Uniforms
All Bronson employees wear name badges with their picture. Many also wear uniforms. For example, nurses wear white tops and white or green pants, unless they have on blue scrubs. Physical therapists wear navy blue tops and bottoms. Patient Care Assistants are dressed in teal green. Environmental Services (housekeeping) wear maroon uniforms.

Medical Staff
Your attending doctor is the main doctor taking care of you while you are in the hospital. Other staff with special training will help this doctor. These include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. Often doctors called hospitalists and intensivists will take care of you. These doctors are trained to take care of patients in the hospital. They only work at the hospital and in the intensive care units. They are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Other doctors will consult with your doctor. They may offer their opinion or be asked to give special medical care.

As a teaching hospital, Bronson works closely with Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. There are more than 150 residents, or doctors, in training. Residents take care of patients while a staff doctor supervises.

Bronson has more than 700 doctors and advanced practitioners in many specialties. The hospital is the only Level I Trauma Center in the region. It is also certified as a Primary Stroke Center for neurological care and is the region's only accredited Chest Pain Emergency Center. Bronson is also the leading BirthPlace and only high-risk pregnancy center in southwest Michigan. The Children's Hospital at Bronson is one of only four children's hospitals in the state.

Nursing Staff
A team of professional registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and patient care assistants (PCAs) provides 24-hour nursing care at Bronson. Charge nurses, unit coordinators and a nurse manager oversee the team. Nurses plan and provide patient care while working with the doctor, patient, family and other members of the patient care team.

Pharmacists
Bronson pharmacists can answer your medication questions. They also look at patient charts and talk to the doctors about what drugs work best for you. Most important, they make sure your medication is the right one and right amount for you. Bronson uses a process called the "five rights." This makes sure we are giving the right dose of the right medication to the right patient in the right place at the right time. Please be patient as we ask you your name, date of birth, and check your identification band each time you receive your medicine. We do not want an error to occur. If we forget to ask, please remind us. Your safety is important.

Case Managers and Medical Social Workers
Every patient at Bronson has a case manager to help you and your family create a discharge plan, a plan for when you leave the hospital. Case managers are registered nurses who help order and arrange for medical equipment at home. They can set up skilled nursing or hospice care services. They can also refer you to rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities. Case managers work with your doctors, nurses, therapists and insurance companies to help you get ready to leave.

Medical social workers are also available to listen and help you and your family through what may be a difficult time. They are trained to help with financial, social and emotional problems while you are at the hospital. They can help you and your family deal with loss of income, disability, housing needs and grief. Medical social workers also help with safety, mental health assessment, substance abuse and durable power of attorney. They can refer patients to local community agencies. Medical social workers help you get ready to leave by looking at your home situation and support systems.

To speak with your case manager or medical social worker, ask your nurse, or call (269) 341-7943. These are free services for all patients.

Rehabilitation Therapists
The Bronson rehabilitation team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. Their goal is to help you become as independent as possible and get you ready to leave the hospital. If you need more rehabilitation after you leave, you can go to one of Bronson's outpatient or home rehabilitation programs.

Cardiovascular Service Specialists
Bronson's Cardiovascular Services team includes cardiac specialized nurses, certified cardiovascular technicians, registered radiologic technologists, registered ultrasound technologists, exercise specialists and supporting clerical staff. The team provides diagnostic and therapeutic heart catheterizations; electrophysiology studies; vein, artery, and heart ultrasound imaging; cardiac rehabilitation services; stress testing; holter and event monitoring; and electrocardiogram (EKG) services.

Radiologists and Radiologic Technologists
Radiologists employed by Bronson Advanced Radiology Services are doctors trained and board-certified in diagnostic imaging. They work with our certified radiologic technologists to provide X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiographic procedures.

Respiratory Therapists
Bronson's respiratory therapists are nationally registered professionals (RRT) who work with doctors to provide state-of-the-art respiratory care. They provide therapy, manage life support equipment, recommend respiratory care, and educate patients and families about respiratory illness and medications. Bronson's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program and home care services can take care of you after you leave the hospital.

Pastoral Care/Hospital Chaplains
The Pastoral Care staff is available to patients and their families 24 hours a day. Hospital chaplains provide support or can help you contact your own clergy or other religious resources. Ask the nurse to page the chaplain for you or dial (269) 341-7444 from a house phone and leave your name and room number.

Hospital Volunteers
More than 450 volunteers are active in Bronson departments and patient care units. They help make your stay more pleasant. Volunteers deliver mail and flowers to your room. They also greet and escort visitors and families from our entrances and the information station. For more information, call (269) 341-8644.