A HealthBeat Special Series

Impact

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

Patient Story

His and hers physical therapy

When octogenarians John and Judy Lukassen needed physical therapy, they became cheerleaders for one another.

‘Why did I wait?’

After overcoming her fears, a Michigan woman undergoes successful knee replacement surgery—and it changed her life.

Patient Story

A melody for recovery

At age 17, Shawn Wieland suffered a traumatic brain injury in a winter car crash. Twenty years later, he's back to walking and playing guitar.

Patient Story

‘They called us blue babies’

For one Michigan woman, a doctor's retirement brings back memories of miracles.

Patient Story

‘So much easier than open heart surgery’

A second opinion led to a much less invasive fix for Janet Hanson.

Patient Story

‘Nothing short of a miracle’

Medical teams from two hospitals work through the night to save the lives of a mother and her newborn child.

Patient Story

‘Will you marry me?’

Told she doesn’t have much time to live, Rhonda White sees two wishes fulfilled in a tearful, joyful double wedding ceremony.

Patient Story

22 pounds of love

Cricket, a therapy cat, brings happiness and wholeness to hospice patients.

Patient Story

The power of ‘ghost poop’

A brave 4-year-old girl gets a little help from her friends as she overcomes her fear of injections.

Patient Story

‘I felt and heard a big pop’

Hope College running back Mike Miklusicak suffered two severe knee injuries. After two surgeries, he's back toting the rock and scoring touchdowns.

Patient Story

Reclaiming her spark

Menopause stripped away Judy Pellerito’s joy, but with hormone therapy, she has a new song to sing.

Patient Story

Surviving Vietnam, Agent Orange and diabetes

'I worked myself all the way up to eight insulin shots a day,' noted a veteran who has since turned his health care journey upside down.