Ostomy Care

Living with an Ostomy

When you have to undergo an ostomy, you may face a number of complex lifestyle challenges. Certified wound, ostomy, continence (CWOCN) nurses, also know as enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses, are available at Spectrum Health Lakeland to assist in your care. CWOCN/ET nurses provide preoperative counseling, stoma site-marking, and education and support regarding your ostomy needs. 

Getting the Support You Need

The Southwest Michigan Ostomy Association is a monthly support group to improve the quality of life for people who have an ostomy or who many be candidates for an ostomy. Meetings feature various discussion topics, highlighted with speakers, as well as the opportunity to meet other ostomates. The goal of this group is to provide support, advocacy, and education for ostomates and their families or caregivers. 

The support group is open to all Southwest Michigan residents who have a colostomy, ileal conduit, urostomy, ileal conduit, urostomy, ileostomy, or contient diversion (intestinal or uniary diversion). 

Group meets the second Thursday of each month
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lakeland Medical Center, Radiation Oncology
1234 Napier Avenue, St. Joseph 

Join the Conversation 

Living with an ostomy isn't always easy- and you're not alone. Spectrum Health Lakeland offers private, online Facebook group hosted by healthcare professionals offering resources, dialog, and day-to-day support. Joining is easy! Once you log in to Facebook you can search for the "Lakeland Health Ostomy Support" group and request to join. Once your request is approved you'll receive a notification. This group is a "closed group" which means only members of the group will see what is posted, the information will not be shared with your personal Facebook friends. 

Contact Us 

Certified wound, ostomy, continence nurses can be contacted at the following locations:

Lakeland Hospitals in Niles, St. Joseph, and Watervliet 
269.983.8804

Lakeland Wound Center
269.683.8070

Lakeland Homecare
St. Joseph/Benton Harbor 269.985.4400
Niles 269.687.1419

 

Joseph Farber, MD

Joseph Farber, MD

Orthopedics


About the Provider

Video Title:Knee Injury: Jonathan Paulus "Bouncing Back from an Injury"

Video Summary: While playing a game of basketball, 37-year-old Jonathan Paulus noticed discomfort in his knee. In the days that followed he could no longer straighten his knee and knew it was time to seek medical care.

Video Title:Knee replacement surgery: Mark Schuelke "Knee pain takes a hike"

Video Summary: After two knee replacements, Mark’s knee pain has taken a hike. And so can he—pain-free.

Video Title:Physician Video Profile: Joseph Farber, MD (Orthopedics)

Video Summary: Introducing Dr. Joseph Farber, an orthopedic surgeon at the Southwest Michigan Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.

Video Title:Number One in the State for Orthopedic Care - Spectrum Health Lakeland

Video Summary: Spectrum Health Lakeland is proud to be named number one in the state for orthopedic care.

Education

Internship
  • Henry Ford Hospital
Residency
  • Henry Ford Hospital
Fellowship
  • Houston Methodist - Baylor Sports Medicine
Medical School
  • Loyola University
  • Major: Medical Degree

Testimonials

  • "Dr. Farber took the time to listen to me and answer my questions. He was also very helpful by providing tips on how to get along once I went home."

    “Dr. Farber was great and very reassuring. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to play the sports I love, but Dr. Farber helped me understand that if I followed the outpatient therapies and instructions from him, I would be able to return better than ever.”

    “Dr. Farber took into account the activities I enjoyed doing and my everyday lifestyle. I was ready to get moving again and I felt like he wanted what was best for me.”

    "Dr. Farber covered everything in very specific detail leading up to the surgery."

Insurances Accepted

  • Aetna
  • ASR
  • Assurant Health
  • Cigna
  • Federated
  • Group-Marketing
  • Healthscope
  • Humana
  • Liberty Union
  • Nippon Life
  • PHP of Northern Indian
  • Priority Health
  • Starmark
  • Trustmark
  • United Health Care
  • US Health & Life
  • Community Health Alliance (CHA)
  • Select Health Network
  • McLaren
  • United Health Care - Community Plan
  • Meridian

Office Locations

A

Southwest Michigan Center for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

183 Peace Blvd,
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 428-3500 (269) 429-6429 http://swmortho.com Get Directions
B

CH Orthopedics Longmeadow

6 Longmeadow Village Dr, Suite 1,
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 684-6484 (269) 684-6685 http://www.shlakelandortho.com Get Directions

Continue Watching

Corewell Health - We Can

What can we do together? Can we beat the unbeatable? Can we achieve the unthinkable? Can we reach our health goals? And accomplish even more along the way? Can we live healthier, fuller, happier lives? With Corewell Health, we can.

Feb 16, 2023
Check-up: Peripheral artery disease and wound care (Gary Witucki, DO)

At the Lakeland Wound Center, our care team knows the importance of proper wound care. Learn how we’re helping treat patient is our community at lakelandwoundcenter.com

Jul 29, 2021
Check-up: Diabetic foot care (Tracy Ford, NP)

At Lakeland Wound Center Tracy Ford, NP, often sees patients with wounds on their feet caused by decreased sensations. Hear why daily foot care is so important for those with diabetes and what signs you should be looking for.

Jun 10, 2021
Provider Video Profile: Tracy Ford, NP (Wound care)

Tracy Ford, NP, cares for patients at the Lakeland Wound Center.

May 10, 2021
Physician Video Profile: Gary Witucki, DO (Wound Care)

Gary Witucki, DO, is a wound care physician seeing patients at Lakeland Wound Center in St. Joseph and Niles.

Apr 21, 2020
Wound Center: Carolyn Drier “The Path to Healing”

Carolyn Drier suffered a fall in the parking lot that resulted in a small lesion on her knee. After her wound would not heal she scheduled a visit to the Lakeland Wound Center in Niles.

Nov 19, 2019
Physician Video Profile: Sharon Rooney-Gandy, DO (Wound Care)

Sharon Rooney-Gandy, DO, helps those with non-healing wounds at Lakeland Wound Center.

Jan 18, 2019
Heal Your Feet: Foot Care for Diabetics (Krista Schulte, CWOCN, FNP)

When you have diabetes, minor foot injuries can quickly become serious issues if not properly taken care of. Learn how to care for your feet to avoid further complications.

Mar 06, 2018
Bigger than a Building: Newly renovated Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital Pavilion

The newly renovated Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital Pavilion in St. Joseph focuses on high-tech modernizations and exceptional patient experiences.

Dec 07, 2022
How can you prepare for the cost of birth?

Are you expecting? You may have a lot of financial questions. Our financial counselors are here to help, regardless of your situation.

Dec 06, 2021

Trending on Lakeland

Corewell Health names new president for Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan

Natalie Baggio, RN, will become the new president of Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan, effective July 1. She will report to the system’s Chief Operating Officer, Darryl Elmouchi, M.D., and also will actively engage with the health system’s leadership team.

Corewell Health Center for Wellness Has Relocated to Expand Local Health Services in Benton Harbor

The Corewell Health™ Center for Wellness has moved to a spacious new building around the corner from its original facility. The new space is approximately 24,000 square feet - nearly 20 times larger than the previous location, adding adequate room to expand community-based health services.

Corewell Health’s President in Southwest Michigan Announces Retirement

Loren B. Hamel, M.D., president, Corewell Health™ in Southwest Michigan, has announced his plan to retire on June 30, 2024.

New Members Appointed to Corewell Health South Board of Directors

Corewell Health welcomed two new members to its board of directors in Southwest Michigan. Bertha King and Stephen Hempel, M.D., began three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2024.

Corewell Health Announces Changes to Board of Directors, Appoints New Chair

Today, Corewell Health™ announced changes to its board of directors, including the introduction of two new members, the appointment of a new chair and vice chair, and the departure of three founding board members.

Corewell Health Encourages Community Members to Donate Blood, Save Lives This Holiday Season

Corewell Health™, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, is encouraging Lakeland area community members to donate blood this holiday season. A series of community blood drives will take place this December.

Corewell Health, YMCA Increase Access to Healthy Foods Through Veggie Van™ Partnership

The Veggie Van™, a mobile farmers market, served 13 counties throughout Michigan this year, ensuring that free fruits and vegetables were available to individuals who otherwise had limited access. The program, a joint effort of Corewell Health™ and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, launched in 2018 to combat food insecurity and will continue for a sixth consecutive year in spring 2024. Through their partnership, 46,466 free pieces of produce were distributed to Michigan families in 2023.

Corewell Health Named a Leading Inclusion Index Company

Corewell Health™ was named to professional services and research firm Seramount’s 2023 Inclusion Index. The recognition measures three key areas of an organization: best practices in the recruitment, retention and advancement of people from historically marginalized groups—women, racial/ethnic groups, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people; inclusive company culture; and demographic diversity.

South Haven Luminary Fundraiser  for Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care

Community members are invited to support Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, formerly Caring Circle, by purchasing a luminary now through Monday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Gastroenterology joins Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan

Southwest Michigan area residents can access gastroenterology services at a new Corewell Health™ facility, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Gastroenterology, 3903 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph. The facility, formerly Great Lakes Gastroenterology, joined Corewell Health on Nov. 1.

Drug Take Back Day Encourages Community to Dispose of Unwanted Medications

Corewell Health and Berrien County Sheriff Department have teamed up to collect unused and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal. Community members are invited to stop by Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital and Corewell Health Care Center on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New General Surgeon Joins Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan

General surgeon Andrew Vaughan, D.O., joined the medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Dr. Vaughan will see patients alongside several board-certified surgeons and advanced practitioners at 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Physician to Diabetes and Endocrinology

Board-certified endocrinologist, Inderpreet Madahar, M.D., will join Corewell Health’s medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Dr. Madahar will see patients at Corewell Health Diabetes and Endocrinology – Royalton, 3950 Hollywood Road, Suite 288, St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Primary Care Provider in Coloma

Family nurse practitioner Andrea Edgerly, N.P., has joined the Corewell Health™ medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Edgerly is accepting new patients at Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital Primary Care - Coloma, 6701 Paw Paw Ave.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Nurse Midwife

Alexandra Vroom, CNM, has joined Corewell Health™ in Southwest Michigan. Vroom will see patients alongside three physicians and four other advanced practice providers at Corewell Health Women’s Health‐ Royalton, 3950 Hollywood Road, Suite 100, in St. Joseph.

Copyright © 2024 Corewell Health. All rights reserved.
Hospital