Registration for 2025 Communications Retreat Closes Sept. 19

MHA Events

Registration closes Sept. 19 for the 2025 MHA Communications Retreat, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing.

This year’s retreat offers hospital communicators a chance to connect with peers across the state and participate in sessions that provide valuable skills and insights for both emerging and experienced professionals.

At the 2025 Communications Retreat, the lineup of presenters and topics includes:

  • Tim McIntyre, experienced communicator and former Domino’s Pizza executive, will share insights on reputation management, drawing parallels between his experiences and the issues hospitals face today, including rebuilding trust, creating transparency and simplifying the patient experience.
  • A crisis communication panel will feature MHA members, including Catherine Dewey, regional marketing communications manager, Munson Healthcare; Mark Geary, senior director, communications & external affairs, Corewell Health, and will highlight lessons learned from past crises in healthcare. The session will be led by crisis communications expert Jeff Gaunt, founder and principal of Gaunt Strategies, who will also facilitate a tabletop simulation where attendees respond to an incident in real time.
  • Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA, will provide an update on state and federal healthcare priorities.

The registration fee is $35 per person. Breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Members are encouraged to register now to secure one of the few remaining seats.

Additional event details and registration information is available on the 2025 Communications Retreat webpage.

Members with questions regarding registration should contact Kennedy Walters at the MHA. Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

Speakers Announced for 2025 Communications Retreat

The MHA has confirmed speakers and topics for the 2025 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing.

The lineup features:

  • Tim McIntyre, experienced communicator and former Domino’s Pizza executive, who will share insights on reputation management, drawing parallels between his experiences and the issues hospitals face today, including rebuilding trust, creating transparency and simplifying the patient experience.
  • A crisis communication panel will feature MHA members, including Catherine Dewey, regional marketing communications manager, Munson Healthcare, and will highlight lessons learned from past crises in healthcare. The session will be led by crisis communications expert Jeff Gaunt, founder and principal of Gaunt Strategies, who will also facilitate a tabletop simulation where attendees respond to an incident in real time. Additional speakers will be announced as they’re confirmed.
  • Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA, will provide an update on state and federal healthcare priorities.

This event is designed specifically for professionals working in public relations, communications, media relations, marketing and community relations within Michigan hospitals. We encourage members of these professions to register and participate.

Additional event details, including registration information, are available on the 2025 Communications Retreat webpage.

Members with questions regarding registration should contact Kennedy Walters at the MHA. Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

News to Know – Jan. 15, 2024

  • MHA offices will be closed, and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 15, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
  • MHA-member communications professionals are encouraged to save the date for this year’s MHA Communications Retreat, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing.