Sue Thoms is a writer and storyteller who joined Health Beat after a 30-year career at The Grand Rapids Press. She loves writing stories that shine a light on the resilience and beauty of the human spirit. In addition to medical features, she writes fiction and has published seven picture books for children. Michigan born and raised, Sue enjoys exploring the state with her family―especially the lakes, sand dunes and ski hills. Contact her at susan.thoms@spectrumhealth.org.
Asked if he wanted to undergo a groundbreaking surgery to rebuild his heart, 11-year-old Trent Ahlefeld said, ‘I’ll take a risk to make myself feel better.”
Want to break out of your sedentary rut? Check out these tips from a preventive cardiologist.
A teenager gifted in math overcomes his illness one step at a time.
After undergoing da Vinci robotic surgery to remove her lung cancer, Roxanne Nelson is amazed at how quickly she has rebounded.
Four newcomers crack the top-10 baby name lists this year.
Bagpipe music heralds a big milestone for a woman completing her second-last infusion of her breast cancer treatment.
Here are ways to get a grip on stress today and into the new year.
Medical teams from two hospitals work through the night to save the lives of a mother and her newborn child.
Little Kaleb Rietema is full of surprises. It began on day 1, when he defied the best-laid plans for his birth.
Told she doesn’t have much time to live, Rhonda White sees two wishes fulfilled in a tearful, joyful double wedding ceremony.
A brave 4-year-old girl gets a little help from her friends as she overcomes her fear of injections.
A deer collided into his motorcycle, throwing Ken Pierce to the pavement and breaking his ribs. An innovative 'rib plating' surgery offered a quicker recovery with less pain.
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