News
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Trusted care, anywhere: How telemedicine expands access to high-quality health care
August 21, 2025At UP Health System and our clinics across the Upper Peninsula (UP), care happens every day in our hospitals and clinics — and now, it also happens virtually through telemedicine. We know that meeting with a doctor on a screen may be new for some patients. You may wonder if a virtual visit can really offer the same quality of care as being face to face. The answer is yes — because whether you’re in the exam room or on a video call, you’re still getting care right here at home from a qualified provider, connected to your local care team.
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UP Health System – Portage is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care in the Upper Peninsula
July 22, 2025The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® – SilverPlus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.
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UPHS – Portage Heroes | Mary Lampinen, RN
June 26, 2025What is your role at UP Health System – Portage? I am a registered nurse (RN) at PortagePointe, caring for the needs of elderly residents. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? I’ve received a lot of help during times of need, and I felt that healthcare would be a meaningful way...
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UP Health System – Portage Heroes | Melissa Coffey
May 29, 2025What is your role at UPHS - Portage? I am employed at PortagePointe as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I am responsible for taking care of elders and their needs. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? When I started taking Health Occupations at Marquette Senior High School. I realized that being in...
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Ryan Jurmu, RN, Named UP Health System – Portage 2025 Mercy Award Winner
May 13, 2025UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) is pleased to announce Ryan Jurmu, RN, director of nursing at PortagePointe, has been recognized as its 2025 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best...
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UP Health System – Portage OB Nurse Britney Daavettila, RN, Honored with DAISY Award
May 12, 2025UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Britney Daavettila, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. Britney has been a registered nurse for eight years, spending...
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Main Parking Lot Construction at UP Health System – Portage to Begin Monday, May 12
May 09, 2025UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) will begin construction on its main parking lot starting Monday, May 12, 2025. This critical improvement project involves a full repaving of the lot and will be conducted in two phases to minimize disruption to patients, visitors and staff. During the phased construction,...
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UP Health System – Portage Heroes | Jamie Klotz
May 02, 2025What is your role at UPHS – Portage? I am the Infection Preventionist and Assistant Director of Nursing at our long-term care facility, PortagePointe. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? My grandma. She was in healthcare herself and always expressed that there were so many avenues and opportunities. I enjoyed relating...
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UP Health System – Portage Earns an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
May 01, 2025UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to general hospitals across the country based on...
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UP Health System – Portage Achieves Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification
April 18, 2025HANCOCK, Mich (April 18, 2025) — UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification. UPHS – Portage underwent a rigorous onsite review on March 10 as part of the process to achieve…
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UP Health System – Portage Heroes | Brad Lawton, PT
April 18, 2025What is your role at UPHS – Portage? I am a physical therapist and the rehab supervisor at UP Health System – Portage. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? I love helping others, and this profession gives me the opportunity to do that daily. I also have a big interest in athletics, and this profession gives me opportunities to work closely…
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UPHS – Portage Heroes | Dillon Velmer, RN
April 04, 2025What is your role at UPHS – Portage? I am a nursing supervisor at UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage). What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? I enjoy working with people and healthcare seemed like a great job to do that. I also thought it would be a good career to be able to work anywhere, but most importantly to get a good job…
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UP Health System – Portage Implements Visitor Restrictions
March 04, 2025Due to the rising number of respiratory illnesses—COVID-19, influenza and RSV—and the increased rate of transmission in our communities, we will implement limited visitor restrictions effective Wednesday, March 5, for all inpatient units at our hospital. Visitor restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. As always, the safety of our…
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UP Health System – Portage Emergency Medicine Nurse Clara Pietila, RN, Honored with DAISY Award
February 27, 2025UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Clara Pietila, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. Clara has been a registered nurse for the past seven years, previously working as…
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UPHS – Portage Heroes | Jacob Rastello
February 21, 2025What is your role at UPHS – Portage? My role at PortagePointe (connected to UP Health System – Portage) is an elder associate. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? My mother has worked here for many years and I remember her bringing me here for trick or treating or to visit when I was a little kid. Seeing the great work she does from such…
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The Tom and Terry Show: A Journey through Cardiac Rehab
February 18, 2025Tom Beccia, left, and Terry Schaaf, right, at the Portage Fitness Center. Tom Beccia and Terry Schaaf met under unusual circumstances. Both residents of the Upper Peninsula crossed paths during cardiac rehabilitation at UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage), which quickly developed into a friendship sustained through regular visits to the Portage…
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UP Health System – Portage Nurse Evan Hyrkas, RN, Honored with DAISY Award
January 20, 2025UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Evan Hyrkas, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. Evan cares for patients in the Medical Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and…
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UP Health System – Portage Heroes | Kelli Johnson
January 12, 2025What is your role at UP Health System – Portage? I am a Medical Staff Coordinator at UPHS – Portage. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? I love to serve and help others—healthcare felt like the best place to make an impact. What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field? No two days are the same in…
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UP Health System – Portage Heroes | Jennifer Sleeman, CST, CSFA
January 10, 2025What is your role at UP Health System – Portage? I am a surgical first assistant in the operating room (OR). What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? I originally was going to be a nurse, and when I shadowed in OR I was hooked. I wanted to be one of the team members standing at the table. What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like…
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UP Medical Group – Portage Welcomes New Express Care Provider, Justin Kleinschmidt, NP
December 16, 2024UP Health System – Portage is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Justin Kleinschmidt to the UP Medical Group – Portage Express Care clinic in Houghton. A native of the Upper Peninsula, Justin completed his undergraduate studies in his hometown of Marquette at Northern Michigan University and started his healthcare career as a bedside nurse in the Intensive…
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