Primary Care | East Jordan Family Health Center

Back to School Immunizations

Rachel Krino — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:11:25 +0000

Back to School Immunizations ,East Jordan Family Health Center

HDNW urges families to make immunizations part of the back-to-school checklist

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is encouraging parents and caregivers to review their children’s immunization records before the school year begins.

“One of the most important steps families can take before the new school year is making sure not only children, but the entire family are up to date on recommended vaccines,” says Dr. Josh Meyerson, HDNW Medical Director. “We’ve seen an increase in measles, whooping cough, and other vaccine-preventable diseases over the past couple years. Staying up to date is one of the best ways to protect your family and help keep everyone healthy throughout the school year.”

Back to School Checklist

Immunization requirements vary by age, grade, and school district. Families should check with their child’s school or healthcare provider to confirm which immunizations are required or recommended. Common immunizations for school-aged children and teens include:

DTaP/Tdap: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
MMR: Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella
Varicella: Protects against chickenpox
Meningococcal: Protects preteens, teens, and college students from meningitis and other serious illnesses
HPV: Protects preteens and teens from human papillomavirus and prevents HPV related cancers
Annual Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Recommended for everyone, six months and older
COVID-19 Vaccine: Recommended for everyone, six months and older

A healthcare professional at HDNW can review your family’s immunization records and help determine which vaccines are needed based on age, health history, and current recommendations.

HDNW Immunization Services

HDNW offers immunization clinics each month. Immunization clinic locations vary month to month as our nurses’ travel to every office throughout our four-county service area. Clinics are offered in Charlevoix, Boyne City, Bellaire, Mancelona, Gaylord, Petoskey/Harbor Springs, and Pellston.

To schedule an appointment at an Immunization Clinic call us locally at 800-432-4121. Families who need a copy of a child’s immunization record can visit our website at nwhealth.org/childhood-immunizations and complete the Request Form at the bottom of the page.

Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations, school requirements, and exemption processes remain unchanged, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Director, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian.

For more information on services offered by HDNW visit our website at nwhealth.org or call us locally at 800-432-4121.

The post Back to School Immunizations first appeared on East Jordan Family Health Center.

HDNW Highlights National Breastfeeding Month with Local Support and Resources

Rachel Krino — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:31:02 +0000

HDNW Highlights National Breastfeeding Month with Local Support and Resources ,East Jordan Family Health Center

Helping families navigate their infant feeding journey with confidence

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is recognizing National Breastfeeding Month by raising awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies and highlighting the breastfeeding support services available to nursing families in the community.

“Our breastfeeding team is proud to have earned Premier Award status from the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” says Melissa Hahn, HDNW’s Family Healthy Director. “This recognition reflects our commitment to supporting families to help reach their infant-feeding goals, whether it means breastfeeding for six weeks, six months, or anywhere in between.”

Through Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), our team provides individualized breastfeeding consultation and support in person, over the phone, and virtually. The team works with families to answer questions, address challenges and help parents to meet their infant-feeding goals.

Breastfeeding support services offered at HDNW

Normal infant feeding patterns and what to expect
Latch and positioning
Breastfeeding challenges
Navigating the return to work or school

HDNW is committed to providing families with accurate information, compassionate support, and resources to help make informed decisions about infant feeding. Some benefits associated with breastfeeding include:

Supports Connection and Bonding: Breastfeeding can provide opportunities for closeness and helps support the emotional bond between parents and baby.
Supports Infant Health: Breastfeeding provides antibodies and other components that support an infant’s developing immune system and is associated with lower rates of asthma, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and many other chronic health issues.
Supports Brain Health and Development: Research links breastfeeding with healthy brain development.
Accessibility and Convenience: Breastfeeding parents can skip the extra cost and labor of buying, mixing, and storing formulas, breast milk is the ultimate portable meal and healthy nutrition, all in one.

HDNW recognizes that some families are unable to breastfeed or may choose not to breastfeed. All family’s circumstances are different, and there is no single feeding choice that is right for everyone. For these families, infant formulas are a safe, nutritious choice. HDNW’s WIC team can provide information and support to families as they navigate their infant-feeding choices.

To learn more about the breastfeeding support and WIC services available through HDNW call us locally at 800-432-4121 or visit our website at nwhealth.org.

The post HDNW Highlights National Breastfeeding Month with Local Support and Resources first appeared on East Jordan Family Health Center.

Play Therapy

Rachel Krino — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:58:46 +0000

Play Therapy ,East Jordan Family Health Center

Big Feelings, Small Voices

Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. Sometimes worry, sadness, anger, grief, trauma, family stress, or school challenges show up as behavior, meltdowns, withdrawal, or difficulty connecting with others. Play therapy gives children a safe and supportive way to express emotions, explore their inner world, and build healthy coping skills through play, creativity, and connection. For children, play is more than fun. It is one of the ways they communicate, process experiences, and make sense of the world around them. In play therapy, the therapist uses play to join the child in their world and support emotional wellness, communication skills, personal strengths, and social relationships.

Play therapy may help children who are experiencing:

Anxiety or worry
Sadness or grief
Anger or emotional outbursts
Family changes or divorce
Trauma or stressful experiences
School or peer challenges
Difficulty talking about feelings
Behavioral concerns at home or school
Trouble with emotional regulation

What to Expect

At the first appointment, the parent or caregiver and child will meet with the therapist together. Paperwork will be completed and the therapist will begin gathering information about the child’s needs, strengths, and concerns. If there is information a parent or caregiver would like to share outside of the child’s presence, a follow-up phone contact may be scheduled. A parent or caregiver will also need to participate in the treatment plan development session and treatment plan reviews. Ongoing parent involvement may vary based on the child’s needs and treatment goals.

How to Get Started

Concerned about your child’s emotions, behavior, coping skills, or connection with others? Talk with your child’s primary care provider about a behavioral health referral. Support is available for children from birth and up. For children ages birth to 3, care focuses on parent support and strengthening attachment between the child and caregiver. For children ages 4 and up, therapy is based on the child’s individual needs and treatment goals.

Meet Maegan Chamberlain, LLMSW

Maegan is a behavioral health therapist specializing in play therapy. She is currently working toward Registered Play Therapist credentialing through the Association for Play Therapy. Her approach uses play, relationship-building, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology to support emotional regulation, connection, and healthy development. Through play therapy, children can begin to express what they may not yet have the words to explain.

The post Play Therapy first appeared on East Jordan Family Health Center.

Well Child Checks

Rachel Krino — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:11:40 +0000

Well Child Checks ,East Jordan Family Health Center

Well Child Exams: Supporting Your Child’s Health at Every Stage

At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, Well Child Exams are an important part of helping your child grow, learn, and stay healthy. These visits do more than check height and weight. They help ensure your child is developing physically, emotionally, and socially, and give you time to talk with your care team about any concerns.

What happens during a Well Child Exam?

Your child’s visit may include:

Growth and developmental monitoring
Complete physical exam
Hearing and vision screenings
Emotional and behavioral health check-ins
Recommended immunizations
Completion of school, camp, or sports forms
Time to discuss sleep, nutrition, learning, and behavior

Regular Well Child visits are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help identify concerns early and keep children on track for healthy development.

Sports Physicals vs. Well Child Exams

Sports physicals are not a substitute for annual Well Child Exams. Well Child Visits include preventive care, developmental screenings, vaccines, and overall health support.

Whenever possible, families are encouraged to schedule a Well Child Exam and sports physical together during the same appointment. Combining these visits can help save time while ensuring your child receives comprehensive preventive care in addition to meeting school sports requirements.

Sports Physicals and School Requirements

Many student-athletes must complete a sports physical before participating in school athletics. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, sports physicals must be completed on or after April 15 to be valid for the upcoming school year. Scheduling a Well Child Exam after April 15 can often meet both requirements, saving you an extra appointment.

MHSAA Sports Physical Form

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New Wheelchair Scales Now Available

Rachel Krino — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:20:28 +0000

New Wheelchair Scales Now Available ,East Jordan Family Health Center

Improving Access: New Wheelchair Scales Now Available

At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, we are always looking for ways to make care more accessible, safe, and comfortable for every patient. We are pleased to share that we now offer digital wheelchair scales at our health centers.

These specialized scales allow patients who use wheelchairs or have difficulty standing to be weighed without leaving their chair. This improves safety, accuracy, and comfort during visits, especially for patients managing chronic conditions or undergoing ongoing treatments.

Why this matters for your care:

Reduces fall risk and physical strain

Provides accurate weight measurements, which are essential for medications and treatment decisions

Supports dignity and comfort during your visit

Accommodates higher weight capacities when needed

The scales feature a wide, low-profile platform with easy access, a clear digital display, and advanced technology that ensures precise readings. Built-in features allow care teams to subtract wheelchair weight and calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) when needed.

This update is one more way we are working to provide inclusive, whole person care close to home.

If you have questions or need assistance during your visit, please let a member of your care team know, we’re here to help.

The post New Wheelchair Scales Now Available first appeared on East Jordan Family Health Center.

RXInform

Rachel Krino — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:46:12 +0000

RXInform ,East Jordan Family Health Center

New Prescription Text Updates Now Available for Patients

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are now using RX Inform, a new secure text messaging feature designed to help patients, ages 18+, to stay informed about their prescriptions.

When your provider sends a prescription electronically, you may receive a text message with a secure link that includes:

Trusted information about your medication
Helpful reminders
Potential manufacturer savings or cost assistance

There are no changes to your care or pharmacy choice, and no extra steps are required. Messages are sent automatically using the cell phone number listed in your medical record.

To ensure you receive these updates, please make sure your cell number is up to date when checking in or by speaking with our front desk staff. Patients may opt out of these messages at any time by replying STOP.

Please verify your cell phone number at your next visit.

How RX Inform and the RX365 Pharmacy App Work Together (But Are Different)

RX Inform and the RX365 Pharmacy App are two separate tools that support patients at different points in their care.

RX Inform supports all patients when a prescription is sent
RX365 supports pharmacy users after prescriptions are filled and managed

They complement each other but do not replace one another.

RX Inform

Available to all Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers patients
Automatically sends a secure text message when a prescription is electronically sent
Provides:
- Medication education
- Prescription status information includes Pharmacy location
- Possible manufacturer savings offers
Requires a cell phone number on file
No app to download
Patients can opt out anytime by replying STOP

Purpose:

Helps patients stay informed
Reduces missed or unfilled prescriptions

RX365 Pharmacy App

Available to patients who use our pharmacy
Requires downloading the RX365 app
Allows patients to:
- Request refills
- Manage prescriptions
- Receive pharmacy-specific notifications
Connected specifically to pharmacy services