The MHA 2026 Small and Rural Advocacy Day is intended for hospital CEOs, board leaders and other senior leaders from small and rural hospitals who can speak directly to the impact their organizations have on local patients, employers and communities.

Hospitals are encouraged to participate with a small delegation, such as a chief executive officer and board chair or trustee, to help lawmakers hear both operational and community governance perspectives.

The morning program will feature Michael E. Shepherd, Ph.D., who is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Management & Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science. His research examines the intersection of health policy, politics and public opinion, with a focus on rural healthcare, health disparities and the social and political determinants of health.

Dr. Shepherd’s award-winning scholarship explores how public policy decisions shape health outcomes and access to care across America. His research has been published in leading academic journals and featured by national media outlets including The New York Times, Bloomberg News and MSNBC. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Vanderbilt University.

Additional details, including registration details, legislative meeting schedules and materials to help participants prepare for lawmaker conversations, will be shared at a later date.

Members with questions may contact the MHA’s Center for Rural Excellence.

This event may be photographed and/or videotaped. Your attendance indicates your consent to the use of such photographs or videotapes for educational and/or promotional purposes.

The presentation materials, expertise, and viewpoints provided by individual third-party speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the MHA.

By attending the MHA Annual Membership Meeting offered by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, participants may earn up to 3.25 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.

The MHA Annual Membership Meeting is a private membership meeting. Attendance is open to MHA members, meeting sponsors and invited guests of the MHA. Please contact Sam R. Watson, senior vice president, field engagement, with questions regarding membership.

You may register for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting online at www.mhaannual.org. All registration materials and appropriate fees must be returned to the MHA on or before May 23. Credit card payment is required when registering.

Hotel Reservations at the Grand

The MHA will not send a Lodging Form until a paid registration for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting is received and processed.

Important information about your lodging request:

• A separate form must be submitted for each requested room.
• Breakfasts, dinners (including the Thursday evening banquet) and the Grand Luncheon Experience on Thursday are included in the Grand Hotel’s room charge when meals are eaten in the main dining room or the Jockey Club at the Grand Stand.
• The regular adult rate applies when children occupy a room by themselves.
• When sharing a room with two guests paying the full rate, additional people ages 6-17 are $75 daily per person and those 18 and older are $149 daily per person.
• Accommodations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you request more than one room, your request will be assigned based on availability.
• All accommodations are in the Grand Hotel until the room block is filled.
• There is no guarantee of lodging in the Grand Hotel.
• Phone reservations will not be accepted.
• In accordance with Michigan law, the Grand Hotel is a nonsmoking property.
• All confirmations will be sent to you via email from the Grand Hotel. Be sure to complete all information on the form.
• To reserve accommodations for this meeting, complete the hotel reservation form and return it to the Grand Hotel. All hotel reservations must be returned on or before May 23. Confirmation of lodging will be sent after June 1. Questions regarding room reservations for the annual meeting should be submitted to the Grand Hotel.
• In the event the MHA room block at the Grand Hotel is exhausted, the MHA will assist registrants with accommodations at downtown Mackinac Island hotels that have contracted with the MHA and are able to accommodate the lodging requests

Safety Protocols

The MHA follows local, state and federal guidelines and determines safety protocols and requirements for all face-to-face events based upon these recommendations.

Cancellation Policy

Registration fees less a $150 per-person cancellation fee are refundable if notice is given by June 11. No refund can be issued after this time. Registrants may send an alternate at no additional cost.

Spouse/Guest/Children Information

All spouses, guests and children must pay the registration fee to receive a nametag that permits entrance to receptions and events. This fee also includes attendance at any or all of the general sessions. Guests include children ages 18 and older and others who are not employees, governing board members or medical staff of registering organizations.

You are encouraged to register children for the full meeting. Children are welcome at the networking receptions and the MHA Annual Banquet. If children are not registered prior to arrival on the island, they may do so Wednesday and Thursday in the Welcome Area in the Grand Hotel.

The children’s evening programs provided as part of the MHA Annual Meeting are discontinued.

The Grand Hotel does not offer babysitting services.

Ferry Service

Discounted ferry rates to and from Mackinac Island are available to Annual Meeting attendees via the MHA’s preferred service, Shepler’s Ferry. The special rates are $28 for ages 13 and older and $19 for children ages 5 through 12. There is no charge for children ages 4 and under to ride the ferry.

To receive the discounted rates, indicate you will be attending the MHA Annual Membership Meeting when purchasing your tickets at the Shepler’s Ferry dock. If purchasing tickets online, the promotion code is HEALTH25. For more information, visit Shepler’s website at www.sheplersferry.com or call (800) 828-6157.

Attire

Casual dress is encouraged during the day, with business or semiformal attire reserved for after 6 p.m. Dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters and dress slacks for ladies are required, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit or sport coat, necktie and dress pants; no denim or shorts. This applies to all areas inside the hotel, with the exception of the Cupola Bar, guest room hallways and the retail corridor. Children 12 years and older are expected to be in dress similar to the adults.

Questions?

If you have questions about the 2025 MHA Annual Membership Meeting, email the MHA at annualmeeting@mha.org, visit www.mhaannual.org or call (517) 323-3443. Questions on room reservations for the meeting should be submitted to the Grand Hotel.

This event may be photographed and/or videotaped. Your attendance will indicate your consent for the use of such photographs or videotapes for educational and/or promotional purposes.