Even though the COVID-19 pandemic persists and we must adapt to a changing new normal, one constant remains—hope. Health Beat is honored to share these stories of hope and resilience. (Spectrum Health Beat)
Olive and Jack Rusticus, twin superheroes, are ready for Halloween in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
After a devastating car crash, Cody Wright is setting new milestones in recovery with the help of skilled therapists and a loving family. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Axle Lensky spent his first eight months of life at the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
After an innovative surgery to expand his jaw, Nate Briskey says he wouldn't change a thing. “I believe it was the best team of surgeons put together out of all my surgeries.” (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
An array of pediatric specialists has assembled to help Harvey Prins reach his greatest potential amid the challenges of cerebral palsy. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Gus Faasse was born at 27 weeks, following his mother's difficult and complex pregnancy. He spent his early days clinging to life. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Erin Foster's delicate face now contains two titanium steel jaw bones and silicone joints, implanted during a surgery at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Blindsided by a life-threatening diagnosis, Central Michigan University student Garrett Finkbeiner beat the odds and lived to receive a heart transplant. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Fred Peeples, 90, was among the first in the Grand Rapids area to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as Spectrum Health opened its vaccination clinics. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Halfway through her pregnancy, Alexa Kleinjans developed a sudden, intense pain. A team of doctors soon uncovered the cause—and a delicate solution. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health, through their collaboration in Vaccinate West Michigan, created the West Michigan Vaccination Clinic at DeVos Place. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Holly Ingalls took her daughter, Rebecca, to a clinic visit. At that appointment, Holly learned she needed to see her primary care doctor about a possible heart problem of her own. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Abby Gronsman battled obesity for years and weighed 250 pounds at 19 years old. She often felt tired and lethargic. She opted for weight-loss surgery. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
While delivering critical care to patients, many of the Spectrum Health Aero Med and North Flight Aero Med team members draw on experiences gained during their military careers. (Spectrum Health Beat)
Lana Lucas, 78, is dubbed "The Golden Girl of nursing" as her Spectrum Health team couldn't help but relate her to the popular TV series "The Golden Girls." (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lillie Holtz's successful kidney transplant means she can now begin to dream about going to her high school prom and colleges she might attend. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
After childhood burn injuries led to leg amputations, Miranda Wise learned to move around on her knees. Now she is walking. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Evelyn Brummel underwent coronary artery bypass surgery at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Leaders from 50 Kent County church congregations made a pledge and rolled up their sleeves to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations as their way of leading by example. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Mark Erickson was biking with his daughter, Kayla, when a heart attack brought him face to face with his mortality. A stranger appeared to help save him. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
When life as Lucas Smith knew it ground to a halt due to an aortic dissection, it took a steady effort to start it up again. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
K-9 officers brighten the day of Aubree Hamilton as the little girl receives treatment for cancer at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Major Miller's battle with cardiomyopathy reached a critical point in February 2021. His swollen heart and lungs made it hard to breathe. "I needed help right away," he said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
When a gas explosion at her island cabin left Lisa Sears with severe burns and broken bones, a team of specialists and her faith guided her recovery. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
David Kransberger, a father of six, is the first Spectrum Health patient to receive a lung transplant following a lung cancer diagnosis. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Adrien Gleason embraces his identity as a transgender man, with support from family and help from his medical care team. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
When Neil Tetzlaff, 78, and his 11-year-old Brittany spaniel, Zelda, left for their evening walk one evening, he had no idea he would soon have a real life Lassie rescue story to tell. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Chuck Zarkis suffered a serious heart attack while deer hunting. A rapid response from health teams saved his life. (John Norton | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grace deBest, 16, rang the symbolic gold bell as an end to her two-year battle with childhood cancer. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sumayah Abdalla Annia Murjaan arrived 57 minutes after midnight, claiming the title of Spectrum Health's New Year baby. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Diane Carter was critically injured when another driver ran a red light and hit her broadside going nearly 100 mph. She survived a long list of serious injuries. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kati and Andy Santee adopted LiPing, or LiLi, knowing their little girl was fighting a rare blood disorder. LiLi's anemia requires regular blood transfusions. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spider-Man and fellow costumed crusader Black Panther make an appearance atop Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital to entertain the kids inside. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The Blain brothers, Daxton, 2, and Sawyer, 4, share the same birthday. And, the boys share a rare genetic disease diagnosis called Hunter syndrome, also known as MPS II. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Joel and Jessica Bauer are on a mission to help their son, Alex, thrive. Genetics research is lighting the path ahead. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Marley Berthoud is an energetic 6-year-old. She is helping lead the way in treatment for a rare genetic mutation. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
When genetic testing revealed Sofia Santo carried a high risk of developing thyroid cancer, she made the difficult choice to have her thyroid removed. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
When 3-year-old Grayson Thebo had cataracts removed from both eyes, his parents wondered: Would he be able to see? (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Austin Coultes, 12, has overcome a lot in his life. He was born with a rare condition called Dandy Walker malformation. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Danny Witbeck, a star athlete at Evart High School, collapsed during basketball practice. Varsity coach Kris Morgan revived Danny with CPR and an AED. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kathy Cavendish, a special education paraprofessional with Greenville Public Schools, and 79 other school district employees get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
When a cooking accident left Joseph Foster with second- and third-degree burns, he found the help he needed at the Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elaine Garlock, 100, survived scarlet fever as a child and she feared for her children as the polio epidemic raged. Now she leads the way with a COVID-19 vaccine. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Brian Vandam has cerebral palsy and lives on liquid formula. His parents could see Brian's digestive problems caused him pain, so they found a better solution. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
More than once, Aleigha Pruitt and her husband, Justin, faced the possibility of losing their son, Junior. Now approaching his fifth birthday, Junior is working to make a full recovery. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tears filled Peggy Alexander's eyes as she squeezed her nurse's arm. Peggy had just received a COVID-19 vaccination from her granddaughter, Kelsey Zoodsma, RN. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
A group of Spectrum Health medical experts have collaborated to bring a unique lung cancer treatment to West Michigan: photodynamic therapy. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Luminary displays lined walkways in and outside hospitals throughout West Michigan to mark both the end of National Nurses Week and the 201st birthday of Florence Nightingale. (Courtesy of Kelsey Hospital)
Queen Hardy, 8, sparkles with energy and enthusiasm. Even as she underwent treatment for leukemia, Queen did not lose her joy for life. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Addison Weith, 6, has mitochondrial disease, an inherited disorder resulting from genetic changes in the mitochondria. Her family and care team work hard to keep her healthy. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Cheeseburger and fries. A sweet strawberry. Mermaids, superheroes and butterflies. Our littlest NICU patients donned adorable costumes that made our hearts melt.
To celebrate his achievements and impending graduation from the NICU, 8-month-old Axle enjoyed a special luau, complete with Beach Boys music and Hawaiian flowers.
Community COVID-19 vaccine clinics brought peace, joy and excitement to those 65 and older who rolled up their sleeves for the first round of vaccinations.
Addison Weith’s genes put her at risk for health troubles. Her family’s vigilance during the pandemic has kept her healthy for the longest stretch ever.
Thank you for staying strong with us through this challenging time. Your support, resilience and strength have made a difference in our community. If you would like to send messages of hope for our community and health care team members, visit spectrumhealth.org/covid19/thank-you.
ps i enjoyed looking at the pictures. i retired from jewel/meijers and my new volunteer work in p-t hand clinic at cops in st joe mi i good at doing towles pillow cases enjoy the day psalms 100-5 for the lord is good to all generations david wade
ps i enjoyed looking at the pictures. i retired from jewel/meijers and my new volunteer work in p-t hand clinic at cops in st joe mi i good at doing towles pillow cases enjoy the day psalms 100-5 for the lord is good to all generations david wade