SWMC News

Lakeland, University of Michigan Partner for Behavioral Health Treatment
Apr 18, 2017

(ST. JOSEPH) – Pediatricians at Southwestern Medical Clinic, Stevensville, a Lakeland Health Affiliate recently began partnering with the University of Michigan Health System Department of Psychiatry to diagnose and treat children with behavioral issues locally through the Michigan Child Collaborative Care (MC3) Program.

According to the University of Michigan Health System, the MC3 program provides psychiatry support to primary care providers in Michigan who are managing patients with mild to moderate behavioral health problems. This includes children, adolescents and young adults through age 26. Support is available through educational phone consultations to referring providers as well as remote psychiatric evaluation to patients and families through video telepsychiatry.

“The MC3 program through University of Michigan has been incredibly helpful in giving us specialized pediatric psychiatry advice when specialty services are needed but are not easily accessible to our patients,” said physician’s assistant, Stephanie Welch, PA-C. “The University of Michigan providers are fast, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable. This helps us to give the best possible psychiatric care to our patients while they remain close to home.”

Findings from the Lakeland Health Community Health Needs Assessment, completed in October 2016, revealed mental health was among the top priority health needs for community members in Berrien County. Since the MC3 partnership was established in September 2016, approximately 20 patients have been treated locally. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician, visit www.swmc.org