Jackson Magazine

09/10/2026

Finish line details are coming together for the Journey to the Farm 5K on September 26th.

After completing the course at Cascades Falls Park, participants can collect their finisher medal, grab post-race refreshments, and check out local food options on-site. It’s set to be a great morning for runners, walkers, and supporters alike.

If you haven't signed up yet, online registration is still open.

👇 Register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Jackson/JourneyToTheFarm5K

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Passion Gibson on being named a 2026 Health Care Angel!

Passion Gibson is a home health aide, behavioral technician, and business owner. With more than 20 years of experience, she makes an impact through multiple care settings, offering in-home care, behavioral health support, and disability services.

On weekday mornings, Gibson works for Arcadia Home Care - Jackson, Michigan, which involves providing personalized in-home care to seniors and individuals with disabilities. The tasks range from homemaking services to companionship and transportation. Then, in the afternoons, Gibson shifts into her role as a behavioral technician for Centria Autism. Here she works one on one with children to implement Applied Behavior Analysis therapy plans.

In 2025, Gibson founded Passion Centered Care Solutions, LLC, which is a Michigan-licensed in-home care provider. “I always knew that I was a businesswoman, and I wanted to get into entrepreneurship,” Gibson said. Raising her special-needs son was ultimately the experience that helped her see what she might contribute to the health care community as a business owner.

Read the article: loom.ly/d1lppRg

09/09/2026

The Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM) has announced the Best of Community Banking award recipient to be recognized at the CBM Annual Convention & Expo, September 16-18, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan. Joanne Rau, President and CEO, Chelsea State Bank, will be recognized for her positive impact and dedication to the community banking industry at the CBM banquet held Thursday evening at the convention.

The Best of Community Banking Award recognizes the contributions and success of Michigan community bankers. Special recognition is given to the community banker who has made significant contributions to their communities and the community banking industry.

Read the entire press release:

Joanne Rau, President and CEO, Chelsea State Bank, will be recognized for her positive impact and dedication to community banks.

09/08/2026

Congratulations to Jody Dennis on being named a 2026 Health Care Angel!

Dennis has more than 25 years of nursing experience and currently serves as hospice clinical manager at Optimal Care. Dennis’s path to her current role has included experience in a group home, in a surgical unit and a cardiac unit, and as assistant director of nursing and infection control in a skilled nursing facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, as hospice clinical manager for Optimal Care, Dennis mentors and trains nurses, acts as a resource for volunteers, partners with physicians and care coordinators, and leads by doing. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of teamwork and uses her leadership role to know and support her staff in every way possible as they care for patients and their families.

Read the article: loom.ly/4gLuMnM

09/07/2026

Congratulations to Angela Edward on being named a 2026 Health Care Angel!

For the past eight years, she has worked as a social worker at Blackman Township-based Thome PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). She works with senior clients who qualify to live in nursing homes but choose to live at home.

“Thome PACE builds services around participants so they can stay in their homes as long as possible,” Edward said. As a geriatric social worker, Edward assesses participants’ needs and develops individual care plans, implemented through case management. She helps participants access recreational, occupational, or physical therapy, medical care at PACE’s on-site health center, in-home services, and other support to strengthen skills that might weaken with age.

Read the article: loom.ly/ZHpnaKY

09/04/2026

As the school nurse at Western Elementary School in the Western School District, Abby Blume is a beloved member of the school community.

Every day, Blume goes far beyond the basic responsibilities of her role. She meets every student — all 1,300 of them — with patience, warmth and genuine care as she tends to minor injuries, manages chronic health conditions or offers a calm presence during difficult moments. According to her nominator, Blume truly sees the child in front of her and treats the whole child, not just the injury.

Read the article: loom.ly/q7hNWMQ

09/03/2026

Discover what local professionals are saying about leadership. Each has a unique position and an interesting perspective! Read the article "Thoughts on Leadership" 🔗 loom.ly/pT8DNQw

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

A growing body of research shows that contact with nature is associated with better mental health, lower stress, improved sleep, and increased physical activity. Some studies even find lower mortality risk. None of this should surprise anyone who's felt better after a walk. For business owners and community leaders, there's a practical takeaway buried in the research: nature access isn't just nice to have ― it's infrastructure.

Read the article: loom.ly/mfdaGI8

09/01/2026

This month, we celebrate outstanding health care professionals with our Health Care Angels Awards! The awards honor health professionals in Jackson County who exemplify excellence in health care settings and positively impact patients’ lives.

🔗See the winners and read their stories: loom.ly/XE8X6HU