A HealthBeat Special Series

Impact

Spectrum Health offers world-class care with an unrivaled breadth and depth of clinical services.

Patient Story

‘Get up, face it and just keep going’

Complex surgery restores a three-sport athlete to full strength.

Patient Story

‘Life can be so much better’

When Elvira Brico found herself sitting on a bench as her elderly mother marched on, she knew it had come time for joint replacement surgery.

Patient Story

‘I need a miracle team’

Football referee battles back from a critical knee injury.

‘We knocked on doors, and doors flew open’

Twenty-four years ago, a little girl from Ukraine came for heart surgery. Now she pays a return visit.

Patient Story

The long road forward

Tenacious by nature, Paul White confronts multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and homelessness as he fights to get back on his feet.

Patient Story

‘She’s come a long way’

A free community health program helps Lillie Towns overcome physical and emotional barriers to reclaim her life.

Patient Story

‘Heading south quickly’

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.

Patient Story

‘Given me my life back’

Despite therapy and other treatments, Billie Ann Primmer’s hip pain became so intense she couldn’t walk. Hip replacement surgery offered hope.

Patient Story

‘Just short of a miracle’

When Michael Travis suffered a sudden heart problem, quick action—and the instant availability of an AED unit—made all the difference.

Patient Story

Her rainbow heart baby

A prenatal ultrasound alerted Amanda Rostic to her son's medical challenges, giving her time to plan his care well before birth.

Running on empty?

Whole foods can fix that.

Patient Story

Heart on the line

After bariatric surgery, Jaclyn Folkema is finally able to run, swim and play with her 9-year-old daughter.