Kristen Shamus
@kristenshamus.bsky.social
Detroit Free Press journalist covering public health, medicine and health care. Hockey mom, science nerd, politics junkie, and Michigander by way of upstate New York. Syracuse University alum.
Another hospital in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is closing its labor and delivery unit later, further exacerbating a crisis in access to care in rural parts of the state.
This affects more than just pregnant people, Beki San Martin and I reported in a story for the @detroitfreepress.bsky.social.
This affects more than just pregnant people, Beki San Martin and I reported in a story for the @detroitfreepress.bsky.social.
Hospital in Michigan's U.P. to close birthing unit, widening gaps in access to care
Saying it can't recruit enough staff, Aspirus Health plans to close the birthing unit at its Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
www.freep.com
September 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Another hospital in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is closing its labor and delivery unit later, further exacerbating a crisis in access to care in rural parts of the state.
This affects more than just pregnant people, Beki San Martin and I reported in a story for the @detroitfreepress.bsky.social.
This affects more than just pregnant people, Beki San Martin and I reported in a story for the @detroitfreepress.bsky.social.
Saying the nation was "duped" by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a U-M doctor is building a coalition in Michigan to counteract his vaccine policies.
Dr. Pamela Rockwell wants to empower Michigan's medical institutions to "refuse to capitulate to sham science and quackery ... proposed" by Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Pamela Rockwell wants to empower Michigan's medical institutions to "refuse to capitulate to sham science and quackery ... proposed" by Kennedy Jr.
Michigan physician builds coalition to counter RFK Jr.'s 'dire' vaccine restrictions
Dr. Pamela Rockwell is building a coalition of physicians to ensure Michiganders can continue to get the COVID-19 vaccine and others.
www.freep.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Saying the nation was "duped" by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a U-M doctor is building a coalition in Michigan to counteract his vaccine policies.
Dr. Pamela Rockwell wants to empower Michigan's medical institutions to "refuse to capitulate to sham science and quackery ... proposed" by Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Pamela Rockwell wants to empower Michigan's medical institutions to "refuse to capitulate to sham science and quackery ... proposed" by Kennedy Jr.
Riding the wave of today's news cycle makes this smile-maker especially appreciated!
August 5, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Riding the wave of today's news cycle makes this smile-maker especially appreciated!
Enormous news from @helenbranswell.bsky.social:
RFK Jr. says the U.S. will terminate 22 grants funding development of mRNA vaccines, "delivering a crippling blow" to the nation's capacity to respond to future pandemics/infectious disease outbreaks: www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
RFK Jr. says the U.S. will terminate 22 grants funding development of mRNA vaccines, "delivering a crippling blow" to the nation's capacity to respond to future pandemics/infectious disease outbreaks: www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
Health secretary RFK Jr. shuts door on U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research
Vaccine experts and people steeped in pandemic preparedness expressed horror at the news that RFK Jr. has shut the door in U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research.
www.statnews.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Enormous news from @helenbranswell.bsky.social:
RFK Jr. says the U.S. will terminate 22 grants funding development of mRNA vaccines, "delivering a crippling blow" to the nation's capacity to respond to future pandemics/infectious disease outbreaks: www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
RFK Jr. says the U.S. will terminate 22 grants funding development of mRNA vaccines, "delivering a crippling blow" to the nation's capacity to respond to future pandemics/infectious disease outbreaks: www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
Mother Nature’s spectacular light show, taken from Emerald Isle, N.C., on July 25, 2025.
July 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Mother Nature’s spectacular light show, taken from Emerald Isle, N.C., on July 25, 2025.
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
BREAKING: It appears the GOP has some attendance problems with many members not making it back yet to DC. (as of this count 11 missing)
They cannot afford to lose more than a few votes; their margin is just 3. If almost all Dems there, and if some of the 211 are nos, they have a counting problem
They cannot afford to lose more than a few votes; their margin is just 3. If almost all Dems there, and if some of the 211 are nos, they have a counting problem
July 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
BREAKING: It appears the GOP has some attendance problems with many members not making it back yet to DC. (as of this count 11 missing)
They cannot afford to lose more than a few votes; their margin is just 3. If almost all Dems there, and if some of the 211 are nos, they have a counting problem
They cannot afford to lose more than a few votes; their margin is just 3. If almost all Dems there, and if some of the 211 are nos, they have a counting problem
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
An internist calling for the use of scalpels?
Stranger things have happened. Especially when there's key #healthpolicy at stake.
Read this new piece from @kristenshamus.bsky.social in @freep.com to learn more:
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Stranger things have happened. Especially when there's key #healthpolicy at stake.
Read this new piece from @kristenshamus.bsky.social in @freep.com to learn more:
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
'Big, beautiful bill' Medicaid cuts could affect 700k Michiganders -- including George
A chorus of health policy analysts and others warn President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' will have "a devasating impact" on health care in Michigan.
www.freep.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
An internist calling for the use of scalpels?
Stranger things have happened. Especially when there's key #healthpolicy at stake.
Read this new piece from @kristenshamus.bsky.social in @freep.com to learn more:
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Stranger things have happened. Especially when there's key #healthpolicy at stake.
Read this new piece from @kristenshamus.bsky.social in @freep.com to learn more:
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’ | Harvard University | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’
When the extent of the university’s involvement with slavery was unearthed, a scholar tracking descendants of enslaved workers was suddenly fired
www.theguardian.com
June 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’ | Harvard University | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
The trust funds for Social Security and Medicare will run out of money in less than a decade, according to a report released Wednesday.
Here's what to know:
Here's what to know:
Social Security on track to run out of money by 2034, trustees say
The annual report forecasts the date when the trust funds will run out of money, triggering sharp automatic cuts in benefits. Here’s what you need to know.
wapo.st
June 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The trust funds for Social Security and Medicare will run out of money in less than a decade, according to a report released Wednesday.
Here's what to know:
Here's what to know:
Michigan public health leaders missed the crucial 6-day public notification window for the majority of measles cases in the state this year. That's the period of time when vulnerable people can get post-exposure treatment to reduce the severity of illness. Here's why:
Michigan health officials miss crucial notification window for most 2025 measles cases
For only three of Michigan's nine confirmed measles cases, public announcements came quickly enough for people to get post-exposure treatment.
www.freep.com
April 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Michigan public health leaders missed the crucial 6-day public notification window for the majority of measles cases in the state this year. That's the period of time when vulnerable people can get post-exposure treatment to reduce the severity of illness. Here's why:
A second child from Ingham County now has #measles, #Michigan health leaders say, after exposure to a 12-month-old girl with the virus. It comes amid a growing number of cases in the state, which declared an outbreak last week.
Health leaders urge vaccination.
@detroitfreepress.bsky.social
Health leaders urge vaccination.
@detroitfreepress.bsky.social
2nd child from Ingham County has measles after exposure to baby girl with virus
A 1-year-old boy in Ingham County now has the measles, after exposure to a 12-month-old girl who also has the highly contagious virus.
www.freep.com
April 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
A second child from Ingham County now has #measles, #Michigan health leaders say, after exposure to a 12-month-old girl with the virus. It comes amid a growing number of cases in the state, which declared an outbreak last week.
Health leaders urge vaccination.
@detroitfreepress.bsky.social
Health leaders urge vaccination.
@detroitfreepress.bsky.social
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
The spread of measles in the Southwest now constitutes the largest single outbreak since the U.S. declared the disease eliminated in 2000, federal scientists told state officials in a meeting on Monday.
Measles Surge in Southwest Is Now the Largest Single Outbreak Since 2000
Growing case numbers suggest that national total will surpass that seen during the last large outbreak in 2019.
www.nytimes.com
April 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The spread of measles in the Southwest now constitutes the largest single outbreak since the U.S. declared the disease eliminated in 2000, federal scientists told state officials in a meeting on Monday.
They’re a little late to bloom this season, but it feels like maybe there’s hope on the horizon for warmer, better days.
April 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
They’re a little late to bloom this season, but it feels like maybe there’s hope on the horizon for warmer, better days.
Michigan's first measles outbreak is in Montcalm County. The initial case in Montcalm County was reported April 9. Since then, two new cases have been linked to the initial infection.
Statewide in 2025, there have been 7 total cases, with 1 each in Ingham, Kent, Macomb and Oakland counties.
Statewide in 2025, there have been 7 total cases, with 1 each in Ingham, Kent, Macomb and Oakland counties.
Montcalm County has Michigan's first measles outbreak of 2025
Two new measles cases have been tied to an infection initially reported April 9 in a Montcalm County resident who traveled out of state.
www.freep.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Michigan's first measles outbreak is in Montcalm County. The initial case in Montcalm County was reported April 9. Since then, two new cases have been linked to the initial infection.
Statewide in 2025, there have been 7 total cases, with 1 each in Ingham, Kent, Macomb and Oakland counties.
Statewide in 2025, there have been 7 total cases, with 1 each in Ingham, Kent, Macomb and Oakland counties.
“Where have you ‘bean’ all my life?” 🤣
Gotta love a company with a sense of humor.
This made my soup-cooking escapades more entertaining!
Gotta love a company with a sense of humor.
This made my soup-cooking escapades more entertaining!
April 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
“Where have you ‘bean’ all my life?” 🤣
Gotta love a company with a sense of humor.
This made my soup-cooking escapades more entertaining!
Gotta love a company with a sense of humor.
This made my soup-cooking escapades more entertaining!
Earlier this week, I wrote about a Michigan resident who was infectious with measles when traveling through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, a restaurant and health care facility.
It's possible one person exposed thousands to the extremely contagious virus. 1/
It's possible one person exposed thousands to the extremely contagious virus. 1/
Traveler with measles exposed others at Detroit Metro, Grand Rapids airports: What to know
Person lives in Kent County, may have exposed others from March 24-28.
www.freep.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Earlier this week, I wrote about a Michigan resident who was infectious with measles when traveling through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, a restaurant and health care facility.
It's possible one person exposed thousands to the extremely contagious virus. 1/
It's possible one person exposed thousands to the extremely contagious virus. 1/
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
Lev’Veon Jones-White says he isn’t special, but he is lucky.
He is the first child in Michigan to get a total artificial heart after his suddenly stopped beating in August. The device kept him alive for 24 days, until he was able to undergo heart transplant.
www.freep.com/story/news/h...
He is the first child in Michigan to get a total artificial heart after his suddenly stopped beating in August. The device kept him alive for 24 days, until he was able to undergo heart transplant.
www.freep.com/story/news/h...
A Michigan first: 10-year-old Ypsilanti boy lives 24 days with total artificial heart
There were few options when Lev'Veon Jones-White's heart suddenly stopped in August. So U-M doctors implanted an artificial heart.
www.freep.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Lev’Veon Jones-White says he isn’t special, but he is lucky.
He is the first child in Michigan to get a total artificial heart after his suddenly stopped beating in August. The device kept him alive for 24 days, until he was able to undergo heart transplant.
www.freep.com/story/news/h...
He is the first child in Michigan to get a total artificial heart after his suddenly stopped beating in August. The device kept him alive for 24 days, until he was able to undergo heart transplant.
www.freep.com/story/news/h...
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
NEW: The State Medical Board Has Evidence This Doctor Was Hurting Patients. It Renewed His License — Twice. by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and Mara Silvers w/ @montanafreepress.org
The State Medical Board Has Evidence This Doctor Was Hurting Patients. It Renewed His License — Twice.
The Montana hospital that fired Dr. Thomas C. Weiner turned over thousands of pages of documents, but members of the board say they were unaware of them.
www.propublica.org
March 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
NEW: The State Medical Board Has Evidence This Doctor Was Hurting Patients. It Renewed His License — Twice. by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and Mara Silvers w/ @montanafreepress.org
Lunch out with the Detroit Free Press to show solidarity for a #FairContractNow
March 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Lunch out with the Detroit Free Press to show solidarity for a #FairContractNow
We’re almost there. Hang on just a little longer.
March 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM
We’re almost there. Hang on just a little longer.
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
This is horrible to post, but I may as well post it. We are essentially shutting down research operations in my group, which is focused on treatments for pediatric brain cancer. I’m a well funded investigator, and there’s no choice. Science can’t function without the stability of NIH
March 15, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is horrible to post, but I may as well post it. We are essentially shutting down research operations in my group, which is focused on treatments for pediatric brain cancer. I’m a well funded investigator, and there’s no choice. Science can’t function without the stability of NIH
Today, Michigan reported its first case of measles this year.
The virus infected a person from Oakland County who recently returned from international travel. Exposure times/dates/locations are detailed in the
@freep.com story here, along with symptoms to watch for, where to get a vaccine, etc.
The virus infected a person from Oakland County who recently returned from international travel. Exposure times/dates/locations are detailed in the
@freep.com story here, along with symptoms to watch for, where to get a vaccine, etc.
State's first 2025 measles case reported, likely exposing others at 2 Rochester locations
People at Kruse and Muer restaurant and Henry Ford Rochester earlier in March may have been exposed.
www.freep.com
March 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Today, Michigan reported its first case of measles this year.
The virus infected a person from Oakland County who recently returned from international travel. Exposure times/dates/locations are detailed in the
@freep.com story here, along with symptoms to watch for, where to get a vaccine, etc.
The virus infected a person from Oakland County who recently returned from international travel. Exposure times/dates/locations are detailed in the
@freep.com story here, along with symptoms to watch for, where to get a vaccine, etc.
Reposted by Kristen Shamus
An unvaccinated adult who died in New Mexico had measles, USA Today reports. This may be the 2nd U.S. death this year.
As the number of measles cases swell, there may be a huge segment of the U.S. population that is unknowingly vulnerable to the virus: People born between 1957-1989.
1/
As the number of measles cases swell, there may be a huge segment of the U.S. population that is unknowingly vulnerable to the virus: People born between 1957-1989.
1/
Possible second measles death in US, New Mexico officials say. Both deaths unvaccinated
The New Mexico resident didn't seek medical care before dying, but the person tested positive for measles, state health officials said.
www.usatoday.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
An unvaccinated adult who died in New Mexico had measles, USA Today reports. This may be the 2nd U.S. death this year.
As the number of measles cases swell, there may be a huge segment of the U.S. population that is unknowingly vulnerable to the virus: People born between 1957-1989.
1/
As the number of measles cases swell, there may be a huge segment of the U.S. population that is unknowingly vulnerable to the virus: People born between 1957-1989.
1/