When a hospital announces a merger or acquisition, the story behind the decision is rarely as simple or straightforward as a single headline may sound. It’s often a very deliberate process that involves months of rigorous research and financial analysis, and more than anything, rooted in what’s best for the communities a hospital serves.
Rural hospitals across Michigan face unique challenges: acute staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, lower patient volumes and financial strain from high levels of uncompensated care. In many cases, these teams are caring for an aging population with complex health needs, so consolidation comes down to strengthening care delivery, protecting access and filling gaps.
For some, the choice becomes stark: join a larger system or risk closing altogether. In these cases, an acquisition can be a lifeline. Larger systems can provide financial stability, operational support and access to specialized services, ultimately preserving local access to care that would otherwise be at risk of disappearing.
“Our decision to bring North Ottawa Community Hospital into Trinity Health Michigan was grounded in strengthening care for the lakeshore communities served by the hospital,” said Gary Allore, president, Trinity Health Muskegon, Shelby and Grand Haven. “Now known as Trinity Health Grand Haven and operating as a fully integrated member of our statewide network, we are building a stronger, more sustainable care delivery model for the future.”
When hospitals integrate into a broader system, they often gain access to shared electronic health records, standardized quality and safety protocols, centralized specialty services and streamlined patient navigation resources. Accessing these benefits and preserving access to care are often drivers behind these types of decisions.
Maintaining safe, high-quality healthcare requires investing in new, costly infrastructure: updated diagnostic technology, cybersecurity, telehealth and more. Joining forces with other hospitals can provide shared purchasing power for medical supplies, systemwide staffing support, standardized administrative processes and more consistent patient experience across locations. These efficiencies allow hospitals to redirect resources toward clinical services, quality improvement and patient support.
“It’s our goal at Scheurer to be here for the long haul,” said Ross Ramsey, MD, president, CEO, Scheurer Health, in a letter following the merger announcement between Scheurer Health and Harbor Beach Community Hospital. “And to do that, we need to grow where needed, expand where possible and keep an eye to the future at all times.”
Jill Wehner, president and CEO, Harbor Beach Community Hospital, continued in the letter, “This signing marks the first of many future steps, but also the initial culmination of months of research, studies, consultants, discussions and due diligence to push both of our organizations forward together.”
The business model a hospital chooses is ultimately based on the needs of their individual communities, as decided by their local governing board. Whether an organization chooses to merge or remain independent, decisions ultimately center on sustaining access to quality care for the communities the hospital serves.
Hospitals that have the means to remain independent may choose to do so to maintain local decision-making, preserve an existing culture and/or prevent added complexities that can come with larger system structures.
“Remaining independent has given us the ability to respond quickly to local needs, invest strategically in patient care and preserve the culture that defines who we are,” said Tim Johnson, CEO, Eaton Rapids Medical Center. “We’re able to align every decision — clinical, operational and financial — with what’s best for our patients and our caregivers.”
Simply put, both independent and system-based approaches can successfully support high-quality care and long-term sustainability. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to whether a hospital should merge or remain independent, but the decision is always based on what will best support — and advance — the health and well-being of local communities and patient populations.
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association does not take a formal stance on hospital mergers or acquisitions. Rather, the MHA aims to help the public understand why these decisions occur and how they can affect patient care.
Healthcare remains the state’s largest employer of direct, private-sector jobs. With this in mind, hospitals are finding innovative ways to give Michigan students the opportunity to gain real-world exposure to clinical and non-clinical healthcare roles. Some examples of these efforts are outlined below.
McKenzie Health System Hosts Healthcare Career Exploration Tours for Local Students
McKenzie Health System hosts an immersive hospital tour for local ninth and tenth grade students.
The eight-week program provides hands-on exploration of health and human service careers across the Thumb region. During their visit to McKenzie, students gained a behind-the-scenes look at how a rural hospital operates and the many career paths available within healthcare.
The tour itself involved rotating through several departments – pharmacy, dietary, nursing, diagnostic imaging, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation – and participating in interactive learning experiences designed to bring healthcare careers to life.
“These tours give students a meaningful look at the many career opportunities available in healthcare, right here in their own community,” said Nina Barnett, Public Relations. “We are proud to support the exploration of healthcare careers for local youth and to partner with the Thumb Community Health Partnership in building a strong future workforce.”
By partnering with the Thumb Community Health Partnership and local school districts, McKenzie continues to invest in programs that encourage students to explore rewarding careers in healthcare close to home.
Trinity Health Muskegon Hosts Schools for a “A Day in the Life of an Injured Student”
Educators and students from Muskegon High School and Spring Lake High School recently visited Trinity Health Muskegon to participate in an interactive activity titled, “A Day in the Life of an Injured Student,” where they followed the medical journey of a student athlete hurt during a football game.
From the initial scene with paramedics to the operating room alongside surgical technicians, students observed each step of care and were introduced to roughly 40 different medical and health-related professions along the way.
Trinity Health Muskegon colleagues shared more about their roles, required education, career pathways and practical advice. Representatives from healthcare colleges and Trinity Health Muskegon’s Talent Acquisition team were also present to serve as resources for the students.
“Many of these students have no idea how many career options exist within various healthcare settings,” said Jerry Evans, MD, emergency medicine provider, Lake Michigan Emergency Specialists and immediate past chief of staff, Trinity Health Muskegon. “Athletic trainers, paramedics, physicians, nurses, radiology and lab technicians, emergency department teams, operating room staff, computer support, dietary services, facilities personnel and so many others. Trinity Health Muskegon is devoted to strengthening our community and inspiring our youth to consider careers in healthcare.”
Covenant HealthCare Invites Recent Grads to Explore Hospital Careers
Covenant HealthCare created “Discover Covenant” in 2024 to expand knowledge of hospital jobs, grow local talent and help future generations make informed career decisions.
The summer program is a paid opportunity designed for recent high school graduates interested in healthcare. It runs from early June to late August, giving participants the opportunity to explore areas of interest along with those they’re unfamiliar with. Exploration periods are done in three-week rotations from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday.
“As I worked through Discover Covenant, my love of helping people and feeling a sense of accomplishment was ignited during the nursing rotation,” said one participant. “I have now willingly changed my college major to nursing, and I am grateful for the time and money saved due to my experience with Discover Covenant.”
Since 2024, hospital employees and volunteers have hosted approximately 30 students – a handful of which have since sought employment or additional learning at Covenant. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Covenant team.
“This program has given young adults from our community the opportunity to learn more about healthcare careers and engage with our organization,” said Jill Jarvis, BSN, RN, manager, clinical development & education, Covenant HealthCare. “It has been a win-win for both participants seeking knowledge and guidance about their futures and for our organization, which is working to build pipelines for future employees.”
Hillsdale Hospital Awards Up to $50,000 in Educational Support to High School Seniors Pursuing Nursing Careers
Hillsdale Hospital’sDoris Whorley Nursing Scholarship allows eligible high school seniors to apply for tuition assistance of up to $10,000 per year for up to five years for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
“Our hospital depends on nurses across every point of care and our mission with this scholarship program is to support their education, on-the-job training and long-term career development,” said Randy Holland, chief nursing and infection control officer.
The scholarship was named after Doris Whorley, Hillsdale’s longest working nurse who has been in the profession for nearly 58 years.
“Doris Whorley has made such an incredible and enduring impact on our hospital’s staff and patients,” added Holland. “On behalf of Hillsdale Hospital’s nursing staff, we are honored to carry her legacy forward as we train and guide future nurses.”
Program application announcements can be found on Hillsdale Hospital’s website.
Eaton Rapids Medical Center Hosts Themed Hospital Tour
The team at Eaton Rapids Medical Center recently hosted a two-day hospital tour for local second graders. To keep things engaging, the event was pirate-themed and included exploring the “Emergency Deck,” emergency department, a visit to ”Clean Hands Island” to learn more about the importance of handwashing and a trip to “X-Ray Bay” to see the hospital’s radiology equipment.
The tours are designed not only to ease fears associated with medical care, but also educate students on healthy habits and see members of the hospital team in action.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local schools to bring this experience to our second graders every year,” said Eleni Danford, MSN, RN, clinical education, Eaton Rapids Medical Center. “By opening our doors and giving students the chance to explore our departments, meet our care team and have a genuinely fun and memorable experience, we hope to build a sense of familiarity and trust between our hospital and the community we serve.”
Pine Rest Charts Careers in Mental Health
Through personal narratives, reenactments and hands-on activities, more than 200 Kent County students explored career opportunities in the mental health field at an event recently hosted by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.
“Pine Rest Beyond the Books — The High School Edition,” was an immersive program designed to introduce teens to behavioral health careers. Students from Kent Career Tech Center and several local high schools, including Byron Center, Kenowa Hills, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Lowell and Northview, attended the event.
Amy Pierce-Danders, Pine Rest workforce development manager, said many students entering the medical field focus on traditional roles, such as nurse or doctor, without realizing the breadth of opportunities available. Other behavioral health job options include counselor, social worker, psychiatric technician, behavioral analyst and recreational therapist, she said.
“The goal is to get the students on campus where they can learn about behavioral health issues and discover these healthcare pathways,” Pierce-Danders said.
MI Hospital Careers Campaign
As a complement to the local efforts of Michigan hospitals, the MHA’s MI Hospital Careers campaign launched in June 2023 to expand interest in Michigan health careers. The campaign targets high school and college students, as well as working professionals looking for a rewarding career. To learn more, contact Katelin Wiersma at the MHA.
The MHA recently endorsed Alliance-HNI, a longtime MHA associate member, as an Endorsed Business Partner (EBP). Alliance-HNI delivers a full continuum of services, including mobile, fixed-site, comprehensive service line management and joint venture partnerships. The MHA’s EBP program promotes industry-leading firms and connects member hospitals to solutions that alleviate pain points.
Alliance-HNI is a leading provider of outsourced medical services, including radiology and oncology. They are the only Joint Commission-accredited mobile radiology company operating in Michigan and their staff for all modalities is a fully credentialed technical team. Alliance-HNI provides the following exclusive solutions to the market, unavailable through any other provider:
Relocatable Linear Particle Accelerator (LINAC): Hospitals can maintain uninterrupted, high-quality care, referrals and revenue while replacing permanent LINAC technologies or vaults.
Akumin AXIS™ Expandable Patient Solutions: This new of its kind transportable imaging suite avoids high construction costs and long implementation timelines with a set-up time of less than one week. It will include either MRI or PET/CT imaging equipment and is specially designed with the patient’s experience in mind. It feels more like brick-and-mortar than other mobile units and obtains the benefits of a fixed asset without the large capital investment.
Alliance-HNI Success Story
Alliance-HNI currently provides quality clinical services for more than 60 hospitals and healthcare partners in Michigan, including providing services to Eaton Rapids Medical Center.
“Over the years, Eaton Rapids Medical Center’s (ERMC) partnership has grown stronger with Alliance-HNI because of their commitment to our success,” said Tim Johnson, CEO of Eaton Rapids Medical Center. “Being integrated into multiple Alliance-HNI-owned CON networks has been incredibly beneficial. It has allowed ERMC to offer supplementary imaging coverage during system downtimes and manage our backlogs effectively.”
For more information about Alliance-HNI, members may contact Ryan Mysen, territory director of business development at Alliance-HNI, via email or (810) 241-1214. Members seeking information about the MHA’s EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
