First Responder Early Screening for Health
Over several weeks in April and May, Sindecuse Health Center, in partnership with WMU faculty members, provides early detection health screenings for area first responders. Participants receive comprehensive exams and diagnostic tests to assess physical capability in relation to service for their communities. Five Kalamazoo area fire departments will participate in 2026.
The health center is partnering with faculty from the Colleges of Health and Human Services and Education and Human Development for diagnostic fitness tests.
How to prepare for the visit
Each participant will receive a welcome letter with instructions for logging into the health center’s patient portal to create an account. All participants will complete a health history questionnaire, several surveys, and required consent forms before arriving. Participants must take time to complete these prior to the first appointment.
Each participant will self-schedule an initial screening for lab and diagnostic testing as required by their department sometime during two weeks in April
This first day (Part 1) is expected to last one to two hours and includes EKG, audiology, and lab draws. Some participants will receive a chest X-ray and/or an ultrasound. Participants will have fasted for 8 hours to prepare for the tests and will return with a stool sample using a kit provided to their department ahead of time. Those who have diabetes are strongly urged to choose an early daytime slot.
Lab tests are resulted by Bronson Labs. Participants will receive a notification through Bronson's MyChart when results are available. Health center providers will contact participants if there are any immediate concerns about results.
Participants will be able to self-schedule a second visit (Part 2) for a fitness test and physical exam availability is set for three weeks in May. Secure messaging will be sent to all by mid-April announcing availability to self-schedule.
On the second visit (Part 2), participants will take a half-hour fitness test and then meet with a provider who will review the results of the tests conducted at the first visit. Participants should wear clothing appropriate for strenuous physical activity.
Using the Patient Portal
Instructions for making an appointment are explained in the video that follows.
Instructions for changing a password are explained in the video that follows.
The providers
Health care professionals from Sindecuse Health Center and the Colleges of Health and Human Services and Education and Human Development will conduct the exams, fitness and diagnostic tests. A team from Ultrasound Diagnostics will conduct ultrasound exams for those participants required to do so.
Reporting results
When the results are finalized at Sindecuse, participants will be provided with a complete report of the findings of the exams issued through the patient portal. Department chiefs will be given a summary physical exam clearance letter for each participant, but not an individual's confidential, complete report.
What to bring
Participants must bring a photo ID to be checked in to the appointment. A valid driver's license is acceptable.
Parking
The health center’s gated parking lot is available for use. If the gated parking lot is full we can give you a temporary permit to place in car windows, allowing parking in the employee overflow lot. WMU is a tobacco-free campus and smoking or vaping is only permitted inside personal vehicles. If you are driving an idenitified emergency vehicle, parking anywhere in lot 40 is permitted.
Directions
Checking in
Participants are asked to check in at your appointment time. After entering the lobby, look for a helpful registration person or cashier to get started. Completing documents ahead of time is required before check-in.
Key points before arrival
- Your appointment time is the time we expect you to arrive at check-in
- Remember your login email and password. You may need to use it again. Previous participants can reset passwords using the patient portal entrance page.
- Dress comfortably for your initial exam and appropriately for your fitness test
- Complete all consent forms, surveys and questionnaires online before you arrive
- Follow instructions for fasting and hydration before labs or an ultrasound
- Remember to bring a stool sample to your appointment using the kits provided
Questions
Participants should contact their site administrator—usually the department chief or an administrator if they have questions about the requirements. If you have questions about completing the required documents or attending the exams, contact Sindecuse Health Center at (269) 387-3287 and follow the prompts for 'appointments'.