Disability Network of Mid-Michigan

David Emmel has been named the new executive director of the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan.

Emmel has served on the adjunct faculty at Northwood University teaching Entrepreneurship and in the MBA program for six years as well as being an active business and professional consultant focused on economic development, business strategy and innovation. He spent ten years at MidMichigan Medical Center as the business manager for nursing and surgical services.

"As a non-profit agency servicing twelve counties, we have committed ourselves to having strong ties to our consumers and our communities,” said Board President Jerry Pritchett. “David Emmel’s extensive experience in the both the entrepreneurial and health and human services fields reaffirms that commitment.”

“I’m excited and eager for this new opportunity to work with people in communities throughout mid-Michigan,” said Emmel. “Ours is a ‘quality of life community,’ and as we seek to promote greater independence and accessibility for people with disabilities, that quality of life and our sense of community is greatly enhanced.”

David Emmel holds a Masters in Business Administration from Northwood University. He and his wife, Georgia, are long-time Midland residents. David is an avid skier and musician. He can be reached at (989) 835-4041 ext. 220 or e-mail at emmel@dnmm.org.

Piano Palooza 6 was a humbling success! Thank you to all who gave of their time and their effort. Thank you to those who attended or donated. Thank you to our sponsors. Your support will help youth with disabilities reach their dreams of living and working independently.

DNMM provides services in
Alcona, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Saginaw counties.

We hope you'll join us at Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Midland on Thursday, March 15th. Ruby Tuesday is donating 20% of dining receipts to Disability Network of Mid-Michigan from 11am til close, on March 15th only.  Click the logo above to download a flyer.  Please present the flyer to your server at the restaurant. Come out for a great meal for a great cause!

__Disability Network Marks 100th Nursing Facility Transition 

Nina Chubb spent a week in the hospital before being transferred to a nursing facility. Her insurance would only cover two weeks of residency at the facility. She owned a home, but she was going to need help with day-to-day tasks after leaving the nursing facility. After all, she had broken her right hip only about a year after breaking her left hip.  

Wendy Hartman, a transition outreach specialist at DNMM, visited Nina at the nursing facility. When Nina informed Wendy of the time-sensitive nature of things, Wendy informed Cindy Martin, the transition program manager, and the process was underway.

DNMM staff worked with Nina to create an independent living plan that included, among other things, the need for a lift-chair and in-home support services through the Department of Human Services Chore program.    

"Cindy [Martin] and Wendy [Hartman] were great! They got me a lift chair within a month of me leaving the nursing home," said Nina. "Cindy delivered the chair to me herself and she even helped re-arrange my living room to make it work best for me. I'm quite happy with the services Disability Network provided."

Community transitions is one of the five core services provided by Disability Network of Mid-Michigan. Through this program we help individuals with disabilities transition from institutionalized settings, such as nursing homes, into more independent community living.  

Starting with one transition specialist, the transition program now has four transition specialists and two outreach specialists. In fiscal year 2011, DNMM transitioned 76 people out of nursing homes. DNMM has a goal of transitioning over 100 individuals in just fiscal year 2012 alone!