“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
As we turn the page on 2024 (and celebrate our success in preventing harmful government-mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, as well as harmful changes to our medical liability system, during the lame-duck session of the legislature), it is appropriate to reflect on the fact that Michigan hospitals and health systems are there for our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in ways that reach far beyond their four walls. What they do adheres to this simple theme: Hospitals help.
Hospitals help strengthen the healthcare workforce, enhance access to care, build healthier communities, serve as an economic driver and more. They provide essential resources and programming that help patients, hospital employees, community groups and local businesses thrive.
We highlight and summarize the impact of these activities annually. We will publish in the coming days the 2024 Community Impact Report, which reflects some of the outstanding ways Michigan hospitals are advancing the health and well-being of patients, our healthcare workforce and communities across nearly every region of the state.
These efforts are made possible through strategic investments, innovative programming, local partnerships and support from state and federal healthcare champions. The stories featured in the report paint a picture of the impact hospitals have on our everyday lives beyond traditional patient care. While there are many other efforts underway, we’re honored to uplift a handful of strong examples in this publication.
Visit our MiCareMatters website to read stories that showcase how Michigan hospitals positively impact their communities every day. And as we look forward to the new year, I invite everyone to join us and consider how you can support these vital organizations and the amazing people who work there. I promise that no matter how you engage with hospitals, it feels good to help.
As always, I welcome your thoughts.
