October 2021: A life and legacy celebrated

~ Celebrating the life and legacy of William Gillette in a new way ~ 

Since moving to Connecticut from Michigan in early 2020, an opportunity arose to lend some time volunteering on behalf of one of the state's more fascinating destinations -- Gillette Castle State Park.

The popular tourist destination at 67 River Road is nestled atop the “Seventh Sister” hill and is situated in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River. 

Its centerpiece is the retirement home of William H. Gillette, the first actor to become internationally famous for his performances as Sherlock Holmes.

Therein lies our connection -- and fascination -- with the subject, because we've been responsible for bringing the master detective to life ourselves. In fact, Gillette is the only actor to surpass the number of years -- as well as performance hours -- that we've spent in that particular role. 

Gillette, a Hartford native, died in 1937 after a lengthy theatrical career. The state eventually took over ownership of his home and surrounding estate. 

The goal of the timeline project was to create a chronological timeline that would be easy to read and yet provide as much insight as possible into Gillette's life and extraordinarily long career.

If you'd like to look at the project, it's now online at the website of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, and may be viewed here: "A Gillette Timeline"

We proposed the project in late 2020 and, over several months of negotiations and research regarding what should be included, we worked with several volunteers connected with the Friends to finalize the text and place it online for others to see.

We also proposed a secondary project that we hope will come to fruition during 2022. When we visited Riverside Cemetery near Farmington, Connecticut, to visit the graves of Gillette and his wife Helen, we discovered that their headstones had grown stained and discolored over time. With the assistance of other Friends volunteers, and with permission already granted by the cemetery supervisors, our small band of Gillette fans intends to clean the headstones during the coming spring, and it's hoped that the headstones eventually will look almost like new. 

October 2021: Lynette Robinson joins Oaklawn

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Lynette Robinson returns to Oaklawn in new role as a family nurse practitioner ~

MARSHALL – Perhaps it's not too surprising that some of the young students in the Union City middle-school biology class were reluctant to dissect a cow's heart.

Not Lynette Robinson. The teen-ager – then known as Lynette Weeks – went right to work, mesmerized by what she saw as the “magic” of how the heart functioned.

“A lot of my classmates were afraid to touch it, but I found it absolutely amazing and interesting,” she recalled. “I never shied away from anything like that.”

In time, the young woman's self-igniting fascination with all things scientific led to an interest in the healing arts.

Now, with more than two decades of experience, she returns to Oaklawn, where she began her medical career as a nurse but now as a family nurse practitioner. Primarily, Robinson will be seeing patients at Oaklawn Medical Group – Obstetrics & Gynecology, in Suite 3D of the Wright Medical Building at 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 558-0702.

Robinson also will provide services at Oaklawn Medical Group's After Hours Express – Marshall, 1174 W. Michigan Ave. No appointments are necessary at this walk-in location. Additional information for this office are available by calling (269) 789-4390.

Robinson grew up on a couple of rural acres near Union City as part of a family where factory work was the norm. Encouraged in her studies by her paternal grandmother, an avid reader, the young woman developed a respect for books and the knowledge they contained.

Her curiosity and drive led her to excel in such high-school classes as chemistry, biology and the physical sciences, and she was inducted into the National Honor Society.

“Originally, I thought about becoming a physician,” she said, “but as I grew older I realized that I wanted to have a family, and the time involved in study would be a challenge if I wanted to have time with them. I decided that I still could make a difference in people's lives as a nurse.”

After graduation from Union City High School, Robinson enrolled at Battle Creek-based Kellogg Community College, from which she received an associate's degree in nursing in 1998.

As a new registered nurse, Robinson launched her medical career in Battle Creek, after which she came to Oaklawn's intensive-care unit, where she worked with patients until late 2001. Her later professional experience included work at Battle Creek Health System, Brookside Surgery Center, The Oaks and The Legacy, all based in Battle Creek.

Robinson returned to school to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Chicago-based Chamberlain University in 2019. She went on to earn a master of science degree in nursing with a speciality as a family nurse practitioner from the same university in 2020. Since then, she has worked as a nurse practitioner for PACE of Southwest Michigan and Albion-based STG International Inc.

Robinson is certified as a registered nurse by the state of Michigan and as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She also is certified in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.

Robinson and her husband of 22 years, Steve, have three children – Hunter, 21; Cole, 19, and Skylar, 18. The family reside near Battle Creek.

“Family is important to me,” she said. “I was very close to my grandparents, who were my babysitters, so I like to do things together with my children and husband, such as family vacations.” She also likes to read psychological thrillers and mysteries, as well as walk four miles daily whenever possible.

Robinson added that she's eager to return to Oaklawn, where she had started her nursing career 19 years ago.

“I had three rotations while I was first with Oaklawn, and I had great experiences at every single site,” she said. “Everyone was wonderful and it was a great environment. So, I really wanted to end up at Oaklawn because I had been so happy there, and everyone had been so supportive.”

When hospitalization was required for her grandparents, they received “great care” at Oaklawn, she added.

“That's another reason I have faith in Oaklawn as a health facility,” she said. “It just feels like coming home.”

October 2021: Marcia French joins Oaklawn

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Marcia French joins Oaklawn's Marshall Primary Care as a family nurse practitioner ~ 

MARSHALL – Marcia French doesn't hesitate when asked what inspired her to pursue a medical career.

“My mother is a registered nurse who got her bachelor's degree at Michigan State University,” she says. “That's the track I took, too. She worked part-time when I was growing up and she loved her career. That drove me to want to follow in her footsteps.”

Taking that example to heart, French launched her own career as a nurse several years ago. She recently earned her degree as a family nurse practitioner and, in that capacity, now is working alongside other Oaklawn Medical Group staff at Marshall Primary Care in Suite 1E of the Wright Medical Building, 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 781-3938.

As a girl growing up in Charlotte, the former Marcia Matwiejczyk could witness firsthand how much her mother enjoyed her work as a nurse at the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, based in Charlotte.

“My brother and I would go in multiple times to see my mom, and we saw the positive work environment,” she said, adding that she can't recall a time in her life when she didn't believe she would pursue a similar career in promoting good health.

“From middle school on, health and wellness have been important to me – exercise, eating healthy and so on,” she said, crediting her mother for encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

“She lived that lifestyle herself and that's always been my mentality,” French said. “So, to work in a field where I could encourage other people in the lifestyle also was a drawing factor.”

Her high school studies – particularly a course in anatomy and pathophysiology – allowed her to prove to herself that she found the biological sciences enjoyable and that she had an aptitude for pursuing them.

After graduation from Charlotte High School, French followed her mother's path and enrolled at Michigan State University, from which she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 2007.

“As I grew older, I realized that was attractive to me about nursing was that there are so many specialties and so many different places to work,” she said. “I liked the variety that it could offer.”

French's professional career provided her with nursing experience at Carson City (Michigan) Hospital, Charlotte-based Barry-Eaton District Health Department and McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.

Then, in 2017, the tragic loss of her husband of 12 years in an accident created a sudden new situation.

“There was a huge change in my life, along with the grief,” she said, “and it's what brought me to nurse-practitioner school when it wasn't something that I'd actually been planning.”

French joined Oaklawn as a registered nurse earlier this year while completing those studies at from Spring Arbor University, and recently earned her master of science in nursing degree as a family nurse practitioner. She is licensed in Michigan as a family nurse practitioner, is certified in basic life support and is a member of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners

Now married to Marty French, the couple live near Charlotte with a combined family of six children. They include Ethan, 13, Lola, 11, Weston, 9, and Mason, 7, who are her children from her first marriage, and Marty's children Jacob, 18, and McKenzie, 14.

When she's not at her medical work, Marcia French now finds herself involved in plenty of enjoyable activity with her family.

“I love to run and do cross-fit every day.” she said. “We have a cottage in Lake City, where we do boating and water sports. In winter, it's snowmobiling.”

French added that she's looking forward to her new work at Oaklawn.

“I was fortunate enough to get a clinical rotation there while in nurse-practitioner school,” she said. “I saw the teamwork and how well people work together. That team aspect really drew me to want to find out more – and it all fell into place.

“I know a lot of people who have had babies here, and they all had a good experience,” she added. “The patient population that Oaklawn Medical Group serves is another drawing factor. Plus, I like being with a small local hospital.”

October 2021: Help sought for Oaklawn Hospice

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ ‘Tour of Tables’ alternative fundraiser to seek financial assistance for Oaklawn Hospice ~ 

MARSHALL – Over the years, an autumn evening of fanciful fun and conviviality has been the best way to describe Oaklawn's annual Tour of Tables fundraiser – although the cause was a serious one.

This year, the ongoing pandemic has challenged organizers to be creative and find an alternative way to seek financial assistance for Oaklawn Hospice Services and the families that have relied on its compassionate care.

“Because of the continuous rise in COVID cases, we will not be holding our typical 'Tour of Tables' event this year,” said Jenna Ellis, Oaklawn's development manager. “Instead, we've invited our community to participate in a 'non-event' fundraiser intended to help people celebrate their lost loved ones while still doing something enjoyable.”

The substitute event, called “Stay Home for Hospice,” is to be observed Nov. 18 and Ellis said participants actually are being advised to do just that – stay at home.

“We encourage you to utilize your free evening to celebrate a lost loved one doing something they enjoyed,” she said. “Maybe you put together their favorite puzzle, watch their beloved movie or dine on a meal you shared together.”

As part of the fundraiser, participants are being encouraged to share their activities via Twitter and other social-media programs, using the Oaklawn designation @oaklawncares, she said.

Tax-deductible donations also are being accepted through Dec. 1, she said, adding that they may be made by credit card or check payable to “Oaklawn Hospital” with a notation designating Oaklawn Hospice as the recipient. Such donations may be delivered to Oaklawn's development office at 116 E. Prospect St., Marshall, MI 49068.

“We'd like to encourage participants to donate in the amount they'd typically spend during a normal 'Tour of Tables' event,” Ellis said.

Additional information is available by contacting Ellis at jlellis@oaklawnhospital.com or (269) 789-7494.

Funds raised during the event will go directly to support Oaklawn Hospice’s comprehensive healthcare program, which works to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of persons with life-limiting conditions and their families, Ellis said.

September 2021: Erin Rockwell joins Oaklawn

During September 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Oaklawn physician Erin Rockwell's fascination with medicine began in childhood ~ 

Erin Rockwell can trace her connection with her medical career with unusual clarity: It began with her birth.

“I was born six weeks premature, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor,” she said, adding that medical attendants worked at length with specialized equipment to assist her heart and lungs until those organs could function independently.

“That equipment could be found only in California and Ann Arbor,” she said. “I took that fact as a divine inspiration – that God had given me a purpose to help other people and that I've got things to do on this planet to help people.”

That's exactly what Rockwell has been doing for several years as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, and now she has joined the Oaklawn Medical Group's medical staff in that capacity.

Rockwell will work initially at the Oaklawn Medical Group's Beadle Lake facility at 14231 Beadle Lake Road, Battle Creek, where appointments may be made by calling (269) 962-0441.

As she became aware of her medical past, the former Erin Darlington seemed to waste no time planning her future.

“At a young age, I told my parents I wanted to be a doctor,” she said, adding that at age 5 she enjoyed playing with a toy doctor's bag.

“I was putting Band-aids on everybody,” she said. “I had a toy stethoscope and would listen to people's lungs, and test their reflexes with the little hammer.”

Fully accepting that Erin was interested in medicine, her parents encouraged her toward high-school courses that focused on the sciences, including biology and chemistry.

After graduation from Northville High School, Rockwell went on to Hope College in Holland, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and psychology in 2005.

“At one point, I had a long conversation with my uncle, who's an occupational medicine physician in the state of New York,” she said. Erin told him that she wanted to be a mother, a wife and a daughter – in short, aiming for a full family life – and asked how professionals could balance all that in the medical field.

“We talked three or four hours, and he went through all the steps,” Erin said. “He talked about the ins and outs and even got me in touch with different people to interview. The more I talked to them, the more I realized that I wanted to go into medical school. That was very formative for me.”

With such encouragement, Rockwell went on to earn her degree as a doctor of osteopathy from Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2011. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Wyoming in 2014.

Since returning to Michigan, Rockwell has been employed through the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System in an outpatient practice, working with patients of all ages, and has participated in guidance programs for nurse managers, senior services and substance-abuse prevention programs.

Rockwell now comes to Oaklawn after three years with a home-based medical practice, during which she visited patients in Lansing and surrounding areas and worked closely with home-health and hospice services.

Rockwell is licensed to practice medicine in Michigan and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine.

Rockwell and her husband of six years, Nathan, a corrections officer in Adrian, reside in Chelsea. The couple have one young son.

During her spare time, Erin Rockwell enjoys family time, reading, travel, baking and cooking.

“I'm mildly obsessed with gardening, and I grow flowers and vegetable all from seed,” she said. “I also like to play music with my family. We often get together to do that.”

She also believes she's found a good home in Oaklawn, where she expects to work with patients at all stages of life.

“Oaklawn is a very good fit because it's a small community hospital, and I believe I have a good rapport with the people there,” she said.