Aspire Rural Health System proudly welcomed community members to celebrate the grand opening of its new hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber and newly relocated and refreshed wound care clinic and hospital gift shop during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 16 in Marlette. The event was a resounding success, with many visitors touring the new spaces and learning about the advanced technology and compassionate care now available closer to home.
This expansion of services reflects Aspire’s ongoing mission to provide exceptional care close to home and supports the health system’s vision of increasing accessibility to high-quality rural healthcare. The new hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber offers a powerful treatment option for patients recovering from chronic wounds, infections, burns, and other complex conditions—without the burden of long travel. The nearest alternative locations for this type of care are in Lapeer, Saginaw, or Port Huron, making Aspire’s offering a major convenience for patients who may require treatment four to five times per week.
The hyperbaric chamber and newly renovated space were made possible through an Aspire Foundation project, with support from employees, local businesses, and generous community members. Aspire extends its deepest thanks to all who contributed to making this vision a reality through their time, donations, and shared belief in improving access to quality care.
A major gift that helped bring the chamber to life came from Shelby (Sanderson) Combs, who donated the funds in honor of Sandy, Shelby’s former foster daughter. Sandy was placed in Shelby’s care after suffering severe burns on her chest. At the time, her only treatment option involved daily hospital visits where her wounds were submerged in salt water and painfully scrubbed to prevent scarring.
“When I learned about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the more humane way it can treat burns,” Shelby shared, “I knew I didn’t want others to endure the suffering Sandy went through. This donation is about bringing hope, healing, and dignity to future patients.”
The event also spotlighted Aspire’s enhanced wound care program, which has been relocated to sit adjacent to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy space. This strategic move allows for seamless coordination between the two services, as many patients who benefit from hyperbaric treatments are also receiving wound care. In addition, the hospital gift shop has been relocated to a newly renovated area, offering a significantly larger and more inviting space for patients, visitors, and staff to enjoy. These thoughtful updates reflect Aspire’s commitment to both patient-centered care and enhancing the overall experience within its facilities.
For more information about Aspire’s Wound Clinic and hyperbaric services, visit www.aspirehealth.org or call 989-635-4306.