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 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.

Sue Thoms

Posts from Sue Thoms

Pregnancy & Childbirth
Patient Story

First baby of 2020: ‘She’s perfect’

Dad hopes little Kendra Rose reaches for the stars.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • January 1, 2020
  • 0
General Health & Wellness Want to hike a mountain? Do a biking tour? Visualize your goals, then put a plan in writing of how you'll achieve that dream. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

10 exercise tips from a pro

Here are ways to make your fitness commitment last all year.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • January 1, 2020
  • 2
Pregnancy & Childbirth
Patient Story

Top baby names: A newcomer arrives

Charlotte leads the girls' list, and Oliver leads the boys.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 27, 2019
  • 2
Cardiovascular Care
Patient Story

‘A Christmas miracle’

A year after a sudden cardiac arrest stopped his heart, Gordon Bose looks forward to celebrating his new "first birthday" this holiday.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 25, 2019
  • 0
Pregnancy & Childbirth
Patient Story

A holly jolly NICU visit

The tiniest babies in the hospital get treasured holiday photos with Santa.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 23, 2019
  • 11
Children's Health
Patient Story

‘You need to stay happy’

For Hope Gonyon, a 9-year-old who has spina bifida, surgery gives a boost in independence.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 23, 2019
  • 4
Community

‘His true legacy’

As Dr. Bob Connors steps down as president of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, he looks back on a career dedicated to caring for children—as a pediatric surgeon, an administrator and a tireless advocate.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 22, 2019
  • 5
Children's Health
Patient Story

A merry little holiday party

Kids take a break from hospital rooms and medical appointments to play, meet Santa and choose gifts.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 19, 2019
  • 0
Children's Health
Patient Story

‘This will be life-changing for her’

Susan prayed every night for two years someone would come to her orphanage in Myanmar and offer the surgery she needed to speak clearly.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • December 9, 2019
  • 22
Cancer Care
Patient Story

Helping Grandpa, bead by bead

A 10-year-old’s craft project becomes a source of motivation for people receiving stem cell transplants.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • November 28, 2019
  • 6
Digestive Health & Disorders
Patient Story

‘You saved my life, man’

A Michigan State Police trooper in need of a new liver gets a living donor transplant—from a friend on the force.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • November 22, 2019
  • 3
Orthopedics
Patient Story

‘I knew I was down and out’

When knee pain meant she had to give up walking her beloved dog, Elizabeth Winstanley realized the time had come for surgery.

  • Sue Thoms
  • By: Sue Thoms
  • November 8, 2019
  • 0

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