November 2025

Munson Structural Heart Clinic: Healing Hearts, Improving Lives
Munson Heart Services continues to lead Northern Michigan in advanced cardiovascular care, with expert heart specialists in 10 locations (see story below). For an overview, click here or visit munsonhealthcare.org/heart.

This month, we’re spotlighting the Structural Heart Clinic at Munson Medical Center’s Webber Heart Center in Traverse City. The clinic provides life-changing care for patients with complex conditions — especially those considered high-risk or too frail for traditional heart valve surgery.

A multidisciplinary team — including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, echocardiography specialists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and nurses — uses cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures to reduce recovery time and improve quality of life. This approach has led to a significant increase in TAVR and WATCHMAN procedures, with care tailored to each patient’s goals and anatomy.

“We don’t just want our patients to live longer — we want them to live better,” said Nicklaus Slocum, MD, FACC, FSCAI, SHC, Medical Director. “Procedures like TAVR have transformed how we treat valve disease.”

Advanced Procedures Offered:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Minimally invasive treatment for aortic valve disease.

• MitraClip® Therapy: Treatment for mitral valve regurgitation in non-surgical candidates.

• WATCHMAN™ Device: Stroke prevention for atrial fibrillation patients.

• Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) and Atrial Septal Defects (ASD): Catheter-based solutions for congenital heart defects.

SHC Program Highlights:

• Pretesting criteria for TAVR has been expanded allowing more patients to be treated.

• Endovascular techniques like these offer better tolerance, recovery, and outcomes.

• Qualifying patients typically enter the structural heart program 2–5 years after start of cardiology care.

• Structured follow-up includes post-hospitalization visits with patient’s primary care provider as well as cardiac rehab.

Referrals
Please refer patients needing cardiology support and then our expert Cardiologists will determine if Structural Heart Clinic care is appropriate.

To refer a patient to Traverse Heart & Vascular:

• Fax: 231-935-5744
• Direct Trust: MHC.TraverseHeartandVascular@direct.mhc.net

Meet Our Expert Structural Heart Clinic Team

Edward Bergeron, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery

John Coatney, MD
Cardiology, Electrophysiology

James Fox, MD
Cardiology,
Interventional Cardiology

Michael Howe, MD
Interventional Cardiology

Robert Kennedy, MD
Cardiology, Electrophysiology

Shelly Lall, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery

Nicklaus Slocum, MD
Cardiology,
Interventional Cardiology

R. Glade Smith, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery

Brandon Wojcik, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery

Prasanthi Yelavarthy, MD
Interventional Cardiology

Nicole Peffers, PA
Cardiology

Munson Heart Services: Expert Heart Care, Close to Home

For follow-up care after procedures, our heart specialists continue to support patients locally, reducing the need for travel and improving continuity of care.

Cardiac rehabilitation is available at every Munson Healthcare hospital, helping patients recover safely and regain strength with personalized support.

• Cadillac
• Charlevoix
• Frankfort
• Gaylord
• Grayling
• Indian River
• Kalkaska
• Manistee
• Petoskey New!
• Traverse City
  
  

Cardiology Track at 2026 Provider Symposium
Learn the latest in cardiology and cardiothoracic care at the
2026 Munson Healthcare Provider Symposium on Fri., Jan. 9,
featuring sessions presented by our expert heart team.

• Joseph Gibbs, MD, Interventional Cardiology
• Erik Howell, MD, Interventional Cardiology
• Nicklaus Slocum, MD, Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology
• Brandon Wojcik, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery
  

Visit our event website to learn more and register: munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Jessica Paonessa, MD
Urology

Dr. Jessica Paonessa is a fellowship-trained Urologist specializing in the surgical management of complex kidney stones and complex prostate enlargement/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Referrals

Practices at:
Bay Area Urology

Phone:
231-935-0322

Fax:
231-935-0334

Direct Trust
jpaonessa
@direct.mhc.net

MHC.BayAreaUrology
@direct.mhc.net

What should referring providers know about treating complex urological conditions?
We offer two advanced treatment options: HoLEP and PCNL.

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): While HoLEP is ideal for large prostates, it is effective for prostates of any size, especially for patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), urinary retention, recurrent UTIs, or prior failed BPH surgeries. Using MOSES laser technology, HoLEP provides lower bleeding risk, shorter operative times, and successful outcomes — often eliminating the need for future BPH treatment.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): PCNL is the preferred surgical treatment for large (>2 cm) and complex (branching, staghorn) kidney stones. Dr. Paonessa specializes in obtaining percutaneous access during stone removal, which reduces anesthesia exposure and improves stone clearance. Our team manages challenging cases, including patients with comorbidities, prior failed procedures, and complex anatomy. She also routinely performs other procedures for nephrolithiasis, including ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

What kind of post-op care do your patients typically need?
HoLEP is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients go home with a Foley catheter, which is typically removed the next morning. Some blood in the urine is expected, and patients are encouraged to increase fluid intake to promote urine flow.

PCNL patients are generally discharged home on postop day one, after removal of the nephrostomy tube. A ureteral stent is placed during surgery and removed 2-3 weeks later at the office follow-up.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Munson Medical Center

Joined:
January 2018

Medical Education:
Wayne State University
School of Medicine

Internship:
General Surgery,
University of Louisville

Residency:
Urology, Texas Tech
University Health
Sciences Center
School of Medicine

Fellowship:
Endourology,
Indiana University Health/
Methodist Hospital

Favorite Pastimes:
Spending time with family and friends, traveling, boating, hobby farming, outdoor sports/activities, various arts/music.

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare’s Provider Moves webpage has been updated for October, including new providers, practice changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

For a directory of Munson-privileged providers who accept referrals, go to Find A Doctor.

The following Munson-employed providers are new to the following MHC practices:

• Maria (Celeste) Frazee, NP | Munson Healthcare Boyne Area Health Center
• Jayme Larson, NP | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Primary Care

The following Munson-employed provider is new to the following MHC practice:

• Murphy Gillespie, NP | Munson Medical Center Oncology Hematology

Munson Neurosurgery Has Moved
Munson Neurosurgery and the Stroke Clinic in Traverse City has moved to 3537 W. Front St., Ste. I. Clinic entrance and convenient parking are on the southwest side of the building. Phone and fax remain the same.

Thomas Judd Care Center is Moving
As of Mon., Nov. 24, the Thomas Judd Care Center in Traverse City is moving to the Foster Family Community Health Center located at 550 Munson Ave., Ste. 202. Clinic entrance and convenient parking are located on the south side of the building. Phone and fax numbers remain the same.

Note, the clinic will be closed Nov. 20 and 21 to accommodate this move.

 Reports and Referrals

Munson Launching New Lung Nodule Clinic
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Munson Healthcare is taking proactive steps to support patients with concerning lung nodules. Earlier this year, we launched the Lung Nodule Referral Program — and starting Thurs., Dec. 11, patients needing urgent evaluation will be seen in a dedicated Lung Nodule Clinic housed at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City.

• Program Overview: Provides expedited risk assessment, diagnostic work-up, and treatment planning, guided by a patient navigator.

• Multidisciplinary Team: Our dedicated Pulmonology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, and Oncology experts review cases and coordinate care.

• Contacts: Please do not hesitate to reach out to Medical Director Dr. Melanie Holtrop, Thoracic Surgery Lead Dr. Brandon Wojcik, Interventional Radiology Lead Dr. Edward Walsh, or Program Coordinator Amanda Stuart.

• Referral Guidelines: Visit Munson’s For Providers website or scan the QR code.

• Learn more: Please join us at the MHC Provider Symposium on Fri., Jan. 9 where Dr. Melanie Holtrop will present an overview of the Lung Nodule Clinic

Radiology Services Update
Nationwide radiologist shortage and elevated imaging volumes are contributing to delays in Radiology dictation turnaround times. Current turnaround times (TAT) for routine imaging (US, MRI, CT, PET Scans) are averaging 6–8 days, with patients informed it may take 7–14 days.

A dedicated voicemail line for expedited reads for time-sensitive diagnoses is available at 231-935-6400, option 2. Average TAT to escalate a request is 1 hour, with a Radiologist report in ~2–3 hours.

• Routine: Most radiology studies (lung cancer screening CTs, screening mammograms, etc.).
• “Urgent” Routine: Use comment/special instructions to request faster turnaround.
• STAT: Needs an immediate read for clinical reasons.

We are collaborating with Grand Traverse Radiologists to resolve these issues.

For details, read the Radiology Services Update letter.

 Services

U-M Health Transplant Evaluation Clinic Now Available in Traverse City
We are excited to share that the University of Michigan Health Transplant Center is bringing advanced kidney and liver transplant services closer to home. Patients in Northern Michigan now have convenient, local access to world-class transplant services for pre- and post-transplant kidney care and pre-transplant liver evaluations without needing to travel downstate. Note, all kidney and liver transplant surgeries will be performed at University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor.

Conveniently located near Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, the clinic is in the Professional Terrace Building with several Munson Healthcare specialty services, including Orthopedics and Rheumatology.

Clinic Location:
U-M Health Transplant Clinic
Professional Terrace Building
3537 W. Front St., Ste. A
Traverse City, MI 49684

Referrals: To refer a patient, call the Transplant Center at
800-333-9013 or M-LINE at 800-962-3555.

 Patient Care

Rise in Patient Complaints About Documentation Accuracy
Munson is seeing more patient complaints about provider documentation not matching their experience. Examples: “Doctor never touched my abdomen,” “Provider didn’t enter the room.”

Most complaints stem from patients reading clinical notes in their patient portal.

• Notes are visible upon provider sign-off.
• Many patients receive text alerts when new notes are available.
• Patients can request an amendment to their medical record.

• Be accurate and clear in documentation.
• Consider how notes may be interpreted by patients reading them.

Raising awareness of this issue can help improve patient trust and reduce complaints.

LabMed Report: Mixing Studies
Mixing studies (inhibitor screens) for prolonged clotting times are now being sent to Mayo Medical Labs due to decreasing volumes of in-house testing.

An archive of LabMed Reports is available at munsonhealthcare.org/labmed.

TEXT 4 TIPS Empowers Patients with Diabetes
November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness about the growing impact of diabetes across Northern Michigan. With more than 75,000 residents affected, Munson Healthcare remains committed to supporting individuals living with diabetes through accessible, proactive resources.

Text 4 Tips is a free, easy-to-use program designed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications. Each week, enrolled patients receive encouraging text messages that include:

• Tips for managing stress and mental health
• Guidance on monitoring blood sugar
• Ideas for increasing physical activity
• Nutritional advice and healthy recipes
• Reminders for routine care and appointments

Please encourage your patients to enroll by visiting munsonhealthcare.org/text4tips. A printable patient flyer is available. 

For more diabetes resources, patients can visit munsonhealthcare.org/diabetes. Provider-specific resources are available at munsonhealthcare.org/nmdi.

Free Community Seizure Recognition and First Aid Training
In honor of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, community members are encouraged to join the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan and Munson Healthcare Neurology for a free educational session. Learn how to recognize the signs of a seizure and how to respond if someone is experiencing one.   

• When: Thurs., Nov. 20, 6 – 8pm 
• Where: Traverse City West High School Library 
• Register: Click here to register

 Medical Staff Services and Credentialing

Action Required: When to Immediately Contact Your Medical Staff Office
Munson-privileged providers are required to notify their regional medical staff office (MSO) immediately if any of the following occur:

• Planning to change or leave your practice (e.g., retirement, relocation, or termination) or extended leave of absence (>60 days)
• Changes to contact information or name
• Updates to medical licensure, DEA, board certification, or life support certifications
• Requesting or relinquishing privileges
• Medical malpractice renewals or changes
• Subject to a professional liability lawsuit
• Complaint or action against licensure or DEA
• Any Medicare/Medicaid exclusions, preclusions, or sanctions
• Change in staff status and/or privileges at any other health care entity because of peer review activities
• Any changes in ability to safely and competently exercise clinical privileges or perform the duties and responsibilities of appointment because of health status issues
• Any arrest, charge, indictment, conviction, or a plea of guilty or no contest in any criminal matter other than a misdemeanor traffic citation; or any charge of, or arrest for DUI/OUI

For your regional MSO contact, click here.

 Resources and Reminders

Need a Journal Article? Library Services Can Help!
Hit a paywall while searching for a peer-reviewed article? Whether you’re browsing PubMed, a publisher’s site, or Google Scholar, Library Services can help you access full-text articles — even from journals we don’t subscribe to.

How We Can Help:

• Use Munson’s Special PubMed Link
  Searching PubMed? Use this link. If you see a button next to an article, click it and complete the form — we will send the article to you.

• Found an Article Elsewhere?
  Just email us the citation or link. We’ll track it down and send it to you — no out-of-pocket costs or wasted time.

Fast Turnaround, Reliable Sources
Most requests are filled within 1–5 business days. Need it sooner? Rush and Urgent Patient Care options are available for faster service.

Who Can Use This Service?
All Munson Healthcare Team members, including providers, nurses, researchers, educators, and staff.

Request Articles or Ask Questions: Email us at Library-HealthSciences@mhc.net.

Let us help you stay informed and focused on delivering exceptional patient care.

Stay Updated with the Latest Payer Information 
For a curated list of payer news impacting you, including the latest payer changes and guidelines, bookmark: munsonhealthcare.org/PayerUpdates

 Education

Munson Kicks Off New Primary Care Dinner Lecture Series
We were excited to launch our first Primary Care Dinner Lecture last week — a new Continuing Medical Education series designed specifically for primary care providers. The inaugural event delivered an evening of insightful education, meaningful connections, and excellent food.

Dr. Brett Walker, Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon, presented on “Spinal Stenosis,” while Neurologist Dr. Nick Zendler shared expertise on “Epilepsy and Seizures.”

This first session welcomed providers from our East Region (Charlevoix, Gaylord, and Grayling). Stay tuned for details on upcoming events as we continue to bring valuable learning opportunities to our primary care community!

Early Bird Discount Ends Soon!
Please share with your providers

New in 2026! The Provider Symposium will now feature a half-day of hands-on learning on Thursday afternoon, followed by a full day of CME sessions on Friday.

Participants at this popular and educational event can:

• Choose from an à la carte menu of in-person CME sessions featuring varied topics tailored to the educational needs of Munson Healthcare providers.
• Engage in various learning formats including plenary sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on skills labs.
• Socialize with colleagues at the Friday Evening Happy Hour.

Cost:

• Friday CME Sessions: $200 (excludes lodging)
• Thursday Hands-on Learning: $50
  
  Register by Nov. 30 to save 25%!

For details and to register by Jan. 3: munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium

This program has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

MSU-CHM Transforming Health Grand Rounds

• When: Tues., Nov. 18, 6 – 7 pm
• Title: Rx Kids: Reimaging Health
• Speaker: Mona Hanna, MD, MPH
• Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the role of poverty as a social driver of health.
  • Describe the design and goals of Rx Kids to treat poverty and improve health.
  • Understand key research findings from Rx Kids.
• Where: Virtual
• CME: Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM
• Register: Click here to register
  
  

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit munsonhealthcare.org/providerevents.

Online Resources
Munson's For Providers website features clinical resources and education to support providers and office staff. Bookmark now for quick access: munsonhealthcare.org/forproviders

To easily identify resources available on the For Providers website in Practice Pro, look for:

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit munsonhealthcare.org/PracticePro. 

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