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Kidney disease has long been a silent and often undiagnosed health issue, with many patients discovering their condition only after significant damage has already occurred. However, there is hope on the horizon thanks to recent advancements in healthcare and a growing focus on early intervention. Kalen Gerulski, a dedicated nurse practitioner at McLaren Clare Clinic, is at the forefront of these changes, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of kidney disease management.

**A Shift Toward Early Diagnosis**

For years, kidney disease was typically diagnosed only when patients experienced severe kidney damage, making treatment options more limited and less effective. This delayed approach was particularly problematic for individuals in rural communities, where healthcare resources are often scarce. Fortunately, there has been a significant shift in the healthcare community’s approach to kidney disease. Today, the focus is on early diagnosis, prevention, and proactive management, especially in rural healthcare settings.

One key component of this shift is routinely testing critical kidney function indicators. Traditionally, kidney disease was diagnosed using serum creatinine levels, but this method often missed early signs of kidney dysfunction. Kalen Gerulski emphasizes the importance of adding urinal albumin tests alongside the standard Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) tests. These combined measures offer a more complete picture of kidney health, enabling healthcare providers to detect kidney disease earlier, often before noticeable symptoms occur.

“Too often, kidney disease was only diagnosed after kidneys started to fail,” says Gerulski. “With better screening tools, we can catch problems earlier and prevent further damage.”

**The Role of Routine Testing and Monitoring**

At McLaren Clare Clinic, Gerulski and her team use a combination of routine tests to monitor kidney health and track disease progression. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are crucial in managing these tests and follow-up care. By tracking key metrics such as GFR and the urine albumin ratio, the clinic can monitor trends in kidney function and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

– **GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate):** This test measures how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. A lower GFR indicates impaired kidney function, which can signal the early stages of kidney disease.
– **Urinalbumin-to-Creatinine Ratio:** This test looks at the albumin level, a protein, in the urine. High albumin levels can indicate kidney damage, as healthy kidneys typically prevent albumin from leaking into the urine.

Regularly tracking these indicators enables healthcare providers to intervene early, adjust treatments, and offer personalized care plans designed to slow the progression of kidney disease.

**The Power of the PATH Program**

Another key initiative championed by Kalen Gerulski is the PATH (Personal Action Towards Health) program. This program empowers patients by improving their understanding of chronic conditions like kidney disease. By offering an accessible and affordable platform for education and engagement, PATH helps patients become active participants in their healthcare.

“PATH is about more than just providing information. It’s about empowering patients to take control of their health and work in partnership with their healthcare providers,” Gerulski explains. “When patients are more informed, they’re more likely to take action and make positive changes in their lifestyles.”

The PATH program emphasizes patient education, offering easy-to-understand resources and guidance to help individuals manage their chronic conditions better. This proactive approach to healthcare improves patient outcomes and helps reduce the burden of chronic disease.

**Collaboration for Rural Healthcare**

Kalen Gerulski’s work also extends beyond individual patient care. He is actively involved in the Chronic Kidney Disease Learning Collaborative, a partnership with the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and the Michigan Center for Rural Health. This collaboration brings essential resources, education, and support to rural communities with limited kidney disease management.

By fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals and organizations, Gerulski helps ensure that rural patients access the same high-quality care as those in urban settings. “Working together as a community is crucial,” she says. “It’s about making sure no one is left behind.”

**Conclusion**

As kidney disease becomes a more prominent issue in healthcare, efforts like those spearheaded by Kalen Gerulski at McLaren Clare Clinic are paving the way for better management, earlier detection, and improved outcomes. Through routine testing, patient education programs like PATH, and collaborative efforts in rural healthcare, the future of kidney disease management looks brighter than ever. Early intervention and proactive care can make a difference, offering patients a better quality of life and a more substantial chance at long-term kidney health.

As 2024 draws close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the year’s growth and transformations at UnoDeuce Multimedia. Led by Paul Schmidt, the owner, and creative video strategist, UnoDeuce Multimedia has experienced a dynamic and eventful year. From nonprofit collaborations to significant fundraising successes, the company has set the stage for an even brighter future.

Paul recently shared an insightful video update, giving followers a glimpse into the year’s highlights and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2025. Let’s dive into these exciting developments.

### Mission Control Concludes with Impactful Conversations

The second half of 2024 ended with the conclusion of UnoDeuce Multimedia’s *Mission Control* series. This series, wrapped up in October, featured powerful conversations with nonprofit leaders and executive directors. Through these discussions, the team explored the challenges and triumphs within the nonprofit sector. The conversations were insightful and thought-provoking, and they are highly recommended for anyone passionate about nonprofit leadership and social impact.

Paul shared, “We had many great conversations with nonprofit leaders and executive directors that you should check out.” These conversations gave voice to the nonprofit sector’s leaders and showcased UnoDeuce’s commitment to supporting causes that matter.

### Fundraising Success: A Community Effort

Autumn 2024 saw UnoDeuce Multimedia at the heart of several major fundraising events. Whether it was the long-standing partnership with Catholic Charities, the fun-filled Red Nose Ruckus, or collaborative projects with organizations like Davy’s Project, High Fields, and Todd Martin Youth Leadership, UnoDeuce played a pivotal role in telling the stories that fueled fundraising success.

These efforts helped raise over $700,000, directly supporting these vital organizations. Their ability to craft compelling videos that captured the essence of these gatherings was a testament to the team’s creative prowess and dedication to their community.

### A Remarkable Year-End Fundraising Total

As 2024 drew to a close, UnoDeuce Multimedia proudly reported that their collaborative projects had raised an impressive $1.2 million total. This milestone underscored their ability to leverage storytelling and video production to drive meaningful impact for nonprofits. Paul and his team have proven that creativity and collaboration can lead to outstanding results for the company and the causes they champion.

### Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

UnoDeuce Multimedia is entering 2025 with big plans and exciting changes on the horizon. The most notable is the company’s move to a new space. After several relocations in recent years, Paul and his team are excited to settle into a new headquarters that will reflect their brand’s identity and creative vision. This new environment promises to enhance the team’s workflow and provide an inspiring backdrop for future projects.

### Revamping Marketing Strategies

In addition to the move, UnoDeuce is also planning a fresh approach to its marketing strategies in 2025. Paul shared that feedback from clients and followers has highlighted the need for UnoDeuce to speak more about their work and successes. “I’ve been told numerous times that we don’t talk about ourselves enough. So, we’re going to dive into that,” Paul explained.

Expect updates to UnoDeuce’s YouTube channel, website, and social media platforms in the coming months. With a bold new look and engaging content, the company is set to connect with its audience in new and meaningful ways.

### Wrapping Up 2024 with Gratitude

As the year approaches, Paul and the UnoDeuce Multimedia team want to thank everyone who supported them throughout 2024. The year has been transformative, and the team is eager to build upon this momentum in the new year. With exciting projects already in the pipeline for the spring, UnoDeuce is ready to take on 2025 with renewed energy and passion.

Reflecting on the past six months, it’s clear that UnoDeuce Multimedia has impacted the nonprofit sector and beyond. As they head into the new year, there’s no doubt that the company will continue to innovate, inspire, and make a difference through powerful storytelling and creative video production.

Stay tuned for more updates, and prepare for an exciting 2025 with UnoDeuce Multimedia!

The votes have been cast. The winners have been selected.
Now is the time to reveal those winners and pay respects to all the nominees.
Who will be the winner in the following categories:
Downtown Superstar Video of the Year
Most Entertaining Video of the Year
Most Inspirational Video of the Year
Most Outstanding Video of the Year

This the program to find all of that out. Watch now. Share later.

Thanks again for your participation.

Our first nominee for the most outstanding video of the year is the Danny Bath Legacy Awards. Honoring individuals with the Danny Bath Legacy Awards in the automotive and EMT fields and a vehicle giveaway to needy families. The awards embrace entirely the phrase, “What Would Danny Do?”

Vote for them! https://www.unodeuce.com/deucey-awards/
—
► Subscribe to the UnoDeuce Multimedia Channel Here:
https://www.youtube.com/unodeucemultimedia
► To keep up with our new client videos:
https://vimeo.com/unodeuce
—

Remember, there’s always another story to tell, and we would love to tell your story. Please connect with us: https://www.unodeuce.com/contact/

#videostoryteller #deuceyawards #unodeucemultimedia

Our first nominee is for the MDRC LEAD program. The LEAD program is an essential subset of the programs the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition offers specifically to the BIPOC community. It provides increased access to disability education and resources to account for the significance of institutionalized oppression and white supremacy on their outcomes.

Vote for them! https://www.unodeuce.com/deucey-awards/
—
► Subscribe to the UnoDeuce Multimedia Channel Here:
https://www.youtube.com/unodeucemultimedia
► To keep up with our new client videos:
https://vimeo.com/unodeuce
—

Remember, there’s always another story to tell, and we would love to tell your story. Please connect with us: https://www.unodeuce.com/contact/

#videostoryteller #deuceyawards #unodeucemultimedia