Summit Pointe Podcast

The pervasiveness of social media in today's culture is notable. There are pros and cons - on the "pros" side, social media has the ability to raise awareness and understanding. On the "cons" side, it can also spread inaccurate information - or lead folks to conclusions that may not be correct. In this episode, our colleagues Mindy and Jocelyn bring their expertise about A...

On this episode of the Summit Pointe Podcast, we introduce you to our colleague Dorothy Malcolm, Chief Operating Officer at Summit Pointe. Dorothy discusses her nursing and medical management backgrounds, as well as her view on the work we do daily at Summit Pointe and First Step. Episode Resources First Step Behavioral Health Urgent Care Summit Pointe Podcast 73 is a Livemic Communications produc...

Summit Pointe is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the execution of our mission to provide ”the highest quality behavioral health services to help individuals maximize their potential.” In this episode, Treasurer Kelli Scott - who also serves as the Calhoun County administrator/controller - discusses her ten years as a member of the Summit Pointe Board. She not only looks at t...

With a career in social work and a distinct interest in her community, Pastor Dr. Monique French of the Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community in Battle Creek is focused and determined. With her fellow neighbors' wellbeing in mind, Pastor French is a community leader. In addition to her role as the leader of her church, she also volunteers on several governing bodies - inclu...

It is estimated that only a fraction of African Americans seek life-changing treatment for issues of mental health. Stigma and culture play a role in barriers to treatment. Our colleague Lakeyta - who oversees access to services at Summit Pointe - talks about why that is, but also how conversations are helping remove those barriers. Episode Resources First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care Summit Point...

Young love is wonderful - to experience and to witness. But, as we learn in this Summit Pointe episode, young people (and even adults!) can be whisked away by love's euphoria, limiting the ability to notice red flags. Summit Pointe Homebased Caseworker Brandi tells us those red flags can even be more serious, leading to an unhealthy, controlling relationship - maybe even violence. Click to li...

Summit Pointe is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the execution of our mission to provide ”the highest quality behavioral health services to help individuals maximize their potential.” In this episode, Deb Davis, who returned to the Board in 2024 after having served previously, talks about how she also has been a conduit to Summit Pointe when others have needed it. Thank you...

The beginning of a year can be full of resolutions, like more exercise or eating healthier. But what if you want to improve your mental health and, perhaps, be happier? We asked Summit Pointe clinicians Carolyn and Ann to help us consider how we might begin with greater mental health—something that can begin at any time of the year. Episode Resources First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care Summit Point...

We're pretty excited about the accomplishments made at Summit Pointe and First Step in 2024. That has us staunchly focused on what's to come in 2025. In this episode, our CEO Jeannie Goodrich reflects on some of the finish lines crossed in 2024 and the momentum we have to help the Calhoun County community with access to behavioral health resources in 2025. Episode Resources First Step Ps...

In December 2024, Summit Pointe and Grace Health broke ground on a new primary care and pharmacy facility on the Summit Pointe/First Step campus at 175 College Street in Battle Creek. In this episode, our CEO Jeannie Goodrich is joined by the CEO of Grace Health, Dr. Peter Chang, to talk about this groundbreaking model which aims to make it easier for customers to take their meds and follow throug...

Summit Pointe is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the execution of our mission to provide ”the highest quality behavioral health services to help individuals maximize their potential.” This time, we meet Stephanie Swanson-Chang, a member of the Summit Pointe Board since 2022. In this episode, Stephanie discusses how being a bereaved mother led her on a journey she may not hav...

Those of you caring for someone - often a relative - may not even consider yourself a "caregiver". But, you are. As we learn in this episode from special guest Anne Clark with Senior Health Partners in Battle Creek, you may experience guilt if you give yourself some time away from your person. But, we also learn, time away is critical. Episode Resources First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care...

Returning to civilian life after serving in the Armed Forces, for some, can be difficult and daunting. One way Summit Pointe is helping is the Supported Employment program - helping veterans and others find purpose through employment. Our colleague Stephen oversees the VA Laundry facility and joins us in this episode to talk about helping veterans find new purpose through the VA Laundry facility -...

Since it first opened in 2021, the First Step Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center has welcomed thousands of Calhoun County residents who were seeking assistance. What kind of assistance they would need had to be determined once they arrived. In the years since the doors opened, we at Summit Pointe have been able to study our processes and make adjustments. In this episode, First Step Supervisor M...

Summit Pointe is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the execution of our mission to provide "the highest quality behavioral health services to help individuals maximize their potential." In this episode, Kathy-Sue Vette, who has served on our Board of Directors since 2015, talks about what inspires her to do so. Her Board role has most recently included being the chai...

African Americans and other minorities are underserved when it comes to mental health services and resources. That's why the "Flip the Script" campaign is working to target those groups - and anyone who might be held back from breaking through the barriers of improved mental health. In this episode, Regina, Community Engagement, discusses the goals of "Flip the Script" and...

Part of our support for youth and families at Summit Pointe means removing barriers. Doing so may simply mean we need to go to a family at their home rather than have them come to us. In this episode, we set out to understand better what situations might call for home-based services - and how they help. Episode Resources Home-Based Services for Youth and Families First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care...

An approach to opioid use disorder might, for some, seem a bit ponderous: Using medications as treatment for addiction to another medication. But, as we learn in this episode, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder - sometimes called MOUD - can be very successful and perhaps life-saving. Bronson's Dr. Maureen Ford and Paul Bodenberg talk about what MOUD actually means, does, and helps. Episode R...

Intensive Crisis Stabilization - ICS for short - is a Summit Pointe program meant to help young people and their families who are experiencing a crisis. That typically means our Summit Pointe experts have to respond quickly and immediately for an on-site intervention. Angela and Harry talk with us in this episode about the goals and impact of this program. Episode Resources First Step Psychiatric...

In episode 5 of the Summit Pointe Podcast , we caught up with Scott Teichmer who runs the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County, a Summit Pointe partner. Scott told us about the zero-deaths-by-suicide concept and how folks like you can help. Three years later, we get an update from Scott on how the protocol is expanding - and an understanding of how it all began. Episode Resources Summit...

Summit Pointe provides a broad scope of quality services for youth and families. But before we can determine which services are best for a youth, we must first understand their needs. In this episode of the Summit Pointe Podcast , Youth Care Manager Devan talks about the initial process in welcoming young customers and their families and guiding them to high-quality care. Episode Resources First S...

Dr. James Gandy, Summit Pointe medical director, returns to discuss men's health. In particular, we asked Dr. Gandy to call to mind the top things he thinks of as it relates to men's health. Episode Resources Tiny Habits website Summit Pointe website The Summit Pointe podcast is a Livemic Communications production.   Summit Pointe, the Behavioral Health Authority in Calhoun County, Michi...

In this episode of the Summit Pointe series, we sit down with our longtime CEO Jeannie Goodrich. After 29 years at the organization, Jeannie talks about working her way up the ranks, the staff and work that inspires her and how she goes to bed at the end of a weekend excited to get back to work. Episode Resources Summit Pointe/First Step website The Summit Pointe Podcast is a Livemic Communication...

In this Summit Pointe episode, our own Dr. Mindy Oisten - Director of Autism Services - talks about the newly relocated Autism Center. Now situated at 155 Garfield Avenue in Battle Creek, the Summit Pointe Autism Center offers added space and new programs - along with some dreams for further expansion. Episode Resources More about the Summit Pointe Autism Center Summit Pointe website The Summit Po...

It's another community connection between Summit Pointe and, in this case, educators to help bring greater support to Calhoun County. The Summit Pointe Autism Center and the Calhoun Intermediate School District realized that working together to help students with Autism - and their parents - brought comfort and solutions at what could be a difficult time. Mindy Oisten, Summit Pointe director...