other nine all refer to Jesus, who saw suffering and was moved with compassion to heal, teach, feed, and even raise the dead.

We’re not Jesus, and we can’t love the way Jesus loves. Maybe your gut feels something, but it ends up being more like pity than compassion. What’s the difference? Pity feels bad for you; compassion understands what you feel. Pity sees you suffering and sends in a check; compassion gets down on its knees in the dirt on the Jericho Road to scoop you onto its donkey. Pity sees you as a project; compassion sees you as a close neighbor.

The most important thing about compassion is it always closes distance. It always comes near, suffers with, feels your pain in its own gut. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said this about the Good Samaritan story: “In the final analysis, I must not ignore the wounded man on life’s Jericho Road, because he is a part of me and I am a part of him. His agony diminishes me, and his salvation enlarges me.” Compassion always knows it has skin in the game. Just look at Jesus up there on the cross with his own skin completely in our game. What will it look like for us to reflect the compassion of Jesus? I cannot answer that for you. But I’m guessing that you’ll know it– if you get close enough to feel it in your gut. Rev. Kristen Meyer Exalta Health Chaplain

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee

Ed Postma Chairperson

Curt VanSolkema Vice-Chairperson

Diane Knapp Secretary

Jeff Stormo Treasurer

Dan Butler

Amy Gerard

Scott Halquist

Doyle Hayes

Kyle Hollemans

Laura Martzke

Linda Moore

Jim Samuelson

Cheri Sturtevant

NEWSLETTER | APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019 exaltahealth.org

From its beginnings Exalta Health has addressed the health needs and challenges of the most vulnerable in our community. Because of the resources available, historically that has meant low-income adults. It is with great joy that we are now able to serve whole families with our recent expansion, offering both medical and dental pediatric services. This much

Radames Cordova, Dental Asst & Daniel Garcia, Dental Asst with our sign for our new Delta Dental

Foundation Pediatric Suite!

Saving Lives Shawn grew up living an active lifestyle involved in sports and loving basketball. After high school he worked in physically demanding jobs like construction and as a journeyman electrician. At age 17 Shawn began experiencing some back pain. An MRI when he was 18 revealed degenerative disk disease. However, his doctor at the time said it was not very serious and he did not have to worry. Shortly after this news, Shawn moved from Grand Rapids to Phoenix, Arizona to be in the warmer, sunnier climate and began classes at Arizona State University. Phoenix was great and Shawn felt he was finally at home. Over the years Shawn’s back pain increased and his health decreased. Over several years the pain became so debilitating that Shawn moved back to Grand Rapids to be near family. As his condition continued to worsen, Shawn “… couldn’t think or see clearly. I had no social life… There was nothing to my life except pain.” One day Shawn, who rarely watches TV, turned on the news and heard that Exalta Health offers services for people without insurance. He started coming and seeing Dr. Chris Shoemaker, staff physician at Exalta Health. It was then that Shawn was finally diagnosed with epilepsy. Dr. Shoemaker was able to help get Shawn on the right medications to help with his epilepsy, and refer him to Spectrum Health Spine & Pain Management and Good Life Physical Therapy.

Since Shawn started coming to Exalta Health he’s made immense progress. He’s lost 80 pounds, can drive a car, sit without pain, and is even able to exercise – all things that weren’t possible 2 years ago.

“Dr. Shoemaker changed my life, he saved it. I don’t know where I’d be. [Even when I wanted to give up] he pumped me up [and] told me to keep going.” Shawn also has talked with Rev. Kristen Meyer, Exalta Health’s chaplain, when he has a doctor’s appointment. Because Shawn was not able to get out and the pain prevented him from any social situations for so many years, his dog became his best friend. When his dog was diagnosed with cancer, Exalta Health prayed for Shawn and his dog. This really struck Shawn. As he said, “A prayer for a dog? What other place does that? And now my dog is in remission!” Shawn’s goal this year is to be pain free. Because of his team of care givers surrounding him, Shawn knows his lifestyle is going to continue improving and for the first time in ten years, he is hopeful for his future. “I would not be here today, if not for Exalta Health.”

Growth Spurt

SERVICE CORNER VOLUNTEER CORNER

Whole Person Care: The “Eyes” Have It! In the U.S., care for eyes is not a usual part of the primary medical system. But at Exalta Health, thanks to volunteers, eye care is integrated with primary medical care. In 2018, 112 patients were seen for vision services with the help of two volunteer optometrists and two volunteer opticians.

Dr. Ann Hemmeke has been volunteering as an optometrist at Exalta Health for 9 years after she learned about the organization through Dr. Laura VanderMolen, Medical Director at Exalta Health. “I never thought about providing eye care in my own community to a segment of the population who lacked access. Once I learned about the demand at Exalta Health I started volunteering. It became my new ‘mission trip.’”

Marty Visscher, an optician, heard about Exalta Health through Dr. Hemmeke two years ago and began volunteering after her retirement. She wanted an outlet to continue practicing what she had done all of her life. “I enjoy helping people, helping them get something that they need in an affordable way and make sure they’re getting something that fits them well.” She takes measurements to fit patients with eyeglass frames and sends the prescriptions and measurements to the lab to have lenses made.

have a one-on-one relationship with them.” During his time at Exalta Health, Dr. Fonger has learned what a great need there is for eye care and screenings, especially for diabetic patients.

Judd Smeelink began volunteering at Exalta Health in 2004 after his retirement from his optical business when he heard about patients’ need for more affordable eyeglasses and lenses. Before Judd’s involvement, patients were able to get eye examinations at Exalta Health, but had to purchase frames and lenses at an optical store, which was often too expensive. Arranging a donation of frames, Judd partnered with Exalta Health to offer optical services at an inexpensive rate. Because of Judd’s and local businesses generosity, patients at Exalta receive eyeglass frames for free and

pay wholesale price for the lenses they need. “It’s wonderful to give back. I’ve been in the optical business for over 50 years. It’s a good feeling, a part of my thankfulness to God.” Today, Judd, at age 92,

comes to Exalta to make sure the lenses fit into the frames and to make any adjustments needed before providing the patients with their eyeglasses. Thanks to these four volunteers eye care at Exalta Health is all about caring.

We have been blessed to receive the support of many amazing individuals, businesses, foundations, churches, and community organizations. The patients we serve are deeply grateful for the health, hope and life your gifts make possible. When you give a gift, it is put to work immediately to make high quality, affordable and compassionate health care a reality.

As we continue to meet the needs of the families in our community, there is an even greater need for your support of our mission. Here are a few examples of the many ways to do that…

Make an annual, quarterly or monthly recurring donation

Sponsor or be a participant in one of our events: ArtFeast, Golf, & Annual Luncheon

Leave a Legacy or a planned gift in your will or estate

Give a gift of stock

Donor advised funds

Host an event at your home or business and invite your friends to learn about and give to Exalta Health

Spread the word of Exalta Health to a family member, friend, neighbor, and/or a member of your church

Pray for the work we are doing

Social Media – Follow us on Facebook, Linked In, and Instagram – Watch for future posts about all of the ways for you to engage with us.

Thank you for helping families in our community through your support of Exalta Health. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” Proverbs 11:25.

To learn more about ways to support Exalta Health or for a tour of the clinic, please contact Cindy Mackey at cmackey@exaltahealth.org/ 616-

475-8475.

STEWARDSHIP MATTERS:

With a Little Help From Our Friends

ALL IN THE FAMILY

needed growth is possible thanks to the generosity of the Carls Foundation, Delta Dental Foundation, the Zondervan Foundation and Crossroads Bible Church.

Through gifts from each of these organizations we have been able to add staff and purchase equipment necessary in treating children including the required refrigeration for storing vaccines and medications commonly used in pediatrics. Further plans are underway to make our office more kid-friendly. We’ve already been able to divide our dental suites into separate rooms for more privacy, and will also ensure that our exam rooms are comfortable and welcoming spaces for children.

We are so grateful to our generous supporters for allowing us to expand our

reach and have an even greater impact in our community.

Allison completed her masters in social work at University of Michigan after graduating from Calvin College. She joins us after taking time to care for her one-year-old son full-time. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Kyle, and their son.

Hannah spent the past three years working in community mental health with patients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses, but was already familiar with Exalta Health from her time volunteering here while a student at Calvin College. Now as an employee, she is “enjoying the integrated nature of behavioral health with medical services.”

Patient Support – Other key areas in offering accessible healthcare include assisting patients with the payment process and the organizational support needed to ensure all operations run efficiently and effectively. Karem Merrick-Trevino rejoined our team in February as a billing specialist and office administrator. In 2013 Karem was on staff as a medical assistant and most recently worked in billing and checkout for an oral surgery center. In her new role at Exalta Health, she is striving to make sure patients’ visits are as “pleasant as possible.” One of the things she enjoys about Exalta Health is that “everyone who works here is willing to do whatever it takes to help our patients, and I believe that’s what life is all about – helping people.”

As we see an ever-present need for quality and affordable healthcare in our community, we are constantly looking for ways to grow our capacity and serve more people more effectively. We recently added four new staff members to help us answer this need.

Behavioral Health – After months of being short staffed in this department, Allison Meyaard-Schaap, MSW and Hannah Stegink, MSW bring bi-lingual behavioral healthcare to our patients. 64% of our current patients are Hispanic/Latino and the majority of them speak Spanish as their primary language, making bilingual services essential to providing compassionate and competent care. The addition of them to our team also ensures that behavioral health specialists are on-site any time patients are being seen in the medical and dental clinics.

Dental Hygiene – Access to dental services continues to be a concern for many across the country; that includes dental cleanings. Previously at Exalta Health, the average wait time to see our dental hygienist was about 90 days. With the addition of a part-time hygienist, Meg VandenBosch, RDH, the wait time has decreased by more than half. Before working at Exalta Health, Meg worked in a general dentistry practice for 15 years.

“I really enjoy the diversity here and I love the mission to help people and the commitment to faith, community and volunteerism.”

Clockwise from top right: Allison Meyaard-Schaap, Karem Merrick-Trevino, Hannah Stegink and Meg VandenBosch

Dr. Gene Fonger (picture left) is a new volunteer optometrist at Exalta Health. After his retirement in December of 2017, Dr. Fonger began volunteering as a way to help out in the community while still using his optical skills. What he loves most about volunteering at Exalta Health is “getting to

work with the patients and