gr gems

Women and Prohibition

Local women worked for and against Prohibition.

BY JULIE TABBERER, GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

A colorized image (top) from the Dorothy Keister papers shows women and children advocating for Prohibition in Grand Rapids. The map (right) shows which Michigan counties were wet or dry as of 1907.

As Prohibition played out in Grand Rapids, local women were active on both sides of the issue. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was a major player, advocating for both moral and legal temperance. Grand Rapids women like Mary E. Bodwell, Rev. Etta Sadler Shaw, Emma Ford and Lydia Kellogg Boise gave speeches, published articles and advocated for changes in state legislation.

Later, the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR) pushed to abolish Prohibition. On April 11, 1933, Michigan was the first state to ratify the 21st amendment, repealing Prohibition. Leaders in the WONPR were recognized for their part in the effort, including Grand Rapids native Dorothy Smith McAllister, who went on to become the director of the Woman’s Committee of the National Democratic Party. In Grand Rapids, she had the honor of being the first person to legally purchase alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition — her bottle of champagne was handed over the counter by Mayor John D. Karel.

The battle over liquor laws stretched over decades, from the formation of the WCTU in 1874, to national Prohibition starting in 1920 and ending in 1933. During that time, women advocated for and against Prohibition, exercising their right to be heard and to effect change. They remind us of our responsibility to speak on issues today.

Metro Health Adds Robotics to Expertise for Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

A new, state-of-the-art robotic tool

allows Metro Health – University of Michigan Health to diagnose lung cancer at earlier stages, which is key to improving survival from the No. 1 cause of cancer death in the United States.

Although the availability of lung cancer screening has led to improvements in the early detection of cancers, a biopsy is required to diagnose early-stage cancers, which are usually very small and located in hard-to-reach parts of the lung.

Metro Health is addressing that challenge with the region’s first use of the Ion platform, a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy tool for faster, more accurate, and minimally invasive biopsies. The robot’s shapesensing technology allows interventional pulmonologist Dr. Mounir Ghali to precisely guide a thin catheter through the patient’s mouth into the airway tree, and safely perform a biopsy even in the smallest and most remote regions of the lung.

The procedure takes an hour or less. Patients go home after they recover from the anesthesia, and typically can return to work the next day.

“Historically, most cancer diagnoses were late,” Dr. Ghali says. “When we’re able to detect, diagnose, and treat sooner, we can help a patient outlive the cancer.”

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy uses an existing CT scan of the lungs to generate a three-dimensional map to the target area. With a computer acting as a GPS and a vision probe allowing a real-time view inside the airway, the physician guides a 3.5-millimeter catheter along the path. The catheter’s narrow diameter and maneuverability allow it to safely twist though tight corners, reaching all segments of the lung. (The Ion is compatible with existing equipment, including cone-beam CT equipment designed to support realtime bronchoscopic navigation.)

Once the target is reached, a needle inside the catheter collects the biopsy.

“The Ion system o ers significant advantages to previous bronchoscopy technology,” says Metro Health CEO Dr. Peter Hahn, a pulmonologist. “This exemplifies our constant e orts to improve options for patients facing the possibility of lung cancer. Not only is Dr. Ghali a boardcertified, fellowship-trained interventional pulmonologist, he’s now equipped with the most advanced tool available for a fast, safe, and accurate diagnosis.”

As part of the Cancer Network of West Michigan, a regional collaboration with Mercy Health and Michigan Medicine, Metro Health is committed to innovation that provides hope for people who are facing cancer.

Dr. Terrance Barnes, who leads the lung cancer program for Metro Health, says that “with the combination of lung cancer screening and improved diagnostics, including the Ion robot, we have the opportunity to identify and diagnose lung cancers earlier, improving patient outcomes.”

Dr. Barnes says patients with questions about their risk factors should talk to their physician, or explore the information on Metro Health’s website. 

Metro Health - University of Michigan Health

Pulmonary Medicine 2122 Health Dr. SW, Ste. 220 Wyoming, MI 49519 616-252-5220 metrohealth.net