A new partnership will combine hands-on clinical training with financial support for GVSU nursing students.
Every hour of every day, nurses provide care Michiganders can count on. As staffing shortages continue to impact various sectors of healthcare, Michigan hospitals are focused on creative solutions to strengthen and support this dedicated workforce.
One of the ways this is being done is by opening doors — and removing barriers — for those interested in the field. A strong example of this is a new partnership between Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital that creates a new pathway for GVSU nursing students to go from classroom to bedside.
The partnership, announced in March, expands access to clinical experience at Mary Free Bed and combines hands-on training with financial support.
“This is an innovative program that places GVSU students at its heart,” said Linda Lewandowski, dean, GVSU Kirkhof College of Nursing. “Mary Free Bed is a recognized leader in rehabilitative care and will offer our students a clinical experience in which they can continue engaging in interdisciplinary care.”
Through this partnership, eligible students in the GVSU Kirkhof College of Nursing can receive up to $5,000 per semester for four semesters, helping make their education more affordable. In return, participants commit to working at Mary Free Bed for at least two years after graduating and passing their licensure exam.
Students will also gain exposure to the full scope of rehabilitation care through more than 120 medical and sports programs available at Mary Free Bed, working alongside therapists and rehabilitation physicians in a collaborative care environment.
Partnerships like this help ensure more patients will benefit from the compassionate care nurses offer during life’s most pivotal moments. This National Nurses Week and beyond, the MHA thanks Michigan nurses — past, present and future — who continue to show up around the clock, in every region of the state.
Hospitals are improving the health and well-being of communities through a care model that fosters collaboration between clinicians, patients and their support systems.
Person- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) — often referred to as Patient and Family Engagement (PFE) — is an approach to care delivery that has been shown to improve health outcomes, lower costs, enhance patient experience and boost overall staff satisfaction.
“Relationships are at the heart of everything,” said Michelle Brady, MSHAL, BSN, RN, CPXP, director, patient experience and relations, MyMichigan Health. “While we have the beautiful benefits of technology, we cannot lose sight of the human connection. These [PFE] councils are a lifeline to continue humanizing care across the continuum. We have to keep the patient — and the family — at the table.”
Brady has been a registered nurse for 36 years and a leader for the last 15. In her current role, she supports the success of MyMichigan’s PFAC to ensure patients and families are at the center of goal setting and system decision-making.
Alongside Brady was Michele Mitchell, BS, MS, PMP, a nationally recognized patient advocate and breast cancer survivor. Following years of working in healthcare, being on the other side further ignited Mitchell’s passion for amplifying the patient voice in care delivery, education and research.
“Patients who participate in their care stay healthier longer,” said Mitchell, who previously co-chaired Michigan Medicine’s Department of Pathology PFAC. “This is not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do. The best care happens when providers see the whole person, not just the diagnosis. When patients are genuine partners in their care, everyone wins.”
The episode, released during Patient Experience Week, offers actionable ways for healthcare teams to implement PFE and uplift its value to hospital leadership.
The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council provides guidance and support to Michigan hospitals to extend and enhance PFCC across the state. The council is made up of MHA staff, stakeholders and advisors who work to ensure the voice of patients and families are incorporated into hospital initiatives and efforts. It also provides a great opportunity for networking, collaboration and sharing of best practices for PFCC.
The episode is available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and YouTube. Questions or content submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes and Hospitals Help articles can be directed to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA. Those interested in learning more or getting involved in the MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council may contact Erin Steward at the MHA.
Members of the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center team
Patients often feel most vulnerable during the transition from hospital to home – especially if questions linger, follow-up care is extensive or there’s any risk of complications. Knowing this, hospitals are finding ways to ensure patients don’t have to navigate discharge and recovery alone.
The Community Paramedic program at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is a great example of this work. Based in the health center’s emergency department, the program supports patients during and after discharge in an effort to address concerns and prevent avoidable emergency department visits.
“At Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, our mission is to improve the health and quality of life for those that we serve,” said Jeremy Cannon, VP, chief nursing officer, Kalkasa Memorial Health Center. “To truly make an impact, we look beyond the four walls of our hospital and focus on understanding patient needs in their own environment.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge has been linked to both short and long-term mortality. Proper care coordination before, during and after a hospital stay is critical for improving patient outcomes.
The program at Kalkaska engages providers across acute care, long-term care and primary care to identify patient’s risk for hospital re-admission. Team members often address discharge questions, concerns or confusion – whether it be difficulties managing acute or chronic conditions, missing resources at home, medication adjustments or new care needs.
Paramedics are available seven days a week to meet patients before discharge or contact them to schedule home visits within 24 hours. In the home, they identify barriers that may not have been apparent during the hospital stay and coordinate with primary providers, social work, pharmacy and the electronic medical record team to support comprehensive care.
“We are fortunate to have a hospital-owned emergency medical services agency operating through Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, allowing us to invest directly in the individuals who respond to our community members during their most vulnerable moments,” said Cannon.
Patients enrolled in the program have demonstrated significantly lower emergency department readmission rates. The work allows the teams at Kalkaska to better support patients and keep them where they want to be: home.
Michigan hospitals are finding innovative ways to improve patient outcomes and remove barriers to timely care. One example of this comes from McLaren Health Care and its McLaren Heart & Vascular Institute, who recently launched a first-of-its-kind cardiovascular screening program to help better detect patients’ risk for heart disease.
Launched in partnership with Bunkerhill Health and its AI-powered Carebricks platform, the tool’s FDA-cleared clinical algorithm detects indicators for coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis – two common forms of heart disease that worsen over time if left untreated.
“This is a very important way of finding the disease before it causes any problems for the patient long-term or short-term,” said Dr. Samar Kazziha, chief medical director, McLaren Heart & Vascular Institute, McLaren Health Care.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Michigan and the U.S. In addition to heeding controllable risk factors, early intervention can significantly reduce the odds of a life-threatening cardiovascular event.
McLaren’s new technology has alleviated the need for time-consuming tests and imaging that traditionally have been performed to detect the presence and risk of heart disease. Now, clinicians can spot signals much sooner – even during routine testing for other, non-heart related conditions.
Launching a screening program of this size and scope would have normally placed added strain on clinical teams, including time spent reviewing charts, checking guidelines and coordinating follow-up care. Bunkerhill Health’s Carebricks makes the process easier by enabling AI-powered workflows that analyze patients’ records already on file, clinical guidelines and McLaren’s own care protocols. As a result, McLaren can expand access to early cardiovascular screening while minimizing added workload for clinicians.
“By using the clinical information already available to us, this program enables us to identify patients who may benefit from earlier follow-up, often before symptoms appear, and ensures they are connected to the right care at the right time — helping to close critical gaps in detection, improving those patients’ long-term outcomes and overall quality of life,” said Kazziha.
To learn more about cardiac care services, visit the McLaren Health Care website. Those with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.
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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. …
“Of industries monitored in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ industry classifications (NAICS), healthcare is unique: its business model is based on business to business (B2B) transactions between suppliers (drugs, devices, technology, hospitals, ancillary facilities), intermediaries (GPOs, PBMs, insurers, brokers) and retail distributors (physicians, pharmacists, therapists, et al) in which end-users (consumers) have limited influence and unpredictable financial responsibility. The acceptance of low health literacy is institutionalized in state and federal regulatory oversight, labor rules and scope of practice determinations and funding by private investors, public appropriations, employer contributions and out-of-pocket payments by consumers. Its acceptance is inconsistent with aims to make it more accessible, affordable and effective. …
For too long, health literacy has been relegated to discussions among public health officials. Its neglect is harmful to every organization in healthcare and to its long-term sustainability. Boards should weigh in, and policymakers should act. Health literacy can ill-afford being out of sight, out-of mind in the U.S. health system and in the society we serve.”
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.
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Healthcare is capital intense: it needs appropriations from government and in-flows from employers and individual taxpayers to pay its bills. Most of that pays for its labor costs. Today, most Board agenda include updates on labor relations, human resource management issues and workforce adequacy—it’s standard fare. And all weigh options to outsource and devour progress reports from HR management on AI-enabled investments anticipated to reduce labor costs. …
If the overall economy is dependent on healthcare to produce an appropriate share of job growth while reducing overall costs, modernizing its workforce is key. It must include unpaid caregivers, licensed and unlicensed providers and technology-enabled solution providers—not just traditional licensed professional groups and their academic partners. That’s not going to happen in the current political environment where each sector’s primary focus is protecting reimbursement and guarding against scope of practice threats.
The health system needs transformation. Workforce modernization is where to start.”
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The MHA Health Access & Community Impact Council convened virtually on March 5 to discuss strategies to improve health outcomes through stronger integration of social and clinical care. In recognition of National Nutrition Month, members also explored how Food as Medicine initiatives are being implemented across Michigan health systems.
Nutrition plays an essential role in improving health and preventing chronic disease, yet many communities continue to face barriers to accessing healthy food. Council members discussed how hospitals and community partners are working to address nutrition insecurity and expand Food as Medicine programs.
The meeting opened with organizational storyboards highlighting how health systems are working to improve health outcomes, expand access and strengthen community partnerships. Members shared examples of strategies integrating social care into clinical practice, including embedding social needs data into dashboards, expanding community-informed approaches and using geographic insights to better understand barriers such as transportation, behavioral health access and financial strain.
Hospitals are also piloting innovative models, including food support programs and virtual care, to better serve rural and underserved communities.
The discussion also included insights from a cross‑sector community development initiative, highlighting how coordinated work across healthcare, economic opportunity and community design can improve conditions in under-resourced communities. Members emphasized that strong internal leadership alignment is essential to sustain community-focused progress.
The council received a legislative update, highlighting potential coverage disruptions, Medicaid redetermination challenges, physician licensure risks and evolving hospital finance pressures. Council members were encouraged to use the MHA Action Center to engage lawmakers in protecting healthcare funding.
During the meeting, Lucy Ciaramitaro, director, communications, MHA, shared more about the Hospitals Help statewide storytelling campaign that elevates high-impact hospital stories to support public awareness and trust.
Dawn Opel, JD, PhD, chief innovation officer and general counsel, Food Bank Council of Michigan, delivered an in‑depth overview of Michigan’s Food as Medicine landscape, including the Medicaid In Lieu of Services benefit. While Michigan is a national leader in this space, program uptake remains low due to clinical integration barriers, unclear workflows, inconsistent referral pathways and limited data sharing between health and food systems. Food insecurity in Michigan continues to increase, placing additional pressure on hospitals and community partners and underscoring the need for aligned strategies.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of council subgroups developing guidebooks and recommendations for scalable community health strategies related to quality improvement, patient experience, community partnerships and clinical social care integration.
Members are encouraged to map current Food as Medicine partnerships to identify gaps in referrals, data sharing or workflows. Hospitals may also engage patients and staff to assess social-needs screening workflows, focusing on timing, roles and follow-up capacity.
Navigating healthcare billing and out-of-pocket costs can be overwhelming. In order to let patients focus on healing, many hospitals are expanding the role of financial counselors, social workers and patient navigators.
For example, financial counselors at Bronson Healthcare meet patients where they are. Financial counselors are available whether a person enters through the emergency room or comes in for scheduled surgery, providing price estimates, financial aid resources and insurance guidance for those who need it.
David Cavataio, director of patient accounting, Bronson Healthcare, oversees a team of 15 financial counselors strategically placed across four locations. Their mission is simple but powerful: catch patients before they fall into financial crisis.
“We’ve tried to build it where no matter where you go, we get you to the right people to help you,” said Cavataio.
The Bronson team doesn’t wait for patients to ask for help. Instead, they use admissions data to anticipate and identify who may qualify for financial assistance or Medicaid coverage. From there, a dedicated team handles upfront estimates and trained call center staff connect patients to resources and support to navigate the billing process.
Patients who receive timely guidance tend to follow treatment plans and maintain long-term relationships with their providers. The challenge? Trust. Many patients are skeptical when counselors first approach them.
“A lot of patients, when they first see our counselors, don’t trust them,” said Cavataio. “But if they see how hard our team works to help them and how we’ll drop everything to get the information they need, help them fill out forms, I think they see that we’re a partner.”
This is also a strategic choice for hospitals. When patients enroll in financial-aid programs, the amount of unpaid medical debt decreases, fewer accounts are sent to collections and administrative costs decline. In 2023 alone, Michigan hospitals paid more than $3.5 billion in uncompensated care.
Efforts to build trust at Bronson are paying off. According to the team, Medicaid applications have jumped 25% this year. Financial assistance applications are up 40%. These statistics represent thousands of Michigan families who can now afford the care they need.
“The call from your financial team was like a beacon in a storm,” said one patient. “I was about to quit my job so I could qualify for state assistance. I was near rock bottom. That changed after five minutes with the team.”
State policymakers are also moving to strengthen these efforts. Initiatives such as the 2024 medical debt-relief program have helped thousands of Michiganders reduce or eliminate existing debt.
“We’re there to help,” said Cavataio. “At Bronson Healthcare, those aren’t empty words; they’re a daily practice that’s keeping Michigan families out of medical debt and healthy, one patient at a time.”
To learn more about Medical Financial Assistance at Bronson Healthcare, visit their website. Members with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.
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House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees have begun work on the fiscal year 2027 state budget, which begins Oct. 1. The MHA has created a new action alert encouraging individuals to contact lawmakers and emphasize the importance of …
The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 24–26 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The annual meeting will feature an outstanding lineup of experts discussing key topics, …
The MHA recently submitted a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rule that would change how certain graduate health programs qualify for federal student loan programs under H.R. 1. The proposal would …
The deadline to register for the 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference is March 11. The conference is scheduled for March 24 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing and will bring together human resources leaders navigating rapid …
As many observe National Nutrition Month, hospitals across the state are implementing programs to address chronic disease through nutrition education and expanded food access. This work is being done through the MHA Community Benefit Collaboratives, which support efforts to improve Michiganders’ health outcomes in …
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a grant funding opportunity March 4 to provide support to organizations implementing primary substance use prevention programs for children and youth. The goal of this program is to support organizations to deliver …
Transportation Riders United (TRU) will host MI Public Health in Motion: Health and Transit Forum March 19 from noon to 2 p.m. ET. TRU is a Michigan-based transit advocacy organization whose work the MHA has …
Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care (MC3) is launching a free virtual education series beginning March 10 to help healthcare professionals better support children and adolescents experiencing behavioral health crises. The Practical Strategies to Support …
Mackinac Straits Health System opened its retail pharmacy in St. Ignace following valuable feedback from the community. Previously, the community lacked access to pharmacy services on weekends and holidays. This created additional barriers to care, …
Michiganders heard a clear message from our state and federal leaders last week: healthcare is too expensive and the system is flawed. We agree. Michigan hospitals are deeply invested in providing timely and accessible care, …
“40 minutes into the 108-minute State of the Union address Tuesday night, the President laid out his healthcare policy priorities for 2026 and after:
Increased focus on price transparency (building on 2021 and 2022 Executive Orders that targeted hospitals and insurers).
Increased use of Most Favored Nation pricing agreements to lower prescription drug costs.
Increased adoption of Health Savings Accounts by individuals who lost premium tax credits (aka ‘ill-conceived elements of “Obamacare).
These are the backbone of the President’s “Great Healthcare Plan” (January 15, 2026) that is premised on his view that the healthcare system is fundamentally flawed because consumer interests are not served. His plan reckons consolidation and corporatization in the $5.3 trillion U.S. healthcare enterprise as business strategies to profit operators (hospitals, medical practitioners, insurers, long-term care providers), suppliers (drugs, supplies, technologies, facilities), regulators and advisors at the expense of consumers. It posits that increased competition, less regulation, more transparency and a more direct role for consumers are necessary changes. …
FRAUD is the new F bomb in healthcare. It rallies industry critics to a common purpose. Medicaid is only the start.”
KFF Health News published a story March 4 detailing concerns from hospital leaders and lawmakers across the country about how states plan to spend new federal rural health funding. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program …
