MHASC Board Engages in Strategic Planning Retreat

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board met Oct. 21 to discuss healthcare market strategies to identify, diversify and grow solutions for MHA members and clients. The board’s strategic planning retreat focused on creative ideation and brainstorming how the MHASC can support the key pillars of the MHA Strategic Action Plan (SAP): protecting patient access to care, workforce support, support for mental and behavioral health and creating healthy communities. Members are invited to register for the virtual member forum scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 to learn more about the MHA 2025-26 SAP.

The MHASC featured SmarterDx as a new endorsed business partner that has developed a clinical AI platform to help hospitals and health systems analyze complete patient records and fully capture the value of care provided. Founded by physicians in 2020, its proprietary AI platform understands the nuances of clinical reasoning, enabling hospitals to stay true to the patient record for every discharge. By doing so, hospitals can recover earned revenue, enhance care quality metrics and optimize healthcare operations. Wayne Grodsky, chief commercial officer, SmarterDx, explored how its solutions can rapidly improve a hospital’s financial performance through advanced revenue cycle analysis.

The board also recognized outgoing member Marita Hattem-Schiffman, central region president, MyMichigan Health, for her upcoming retirement and many years of service in rural healthcare leadership.

The MHASC continues to work closely with its business solutions to address challenges and opportunities for MHA members to explore innovations to improve value and performance. Members with questions regarding the MHASC Board may contact Lindsay Peters at the MHA. Members with questions regarding the endorsed business partner program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

Registration Open for the Michigan Food as Medicine Summit

Registration is open for the inaugural Michigan Food as Medicine Summit, scheduled for Oct. 7-8 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

The event will bring together leaders from healthcare, food systems, policy and community organizations to learn and shape the state’s first unified Food as Medicine advocacy agenda.

Participants can expect sessions that will highlight best practices for designing, implementing and operationalizing Food as Medicine interventions in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

The summit will feature a keynote address from Dr. Seth Berkowitz, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in the Division of General Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, examining food security and nutrition interventions to improve population health.

As an event sponsor, the MHA encourages healthcare leaders and practitioners to participate.

Registration is $445 for payers, providers and health system participants and closes on Oct. 1.

Continuing education credits have been approved for physicians, physician assistants and nurses for 5.0 hours. Continuing education contact hours (CECH) have been approved for health educators. This activity has been approved for 5.0 CECH credits, program number 38017. Applications for social workers and dietitians are pending.

Members with questions about the event may reach out to Lindsay Peters at the MHA.

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MHA Service Corporation Highlights Security Technology Solutions and Action Plan Priorities

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held its final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of protecting access, workforce support, strengthening cybercrime and cybersecurity policy, mental and behavioral health, and creating healthy communities. Members are encouraged to review the recent MHA CEO Report for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The board was joined by Jason Slocum, CEO, i2G Systems, a Michigan-based electronic security technology service provider, for an overview of i2G’s Security Alignment Program. Their revolutionary integrated approach to security allows for hospitals and healthcare systems to measure how well public safety investments are performing against policies in real time. This encompasses a broad spectrum of services and technologies, ranging from access control, advanced surveillance, perimeter and outdoor areas, analytics, visitor/vendor management and emergency response systems. The partnership with i2G Systems aligns with the MHA’s priority to prevent workplace violence and keep healthcare workers, patients and visitors safe. Members may contact Ashtyn DeShais, account manager at i2G Systems to learn more.

The MHASC board had several appointments and reappointments, adding depth and breadth of expertise. The board welcomed new board members Brittany Bogan, associate COO, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital & Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor; and Christopher Fulks, interim CEO at Lake Huron Medical Center, and regional CFO, Prime Healthcare, Garden City. Fulks also accepted a MHA Ludwig Community Benefit award.

The board affirmed the reappointments of Paul Karsten, CFO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, as were the following individuals:

  • Peter Marinoff, south region president, Munson Healthcare
  • Andrea Poulopoulos, senior vice president, supply chain, Corewell Health

The board recognized outgoing board member Saju George, regional CEO, Prime Healthcare, and thanked him for continued service on the MHA Board of Trustees. The MHASC board also honored Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, for providing strategic planning and oversight of the MHASC, including service as secretary of the board since 2023. Sudderth received a MHA Special Recognition Award and has moved on to a new opportunity outside of the MHA. The board welcomed Lindsay Peters, who will begin serving as vice president of the MHASC and board secretary in July.

The MHASC mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance through its Unemployment Compensation Program, Data Services and Endorsed Business Partner program. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available. Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Lindsay Peters at the MHA.