Author:

Sue Thoms

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 six 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.

Posts from Sue Thoms

Diet & Nutrition

The power of pumpkin

This orange winter squash packs a lot of nutrition—and flavor—to a wide range of dishes.

General Health & Wellness

Don’t forget your flu shot

Although overshadowed by COVID-19, influenza is still circulating and can cause serious illness.

Children's Health
Patient Story

‘Miss Personality’

As she faced leukemia, 8-year-old Queen Hardy made friends, told jokes, danced and inspired her medical team.

Neuroscience
Patient Story

‘It gives people hope’

A man with ALS welcomes the chance to take part in a clinical trial that aims to speed up the development of new treatments.

Diet & Nutrition

An apple a day…

This popular fruit delivers nutrients that boost your immune system, aid weight loss and improve the health of your brain and heart.

Aging Well

Her mission: Keep seniors fall-free

Injuries caused by slips and trips are almost epidemic among older adults, and they are 'absolutely not a natural part of aging.'

General Health & Wellness

Two COVID-19 milestones

Spectrum Health administers 1 million tests and delivers 500,000 vaccines.

Orthopedics
Patient Story

A painful pop

When a 14-year-old injured her knee playing softball, surgery and physical therapy helped her on the path back to playing sports.

Community

‘It continues to throw curve balls’

An infectious disease specialist explains rising cases of COVID-19 and the impact of the delta variant.

Diet & Nutrition

Just peachy

The sweet stone fruit with the fuzzy peel delivers a host of health benefits.

Community

Ready for the worst, hoping for the best

Younger, unvaccinated people are key factors in the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in the hospital, doctors say.

Orthopedics

Arthritis: Not an endgame for exercise

A sports medicine doctor shares his top tips for managing the condition and staying active.