CommunityLink
Sturgis, MI
Health Care"Compassionate Hearts, Healing Hands"
The City of Sturgis Fire Department assumed ambulance operations for the Sturgis Area Ambulance Committee (SAAC) service area May 1, 2004. With the additional duties and coverage area, six new paramedics and one EMT were added to our full-time staff, along with three ambulances (two advanced life support and one basic life support). Our ambulance coverage area includes the entire southern half of St. Joseph County, or about 260 square miles. Additional on-call positions have been added for fire and medical response. We provide not only emergency transport of sick and injured patients, but also non-emergency inter-facility transfers between nursing homes or hospitals. Department members have worked together to provide a quality service while better utilizing our knowledge and resources to the highest potential. The Sturgis credo, “Where Success Is a Habit,” has been the sought-after reality of every professional in the health and wellness arena. Top-quality efficiency has long been the goal of doctors, nurses, therapists and all other workers in the field of medicine in Sturgis.
Quality, modern hospital facilities are readily available to meet health-related emergencies. Sturgis Hospital is owned by the municipality and boasts a 55-bed acute care facility that was built in 1970; an expansion was added in 1981. The hospital is well-managed, with regional connections that offer great opportunities for new practitioners. To offer a complete health care package, more than 40 physicians encompassing many specialties staff the facility.
The hospital employs over 400 personnel in various departments, including medical imaging, diagnostic testing, laser and laparoscopic surgery, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy, and social services, and operates a sleep disorder clinic and numerous specialty outpatient clinics.
The Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary numbers over 200 staff members working in 14 specialized guilds, providing a number of services for hospital patients and their families, the staff, and the community.
The Grobhiser Medical Building, built in 1925, has been extensively renovated to house the new oncology specialty
clinics as well as many physicians’ offices. It is connected to the hospital via an enclosed walkway.
The staff is courteous and friendly and is ready to assist with all questions or needs of those coming into the hospital. A large parking lot at the back of the hospital, close to the entrance, makes access safe and convenient. Much thought and care was put into the creation of this lovely hospital.
The Community Mental Health Agency of St. Joseph County features a trained staff, offering mental health services and programs at affordable prices. It sponsors group homes along with a 24-hour crisis hotline.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Department is a full-service public health department that provides prevention services, immunizations, health promotions, environmental programs and more.
There are many health professionals living and practicing in Sturgis, including doctors of all specialties, from ophthalmologists to podiatrists and everything in between. Sturgis’ doctors are not only well-trained and highly educated, but they are also friendly and responsive. They are willing to listen to the concerns of patients and their families and answer any questions that may arise in the pursuit of healing. Health care facilities in Sturgis provide a number of services for the entire community, such as diabetes education, physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation. The overall care of the body and mind are of paramount concern to the health care providers of Sturgis.
Among the various health services available in Sturgis are:
• adult care
• chiropractics
• dentistry
• home health care
• hospice care
• immediate health care clinics
• massage therapy
• nursing home care
• obstetrics and gynecology
• occupational medicine
• ophthalmology
• orthopedics
• otology
• pediatrics
• physical fitness
• physical therapy
• podiatry
• psychological services
• radiology
• reflexology
• rehabilitation
• sports medicine
• touch therapy
• urology
The Sturgis community also supports many unique programs that are connected with the physical, mental and emotional health of residents, as well as programs that assist the human condition and aid in relief efforts. These worthy programs and organizations consist of both well-known names and names unique to Sturgis.
Sturgis’ Salvation Army not only has
a soup kitchen that helps to feed needy people, but also has a store and many community outreach programs. Other organizations include
• Goodwill
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Michiana
• the Sturgis Neighborhood Program Pregnancy Help Line
• the annual Sturgis Toy Run, in which motorcyclists from all over converge upon Sturgis, each bringing a toy for children of needy families
• social services conducted through ARCH Inc. and Net-ARCH Inc.
• Curves for Women, a fitness center
• Health South, a fine rehabilitation center
• the St. Joseph County bus, providing transportation for anyone in Sturgis, including seniors, physically challenged people and students going to Glen Oaks College. Seniors within the city proper may receive, four times a year, up to 13 free tickets to ride the bus; contact the city of Sturgis
One of the most positive and proud features of the health care system in Sturgis is the retirement and health care facility Thurston Woods Village. Thurston Woods Village is an up-to-date, beautifully maintained facility; its lovely lawns and gardens are well-kept, with areas of park-like quality, reflecting its worthy heritage and reputation.
The history of this beautiful facility began with an idea of Alta Schrock, who envisioned a nursing home to be created in an empty building that was owned by Clifford and Alfred Froh. The suggestion was put into the hearts of the Mennonite Board of Missions in Iowa. They purchased the building and 80 acres of land from the Froh brothers for $1.
Many volunteers came to work on the building and grounds, because extensive remodeling needed to be done to bring the building up to state code. Finally, in 1953, the old Froh Homestead opened its doors as a nursing home accommodating 35 “guests,” with housing room for eight to 10 workers. In addition, 460 acres of farmland were rented and worked by volunteer service workers.
Eventually the need outgrew the facility and, in 1968, the home was moved from the U.S. 12 building into Sturgis. Today, Thurston Woods Village’s unique multi-level living options make it stand out from the crowd. The four different living options are:
• The independent living quarters, called The Village (single-family houses) and The Gables (apartments), provide up to four floor plans that include one or two bedrooms and up to two baths. They also supply most appliances, including washer and dryer.
• Assisted living at “The Villa” includes 24-hour staffing assistance, dining facilities, housekeeping, laundry service, wellness checks and medication reminders.
• The Quality Nursing Care facility, called “Froh Community Home,” exceeds state regulation standards of resident-to-staff ratio. Also provided on campus are physical, speech and occupational therapy.
• HUD housing, known as “The Manor,” must meet HUD income and age guidelines, with rent being based upon income.
These facilities were opened at their Sturgis address in 1968 and licensed as Froh Community Home; there was room for 66 residents. In 1976, expansion was completed to allow space for 118 residents. In 1985, Thurston Woods Village incorporated and became a retirement community. A 90-unit home for the aged was added, along with a 33-unit, rent-subsidized apartment complex.
In 2004, phase two of a five-phase building plan will be completed. Phase one and two added eight duplexes and six apartment buildings to the campus. Among plans being considered for the other phases are a community building, a dementia unit, a wellness center and daycare.
Thurston Woods Village serves 300 residents at various levels of care, employs 200 individuals and maintains 16 buildings on 55 acres of land. It is a community that offers an active lifestyle, gracious living, friendships, healthy activities and security. Thurston Woods Village is a not-for-profit facility that is associated with the Mennonite Health Services.
