This week, Headlines celebrated much of what is new at Michigan Medicine! For instance, there was a breakdown of the organization’s new Mission, Vision and Values. Human Resources also unveiled a website that will make it easier to recognize colleagues for the impressive work they do; there was a feature on recently-added menu items that will enhance the experience for many patients and families; and a dedicated team shared the initiatives they are undertaking to improve outcomes for those who develop sepsis. Click through for a brand-new edition of the Week in Review!

Michigan Medicine strives to honor the religious and spiritual practices of patients and families who receive care here. That’s especially true in the inpatient setting, where some religious traditions require adherence to strict dietary requirements and other needs. For example, those who follow Kosher or Halal diets have specific guidelines as to what foods they can eat. Click through to find out how team members in Spiritual Care and Patient Food and Nutrition Services worked together to provide more robust menu options for patients!

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection someone already has, such as in the skin, lungs, urinary tract or elsewhere, triggers a chain reaction throughout the body and injures other tissues and organs. Without treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. According to the CDC, more than 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year. In honor of World Sepsis Day, which was recognized last week, click through for a closer look at the valuable work being performed around the condition at Michigan Medicine.

Michigan Medicine is improving the ways in which faculty, staff, learners, leaders and patients can show appreciation for those who go above and beyond. The Department of Human Resources recently launched a new recognition website that allows for real-time, interactive engagement. The new platform brings together current offerings, such as the Making a Difference program, and new opportunities to recognize hard-working employees. Click through for details!

In late 2019 and early 2020, discussion groups, town halls and surveys were conducted to gather feedback from faculty, staff and learners across the organization. They were designed to get a bigger picture of how employees saw their current workplace environment, but more importantly, how they imagined their desired culture of Michigan Medicine would look like in the future. Based on the collective feedback, the organization reaffirmed its mission and vision, and further defined core values. Click through for details!

This week, Headlines took the occasion to look at the past, the present and the future. First, there was a historic glance at the organization’s growth over the past century, as Michigan Medicine opened facilities and clinics “off the hill.” The next day, there was a deep dive into the discrimination and injustice employees and others face today – and tips that readers can use to help society overcome them. Finally, faculty and staff learned the story of a patient with multiple sclerosis who is committed to assisting others moving forward. Click through for the latest!

Extreme fatigue led one multiple sclerosis patient to a study directed by Michigan Medicine experts. Now symptom-free, Vickie Whyte is turning her attention to helping others diagnosed with the disease. Click through for Whyte's story and find out how she is working to “make things better each and every day.”

Racism, discrimination and injustice are not experiences limited to African Americans. Indeed, many other demographics including Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanic Americans, immigrants, and those who are a part of the disability and LGBTQ+ communities face them, as well. That's been made clear from many of the entries submitted during the ongoing Diversity Means More series. Click through to read one eye-opening submission — and to learn about some tips and resources that will help you both learn and teach the importance of inclusion.

Michigan Medicine’s recent history includes steady growth in bringing care to patients across the state. From the outskirts of Ann Arbor to Brighton, Howell, Northville and beyond, the organization has spent decades making its medical expertise available to as many patients as possible. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the university's first hospital, click through to learn more about this unique history!