Marie Havenga is a veteran journalist of more than 30 years. The Grand Rapids native launched her journalism career at age 15, writing for WorkWeek, a weekly business magazine. She joined the Grand Haven Tribune staff as a columnist and reporter in 2003, after writing for the Grand Rapids Press for more than two decades. A boating and water enthusiast, she lives on the shores of Spring Lake. Havenga has published an environmental children's book and her writing has been featured in several national publications.
Sara Riemersma overdosed on pain medication. Spectrum Health saved her life. As a paramedic, she's now paying it forward, saving other lives.
702 Sheriff's detective Marcus Glover thought he'd been hit by a bullet. The culprit? A ruptured Achilles tendon. After a new type of surgery, he's back on the beat.
74 Shoulder pain haunted 84-year-old Julie Meiste every moment of every day. After shoulder replacement surgery, she looks forward to living pain-free.
25 There are many things medical experts thought Everett Oostveen would never do. This spunky 3-year-old is defying all odds.
1.7k Not long ago, teenager Madisyn Dame would have been too young for hip surgery. Medical advancements have allowed her to undergo two of them—with incredible results.
226 Alison Mastin's blood attacked her unborn baby in utero. With quick intervention, little Violet survived—and thrived.
438 After battling back from a devastating brain injury suffered in a car crash, this young man walks side-by-side with his mom as he stakes claim to a new life.
242 The average age for pancreatic cancer diagnosis is 71. John Morris hit it on the nail. But now, he's defying the odds.
184 Hope Looyenga plans for a bright, cancer-free future.
76 He died of a rare bone cancer in 2016, but continues to make a difference through a tissue donation that is helping researchers battle osteosarcoma.
671 Born blind, a 14-year-old boy has become a virtuoso who sees colors within the most intricate sounds of music.
999 David Stults developed popcorn lung after exposure to dangerous food chemicals. He's now hitting the school circuit to teach students the dangers of vaping similar substances.
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