Breathing Easier: Hannah Blumka Makes a Remarkable COVID-19 Recovery
Last December, 17-year-old Hannah Blumka arrived at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital fighting for her life. Before contracting COVID-19, Hannah was a healthy, lively teenage girl. The infection quickly and unexpectedly took a toll on every system in her body. Within a day of arrival at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, she was placed on life-support – […]
COVID-19: Protecting our patients, staff and community
Updated: July 17, 2021 Mary Free Bed’s priority is the safety of our patients, staff and community. Our experts are working diligently to protect everyone’s health through enhanced protocols and added resources. These measures follow national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and State of Michigan mandates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary Free […]
Mary Free Bed reopens ReCOVery℠ Unit due to increase in COVID-19 cases
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ReCOVery℠ Unit at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is operational for the third time in response to a significant surge of patients with COVID-19 in West Michigan hospitals. The dedicated unit is for patients who need intensive inpatient rehabilitation and have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 11-bed ReCOVery℠ Unit […]
Rachel reunites with family after COVID-19 fight
Freeland resident Rachel Lijewski was diagnosed with COVID-19 in October. When her symptoms became severe, Rachel was admitted to Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, where she spent nearly a month on a ventilator. Her husband, Zac, nine-year-old stepdaughter, Paytin, and 10-month-old daughter, Taylor, motivated Rachel to work toward recovery. With the help of her Mary […]
GVSU mail carrier returns to post after rehabilitation aids recovery from COVID-19
When Kevin Howell contracted COVID-19, “I could hear him breathing from across the house,” his wife, Samantha, said. The virus hit the 57-year-old Grand Valley State University mail carrier in mid-July. He was plagued by a persistent cough and fatigue, then noticed swelling in his ankle and calf. He went to the emergency room where […]
Mary Free Bed re-opens ReCOVery℠ Unit for COVID-19 patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ReCOVery℠ Unit at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is operational once again. The dedicated unit is for patients who need intensive inpatient rehabilitation and have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 12-bed ReCOVery℠ Unit is in a physically isolated area of Mary Free Bed’s main campus hospital. All Centers for […]
Mary Free Bed expands patient capacity to support community
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – West Michigan general acute-care hospitals are seeing a significant surge of patients with COVID-19, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital officials are adding temporary beds to help reduce the strain. The state has granted approval for the additional beds, and the first 14 are operational. These beds are for patients who […]
Mary Free Bed limiting visitors to protect patients, staff and community
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed is addressing the surge in COVID-19 cases and working to reduce the spread by limiting the number of people coming into our buildings. As always, everyone visiting our main campus in Grand Rapids or any of our outpatient locations will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or risk factors […]
Mary Free Bed partners with Brooks, Madonna rehabilitation hospitals for telehealth research study in response to COVID-19 pandemic
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is teaming up with two rehabilitation partners to launch a research study that will advance the use of telehealth for rehabilitation during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will obtain vital data and feedback used to shape the future of telehealth for […]
Saginaw man returns home after three months in hospitals fighting complications from COVID-19
Six months ago, John Curtis was a healthy 44-year-old, living life. Then one day, he woke up with a 104-degree temperature. He had COVID-19. John “has been through a lot,” said Dr. Ralph Wang, a physiatrist at Mary Free Bed who oversaw his rehabilitation care. The Saginaw man graduated Sept. 30 from Mary Free Bed […]
Mary Free Bed develops breathing therapy techniques for COVID-19 recovery
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed clinicians have expanded their ReCOVery℠ Program for patients with COVID-19 who need inpatient rehabilitation and for those who can fight symptoms at home with the help of outpatient services. The comprehensive program includes new respiratory techniques and protocols that help those battling this beast of a virus. Developed […]
With a little help from Mary Free Bed, Inkster couple battles back from COVID-19
When Charlunda and David Thompson celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in June, the Inkster couple will mark “a new beginning.” “Together, we’re stronger,” Charlunda said. The Thompsons are beginning the next phase in their journey of recovery from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that’s sickened millions of people worldwide and killed thousands. Charlunda, 45, a hospice […]
Don Force celebrates his birthday and his recovery from COVID-19 by going home
“Going home on my birthday is the best gift ever,” said Don, who was hospitalized since March 29, battling COVID-19. After a month away, Don discharged from Mary Free Bed’s ReCOVery Unit and headed home to Howard City. He’s the first patient with COVID-19 admitted to the new unit for those who need intensive rehabilitation […]
Portage woman with COVID-19 is first graduate of Mary Free Bed’s ReCOVery™ Unit
Nancy Blodgett came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation after spending nine days on a ventilator, fighting for her life. A week later and much stronger, she became the first graduate of the hospital’s ReCOVery™ Unit for COVID-19 survivors. “It will be a new normal, but I’m OK with that,” the 55-year-old Portage resident said. […]
Mary Free Bed opens ReCOVery Unit for COVID-19 patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is a new rehabilitation program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for patients recovering from COVID-19. The dedicated “ReCOVery Unit” is serving patients who need intensive rehabilitation but still test positive for the virus. Whether COVID-19 is a primary or secondary diagnosis, these patients are focused on one thing: safely […]
Mary Free Bed opens ReCOVery Unit for COVID-19 patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is a new rehabilitation program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for patients recovering from COVID-19. The dedicated “ReCOVery Unit” is serving patients who need intensive rehabilitation but still test positive for the virus. Whether COVID-19 is a primary or secondary diagnosis, these patients are focused on one thing: safely […]