Malinda (Mindy) Taylor, BSW
Community Health Manager
Angeline Roberts
Administrative Assistant
Libby Pearsall, RN
Home Health Nurse
Carol Kiogima, CHR-B
Community Health Representative, CPR Certified
Joann Steele, CPT,CNA,EKG
Community Health Representative, CPR Certified
Kayla Coates, RMA, CHR-B,CNA
Community Health Representative, CPR (BLS) / First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen Trained
Marlene Gasco
Health Wellness Advocate
Certified Native American Fitness Council (NAFC) Personal Trainer, Group Fitness, Medical Conditions and Exercise, Youth Fitness Leader, and Aerobics Instructor
Cheyenne Kiogima
Family Spirit Support Health Educator
Carol Sodman-Morris, RN, CNM, WHNP-BC, CLC
Maternal Child Health Nurse
Charla Gordon, MA, RD, CDCES, CHES
Wellcoaches® Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Contractual Registered Dietitian
Emily Ferroni, AA Health and Fitness, BSc Kinesiology, MS Exercise Science
Client Navigator for Cancer Screening
Health Education and Chronic Disease Department, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc.
The Community Health Department of Health Services consists of the Community Outreach/Diabetes Program, SDPI Healthy Heart (Mno Ode), Maternal Child Health/Family Spirit, Tribal Home Visiting, Native Way Gym, Home Grown Farm and Traditional Medicine.
The Community Outreach/Diabetes Program is a specifically funded program to address the needs of diagnosed diabetics, provide education and develop programs to prevent diabetes in our population. They provide comprehensive diabetes education to diagnosed diabetics in the tribal community. This program has a community health nurse who provides home nurse visits; a Health Educator who helps the department meet the criteria of the Diabetes grant as well as three Community Health Representatives who provide limited patient transportation for our local counties with 72 hour notice. This program also has a registered dietician who is contracted to provide nutritional counseling..
SDPI Healthy Heart (Mno Ode-Good Heart) is a special diabetes program for Native Americans. The goal of Mno Ode is to “help our patients learn to live in balance”. Services in this project include case management services, more clinic visits, a wide range of appropriate medications and education to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.
The Maternal Child Health Healthy Start Project “Maajtaag Mnobmaadzid “ is designed to assist Anishinaabe women and their families take care of their health and their babies health right from the start. Services provided include; office or home visits by a maternal child health nurse; community health promotion events; referral and follow-up services; health education counseling for teens and their families; transportation to healthcare provider; childbirth education on individualized basis; breastfeeding supplies and support; and incentive for health behaviors.
The overall goal of “Maajtaag Mnobmaadzid “ is to reduce the risk of infant mortality. Risk factors that contribute to infant mortality include, but are not limited to:
- Maternal Smoking and exposure to 2nd hand tobacco smoke
- Use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs
- Domestic violence
- Gestational Diabetes
- Unintended teen pregnancy
- Lack of appropriate immunizations
- Lack of early prenatal care
Family Spirit is a home visiting program that provides services for expectant mothers, children ages 0-5 and their families and is carried out by the Family Spirit Support Health Educator. It follows a guided curriculum developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health and the use of Gikinawaabi, a supplementary curriculum provided by the Intertribal Council of Michigan. Additional support services are provided by community resources and referrals, and based off family needs.
For supplemental information on parenting topics you can follow ltbbhealthystart on Facebook.
Midwifery Program
The LTBB Midwifery Program seeks to improve prenatal care and postpartum outcomes for our citizens. It is not the intention to duplicate or assume prenatal care that is already being provided by our outside OB-GYN providers.
Prenatal
- Frequent contact and support for our expectant mothers
- Provide nutritional and exercise counseling
- Encourage smoking cessation in those that smoke
- Identify and make a appropriate referrals regarding alcohol and drug abuse
- Monitor expectant mothers for mental health issues and refer when appropriate
- Assist in coordination of medical care between primary care providers and ON_GYN
- Address safety in the home
Postpartum
- Frequent contact and support to every postpartum mother
- May provide additional monitoring of postpartum health and contact OB_GYN when appropriate
- Monitor postpartum patients of postpartum depression or other mental health issues and refer when appropriate
- Monitor for any issue that requires immediate medical attention
- Promote and counsel regarding breastfeeding
- Address family planning
- Address safety in the home
Identify and make appropriate referrals regarding alcohol and drug abuse.
Community Health is currently seeking a Traditional Healer. We will be updating with more information once these services resume.
NATIVE WAY FITNESS CENTER
8730 COMMERCE PARK
HARBOR SPRINGS, MI 49770
Gym Hours: Sunday – Saturday, 5:00 am – 12:00 am
Guidelines to Applying for a Native Way Card
Have a physical performed no more than one year prior to your request to use the Native Way Gym. Provide a note for your file from your physician giving you permission to exercise with or without restrictions.
Attend a Native Way orientation. The date and time will be determined by the Community Wellness Advocate.
Complete the Native Way packet presented at the time of orientation.
Note: Native Way Rules are included in the packet.
Pay the required $5.00 (five dollars) for your access card.
When all of these requirements are fulfilled you are eligible to use the Native Way Gym.
Native Way Too, offers classes not associated with use of the exercise equipment. If you are interested in participating in any of the classes offered, contact Marlene Gasco, Community Wellness Advocate @ 231-242-1616, M-F, 8-5.
The Native Way Health and Wellness Center provides a safe environment for our Tribal Community members to challenge themselves and improve their overall health and well-being. The facility includes an assortment of weight machines/equipment, full cardio machines, class space, and the option for personal training to help achieve your fitness goals. There are no monthly fees. There are a variety of exercise classes offered from boxing to HIIT to yoga at no additional cost, as well. Whether you’re a tribal member, LTBB employee, or even tribal spouse, you are eligible to use Native Way.
Marlene Gasco is the Community Wellness Advocate in the Community Health Department and spends a majority of her time at Native Way. She is certified by the Native American Fitness Council (NAFC) in Personal Training, Group Fitness, Medical Conditions and Exercise, Youth Fitness Leader, and Aerobics Instructor. She can help you achieve your fitness goals by working together on a safe, fun workout regimen and is always available to answer any questions about the gym and exercising.
Wellness is Achieved Through Balance
Mnozhiyaadaa (Let’s be in good health)
Ziisabkwat Daapine
Diabetes can be prevented. We offer you the tools that you need to protect yourself and your family. Using modern and traditional teachings we can help each other achieve wellness through balance; strengthening the circle of life. We offer diabetes home management and prevention education that is culturally relevant, focusing on self management using self empowerment, physical activity and nutrition as tools. Sessions can be individual or group. We also offer a Chronic conditions self management calls.
Community Outreach Program
Under the direction of a physician, nurses and community health representatives are available to assess, educate and support community members on their journey to wellness, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention and management of chronic illness.
Elders – outreach representatives are able to check in on Elders, or accompany you to your medical appointment as your advocate if needed.
Medical Transpotation – – is available to medical appointments only, if do not have other means available to you. 72 hour notice is required.
Today is the day
you build healthy habits to build muscle.
Want to keep your body strong and healthy?
Staying fit is more than just losing weight. It’s equally as important to tone your body. Not only will you look great but you’ll feel better, gain more energy and build strength. Start now to get into the best shape you can be.
Here are some tips to tone your body:
- Eat a well-balanced meal. Make sure your diet consists of lean protein, fruits and veggies, and whole grains. They’ll provide you with the nutrition, fiber and hydration your body needs to tone up.
- Drink more water. Experts recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. This will help flush away toxins and keep you hydrated, which are both essential to achieving a healthy, toned body.
- Commit to cardio. Do cardio exercises 3-4 times a week for 30-40 minutes to increase your overall fitness. This will help you lose body fat and increase muscle visibility. You can mix it up with a variety of cardio exercises including running, hiking or swimming.
- Lift weights. Incorporate some weight training into your exercise routine to define the contours of your muscles. Do this every other day, 2-3 times a week. Alternating days will give your muscles time to heal and prevent you from straining them.
- Relax and rest. When you’re under stress, your body releases hormones that can exhaust you and even lead to weight gain. It’s important for you to reduce stress so you can stay healthy—mentally and physically.