Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
McLaren Macomb to Open Senior Behavioral Health Facility in Shelby Township
McLaren Macomb in Shelby Township will soon complete construction of the McLaren Macomb Senior Behavioral Health Center, a multidisciplinary inpatient complex to meet senior citizen’s mental health needs.
Located on is Schoenherr Road on the southwest corner of 21 Mile Road, the new facility is slated to open and see its first patient in September.
“It has been very encouraging to see an emphasis placed on behavioral health over the past several years, and the de-stigmatization of those patients in need of care,” says Tom Brisse, president and CEO of McLaren Macomb. “Launching a new service is always exciting, especially one that will meet a growing community need and have such a positive impact on so many families. We are confident this new facility will do just that.”
Construction of the McLaren Macomb Senior Behavioral Health Center began in the fall of 2020 and represents an $8 million investment by the hospital to the community and its senior citizens.
The new 23-bed inpatient facility is designed to meet the needs of adults 55 and older who are in need of treatment for increased anxiety, prolonged emotional issues after a major life event, behavioral disturbances, depression with suicidal thoughts, hallucinations and delusional thoughts, among other behavioral health issues.
A board-certified psychiatrist will oversee the care provided at the facility, which also will include a full complement of registered nurses providing around-the-clock care and an experienced manager to supervise all patient care services. The services of social workers and occupational and recreational therapists will also be available.
Through this facility, McLaren Macomb will add nearly 30 jobs to Shelby Township.
For more information, visit here.
TechTown Detroit Launches Detroit Urban Solutions
Utilizing a $545,600 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, TechTown Detroit and CIV:LAB today announced the launch of Detroit Urban Solutions.
DUS seeks to harmonize innovation ecosystems in areas such as mobility, energy, agriculture, and public health in order to identify common challenges and scalable solutions that can be deployed primarily to residents in need.
“The past year’s public health crisis has ushered in an incredible awareness and need for capacity building within the broader community and on the neighborhood level,” said Paul Riser, director of DUS and a managing director at TechTown Detroit. “Never has there been a time where technological infrastructure and innovative solutions for accessing infrastructure been more apparent.”
DUS partners with stakeholders in sectors including academia, nonprofits, startups, and corporations who seek to implement positive change in Detroit and around the region through ongoing programming, development, and technology pilot projects. Various sectors in and adjacent to technology have involved themselves in DUS’s steering committee in order to expedite innovation where there was an opportunity for in-creased connections.
Beyond the steering committee, members and partners of DUS engage in Civic Studios, which tackle a variety of technologically specific areas by way of problem solving and programmatic solutions, such as the future of building and energy efficiency, water quality and tech, bringing tech to neighborhoods and more.
Recently, TechTown Detroit became one of only 44 organizations across the country awarded an Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge grant.
The grant will be used to support and run Detroit Urban Solution’s Civic Studios and allow DUS to scale and amplify its work through community engagement, communications, and branding strategies. It also will allow for implementing tangible projects that will result in new and existing startups being able to use innovative ideas and strategically collaborate with a wide array of organizations to address issues and problems caused by the pandemic, both by connecting communities to immediately available resources and creating solutions to longer-term issues.
Headquartered at the i2C (Industry Innovation Center, formerly NextEnergy) in midtown Detroit, the organization is led by Riser, as well as Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, founder and executive director, CIV:LAB; and Emily Dabish, director of Detroit, CIV:LAB.
Chicago Company Partners with Metro Detroit Ophthalmology Groups
Midwest Vision Partners of Chicago is partnering with three ophthalmology locations in metro Detroit.
Grosinger, Spigelman, and Grey in Bloomfield Hills; Cataract and Eye Consultants of Michigan in Warren; and the Eye Surgery Center of Michigan in Troy extend MVP’s footprint in the greater Detroit region.
Collectively, the groups add seven physicians, more than 150 employees, and four locations to the MVP network.
“We spent considerable time and effort looking for a partnership with the very best eye physicians and surgeons in Michigan and Ohio and were excited to discover that MVP provides exactly what we were seeking,” says Dr. Les Grosinger of Grosinger, Spigelman and Grey. “We strongly believe this relationship will further our track record of providing exceptional care and clinical results to our patients, utilizing the very latest technology, for years to come.”
Dr. Alan Parent of Cataract and Eye Consultants of Michigan says, “We’re very excited to join the MVP family and take advantage of their suite of operational best practices, management resources, and clinical collaboration. In doing so we hope this partnership will facilitate great patient experiences and continued growth of our practices.”
Yazaki Announces Executive Leadership in North America and Europe
Ryosuke Yazaki has been named president and CEO at Yazaki North America in Canton Township where he will lead day-to-day operations for the region, which includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. He replaces Bo Andersson stepped down from his leadership roles with Yazaki.
Kenichi Fujisawa has been named COO for the region. Yazaki North America has more than 76,557 employees and operates 65 manufacturing facilities.
In the transition, Hans Lemmens became president and CEO of Yazaki Europe and Andreas Di Vece became COO. That region has more than 43,000 employees and operates in 23 countries across Europe and Africa.
Joseph Zerafa has been named acting global head of purchasing.
Busted to Open Store in Rochester Hills April 28
Busted, a lingerie boutique, is opening a location at 136 N. Adams in The Village of Rochester Hills on April 28 at 10 a.m. It’s the store’s fifth location.
Launched in Detroit in 2013, Busted is a custom-fit bra boutique featuring thousands of bras, panties and lingerie at all size and price points. The store also has locations in Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, Cadillac Place in New Center, Ann Arbor, and Chicago’s Hyde Park.
“This fifth location is extra special to me,” says Lee Padgett, owner of Busted. “We’ve all been hiding in our homes for the past year due to COVID-19. It’s time to get off the couch and get dressed again, and that includes your undergarments. People have been knocking on the door wanting to come in, even during our construction.”
During grand opening week, bra and panty sets from Elomi, Fantasie, Freya, and Goddess will be raffled every day. Customers are entered with purchase. The store also is donating a portion of its first month’s profits to Neighborhood House’s Food Pantry in Rochester.
Due to COVID-19, all the Busted boutiques are open for appointment only. To reserve a slot at any of the stores, visit here.
Ann Arbor’s Archimedes Innovations PBC Rebrands to JustLight pbc
Ann Arbor-based Archimedes Innovations PBC, which has developed a variety of science-based light products, is rebranding to JustLight pbc.
The rebrand comes following Asahi Kasei Corp.’s recent investment in JustLight’s Halo product development, a UVC light solution to clean hands, and market demand for more products focused on phototherapy for improving health.
JustLight also closed funding in the amount of $75,000 from Michigan Rise, a state-supported fund investing in Michigan technology startups to help commercialize innovative technologies.
This month, JustLight pbc debuted its newest product called Sunflower, an LED phototherapy device featuring the Softlight mobile app that adjusts the intensity, wavelength, and duration based on the characteristics of each user to provide a the healthy light routine. Phototherapy supports and improves many areas of a healthy lifestyle, from skin and muscle health to healthy brain function.
“Every other phototherapy device on the market has a missing link,” says Peter Forhan, founder of JustLight. “The No. 1 failure mechanism of light therapy is human error, and even an extra centimeter of distance when doing light therapy can mean the difference between positive measurable results and having no effect. Sunflower solves that problem because our Softlight app connects with Sunflower to give exactly the recommended routine of light to each user.”
Sunflower’s technology caught the attention of Auburn Hills automotive manufacturer Eypex Corp., which has partnered with JustLight to produce Sunflower.
In recognition of Earth Day today, JustLight will donate $10 from every preorder to onetreeplanted.org and the charity will plant 10 trees.
For more information, visit here.
Park West Gallery Opens New Museum and Gallery in Las Vegas
Park West Gallery, the world’s largest art dealer, is expanding its global footprint with the opening of a new 7,000-square-foot museum and art gallery at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars, the Park West Fine Art Museum and Gallery brings a world-class collection of art to the Las Vegas Strip. The new location will be hosting curated museum exhibitions highlighting some of the greatest artists in history while also offering curious collectors access to new works from many of today’s artists.
“Everything in Vegas has to be bigger, better, and more beautiful than anywhere on Earth,” says Albert Scaglione, founder and CEO of Park West. “Our collection at the Park West Museum and Gallery Las Vegas will be second to none with everything from emerging artists to one-of-a-kind paintings by Renoir, Chagall, Picasso, and more.”
Park West also is building a 3,000-square-foot museum and gallery in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is expected to open May 1.
To tell the story of how a former NASA engineer became the world’s largest art dealer, author Jeffrey Cyphers Wright has written a book titled “The Book of Albert: How Park West became the World’s Largest Art Dealer.” To order the book, visit here.
Boys & Girls Clubs ‘Industry Club’ to Offer Immersive Entrepreneurship Fellowship
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, in partnership with Amerisure, will launch the first Data Science and Risk Management Industry Club.
The Industry Club will offer an experience that will advance Detroit area youth economically. It will employ youth ages 14 to 18 from May through August to learn about careers that include data science, business analytics, social media analytics, insurance, and risk management, through an entrepreneurial lens. Applications are now open at bgcsm.org until May 6.
In conjunction with the Industry Club announcement, BGCSM will host its annual Friendship Club event virtually today from 4-5:30pm. Registration is free and still open to the public here.
United Irish Societies of Detroit Host St. Patrick’s Parade Fundraiser
The United Irish Societies of Detroit is hosting a Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade fundraiser featuring traditional and contemporary Irish music and dancing on April 25 from 1-7 p.m.
The event can be enjoyed either virtually or in-person and is free to the public. However, a donation is greatly appreciated. To donate, visit here.
The in-person activities will take place at the Monaghan Knights of Columbus, 19801 Farmington Rd. in Livonia. The lounge will have refreshments and strictly enforce CDC guidelines to help fight the spread of COVID-19. A donation of $10 is suggested for in-person attendees.
Others can watch the virtual event on Facebook and YouTube. Links will be posted on the parade website before the event here.
Lawrence Tech Adds Online Master of Science in Health Care Administration
SOUTHFIELD—Rapid growth in the health care industry has prompted Lawrence Technological University in Southfield will offer a fully online graduate degree, the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration.
The program will be offered by the LTU College of Business and Information Technology.
“Lawrence Tech continues its expansion into the life sciences with this new degree, where graduates will have ample opportunities to earn high salaries while improving the healthcare system, a career goal that is admirable and worthwhile,” says Virinder Moudgil, president of LTU.
The program consists of three nine-credit-hour modules: accounting, finance, and marketing for health care; health care administration fundamentals; and information technology in health care and the global health care system. Because the modules focus on different aspects of the industry, graduates can have a successful career in a variety of organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, physician group practices, as well as with insurance providers and other health-related companies.
Dedicated scholarships are available to employees of Ascension Michigan, LTU’s partner in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in physician assistant studies programs — but financial aid is available to all applicants.
Davenport Offering Free Course to Help Unemployed Workers
Grand Rapids-based Davenport University will again offer a free career-focused class to individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online course, Communications 120 – Presentation Techniques, will give each participant an opportunity to hone their presentation skills, build their resumes, enhance their LinkedIn profiles and earn three college credits.
“Davenport is proud to once again be able to offer this opportunity,” says Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport. “Helping our fellow Michiganders aligns with our mission as a university to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills that will lead them to a successful career.”
The interdisciplinary course will be offered online and will utilize free digital education resources and presentations from multiple university departments to help students brush up on their skills to quickly reenter the workforce.
Participants will also get the opportunity to work with Davenport’s Career Services department, which will offer personalized coaching on how to navigate interviews and much more. All participants will receive a grade at the end of the seven-week course. The class will begin on May 10 and is now accepting applications.
Those interested in participating in the course can visit here or call 800-686-1600.
Turning Point to Host Fifth Annual Survivors Golf Outing June 25
Turning Point, the Mount Clemens-based nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of domestic and sexual violence, will conduct its Fifth Annual Survivors Golf Outing on June 25 at Cracklewood Golf Club in Macomb Township.
Ticket prices are $150 for a single or $500 for a foursome. In addition to golf, tickets include lunch, a steak dinner, course games, 50/50, and raffle drawings. Sponsorships are available, starting at $200, with some sponsor packages including a paid foursome. To register to play or to sponsor the event, visit here.
