Tag: Corewell Health

Report: Michigan Hospital Programming, Investments Improve Health and Well-being of Residents

Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases, Issues in Healthcare
2024 MHA Community Impact Report

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) released the 2024 Community Impact Report highlighting how Michigan hospitals are strengthening the healthcare workforce, enhancing access to care and building community health and wellness. This report shares 15 hospital-led community impact programs from nearly every region of the state.2024 MHA Community Impact Report

Michigan hospitals are advancing the health of patients and communities beyond the traditional healthcare setting with a variety of community-focused programs. These efforts are a result of strategic community benefit investments, in addition to local partnerships and support from state and federal healthcare champions.

“The MHA Community Impact Report demonstrates a long-standing commitment by Michigan hospitals to advance the well-being of patients and communities beyond the traditional four walls of the hospital,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “It also showcases the strong, lasting impact of investments in health education, community outreach services, clinical research and workforce development.”

Examples of stories include Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital’s Street Medicine Oakland program that provides free medical care to patients experiencing homelessness; MyMichigan Health’s Grow Our Own initiative, which provides financial assistance to individuals who want to further their education in healthcare; and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s Community Connect program that is reducing health disparities related to mental health, substance abuse and adverse childhood events.

The investments total more than $4.5 billion in community impact activities in fiscal year (FY) 2022, from education and prevention services to community outreach, research and workforce development.

“At ProMedica Health, we’re always looking for innovative ways to address the specific health needs of our patient population and reach communities where they are,” said MHA Board Chair Julie Yaroch, DO, president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital. “It’s inspiring to see the work of other hospitals featured in the report that are focused on bringing solutions to the table, especially when it comes to closing gaps in public health and enhancing access to care in rural communities.”

The full report and community impact stories from hospitals across the state can be accessed on the MHA website.

Webinar Recap: Special Pathogen Response Systems of Care

Member News

The MHA hosted a webinar Oct. 23 overviewing the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) of care. The NSPS is a tiered system with four facility levels that have increasing capabilities to care for suspected or confirmed patients with high consequence infectious diseases.

During the webinar, Julie Bulson, DNP, MPA, RN, NE-BC, HcEM-M, director of business assurance, Corewell Health, overviewed the minimum capabilities of the NSPS system of care, specifically highlighting:

  • Regional opportunities to enhance overall special pathogen preparedness.
  • The pros and cons of joining the system of care at a level two or three.
  • How to align recommendations to advance readiness with The Joint Commission standards and building system-wide awareness.

Several MHA leaders recently visited the Corewell Health Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center which serves as a resource hub, training and coordination leader in the region.

Members interested in engaging in the NSPS, may visit NETEC.org or contact Julie Bulson at (616) 391-2244. NETEC will continue to build resources, develop online education and deliver technical training to meet the needs of partners.

Members interested in the on-demand recording and resources from the live webinar may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

Leaders Convene for Crucial Healthcare Workforce Discussion

Member News
Crowd of attendees at The MHA Healthcare Workforce Conversation event in Lansing, MI.
Attendees at the MHA Healthcare Workforce Conversation event Sept. 11 in Lansing, MI.

The MHA hosted nearly 150 thought leaders from healthcare, post-secondary education and workforce talent development Sept. 11 in Lansing for a discussion to help strengthen connections across the sectors focused on building the pipeline for Michigan’s future healthcare workforce.  

Leaders engaged in the day-long summit, moderated by Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government & political affairs, MHA, which highlighted panel discussions on healthcare workforce data, partnerships and best practices between hospitals and academia, guided discussions on addressing barriers to upskilling and reskilling current the workforce, challenges and opportunities in clinical placements and early career attraction. Each panel brought incredible knowledge and expertise to the topic areas, spurring robust conversations between panelists and attendees.

The event began with reviewing data indicating that more than 48,000 jobs in healthcare will be necessary in the next 10 years. That data highlighted the need to gather this diverse stakeholder group to push new, creative solutions to career attraction, educational enrollment and attainment, career readiness and retention. Colby Cesaro, vice president, Independent Colleges and Universities, moderated the panel comprised of John Karasinski, senior director, communications, MHA; Craig Donahue, CEO, Michigan Health Council; and Sarah Szurpicki, director, Michigan office of Sixty by 30.

Following the discussion, participants spent time sharing partnership best practices. Russ Kavalhuna, president, Henry Ford College; Don MacMaster, president, Alpena Community College; John Kaczynski, executive director of external governmental affairs, Saginaw Valley State University; Kelley McMillian, senior director of professional nursing practice, Corewell Health; and Brandy Johnson, president, Michigan Community College Association, shared how to develop direct partnerships between hospitals and post-secondary institutions, how to bring new programs to rural Michigan and how to structure a successful academic and healthcare employer partnership.

Over lunch, the group participated in a guided discussion led by Ryan Hundt, CEO, Michigan Works! and Christi Taylor, director of talent initiatives, Detroit Regional Chamber. The discussion encouraged attendees to network while discussing guided prompts on barriers to upskilling, reskilling and recruiting talent from within existing employee bases.

Following the guided networking lunch, the group dove deeply into the challenges academic institutions and hospitals alike are facing in undergraduate and graduate nursing clinical rotation placements. Immersive in-person clinical education is imperative to nursing licensure and long-term success. Without it, students lack preparedness for bedside practice, contributing to concerns about nursing turnover. This topic area teed up further need to specifically convene on ways to disrupt the current placement framework. Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, MHA, lead the  panel of experts featuring Cynthia McCurren, dean of the school of nursing UM-Flint; Amy Stahley, dean of the college of health professions, Davenport University; Maria Vitale, administrative manager of students of nursing and physician assistant studies, Corewell Health; and Deborah Lopez, clinical liaison, UM Health-Sparrow.

The event concluded with Mark Burley, state director, HOSA Michigan, leading a discussion with Christin Tenbusch, director, care experience and organizational development, Covenant Healthcare; Jill Jarvis, manager, clinical development and education, Covenant HealthCare; Ashlee Offord, Corewell Health Lakeland GROWTH Internship Program; Jamie Jacobs, Michigan College Access Network; and HOSA’s state student director Zainab Ahmed. The group focused on how to attract younger generations to healthcare careers and career pathways, with conversations on impactful paid internship programs, early healthcare career exposure and the role leaders play in ensuring positive recognition of the profession.

Members with questions about the event or interest in future engagements are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

MHA Meritorious Service Award Recognizes Dr. Hamel

Member News
Dr. Loren Hamel speaks at the 2018 MHA Annual Meeting.
Dr. Loren Hamel speaks at the 2018 MHA Annual Meeting.
Dr. Loren Hamel speaks at the 2018 MHA Annual Meeting.

The MHA announced the 2024 winner of its highest achievement award during the association’s Annual Membership Meeting June 27. Receiving the award for his decades of healthcare leadership is Loren Hamel, MD, president, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan.

Hamel has been closely involved with the MHA for 18 years, highlighted by serving as MHA Board Chair for the 2017-18 program year. His tenure on the board lasted seven years and ended in 2019. He has continued serving in a leadership role as the co-chair of the MHA Public Health Taskforce since 2022. He also served on various MHA committees, councils and task forces, including the Legislative Policy Panel, the Safety & Quality Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Task Force on Future Health Insurance Markets.

Dr. Hamel has been closely involved with healthcare in southwest Michigan, where he practiced medicine as a family physician for 23 years. He currently leads care delivery for three hospitals, 53 outpatient locations, telehealth initiatives and approximately 500 independent, affiliated and employed physicians in Southwest Michigan. Hamel also served as Chief Executive Officer of Lakeland Health for nine years and held various other executive roles with the organization prior to their integration with the former Spectrum Health in 2018 and his current position with Corewell Health.

Lakeland Health was formed through the integration of Watervliet Hospital, Southwestern Medical Clinic and Hospice at Home, which Dr. Hamel led. He also helped drive investments in several facilities that include the Pine Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Merlin and Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center and the Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Marie Yeager Cancer Center. Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – St. Joseph Hospital also completed a 260,000-square-foot renovation and expansion in 2022.

In addition to his role as a healthcare executive, Dr. Hamel served his alma mater Andrews University in Berrien Springs in several roles, including as a clinical professor, director of the university’s health services, president of the alumni association and board member. Dr. Hamel retires from his role at Corewell Health June 30, 2024.

MHA Monday Report May 13, 2024

Monday Report

House Advancing Medicaid Budget Highlights Legislative Work

The Michigan House of Representatives advanced its state fiscal year 2025 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget recommendations during the week of May 5. Importantly, the chamber’s budget recommendation continues vital …

MHA EventsMHA Annual Membership Meeting Registration Deadline Approaching

The registration deadline is May 24 for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 26 through 28 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The MHA Annual Membership Meeting is an opportunity to learn, network and …

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Preparedness and Resources

News of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1, commonly referred to as bird flu, is spreading across the country with concerns for animal-to-human transmission. The MHA and its partners are monitoring the situation closely with …

Registration Open for Caregiver Engagement Webinar

The MHA Keystone Center is hosting the Identifying and Engaging Family Caregivers Webinar at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 6. The event, facilitated by RUSH University’s Center for Excellence in Aging, is free to MHA members. …

 

MHA EventsMHA and CyberForce|Q In-Person Cybersecurity Workshop

The MHA is partnering with Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q to offer the in-person workshop Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to noon, May 22 at the MHA headquarters …

MHA EventsPublic Relations Professionals Gather at MHA Communications Retreat

The 2024 MHA Communications Retreat brought together nearly 100 communications, marketing and public relations professionals from MHA-member facilities May 7 to network and learn from peers across the state. Topics on the agenda included artificial …

MHA Hosts Successful Virtual Care Models Webinar

The MHA hosted nearly 100 healthcare staff in patient experience, nursing, quality and human resources roles May 2 during the webinar Virtual Care Models that Improve Engagement and Support Staff. Representatives from Henry Ford Health …

The Keckley Report

Is the Health System the Next Target for Campus Unrest?

“In my 4Q 2023 Keckley Poll, distinctions between the views of the college-age population and older adults about the health system were surprising: though college age adults use the health system less than others, they share a widespread belief it’s flawed and in need of fundamental change. They believe the profit in healthcare is more important than its caring and they’re open to government policies that might rein in its corporatization. …

The U.S. system is an unlikely target for campus unrest today but a likely target tomorrow. College student interaction with the health system is episodic: student health is a backstop for their bouts with depression, substance abuse, STIs, chronic conditions and accidents. Insurance and payment are concerns, and impressions from childhood household circumstances flavor their impressions of how the system operates. But what they’re seeing is key: the most heralded organizations in healthcare are associated with their size, financial success and the personal wealth of their executives. In college circles, Wall Street success seems more important than Main Street authenticity, transparency, environmental consciousness, fairness and humility. Like the majority of Americans, their views about the health system are anecdotal and regretfully negative. …”

Paul Keckley, May 6, 2024

News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner Managed Care Advisory Group, Inc. provided an update on the Visa Mastercard class action settlement.
  • The MHA Keystone Center is partnering with the Michigan Regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative to offer an additional networking opportunity for members attending the Michigan Maternal & Infant Health Summit.
  • In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the MHA Keystone Center developed a series of online learning modules for infection control and prevention education.

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) issued a press release May 9 highlighting her introduction of the Stop Nurse Shortages Act that included a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters. The bipartisan bill, introduced …

MHA Monday Report May 6 2024

Member News, Monday Report


Medical Residents Converge for GME Capitol Day

The MHA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Capitol Day welcomed more than 40 physician residents from a dozen member hospitals to the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center offices May 1 for a day of meetings with members …

Medicaid Budget Bills Advance, Other Health Issues Move Forward

The House and Senate appropriations committees advanced recommendations during the week of April 28 for the Department of Health and Human Services as a part of the state fiscal year 2025 budget. The MHA is …

The Rural 340B Access Act of 2024 Introduced in the U.S. House

The bipartisan Rural 340B Access Act of 2024 was introduced April 29 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), the legislation aims to enhance the Rural …

speak upCorewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Nurse Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association Keystone Center celebrated Jennie Lynn, RN, at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, April 30 as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient. The quarterly MHA Keystone …

Registration Open for Safe Table on Structured Communication Models

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization is hosting the Structured Communication Hand-Off Safe Table from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 12 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos, MI. The peer-led discussion about …

MHA Keystone Center Offers Infection Control & Prevention Online Courses

The MHA Keystone Center partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a series of online learning modules for infection control and prevention education. The modules cater to the needs …

MHA Podcast Explores Healthcare Cybersecurity with Michigan Medicine

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring what happens when a hospital or health system experiences a cyberattack featuring Jack Kufahl, chief information security officer at Michigan Medicine. In his …

MHA CEO Report — Implementing Behavioral Health Solutions

Behavioral health is one of the four key strategic pillars for the MHA this program year. The MHA Board of Trustees tasked our association with prioritizing the issue and to identify solutions that can make a meaningful difference for patients and …

The Keckley Report

Four Implicit Messages to Healthcare in the FTC Non-Compete Rule

“Last Tuesday (April 23), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a 570-page final rule in a partisan 3-2 vote prohibiting employers from binding most American workers to post-employment non-competition agreements (the “Final Rule”): …

Odds are this rule will not become law anytime soon allowing healthcare organizations to consider alternatives to the non-competes they use. Work-arounds for protection of intellectual property, talent acquisition, employment agreements are likely as HR professionals, benefits and compensation consultancies huddle to consider what’s next. …

What’s clear is that the FTC and regulators in DC and many states are watching the industry closely and many aren’t buying what we’re selling.”

Paul Keckley, April 29, 2024

News to Know

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing is seeking new expert witnesses to review standard of care investigation cases.

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of April 28 that includes coverage on the national shortage of radiologists and radiology technicians, recently introduced bills at the federal level and rural hospital challenges. Below is …

Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Nurse Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

News Releases, Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
MHA Speak Up awarded to Jenni Lynn PICU, RN, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, L- MHA CEO Brian Peters and R- Sarah Scranton, executive director, MHA Keystone Center.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center celebrated Jennie Lynn, RN, at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, April 30 as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient.

The quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Lynn was recognized for her proactive intervention for a pediatric patient receiving treatment for gastroenteritis. After reviewing the patient’s imagining results, Lynn flagged a foreign body for the care team. A surgical consultation was ordered, and the patient received life-saving surgery to remove the object.

“Medicine is complex, and there are hundreds of data points in a patient’s care. What we’re celebrating is that Jennie Lynn, RN, saw something significant and spoke up, and it turned out that the medical team was not yet aware of that finding,” said Daniel Carey, MD, MHCM, FACC, president of Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. “We all depend on help from different professionals, and what we’re celebrating is that Jennie knew that every person’s opinion matters, and she felt valued and empowered to speak up. That’s the key to a safe and healthy culture in a health care system.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2024 include:

  • Patricia Brown, McLaren Northern Michigan
  • Madison Smith, University of Michigan Health-West
  • Shannon Duff, RN, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow

“It is a privilege to recognize healthcare workers who are fierce advocates for their patients every day in Michigan hospitals,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Jennie’s action is a testament to her dedication to providing excellent patient care and Corewell Health’s commitment to facilitating a safety culture.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

Medical Residents Converge for GME Capitol Day

Member News
Three physician residents and a Michigan state house representative posing for a photo in a hallway.
Henry Ford Health physician residents pictured with Representative Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe).

The MHA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Capitol Day welcomed more than 40 physician residents from a dozen member hospitals to the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center offices May 1 for a day of meetings with members of the Michigan Legislature and their staffs. Each group of residents met with a combination of lawmakers and legislative staff throughout the day, with conversations focusing on the importance of graduate medical education, physician residents in the healthcare continuum and Michigan’s future physician healthcare workforce talent pipeline.

Meetings were held in the Michigan Capitol, the Anderson House Office Building and the Senate Binsfeld Office Building.

Participating lawmaker offices included:

  • House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit)
  • House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township)
  • Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township)
  • Senate Healthy Policy Chair Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores)
  • Senate Health Policy Vice Chair Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit)
  • House Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township)
  • House Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia)
  • House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck)

Residents used and shared with lawmakers an infographic that provides facts regarding GME.

Members with questions on GME and state legislation related to the healthcare workforce should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 26, 2024

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Workplace Safety Posters Available

The MHA has new, updated signage available for MHA members to order at no cost to help hospitals comply with the requirement from Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023 that hospitals display signage informing …

 

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Medical Assistant and Nurse Receive Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center celebrated Joni Hunter, MA, and Dorothy Zsenyuk, RN, at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Nurse Midwives Feb. 8 as Speak-up! Award recipients. The quarterly MHA Keystone …

MHA Podcast Explores Impact of Medical Mistrust Among Black Americans

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the impact medical mistrust has on health outcomes for Black Americans featuring Lynn Todman, PhD, vice president of Health Equity and Community Partnerships …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Four Conflicts that Hospitals Must Resolve in 2024

If you’re a U.S. health industry watcher, it would appear the $4.5 trillion system is under fire at every corner. Pressures to lower costs, increase accessibility and affordability to all populations, disclose prices and demonstrate value are hitting every sector. Complicating matters, state and federal legislators are challenging ‘business as usual’ seeking ways to spend tax dollars more wisely with surprisingly strong bipartisan support on many issues. No sector faces these challenges more intensely than hospitals. …

Nonetheless, conflict resolution on these issues must be pursued if hospitals are to be effective, affordable and accessible contributors and/or hubs for community health systems in the future. The risks of inaction for society, the communities served and the 5.48 million (NAICS Bureau of Labor 622) employed in the sector cannot be overstated. The likelihood they can be resolved without the addition of new voices and fresh solutions is unlikely.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 19, 2024

News to Know

  • Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 5, 2024 at the ACH Hotel Marriott University Area, Lansing.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CommerceHealthcare® recently published an annual report on 2024 Healthcare Finance Trends presenting a set of themes that capture the positive momentum, significant challenges and major strategies for provider organizations in 2024 and beyond.
  • The Joint Commission is hosting a webinar March 26 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. EST to review recent updates to Michigan regulations for Cardiac Systems of Care (STEMI Referring and STEMI Receiving).

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

Crain’s Grand Rapids published a story Feb. 22 about the decision by the Kalamazoo-based cooperative air ambulance program between Bronson Healthcare and Ascension Borgess Hospital to end flights later this year. MHA CEO Brian Peters …