Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan is a non-profit medical hospital. Although it does not have an inpatient ED program, it provides medical stabilization for adolescents and adults with eating disorders, using room-based treatment and IP protocol on a regular medical floor.
Medical stabilization for all ages is coordinated through WMed Health Adolescent Eating Disorders Clinic.
Any reviews or information? Please post in comments below. You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions to answer in reviews. Thank you!
There is a new physician helping the other eating disorders physician. Her name is Dr.G. Never mer her but she seems like very nice, and they have begun to provide a better reference to look at if you have to seek treatment. Not a huge fan of RD, I see a different one.’
I see some of you were asking how to be admitted here for eating disorder for one age of factor in being admitted, since Bronson is their own company and they’re not under a major healthcare system, like Asension. It is definitely harder to get admitted. I am now 25. The eating disorder doctor dropped me two years ago unfortunately, there are no doctors there who specialize in eating disorders for adults, I know if you get admitted on the unit that usually put eating disorder CALLED EMCU The nurses there are trained to treat patients with eating disorders on and then also, we have the pediatric unit the children’s hospital. Those nurses are also trained as well. My advice to get admitted so I basically just told them what my symptoms were, and that I was at a higher risk off refeeding syndrome and I really advocated hard for myself. Unfortunately the ER doctors are hit or miss but I know previously one of my old DOCTORS told me that you can ask the attending physician for whoever is caring for you in the ER. You can ask that physician in the ER and you can ask for Internal Med pediatrics where you can tell them to consult with Doctor Kristine Gibson*. She is the doctor that you need to go to for ED because she can actually help. I have had very good experiences with her. She would come to me and talk to me in the hospital room for hours she’s over all really sweet.
unfortunately, getting admitted to the emergency room is really hard. Sometimes you could have your provider call emergency room and say how do you like insomnia patient over there here for this that…. When you’d probably be able to get a bed it’s just because the bed availability is so bad right now and they’re assuming you know everybody who has an eating disorder needs to just go to an eating disorder clinic but obviously that’s against him some peoples wishes and then also it just is sometimes easier for people just to be hospitalized so they can get back on track, that’s what I do when I need the help so I just that’s my advice on definitely consult with those other physicians like I said just talk to the emergency room doctor that you want to speak to somebody in peds. They can consult a pediatric hospital team and they are trained and Medical stabilization for eating disorders. I hope these options work for you and I hope you get the help that you need because nobody deserves to suffer like this.
*admin note: in line with the mission of EDTR and in order to facilitate access to lifesaving care, an exception to the “no name” rule for anne’s post/s has wholeheartedly been made here
Is there anyone that could contact me and offer more information on Bronson? I need to go IP in the next week or two, and it seems like Forest View is my only option but if I can do literally anything else (within Michigan, and I’m male so not Sanford), I will. I’ve tried talking to them but was met with the same information of them only treating adolescents. If anyone could help me a bit, that’d be super appreciated
Here is information from an anonymous community member who did medical stabilization there as an adult. This person is not currently on the site but wanted me to pass on info still. Let me know if this works!
Regarding the cranky people who answer the phone at the clinic and turn away adults, I don’t know why they don’t just connect adults to the department that does facilitate admissions for them. Or at least provide us with it so we can do it for them. It would make things so much easier for everyone! As explained by our community member:
You can only be directly admitted through Bronson first if you have a provider who is affiliated with bronson. You may have to go through the ER
Hi grey, were you able to get in??
Im considering this program and am hoping to get some more updated info ☺️
No, unfortunately. When I went to the er there, they didn’t know what I was talking about and I was unable to get any help. So I’m really not sure what the process for getting admitted is. I’m still struggling months later and am also curious for more information.
added a notation
One of the adolescent medical doctors who is running this program is moving to California in the Fall. (I got news from another doctor at WMED) so now they’re will only be one ED specialist. I don’t know how the on call will work or if they will find someone to take her place but the staff on the PEDS floor and adolescent medicine are knowledgeable of these protocols. I figured I’d update you all.
I am no longer going to be a patient with the Internal medicine and adolescent medical team. I can still consult with Bronson Internal Med (but they are not as knowledged as academic med for this program) I will answer questions and provide help that I can. But I no longer really am a candidate for this. It helped me when I needed it and I will miss my doctors but due to switching to a new PCP and potentially a new hospital due to trauma. I just want to thank BMH for treatment they provided to me.
Well I’m proud and yeah I can provide you with a few numbers and potential emails if I can find any 🙂
Thats so good I hope you get the stabilization you need. If you could keep me anonymous and just a friend from MI reccomended it that would be great. Just cause HIPPA. but i’m glad I could help I hope you get answers 🙂
I have been inpatient here many times! If you’re a child it’ll work usually effectively. but for the adults it’s complicated. I would not recommend if you are super sick and deep into your ED. First of all they give you this “contract for recovery”
It basically states.
1.) food trays are automatic. You get three dislikes. (You can also do dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian whatever) Just three dislikes. You have 30 minutes to finish meals and 15 to eat snacks. Your meal plan starts low and increases every few days. You have to eat everything off your tray.
My experience with this as an adult was a bit more flexible. The kitchen still would send my dislikes but the nurses didn’t make me eat them. Depending on what unit they put you on if you’re an adult (most likely EMCU) the nurses are trained on “protocol” but you most likely will have your tray for 1-2 hours before they pick it up. In the pediatric unit they are strict about protocols. (I’ve been on multiple units as an adult) and in the PEDS unit they’re just trained a certain way.
2.) You have choice with supplement they have Boost Plus, Boost Breeze, or Ensure compact (Choc or Vanilla), not sure if they’ll let you supplement with other stuff (they do have magic cups too) tbh the ensure vanilla and boost strawberry taste the best and you can ask to get it with ice. You get 10 mins to finish supplement but like I said on the adult units they’ll literally just hand you the carton or cup and if its the ensure compact they usually leave the calorie label on it so be prepared for that.
In PEDS, they actually come back and check if you drink it. They’re kind of relaxed on the adult wards but will ask if you drank it. If not obviously they will place a feeding tube. (Done at bedside/IR) luckily you’re in a hospital though so if you have a gi problem like gastroperesis or something they’ll consider an NJ tube or a PEG, PEG-J whatever they need to do and I know sometimes people who have had to be on TPN/PPN but that’s risky and usually last resort! I have a permanent J tube! So whoever says I glamourize hospitalization, I also suffer from severe GI issues due to my eating disorder. So no, I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone!!! They will consult with GI if this is needed, they’ll make the experience as comfortable as possible.
3.) In PEDS, you can’t use the bathroom for an hour after meals but honestly it doesn’t even matter cause they don’t have locks usually or if they do your room is by the nurses station and obviously they’d hear you doing behaviors but sometimes they turn the bed alarm on. (I agreed to this) it helped me with behaviors (They trusted me because I actually followed the rules so I had no bathroom restrictions) They do measure your urine in a hat, in PEDS they’ll do a dipstick for Specific Gravity. if you aren’t drinking enough they will give you an IV so DRINK YOUR WATER! also your electrolytes may change alot so they will automatically place an IV line but do not panic. This is if you need mag/potassium etc. it’s just a safety thing!
4.) PEDS: for kids they have a childlife specialist/ art therapy/ music therapy. They had therapy dogs before COVID. A person who basically provides you with activities to do to distract you from engaging in ED behaviors. As a kid they have coloring stuff, stuffed animals, movies, and even a playroom etc. and they have gaming systems, movies, etc. they also have stuff for people with sensory needs
Adult: They let you have your phone and laptop and you have a tv, so there’s that. You can also talk to a LMSW, they also let me do my therapy appts and gave me privacy. I just spent alot of time sleeping tbh. Refeeding is exhausting.
5.) On the PEDS ward they are very strict about bedrest. I know they will make you stay on the bed until your health improves. (Usually 3-4 days) case by case.
(I had to have a thing called a “bed bath”) Also on PEDS, you have a PSA (basically like a babysitter) they come in at 7 am and don’t leave until 11pm so basically you have someone watching you all day. (Adults obviously can get this privilege removed because it’s a privacy breach) (ALSO WHY I ALMOST AMA’d) I got it removed because they trusted me and knew who I was. – I had to have a sitter on the PEDS unit but for adults it’s usually only if you’re having SI. Eventually they’ll let you sit up in the chair next to your bed and I was allowed 60 min wheelchair rides, and then eventually they wanted me to do 3, 10 minute walks around the unit a day. If you’re a kid your PSA will probably be with you! Ngl its cool if they’re your age. I finally got my rights to shower and they tried making me sit in a stool but the showers are made for children so I barely fit in there so I just stood. (another reason because THE SHOWERS WERE SLANTED AT AN ANGLE AND I FELL OUT OF THE SHOWER DUE TO THE STOOL LUCKILY MY S/O was in the room) And obviously on adult units they don’t care. And I know sometimes if they don’t trust you in the bathroom they have bedside commodes. (Never have had to use this)
6.) You get to wear a telemetry monitor basically your whole stay! Have fun carrying that thing around it’s so annoying and the batteries have to be changed every 12 hours, they take it off when you shower though. On my last day I finally got it off. They’ll take it off once you stop having irregular heartbeats. (This is for adults and PEDS)
7.) PEDS: no cell phones or electronics – they’ll only let you use a computer for homework if you’re in school or TV to watch movies. They have game consoles and movies though.
Adults: you can have your electronics. lol as adults you pay for them so them taking them away is pretty pointless lol.
8.) It says only immediate family is allowed to visit but I think that’s only for kids. I have had friends and my bf and mom come so like honestly the rule bc of COVID rn is two visitors.
Not gunna lie if you’re an adult your food is probably going to be served cooler or room temp and they don’t warm it up. I supplemented most of the time because with my chronic GI issues I could not tolerate the food! I definitely encourage eating. They have a variety.
Also expect to have a phlebotomist in your room at 5 am. They love drawing your blood. The doctors determine how often this is done. Usually twice a day. Vitals will be 4-8x a day.
I know on the PEDS unit the PCA, wakes you up at 6 am and you have to get into a gown (if not already) and go pee and they measure your specific gravity, so don’t even bother trying to cheat it’s not worth it. They’ll know.
Then you get weighed and they cover the number. They’ll hold the telemetry while doing it too so they can get your weight as accurate as possible.
In the adult units my weight was usually taken around midnight/2 am and they didn’t do anything just had me stand on the scale and I was allowed to see my weight (it was in KG) but I was allowed to because I used it as an exposure to help cope with weight gain.
Usually your doctor’s (medical students, resident) come in at 7 am and sometimes in the afternoon. They ask general questions and check your heart etc. you’ll see the attending physician and whole team while they round 10 am- 1pm it honestly depends how busy the Dr is.
You also might see two female doctors I will keep them anonymous. They specialize in Eating Disorders and are veryyyy strict and I had some issues with one. (But they know what they are doing)
They were my old PCP. I have a new PCP. They will defer to whatever the adolescent medical team says though it sucks. (I HAD BAD EXPERIENCES BUT I’D STILL RECCOMEND THE ATTENDINGS BECAUSE DESPITE MY PERSONAL ISSUES I KNOW THEY KNOW WHAT THEYRE DOING)
In no way am I AGAINST this place. Just sometimes I was put in situations where my therapist had to get involved because my privacy was being breached. The nice thing was though my doctors are with this hospital so they can direct admit me and I don’t have to go through the ER. Honestly if you need medical stabilization in this area this hospital is the one to go to. You get a private room too.
I’ve repeatedly been admitted do to other health issues combined with this that is why I educate people on the program I’m not trying to be in a competitive situation I absolutely hate hospitals.
Now general info
* When were you there? 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
* How many patients are there on average? Yourself * Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined? Yes, it’s individual.
* How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? MD – 2-3x a day, nurses pop in every few hours, dieticians every couple days, I did telehealth with my therapist. There is no psychiatrist, but you may get a referral once you’re discharged. You may also see cardiologists, gastrointestinal docs, surgeons etc
* What is the staff-to-patient ratio? Even, You have a PSA watching you, nurses are understaffed. Alot of them quit bc they don’t want the COVID shot.
* What sort of therapies are used (e.g., DBT, CBT, EMDR, etc.)? Art and music therapy if you want. I just did telehealth therapy with my RO-DBT therapist.
Describe the average day: * What were meals like? Adult served usually not on time due to shortage but its getting better and colder and you know standard hospital food. They get it quicker to PEDS. It just depends when the nurse brings it bc it gets sent to the nurses station. Usually the PEDS nurses are on top of it!
* What sorts of food were available or served? Generic foods. Breakfast – Oatmeal, eggs, toast, cereal, milk, french toast, fruits, condiments: butter, syrup, honey, jelly.
Lunch – Sandwiches, soup, fruit, vegetable, mac and cheese, crackers etc milk they make you have a milk with every meal. I did soymilk. (The chocolate slaps) they
Also have 1%, 2%, Fat Free (which I don’t think they allow), Soy reg, vanilla, choc and Rice Milk. They also have fairlife.
Dinner – Pot roast, sandwiches, soup, chicken breast, vegetables, green beans, pasta, mashed potatoes, salad
(Chef salad or ceaser) with condiments: oil, dressing, hummus, guacamole, cheese, gravy, mayo, mustard, ketchup, mrs dash, salt and pepper, butter etc
Snacks – Vanilla wafer, fruit, graham crackers w pb, juice, the oranges are rediculous do not order those, apples, cottage cheese, animal crackers, etc they also have stuff on the floor such as mini cereal boxes, graham and saltine crackers, popsicles, ice cream, pudding, turkey sandwich – one time a nurse let me switch my cereal flavour.
* How do you earn privileges? Your health has to improve.
* What sort of groups do they have? None. It’s individual, but childlife and social workers can speak with you
* What did you like the most?
When I actually got some good sleep. (During my surgery) and bonding with the nursing staff. I also liked having my phone bc I’d watchtiktoks and the staff would watch them with me ? (No hippa violations)
* What did you like the least? Lol I probably shouldn’t say…… lets just say I almost signed AMA a few times because of some rules. As an adult I hated when they tried pushing pediatric protocols on me. Just having to advocate alot.
* Would you recommend this program? Yes, for medical stability. It works better tho if you’re a minor.
* What did people do on weekends? You see whatever doctor is on call, sometimes discharge happens literally nothing. Weekends are usually quiet or patients get discharged.
* Do you get to know your weight? As an adult I did, I requested to though, you probably won’t get to see your weight. There was other ways I could see my numbers so they let me see them.
* How fast is the weight gain process? It varies. They aim for 1-2lbs a week but honestly its medical stabilization so you will put on some water weight. It evens out eventually. This is just a 1-14 day stay. It’s kind of the way to go before you go to a program or if you need a “band aid” for medical stability.
* What was the average length of stay? I’d say 3 days, minimum. My longest stay was 10 days, I know some people stay for 14 days, depends on your health.
* What was the average age range? Pediatric to age 26, they’ll take anyone. (26 year olds and younger can be placed on the PEDS UNIT if there’s no available beds. (This happened to me) but they do treat adults
* What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an outpatient treatment team?
Yes, most likely with WMed. You’ll probably be referred to one of the two female doctors I mentioned above, and a lists of therapists, psychiatry, or if you are going to a program they’ll help you find a residential/IP facility.
* Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country? I guess. – I mean they’ll help anyone.
* If applicable: Do they support the gender identities of transgender and nonbinary people? Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever heard complaints. Bronson doesn’t discriminate because they are Methodist based we literally accept anyone (it’s my religion too lol) They respect spiritual and religious beliefs.
* Other? Any Questions ask below ?
In no way do I glamourize hospitals. This is just standard medical stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation.
This is great, thank you!!
By the way, to the EDTR community current and future, if anyone has questions at all about Bronson or needs help figuring the process out, Anne is a great go-to! You can reply here so that she will see your comment and she will respond and help.
Michigan is a state that is notorious for its outright cruel lack of intensive treatment options for people with eating disorders, especially considering how the geography of the state (especially with the great lakes) makes driving to neighboring states for treatment much more of a trek. She is the person who gave myself and EDTR as a whole most of the info about Bronson, and she has helped connect quite a few other community members with this lifesaving medical stabilization program in Michigan.
This admin. Can’t even express her words of kindness. She has helped me so much because the past week I’ve been being harassed on multiple social media platforms I even had to shut down my FB page. I am an admin on a new Facebook group! I will be posting this link, and also In 2022 late Grand Rapids will be opening a residential facility for women. I do not know if it will be affiliated with any hospital up there, as I do not know if Grand Rapids or Lansing or any nearby do medical stabilization. I know Michigan State University does outpatient ED treatment. Yes, Michigan does have a lack of treatment and all I gave was my honest review. I’m not a “regular” or “glamourizing” inpatient at all. – I am just closer with certain staff members here because I worked here as well and I really enjoyed my job. They’re hiring if you need a job too! Great place to work, great benefits, lots of nice people. If I wasn’t disabled I would continue my employment even though I was laid off due to COVID. If there’s anything else you want to know. My Facebook page is Gastroperesis and Eating Disorders. I share with a woman named Monet. We just want to let you know help is avaliable. https://www.facebook.com/groups/644141220020368/permalink/644143153353508/
Hey Anne (or Rachel or whoever sees this), I’m desperate to find information about a program that is individual room-based, and ACUTE isn’t an option (been trying to get in with them since November but they won’t make a case exception because so have Medicare, even though I never use it and I I’ve my husband’s (accepted) insurance. Is it okay if I leave my email and get some more information? The full review you provided was so comprehensive and I really just need to see if this would be a program that could help me. And honestly, this one’s a lot closer to where I am in Kentucky. Thanks so much.
Hey! My email is annatetzloff@gmail.com i’d be glad to assist you in any way I can!! i dont know much about admissions because of COVID but I know PCP can send a referral.
Hey Anne, I was going to email you but I went ahead and emailed the hospital first based on the contact info I saw earlier in this thread. They told me they only treat adolescents and don’t treat adults at all. Did I misunderstand your initial thorough review? Because I was under the impression they took adults as well, and this was literally my last option.
Hey Becca – Anne will be able to explain their system better, so I will let her do so! But to reassure you, because for myself at least I know I would have felt terrified hearing that from those doctors – I wanted to let you know that they absolutely take adults! Anne is an adult herself. From my understanding, I believe there is an outpatient adolescent ED treatment team, who when adults are in the hospital they may or may not get seen by depending on what unit of the hospital their room ends up being on (a general medical unit or general pediatric unit maybe?). So they may have been referring to the fact that their outpatient treatment program is for adolescents? Either way there is ED Protocol and medical stabilization for adults, so no you didn’t misunderstand the initial review. Hang in there!
Yes Becca what she said! Maybe they just want you to have an initial meeting with the outpatient team or contact one of the adolescent med doctors directly. I’m sure your doctor can do that!! 🙂 I am so sorry if I worded it to confuse you, but i’m 24 years old and have been hospitalized there since age 19. So like, they definitely do take adults who need stabilization. I just don’t know much about out of state because I live in the same city as this program. I’d say see if your doctor can call. The website info is on this page you may have to wait till Monday. But its a good hospital.
Thanks, Rachel (and Anne, it won’t let me reply to both of you in the same comment, but I appreciate both of you very much!).
I actually emailed them back and got a slightly clearer answer (nothing definitive). I was going based on the comments here that the Med.Wmich site’s contact info on their adolescent ED page is also for adults trying to get into Bronson, but I asked if the person emailing me could clarify, and she said it was actually a different number/email to contact, but won’t be able to get back to me with that info until at earliest, probably Monday. But your comments gave me a little encouragement when I was on the verge of spinning out because I’m running out of options and need stabilization.
They do take adults. They just get placed on a separate unit. Like I said I don’t know if COVID has anything to do with it but I have been treated there as an adult plenty of times.
Oh I don’t doubt you, I’m just having trouble finding their contact info. The website linked in other comments here only took me to the Med.WMich adolescent ED treatment page. I thought I saw something mentioned here about it all falling under the same contact info, but the person I’ve talked to there said that contact info was only for the Med.WMich adolescent treatment and said she doesn’t even have the direct contact info for Bronson, but offered to see if she could find it for me. Would you happen to have that information? And if so, could you email it to me if it can’t be shared here? (I’ll put my email in a follow-up comment to be redacted)
Thank you so much for your help and assurance that my brain didn’t just glitch in me when reading your review. Honestly, it was one of the most helpful reviews I’ve ever read on this site, and I’ve been reading here for the better part of a decade. Can’t believe it used to just be out of curiosity to see if any of the places I’d been to had changed. Never thoughts I’d be using it for finding treatment for myself again.
Who do you contact to get into Bronson for medical stabilization? Since there website doesn’t mention anything about ED medical stabilization…I live about 3 hours away from there. I need inpatient care until I am stable enough to go to a long-term facility.
I need to add this to the main page! Thanks for the reminder! But you can find contact info here:
http://med.wmich.edu/node/2776
The person who wrote the review, Anne, has a lot of good info so definitely reply to one of her comments too!
Haha you beat me to posting the link! You rock. ? Thank you to infinity Anne!
This talks about adolescents. I am an adult 44 and need inpatient stabilization ASAP.
Yes but these are the people to contact. They treat adults too. I am almost 24.
This seems like a long process. Is there any way to get emergency admission to the hospital ASAP with a referral from my primary care doctor?
Anne – you mentioned something awhile ago about being able to get admitted through the ER, is that the case for adults?
I have gone through the ER, I had abnormalities with my electrolytes. I don’t know if they would admit you. That would be up to the discretion of the doctor treating you in the ER. But I’m sure they would do what they can to help. Recently my admits have been direct because I live in the area. 🙁 I’m sorry I wish I could give more advice.
Another place in the area is AMITA Health Alexian Brothers. I just called the number on their site here (the first link I pasted below) and the woman said they only do referrals from doctors or facilities, not from patients directly, but they do both ED unit and medical admissions. The criteria/medical cutoffs for the difference between medical admission and unit admission is here, along with the number for your doctor to call:
https://www.amitahealth.org/find-a-service/behavioral-medicine/programs/refer-a-patient/inpatient-behavioral-health-referrals/eating-disorders-inpatient-referrals
Patients themselves can call the number here:
https://www.amitahealth.org/find-a-service/behavioral-medicine/programs/conditions-and-treatments/eating-disorders-treatment
Anne, can I give you my email. I would like to know more about the emergency admissions process.
A
Yea thats fine!!
I am an adult in need of ED inpatient treatment. I am having difficulty getting in places because my BMI is too low. My hope is to go to Princeton center for ED once my BMI reaches the appropriate threshhold to get in. I just need short term medical stabilization and to gain a couple pounds. I really cannot travel anywhere via airplane, etc. because I am too sick, medically unstable.
Note to anyone who posts their email here, I will redact it once you have gotten in touch, so you don’t have to worry about it staying up. ❤️ By the way, love ya Elle.
Thank you
Thank you, you may take it down now, Rachel? you and Anne are amazing
Done!
Anne,
Would you be willing to email me? I’ve been trying to find contact information to admit here. Do they cut off at age 26? Thank you so much for this review!!!
No problem! What is your email address?
Hi Anne!
This sounds like a program I need ASAP – I need contact information as well. Can you please call/email me ASAP? Also wondering about the cut off age as well as GI issues.
Thanks!
Anne you are amazing. Thank you thank you for your review! This program is clearly a lifesaver, and now more people get to know about it!
You mentioned that they work with WMed and outpatient eating disorder doctors there, is this the place you are talking about? https://med.wmich.edu/node/2776
There is some contact info there about being referred there for inpatient stabilization, not sure if it is the right one!
@Anne it’s lavanya24narayanan@gmail.com. Also, here’s a link to my Facebook – if we could chat over the phone, that’d be ideal! My case is extremely complicated. https://www.facebook.com/lavanya.narayanan.31/