Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February, 1999

Yes, There Really Is A Kalamazoo!
by Mimi Wirtanen, Michigan DDS

THE MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF NADE held their 1998 State Training Conference on Friday, November 6th at the Holiday Inn in
Kalamazoo. The 100 attendees enjoyed a full day of outstanding presentations. This conference was organized and hosted by
K-MADE, the Kalamazoo Subchapter of MADE. The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Mimi Wirtanen, MADE President
and Jack Dalton, Area Administrator of the Southwest Service Area of the Michigan DDS. Donna Mukogawa, Assistant Regional
Commissioner, and Jo Ellen Luscombe, Disability Program Administrator for Michigan, gave an update on changes in the Disability
Program. They addressed issues such as OIG involvement in fraud cases, a re-emphasis on quality initiatives, and Redesign.

Dennis Burrows, Executive Director of the Constance Brown Hearing and Speech Center, spoke about hearing loss, the interpretation
of audiograms and advancements in the field. His presentation featured audio tapes that allowed the audience to experience how
different types of hearing loss are perceived by the patient. He also unraveled some of the mysteries of what all the abbreviations,
squiggles and numbers mean on audiograms.

Information on the advancements in the treatment of burns was presented by Patrick Dirscoll, R.N., who is manager of the Trauma
Care Unit at Bronson Hospital. He indicated that, after treatment and therapy, it would be very rare for someone to be totally disabled
from residuals of a burn injury. With today’s available techniques, no one should have severe disabling contractures.

Craig Brown, Ed. D., performs consultative examinations for the Michigan State Agency. He spoke on the evaluation of malingering in
psychiatric cases. He outlined what he looks for and how the examiners and physicians of DDS can be more aware of these cases.

John DeSpelder, Area Administrator of the Northern Service Area of the Michigan DDS, updated the attendees on the DCM pilot that
is being conducted in two of the Michigan Area Offices. He indicated that the start up was somewhat problematic but that they are
now learning a great deal from this pilot.

The “Extra Mile Awards” were presented at the delegate Assembly. These annual awards are given to outstanding members of our
chapter. This year’s winners were Stacey Turk, Janet Strang, Marcia Carpenter and Glen Squire. Our Regional Commissioner, Myrtle
Habersham, was also recognized for her outstanding support of NADE as a professional organization. Chapter elections were held and
the officers for 1998-1999 are: President, Mimi Wirtanen; Vice President, Tom Ward; Secretary, Lynda Smith; and Treasurer, Theresa
Furget.

The Michigan Chapter is looking forward to another year packed with social and professional activities and community relation
projects. We also hope to have a number of our members attend the Regional Training Conference in Madison and the National
Training Conference in Denver.