Ascension St. Mary’s

Ascension Invests Additional $125 Million in Northern Michigan Hospitals, Ensuring Care to Communities for Years to Come

On September 17, Ascension announced it will be investing $125 million in operational capital into their northern Michigan health ministries - Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Ascension Standish Hospital in Standish and Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City. This latest investment from Ascension is evidence of the organization’s ongoing commitment to the growth and success of its three northern Michigan hospitals that was initiated in May 2018. At that time, $50 million was dedicated to facility renovations and upgrades, advanced imaging technology, various patient care enhancements and an $18 million emergency care center expansion at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in downtown Saginaw which is expected to be complete in November. Combined, this equates to more than $175 million of investment into Ascension’s northern Michigan hospitals. This latest capital dollar commitment will support multiple strategic growth initiatives identified through the development of master facility plans including: • The renovation and expansion of intensive care units and rooms, and private patient rooms throughout Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital • Upgrades to cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital • Development of a new emergency department waiting area at Ascension Standish Hospital • Construction of a medical office building at Ascension Standish Hospital for primary and specialty care physician offices, laboratory and rehabilitation services • Relocation and expansion of obstetrics and the birthing center at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital • Two new linear accelerators for the radiation oncology services at Ascension St. Mary’s Seton Cancer Institute in Marlette and West Branch “This exciting news is possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of our associates, physicians and hospital leaders who work hard each and every day to provide compassionate, personalized care,” said Joe Hurshe, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Michigan. “We are thrilled these enhancements will be coming to fruition and our care teams can continue to be proud of the incredible work and service they provide to the communities we are privileged to serve.” Details and timelines for the projects will be established and shared in the coming weeks. “I am so overjoyed by this announcement and Ascension’s acknowledgment of the great work performed at our healthcare sites,” expressed Stephanie Duggan, MD, Regional President and CEO, Ascension Michigan Northern Ministries. “Ascension's ongoing investment and commitment to the northern Michigan ministries is a validation of what we have been working towards. This is all about our patients, they are at the center of everything we do. It’s a testament to our front line caregivers and medical providers who continue to fulfill our Mission of caring for all. We will be here for generations to come.”

Ascension St. Mary’s Welcomes Four New Providers

Ascension St. Mary’s proudly introduces the newest members to the medical staff. These providers are now caring for individuals at their office locations and Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in support of our Mission to improve the health of our community.

Sefako Phala, MD, a family medicine physician, joins his wife, Brittany Phala, MD, at Ascension Medical Group (AMG) Bay City Family Physicians, located at 4040 North Euclid Avenue, just south of Wilder Road. Dr. Phala received his bachelor's degree from the University of Western Ontario and his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts and Nevis, an accredited Caribbean medical school . He completed his family medicine residency at Wheeling Hospital in West Virginia. Dr. Phala is accepting new patients and can be reached at 989-671-9153.

Jasleen Kaur, MD, is a fellowship trained rheumatologist. She is seeing patients at AMG Primary Healthcare, 1015 S. Washington Avenue, 2nd floor, in Saginaw. Besides in person appointments, Dr. Kaur also offers virtual visits. Appointments can be made by contacting Dr. Kaur at 989-753-5300. Dr. Kaur received her medical degree from Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College in India and completed an internal medicine residency at Detroit Medical Center. She also completed a fellowship in rheumatology at Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health Services. Dr. Kaur believes in providing compassionate care to each person with treatment plans that are evidence based and personalized to each individual.

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Anirudh Penumetcha, DO, recently joined Ascension Medical Group Cardiology/ MCVI as a non-invasive cardiologist. Dr. Penumetcha received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency, as well as, a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center. AMG Cardiology is located at 1015 S. Washington Avenue in Saginaw. He will also see patients at specialty clinics at Ascension Standish Hospital in Standish and Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City. To refer or schedule a patient, Dr. Penumetcha can be reached at 989-7543000.

Christopher Kukla, PA joins the orthopedic and sports medicine team at AMG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. As a physician assistant, he will provide high quality, personalized care from their practice located in the Medical Arts III building at 4677 Towne Centre, Second Floor in Saginaw Township. He attended Grand Valley State University and graduated as a physician assistant with special interest in sports and orthopedic medicine. In addition. he holds a master’s degree from Northwood University and completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at Michigan Technological University. New patients are being accepted by calling 989-790-6719.

Ascension St. Mary’s Celebrates Breast Cancer Survivors with the Saginaw Spirit

Ascension St. Mary’s and the Saginaw Spirit partner again for the 14th Annual Pink Out hockey game at the Dow Event Center on Sunday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. to increase awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for the hospital’s breast care fund. Before the Saginaw Spirit play the Erie Otters, a special pre-game tribute will honor local breast cancer survivors. Fundraiser tickets cost $15, with $5 from each ticket sale going toward the Ascension St. Mary’s Breast Care Fund. Tickets are

available online at www.saginawspirit.net/groupsales with the group ID: pinkout2021 and password: Ascension, or at

the Saginaw Spirit office. (Tickets purchased at the Dow Event Center do not apply to the Pink Out Fundraiser.) Pink Out game specials include free pink light up bracelets that will be given to the first 2,500 attendees, and an exclusive player Pink Out jersey auction following the game. Ascension St. Mary’s Breast Care Fund provides mammograms and follow-up ultrasounds for qualified uninsured and underinsured patients. To date, more than $65,000 has been raised from the Pink Out event to benefit area patients.

Ascension St. Mary’s Offers No Cost Screenings for Lung Cancer

November is lung cancer awareness month and Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital is offering a no-cost, low dose CT screenings of the lungs. The event will be Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at Ascension St. Mary’s Towne Centre, 4599 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw. A low dose CT scan of the chest is one the simplest screening exams a person can have. It’s quick and easy, completely painless and results in a minimal amount of radiation exposure. Detailed images allow providers to see any abnormalities within the lungs before individuals may even notice symptoms, often catching cancer in the early stages when it is treatable. Individuals eligible for the CT lung screenings must meet the following criteria: • Be between the ages of 55 - 77 years old • Currently a smoker or have quit within the past 15 years • Have, at minimum, a 30+ pack year smoking history (i.e. 1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs per day for 15 years, etc.) For questions, or to register, call 989-493-9610. Walk-ins will be accepted.

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