What is “Michigan Medicine?”

This title encompasses medical care thru University of Michigan. They offer services thru many locations. This includes the main hospital in downtown Ann Arbor. However it also includes offices and clinics in Ypsilanti, Chelsea, and even Flint. Michigan Medicine provides medical care for just about any health need.

Where is the Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program?

This unique collaborative program doesn’t rely on a central location. Instead, the program functions at various locations in the greater Detroit area. These include the Brighton Center for Specialty Care, Northville, and Dexter. Sites also include U of M’s main hospital and Mott Children’s hospital, both located in An Arbor. Doctors in this program also have privileges in other locations. See a complete list of the Celiac Disease Treatment Locations, here.

Why not have the program completely under one roof? When the program started in 2015, the doctors associated with the program felt multiple locations allowed their patients more accessability. For instance, those from Lansing or Flint can drive into Brighton, versus downtown Ann Arbor. Those who live in Ann Arbor or farther south may find the main campus easier to get to.

What Kind of Doctors Work in the Celiac Disease Program?

Because Celiac Disease primarily affects the intestinal tract, most doctors in this program hold a specialty in gastroenterology. However, this program also includes almost a dozen dietitians who specialize in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there is are 2 psychologists in their program, to help people cope with the psycho – social side of living with Celiac Disease.

Pediatric Gastroenterologists that Specialize in Celiac Disease

The Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program sees patients young and old. Their pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Grace Jennifer Lee, sees patients at Mott Children’s Hospital, but also at other locations, such as Brighton. She also has privliges at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Dr. Lee also helps children transition to other doctors in the program once they become adults.

Adult Gastroenterologists that Specialize in Celiac Disease

For adults, there are many gastroenterologists who see patients. However, there are two I recommend, who specialize in Celiac Disease. First is Dr Shanti Lynne Eswaran, who gets wonderful reviews from many of my followers. Dr. Ryan Fauble and Dr. Michael Rice also list Celiac Disease as their area of practice. Others have also mentioned Dr. John Del Valle. You can schedule appointments with them at the main campus in Ann Arbor, or at one of their satellite campuses, such as Brighton or Northville. 

Why Should I See a Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program Dietitian?

For starters, not all dietitians are knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. Dietitians in this GI Program not only help you after your immediate diagnosis, but can also help trouble shoot other persistent symptoms. Amanda Lynett comes highly recommended. Here’s how she offers guidance to her patients.

We are now 100% virtual so no need to drive to a center. I teach a group class to introduce Gluten Free Living to all new Celiac patients. Then we meet 1-on-1 with patients roughly 2-4 weeks later.. From there we decide how frequent we meet. If they have other non-celiac symptoms we can address things like FODMAP, EPI, etc.

Amanda Lynett

We must remember that Celiac Disease does not prevent us from other health issues, and gluten may not always be the culprit of our malaise. Staying in touch with a dietitian is helpful as our life changes.

What are the Benefits of Seeing A Gastro Psychologist?

Does your Celiac Disease leave you feeling anxious? Do you find difficulty communicating your needs with friends and family? (Don’t we all?) Dr Megan Riehl explains in her post about the GI Behavioral Therapy department who would benefit from this therapy, and what techniques they use.

What About Those with Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity?

Doctors in the Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program also see patients with non celiac gluten sensitivity. When talking to the main scheduling center, all cases involving Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity are referred to these doctors. Dr William Chey is highly knowledgeable about the FODMAP diet and IBS/IBD.

How Can I Make an Appointment for Any of these Services?

Right now, all appointments with Celic Disease program medical professionals go through the Michigan Medicine central system. That phone number is 888-229-7408. They will find appointment times that will fit your schedule, and location. However, remember that an appointment location closest to you may not always be the earliest appointment. Make sure to specify that you want an appointment with a gastroenterologist that specializes in Celiac Disease. 

Gluten Free Dining in Ann Arbor and Brighton

Looking at traveling to the main hospital in Ann Arbor? Check out my list of Ann Arbor gluten free dining options. Also, University of Michigan dining halls offer fantastic options for students. Visit Tasty Bakery for gluten free baked goods.

If you head to Brighton, you can visit The Village at the Oxford Center for a dedicated gluten free lunch and baked goods. Also make sure to visit No More Belly Aching, just one of many dedicated gluten free bakers in Michigan.

Originally Published May 2020

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Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography, Austin Thomason

Fast forward to 2016. This Ann Arbor campus has started a new partnership with the Food Allergy Research and Education organization. FARE is the “leading national organization working on behalf of 15 million Americans with food allergy” issues. University of Michigan was selected as one of only 10 schools in the country to start a pilot program addressing food safety issues in dining halls and campuses. These universities and colleges will be collaborating and helping to define the best practices for all campuses, hopefully changing the future of dining for students with food allergies across the country. *

Lindsey Haas, dietitian for U of M dining services, gave me a tour of the South Quad dining hall. Walking through the cafeteria felt like walking through a fine dining restaurant. This is the intended impression, as the hall is set up with 14 “micro” restaurants, allowing students to choose from burgers and fries to middle-eastern fare and more. U of M hires classically trained chefs, all certified by the American Culinary Federation, to create their menus and oversee the cooking staff.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Clegg

While the decor is astounding, it is the food safety steps they’ve taken that are even more impressive. Each food station is self-sufficient and most food is made to order, allowing students with food allergies to personalize their meal. All prepared dishes use icons for vegan, vegetarian, MHealthy, GF and Halal, when appropriate.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography, Austin Thomason

The food station I was most impressed with at South Quad was the dedicated gluten-free room.(Bursley hall also has a dedicated room.) This separate locked-down room is stocked with gluten-free and other free-from foods. Students with Celiac Disease and other food allergy & sensitivity needs are given special access to this room through their MCard (student ID).  Before students are given permission for the room, they must undergo online training to reinforce steps in preventing cross-contact. The room is stocked with its own set of plates, silverware & cups, its own dishwasher, and even freshly prepared foods.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography, Austin Thomason

Safe gluten-free options go beyond the dedicated room. Students can take a crust from the room to the 24 Carrots station. There they will make it in a separate pan with separate toppings. This allows the pizza to be assembled and cooked in a controlled way. Students can also take bread and buns from the room and alert staff at the Wildfire station that they need a burger in a dedicated pan and separate area. All dining halls have gluten-free pasta and some sort of dedicated space where gluten-free options are available.

Their food-allergy preparedness goes beyond the kitchen as well. U of M dining has a database of over 10,000 recipes. Each recipe in this database is flagged with allergens as well as vegetarian and halal designations. Access to the food allergy status of foods is provided in two ways. The daily menu lists the foods served that day, along with “GF” designations, for every dining hall. The “My Nutrition” website allows students to use filters to search for safe menu items, as well as keep track of calories. Filters can be applied for the 8 most common allergens as well as pork, oats, and sesame. Filters are also available for gluten-free, halal, “Mhealthy”, spicy, vegan and vegetarian. MyNutrition  displays all ingredients for every single thing found in the dining hall.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography, Austin Thomason

What convinces a major school like the University of Michigan to get involved with such an in-depth program? Jim Baker, the new CEO of FARE, was an allergist through U of M and suggested they participate. University of Michigan is taking their allergy awareness one step further. They are one of more than two dozen locations around the country that serves as a FARE Clinical Network Center of Excellence. These centers will focus on research, create guidelines for patient treatment, and collaborate in a nationwide registry for the use of food allergy patients.
For those living with Celiac Disease, doctors at University of Michigan hospital are also hoping to start the first Celiac Disease Center in the state of Michigan.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Photography, Austin Thomason

So, as a parent what are your biggest concerns about sending your child away to college? As a student, what are the issues that you’ve faced or are concerned about facing? If you could tell the dining hall services at your local university one thing that would make living with Celiac Disease and/or food allergies easier, what would it be?

*(While Celiac Disease is not technically a food allergy, the work that FARE does in training and education greatly impacts the welfare of those needing to follow a gluten-free diet.)

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GRACE

In lat August of 2008, I was asked to go to the U of M vs. Utah football game with my friend and her family. My friend’s father had four season tickets for their family. However, her brother and sister couldn’t make it. Therefore, my friend asked if I’d like to join them that day. I’m not a huge football fan, but my husband convinced me to go.

After eating lunch in Ann Arbor together, the four of us made our way to our seats at the top row of the stadium. I had never been to The Big House before. I stood there momentarily, taking it all in.  The crowd as huge, so huge I felt tiny in a sea of blue and yellow. The excitement of the crowd was so intense, you could practically feel it on your skin. It was a breathtaking moment.  What really took my breath away though was when I finally looked at my entry ticket.

I was startled when I looked at the price on the ticket stub. I asked my friend if the stated $50 fee was what her father actually paid. She nonchalantly said, “Yeah.”

I was dumbfounded. I barely knew her dad. I had never really done anything to deserve such a kind gesture. I’m not poor, but my budget couldn’t really afford to repay this amount. I panicked and asked if her dad wanted me to pay him back.

“Nope.” I just sat there saying “oh my” repeatedly to myself.

It was in that moment that I heard from God. It wasn’t an audible sound. What I “heard” was more of a thought, but so profound and deep down that it resonates in your head and heart. A truth so deep that you know it is not of your own creation. God said –

“This is what my grace is like.”

God’s grace is a gift, nothing to be earned or paid back. He gives it freely, abundantly, simply because He can. Even more, the price paid for God’s grace is something that we can never truly repay. Jesus died for us, gave up His life, simply so that He can repair our broken relationship with God the Father.

Why in the world would God do such a thing? Why would he offer such abundant grace?

Simply because He loves us. His love is higher and deeper than any stadium. It is longer and wider than any football field.

This truth is profound, yet simple. Most days I still cannot fathom it. However, I don’t have to “understand” it. God gives grace. The only requirement is for me to receive it.  To accept the freedom of God’s grace and stop trying to earn it.

Oh my. Oh my. Oh my.

When have you heard God’s voice reveal truth in your life? How has He touched your heart? Please share your story below. 

My other blog posts on the topic of faith:

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