UP Health System - Portage

07/31/2026

PHONE SERVICE UPDATE:

UP Health System – Portage is currently experiencing intermittent phone service disruptions due to recent weather conditions in the surrounding area. We understand this may create challenges for our patients and appreciate your patience and understanding while repairs are underway.

If you are unable to reach our hospital or clinics at their regular numbers, please dial 906.231.2612

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can find emergency care locations and additional information here: https://www.uphealthsystem.com/emergency-room

We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available and regular phone service is restored. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

07/31/2026

We're proud to share that UP Health System – Portage has been recognized by Forbes in its 2026 Top Hospitals by State rankings.

The rankings are based on Forbes' national Top Hospitals 2026 ratings, which evaluate general acute care hospitals using data from the CMS Provider Data Catalog across four key areas: patient outcomes, hospital best practices, value and patient experience.

UP Health System – Portage earned an overall five-star rating, the highest rating awarded.

We are honored by this recognition and view it as a reflection of the compassion, dedication and commitment our team brings to providing high-quality care for the communities we serve every day.

https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-hospitals-by-state/

The 2026 list of Forbes Top Hospitals by State rates the nation's best hospitals in each state. Discover the top-quality healthcare institutions in your state.

07/30/2026

Back-to-school season will be here before you know it! Now is a great time to schedule:
- Annual checkups
- Sports physicals
- Vaccinations
- Preventive screenings

Getting ahead of the school-year rush can help your family start the new year healthier and stress-free.

07/29/2026

Annual physicals and up-to-date immunizations are an important part of your child's health journey. The summer season is a great time to get your child's annual physical on the calendar.

Learn why physicals are an essential component of your child's health and some tips for helping them stay healthy and safe all year long.

https://www.uphealthsystem.com/news/2025/07/10/take-advantage-of-summer-break-schedule-pediatric-annual-physicals

Does your child need a primary care provider? Visit the Find a Provider tab by clicking https://www.uphealthsystem.com/find-a-doctor/

We're in full swing into summer — and there’s a lot to accomplish while we catch our breath in preparation for another busy school year. The two most important things to do may seem fairly routine, but that doesn’t make them any less of

07/28/2026

Get moving with us this summer! ☀️💪

UP Health System – Portage is excited to offer outdoor FUNctional Fitness classes at Quincy Green in Hancock every Thursday from 10:00–10:45 a.m. through August 27.

Designed for all fitness levels and abilities, these classes focus on building strength, improving stability, reducing fall risk, and helping you stay active and confident in everyday life.

💲 $5 per class or included with a Fitness Center punch card
📱 Register through the MemberMe+ app or call 906.483.1149 to reserve your spot.

Join us outdoors and discover how FUNctional fitness can help you feel stronger, safer, and healthier every day!

07/27/2026

Meet Gabby Blevins, MSN, CNM, a Certified Nurse Midwife and Registered Nurse who cares for women throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period at the Family Birthing Center at UP Health System – Portage.

When asked what she finds most rewarding about her role, Gabby shared:

"The best part about what I do is forming connections with my patients. I get to come alongside women and help them through their pregnancy and birth. It's a true honor!"

Learn more at: https://www.uphealthsystem.com/labor-delivery/portage-birthing-center

We're pleased to have Gabby as part of the care team supporting mothers and families across the Copper Country.

07/25/2026

At UP Health System – Portage, we strive for an environment where you're not just holding a job, you're building a career. We recently caught up with Dillon Velmer, RN, who has built a career branching from nursing to elder care.

Dillon is now assistant director of nursing at PortagePointe, our elder care facility, and he had some insight to share about his career path with UP Health System – Portage.

https://www.uphealthsystem.com/news/2026/07/24/growing-a-career-at-up-health-system---portage--dillon-velmer--rn

To browse available openings at PortagePointe, click here:

https://jobs.lifepointhealth.net/jobs?keyword=elder+associate&searchlocation=&searchradius=100&filter%5Bcompany%5D%5B%5D=UP+Health+System+-+Portage&multiselect-search-0=&multiselect-search-1=&filter%5Bjob_type%5D=&multiselect-search-2=&multiselect-search-3=&search-btn=

What has your career journey at UP Health System – Portage looked like? I started as an RN on the inpatient unit, then moved into a house supervisor role for five years, and since December of 2025...

07/24/2026

UP Health System – Portage has been reverified as Level III Trauma Center through June 2029.

As part of the review process, the state of Michigan conducted a comprehensive evaluation of our trauma program, including patient care processes, clinical outcomes, staff qualifications, available resources and compliance with national trauma standards.

Trauma center verification is awarded only to hospitals that demonstrate the ability to provide timely, coordinated, and effective care for injured patients.

We're pleased to share the results, as we continue serving our community in the Copper Country and beyond.

HANCOCK, Mich. (July 24, 2026) UP Health System – Portage has been reverified as a Level III Trauma Center by the State of Michigan and remains the only Level III Trauma Center in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

07/23/2026

📚✨ Reading with young children goes beyond a bonding moment, by building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Here are three key benefits of reading to children from an early age:

✅ Boosts brain development – Even before children can talk, hearing language helps build important brain connections.
✅ Builds vocabulary and language skills – Books introduce children to new words and rich language they may not hear in everyday conversation.
✅ Supports early literacy and critical thinking – Interactive story time helps children develop pre-reading skills, story understanding and problem-solving abilities.

A few minutes of reading each day can make a lasting impact. Pick up a book, snuggle up and start building a love of learning — one story at a time! ❤️📖

To learn more, visit: https://headstart.gov/publication/read-it-again-benefits-reading-young-children