Tag: Memorial Healthcare

Hospital Executives Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

Member News

The MHA announced the winners of its 2025 Healthcare Leadership Award June 26 during its Annual Membership Meeting. Each year, the MHA recognizes outstanding individuals who have provided exceptional leadership to healthcare organizations and to the health and well-being of the community. The 2025 recipients are Ben Frederick, associate vice president, advocacy and government relations, Memorial Healthcare, Owosso; and Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, MD, PhD, chief clinical officer, Trinity Health Michigan, Livonia. The MHA will donate $1,000 on behalf of each award winner to the charity of their choice. These funds were provided to the MHA by the family of former MHA President H. Allen Barth.

Ben Frederick, associate vice president, advocacy and government relations, Memorial Healthcare, Owosso

Frederick has played a pivotal role in securing funding, advocating for policy changes and strengthening provider network integration since he joined Memorial Healthcare in January 2023. His strategic efforts have significantly expanded access to essential services, including behavioral health, maternal care and workforce development. Through his efforts, funding was secured that renovated the operating room suite in the labor and delivery unit, expanded Memorial Healthcare’s inpatient behavioral health services and supported the Memorial Childcare Academy to provide accessible childcare for healthcare employees and to local families. Frederick also established a partnership with Saginaw Valley State University to expand higher education opportunities to Memorial Healthcare employees.

In his role overseeing advocacy and government relations, Frederick can successfully navigate complex regulatory environments, ensuring the hospital remains a financially viable, rural, nonprofit, independent institution. He has worked closely with the MHA and other member hospitals and health systems in advocating for protecting the 340B program at the state level, while engaging with policymakers about the challenges and opportunities facing rural healthcare providers.

Frederick had decades of service before joining Memorial Healthcare, including as a member of the Owosso City Council, Mayor of Owosso and state representative of the 85th District. He is currently involved in numerous Shiawassee County community-based non-profit initiatives. Frederick has asked for his $1,000 monetary award go to the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council in honor of Tristan McMillan.

Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, MD, PhD, chief clinical officer, Trinity Health Michigan, Livonia

Dr. Tocco-Bradley has been instrumental in shaping Trinity Health Michigan’s vision and operationalizing and improving clinical integration, streamlining workflows and ensuring clinicians across the organization have immediate access to patients’ data. She is a driving force behind the implementation of initiatives to address opioid use disorder, enhance population health and served as the incident command chief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of her key accomplishments is leading the implementation of TogetherCare, Trinity Health’s first and largest go-live of an electronic health record. TogetherCare has enhanced efficiency and the overall patient experience across all care settings. She has also worked closely in developing new opioid initiatives and advocating for comprehensive strategies to prevent opioid misuse that has brought together not only healthcare professionals, but also public health agencies, advocacy organizations and community groups to address the issue. Dr. Tocco-Bradley also worked very closely with the MHA during the pandemic, providing vital clinical feedback that informed the MHA’s efforts to make sure hospitals and healthcare workers had the resources and regulatory environment to provide care to their patients.

Dr. Tocco-Bradley has left an indelible mark on Trinity Health Michigan, as she is retiring June 30 from her role. At Dr. Tocco-Bradley’s request, the $1,000 monetary portion of the award will go to the St. Louis Center.

The MHA congratulates the winners of the 2025 MHA Healthcare Leadership Award.

MHA Awards Peer Recovery Coach Grants

Member News

The MHA has granted funding to seven institutions to support development or expansion of hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs. The funding will support the addition of 18 new hospital-based PRCs and expand treatment options for patients with a substance use disorder (SUD).

The MHA recently issued a request for proposals for a competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities aimed at developing or expanding hospital-based peer recovery coach programs. Funding for this effort was made available by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2025 budget to expand access to hospital-based PRC services.

The MHA received nine applications from organizations in seven distinct regions of the state, encompassing many innovative approaches to provide high-quality care for individuals experiencing substance use disorders.

These seven organizations, which were granted funding, are as follows:

The MHA appreciates the time and effort that went into developing applications and looks forward to partnering to expand access to SUD services across the state.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

340B Protections Pass Senate Committee & Governor Delivers State of the State Address

Member News

Legislation that would implement 340B program protections advanced in the Senate Oversight Committee and Gov. Whitmer delivered her seventh annual State of the State address to the Michigan Legislature during the week of Feb. 24.

Deidra Wilson, senior vice president, government relations and public policy, McLaren Health Care; and Ben Frederick, associate vice president of advocacy and government relations, Memorial Healthcare testified Feb. 27 in the Senate Oversight Committee on legislation regarding 340B Protections.

Senate Bill (SB) 94, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), and SB 95, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), saw extensive action in the Senate Oversight Committee Feb. 27. SB 94 protects the 340B program in Michigan and is paired with SB 95, which requires hospital compliance with federal transparency laws. Two MHA members provided testimony during the committee in support: Deidra Wilson, senior vice president, government relations and public policy, McLaren Health Care; and Ben Frederick, associate vice president of advocacy and government relations, Memorial Healthcare.

SB 94 safeguards the 340B program, ensuring cost savings and preserves access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. Further, this legislation adds first of its kind drug manufacturer transparency requirements, making Michigan’s legislation the strongest in the nation.

During testimony, Wilson first thanked the committee for their swift action on reintroduction of the bills and the importance of expediting this legislation to support communities. She discussed services for cancer patients across the state, such as covering copays, rural OB services and other vital services for vulnerable populations that are impacted when pharmaceutical manufacturers create restrictions around the 340B program. Wilson concluded her testimony by stating that hospitals prioritize the needs of patients and communities over the profits of drug manufacturers. Frederick emphasized the impact the 340B program has in rural communities, especially for independent and community hospitals, and shared how these rural areas can provide essential OB, cancer and family medicine services to preserve and improve access for patients. Following a successful hearing, the Senate Oversight Committee voted 5-0 to report SB 94 and SB 95 to the full Senate. The bills now await a full vote in the Senate before it can be sent to the House of Representatives.

Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government and political affairs, MHA testimony provided an overview of the 340B program in the House Health Policy Committee Feb. 26. 

The House Health Policy Committee also heard testimony on the importance of the 340B program in the state Feb. 26. Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government and political affairs, MHA, provided an overview of the program, including examples of how the program benefits patients and communities across the state. Wilson and Frederick also testified, sharing how the program works for their hospital systems. The educational hearing enabled House Health Policy members to ask questions and engage in a constructive dialogue around the topic. The MHA continues to advocate for the 340B program and support Michigan hospitals’ efforts to expand access to quality, community-based care. Members are encouraged to use the MHA 340B Action Alert to contact their lawmakers in support of this legislation.

Lastly, Gov. Whitmer outlined her upcoming priorities to a joint convention of the Michigan Legislature in her State of the State address Feb. 26. One key highlight in her address included reducing medical debt for Michiganders. While no specific policies were discussed, she cited 700,000 Michiganders currently have medical debt and that legislators should work to find solutions for this issue going forward. In addition to this, the governor discussed working in a bipartisan fashion on issues like road funding, building affordable housing and lowering costs in the state.

Members with questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

 

House Insurance Committee Hears Testimony on Bill to Protect 340B

Member News
Maureen D’Agostino, vice president of accreditation and regulatory CMS programs and provider and facility enrollment at McLaren Health Care testifying during The House Insurance and Financial Services Committee.

The House Insurance and Financial Services Committee convened June 5 to hear testimony on House Bill (HB) 5350, introduced by Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services through the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program.

Testimony began with Marc Corriveau, JD, MHSA, vice president of corporate government affairs at Henry Ford Health, providing an overview of how savings from the 340B program allow vulnerable, uninsured patients to receive medical and behavioral healthcare services at little to no cost.

Sean Gehle, vice president of advocacy at Trinity Health Michigan, followed with additional examples of how the 340B program allows qualified safety net providers to extend scarce federal resources. Specifically, Gehle noted that the health system is able to provide financial assistance for prescription medications to patients in need.

Next, Ben Frederick, associate vice president of advocacy and government relations and Joseph Munroe, director of pharmacy at Memorial Healthcare, shared the impact the 340B Drug Pricing Program has in rural communities. Together, Frederick and Munroe explained how the program makes it possible for patients to receive routine and specialty care close to home including obstetrics, oncology, behavioral health and neurology care services.

Last to provide testimony was Maureen D’Agostino, vice president of accreditation and regulatory CMS programs and provider and facility enrollment at McLaren Health Care. D’Agostino overviewed how savings from the 340B program have helped McLaren offer comprehensive care for substance use disorder, cancer treatments and more. D’Agostino was accompanied by Deidra Wilson, vice president of government affairs at McLaren.

The MHA continues to advocate for the 340B program and uplift efforts by Michigan hospitals to expand access to quality, community-based care. Members with questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.