Media Releases

Portage Health is proud to welcome Dr. Lloyd Geddes to its cancer care program.

Dr. Geddes has been practicing oncology since 1998 after completing his residency and a fellowship program at Washington Cancer Institute in Washington D.C.

“We have a great staff that helps our patients feel like family,” said Karen Kelley, unit manager for Portage Health Cancer Care. “Dr. Geddes will be a great addition to our team, and we are pleased to continue offering high quality cancer care services right here in Hancock.”

Dr. Geddes is board certified, and has 15 years of experience working in clinics in Atlanta. He will immediately see patients at Portage Health’s main campus in Hancock.

“I’m excited to start working with the staff and patients at Portage Health,” Dr. Geddes said. “I will do my best with every patient to determine the best plan of care, and help them combat cancer.”

Portage Health offers a full spectrum of cancer care services, including outpatient chemotherapy, radiology, biopsies, blood transfusions, clinical trials and supportive therapy, pain management, support groups and counseling for patients and families, and nutrition and health education.

Learn more about the program at portagehealth.org/cancercare.

Portage Health Rehab is proud to announce it has added two physical therapists to its team. Mallory Rojewski, PT, DPT, and Mark Kargela, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, are accepting new patients today.

“Our focus has always been, and will continue to be quality,” said Mark Randell, director of rehabilitation at Portage Health. “Mallory and Mark will be great additions to our team as they have the experience, passion and skill to provide our patients with the same quality of care they’re used to from Portage Health.”

Kargela is working in the Hancock office, and has extensive experience in spinal rehabilitation, joint manipulation, sports physical therapy and chronic pain. Aside from his undergraduate and doctoral studies, Kargela attained the highest degree of clinic specialization in orthopaedic manual physical therapy after completing a fellowship program.

“Working with the excellent orthopaedic surgeons and family-medicine providers at Portage Health to provide excellent rehabilitation services to our community is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Kargela, who grew up in Calumet. “I’m excited to be immersing myself back into this great community.”

Rojewski will be working full time in the Calumet office, joining therapist Brian Jarvis in our Mine Street Station office.

“I believe in a skilled, hands-on and evidence-based approach to physical therapy,” Rojewski said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know patients and the community in Calumet.”

She has a keen interest in spinal pain, joint manipulation, pediatrics, complex regional pain syndrome (or RSD), total joints and sports injury. She earned her doctoral degree in physical therapy from Grand Valley State University.

Learn more about both of these therapists on their websites, portagehealth.org/kargela and portagehealth.org/rojewski. Call (906) 483-1750 to make an appointment with Kargela, or (906) 337-4029 to make an appointment with Rojewski.

The Ontonagon Community Health Center recently welcomed Rebecca Shifra, FNP, to its staff of family-medicine providers. Shifra joins Dr. Gerald Takala at the clinic, which is co-operated by Portage Health and Marquette General Health System.

“My goal is to get to know my patients and work with them to maximize their health,” Shifra said. ”I like working with patients to develop an individualized plan of preventative care to get the best results.”

Shifra attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton and Oakland University in Rochester for her undergraduate education. She worked in downstate Michigan and northern Wisconsin as a registered nurse. Advanced studies led Shifra to complete her master’s degree at Concordia University Wisconsin. Shifra is extremely excited about the opportunity to provide high quality rural health in Ontonagon.

“I was raised in the Upper Peninsula and am happy to say that my husband and I returned many years ago to raise our family here and run a family business,” she said. “Since arriving in Ontonagon, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the wonderful people of this area.”

Shifra is currently accepting new patients. Call (906) 884-4120 to make an appointment. Learn more about Shifra by visiting portagehealth.org/shifra.

HANCOCK – Nicholas Stevens is the newest member of the Portage Health Board of Directors after being voted in during the board’s October meeting.

Stevens is the executive vice president of business and finance at Finlandia University, where he’s been employed since 2005.

“I look forward to bringing a fresh outlook, youthful energy and my experience in good stewardship of available financial resources to Portage Health,” said Stevens. “I’m also looking forward to continuing the tradition of a strong relationship between Portage Health and Finlandia University.”

Stevens attended Michigan Technological University after graduating from Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools.

“I have a deep commitment to this community,” said Stevens. “Houghton County has been my home since I was 3, and I understand the importance of a thriving Portage Health and what that brings to the surrounding community.

“It is an honor to serve and I look forward to the work ahead.”

Stevens lives in Dollar Bay with his wife April and their two children.

HANCOCK – Portage Health is proud to introduce Stacey Carpenter, DO, as the newest member of its family medicine team. Dr. Carpenter will begin seeing patients in September.

Trained in osteopathic medicine, Dr. Carpenter will provide a full spectrum of primary care services at Portage Health’s main campus, with a special interest in pediatrics, women’s health, manual medicine and skin care.

“In addition to the multiple areas that the family medicine field encompasses, I have a special interest in dermatology and dermatologic procedures,” she said, adding that it’s important to have a close relationship with her patients. “I try to create a comfortable atmosphere so that my patients feel that they can be open and honest with me.”

Dr. Carpenter was first introduced to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1998 while looking at colleges.

“I immediately fell in love with the area,” she said. “I’ve been looking to move back to the U.P. ever since I left for medical school.”

Dr. Carpenter attended undergraduate and graduate school at Northern Michigan University before attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. She completed an internship and residency at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio.

Learn more about Dr. Carpenter by visiting portagehealth.org/carpenter, or call (906) 483-1060 to schedule an appointment.

HANCOCK – Portage Health is pleased to announce a new service to its women’s health offerings in the form of physical therapy. This powerful and natural rehabilitation service helps women of all ages heal and regain strength naturally using specially designed exercises and stretches.

“Physical therapy is a natural solution to problems such as urinary leakage, pelvic pressure, or pelvic or lower-back pain,” said Stephanie Peterson, DPT, PT.

Peterson is specially trained in women’s health physical therapy and will begin seeing patients starting in early July.

“My goal is to provide care in a comfortable, non-intimidating environment, so patients can live without the fear of leakage or pain with daily activities.” said Peterson. “I truly believe in this alternative and look forward to getting to work.”

These problems are especially common in women who have given birth, and appear more commonly through aging.

“You can do something about these problems,” Peterson said.

The service is the latest addition to the Portage Health Women’s Health team, which also offers surgical- and medication-based solutions for many of these same problems.

For more information on the service visit portagehealth.org/womensPT. Additional information on the Portage Health women’s health team can be found at portagehealth.org/women. Call 483-1050 to make an appointment today.

HANCOCK – Portage Health is pleased to announce the arrival of Dr. Anthony Beardmore to its team of orthopaedic surgeons.

Dr. Beardmore has been in the medical field since 1995 serving a wide range of positions in the military where he received more than 20 honors including 12 medals, several ribbons and badges, Army National Guardsman of the Year (1991), and Educator of the Year at the Brooke Army Medical Center Orthopaedic Residency in 2009.

“We’re tremendously excited to bring in someone as talented and experienced as Dr. Beardmore,” said James Bogan, CEO/president of Portage Health. “He’s shown leadership throughout his career and we’re excited to see what he can do for our community.”

Dr. Beardmore completed fellowship programs at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas and Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point, New York after he finished his residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas in 2002.

“I love orthopaedics because you can really get good, long-term results for patients of all ages,” said Dr. Beardmore, who will be specializing in sports medicine, including working closely with athletes from Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University. “This is a good opportunity for me to take care of patients young and old, including working with elite-level athletes to get them back into the action as soon as possible.”

Dr. Beardmore is now seeing patients at Portage Health’s main location in Hancock, call (906) 483-1040 to make an appointment. To learn more about Dr. Beardmore visit portagehealth.org/beardmore.