Michigan hospitals are committed to investing in efforts that advance the health of the patients and communities they serve every day.
With grant funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Bronson Health Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Henry Ford Health and University of Michigan are enhancing care for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).
SCD is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders in Michigan. It continues to be a public health concern due to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately impacting African American populations. Those living with SCD often experience sudden attacks of severe pain, acute chest syndrome and various co-morbidities, including: pulmonary hypertension, stroke, gallbladder disease and organ damage.
With this in mind, the MDHHS grant program aims to help providers across the state expand access to quality, integrated care and disease-modifying therapies. It’s also designed to help improve acute care services delivered to patients living with SCD.
“The proposals selected demonstrate an understanding of the issues people living with sickle cell face in accessing the health care they need,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Each of the funded organizations are partnering with us to forward the goals of the department’s recently released SCD Strategic Plan as we work together to strengthen systems and elevate community voices.”
Michigan hospital projects are among those selected to receive approximately $80,000 to enhance or expand care for SCD. This includes:
- Bronson Health Foundation will establish a multidisciplinary specialty clinic to improve access to quality health care and acute care services to patients living with SCD, with an emphasis on adult care.
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan will establish a Sickle Cell Day Hospital to relocate pain management efforts from the emergency room to the SCD unit.
- Henry Ford Health will continue to expand the transition of patients living with SCD from pediatric to adult care, as well as improve their access to other specialties and treatment management services.
- University of Michigan (U-M) will prepare pediatric patients for transition to adult care through increasing self-management skills and knowledge of disease modifying therapies. Additionally, U-M will also work to assist in the development of a comprehensive adult sickle cell clinic to improve access to quality care and care coordination.
“This grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services helps Bronson continue strengthening sickle cell disease care across a patient’s lifespan by building closer coordination between our existing pediatric and adult care teams, improving continuity of care, and expanding access to specialized care in Southwest Michigan,” said Kirsten Bonifacio, PhD, lead pediatric psychologist at Bronson Children’s Hospital and principal investigator of the Sickle Cell Clinic Expansion and Enhancement Program.
Bonifacio continued, “Our goal is to deepen collaboration across our care team to deliver high-quality, multidisciplinary care close to home and improve outcomes for patients living with SCD.”
The grants are a key component of MDHHS’ commitment to improving care for Michigan residents living with SCD as outlined in the 2026-2030 SCD Public Health Strategic Plan. More information can be found on the MDHHS website.
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