ALPENA — Community members will have two opportunities this month to learn about mental health, osteoporosis and strategies for protecting their long-term health during the Fall Take Time for You lunch-and-learn series at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.
The series is being offered by the Community Outreach Committee of the MyMichigan Health Foundation Development Council serving Alpena. Both programs will last one hour and begin at noon in the MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Auditorium. Advance registration is required, organizers say space is limited, and the fee is $10 per session, including lunch.
Mental health program is scheduled for Oct. 13
The first session, “Mental Health in Northeast Michigan,” is scheduled for Oct. 13. Nena Sork, M.S.W., executive director of the Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority, will host the program.
Sork’s presentation will address anxiety, depression and mental-health challenges affecting the region. She also will explain common symptoms and identify locally available resources for people seeking help.
The session is intended to give attendees a clearer understanding of prevention and intervention, while offering practical guidance on how to access mental-health services for themselves or people they care about. The program also will focus on strengthening awareness of mental-health concerns in the community.
Bone health session will follow on Oct. 27
The series will conclude Tuesday, Oct. 27, with “Osteoporosis and Bone Density,” presented by Eric Cornish, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon.
Cornish will discuss why bone health is important and review risk factors, screening guidelines and the value of detecting problems early. The presentation will pay particular attention to people at greater risk, including women and older adults.
Participants will also receive information about prevention, including the roles of nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle changes. The session is designed to provide practical guidance for maintaining bone strength, mobility and overall health, while explaining the risks associated with failing to address bone-health concerns.
Registration details
People interested in attending may register online at mymichigan.org/taketimeforyou. Registration also is available by calling (989) 356-7351 or emailing [email protected].
MyMichigan Health is a nonprofit health system headquartered in Midland that provides care across 26 counties. Its facilities include medical centers in Alpena, Alma, Clare, Gladwin, Mount Pleasant, Sault Ste. Marie, Standish, Tawas, Towne Centre and West Branch, as well as tertiary hospitals in Midland and Saginaw.
The health system offers care in settings that include urgent care centers, home health, virtual care and medical offices. Its listed specialties include behavioral health, cardiology, primary care, hematology and oncology, neurosciences, orthopedics, women’s and children’s services and vascular surgery.
MyMichigan reported that it had more than 13,200 employees and operational support staff and supported more than one million residents in its service areas. In fiscal year 2025, it provided $243 million in community benefits and supported patients and families with equipment, services and programs through funds raised by the MyMichigan Health Foundation and Field Neurosciences Institute.