Tag: Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Hospitals Help Michigan Students Pursue Healthcare Careers

Member News, Hospitals Help

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.

McKenzie Health System recently welcomed ninth and tenth grade students from all seven Sanilac County school districts for an immersive hospital tour as part of the Thumb Community Health Partnership’s High School Pipeline Program.

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.”

The event supports Trinity Health’s Growing Our Own initiative, a program designed to engage Muskegon students from third through twelfth grade and help them see a future working in health care as attainable for them. The initiative, made possible by partnerships with the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (CTC), Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), Boys and Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore and Michigan Works, will continue outreach to Muskegon County students through additional education, career fairs and more.

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’s Doris 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.

Members with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Michigan Senate Hears MHA Testimony on ED Boarding Challenges, MHA Opposes Introduced MCPA Bill

Member News

The MHA provided testimony May 7 to the Senate Health Policy Committee on certain challenges related to hospital emergency department boarding for behavioral health patients.

The Senate Health Policy Committee heard about patients facing behavioral health crises and their experiences with emergency department boarding based on insurance status. Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative & public policy, MHA  discussed how the association collected data, starting in 2023, from hospital emergency departments on length of stay for patients with a behavioral health diagnosis. Initial findings within this data showed there were over 150 patients with a behavioral health diagnosis waiting in a hospital emergency department daily. Furthermore, behavioral health-related patients with Medicaid coverage spent longer time in hospital emergency departments than their counterparts with commercial insurance and one of every three patients with Medicaid spent more than 48 hours in a hospital emergency department waiting to be accepted for inpatient hospitalization or discharged.

Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative & public policy, MHA and Kyle Hoffmaster, director, patient access, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services provided testimony May 7 on patients facing behavioral health crises and their experiences with emergency department boarding based on insurance status.

LaPine explained the process of the pre-admission screening assessment completed by providers for these patients with a behavioral health diagnosis and illustrated for the committee how the process is unnecessarily complicated for those with Medicaid coverage.

Kyle Hoffmaster, director, patient access, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services also provided testimony on the challenges faced by their organization in helping serve behavioral health patients seeking care. He shared how waiting for another provider from the community mental health (CMH) organizations to complete a pre-admission assessment for patients covered by Medicaid can cause significant delays in these patients receiving the care they need. Patients covered through Medicaid are forced to go to a hospital emergency department per guidelines from the CMHs to receive the assessment in that specific setting, causing more unnecessary stress and costs for families and providers alike. Sharing personal experiences from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services illuminated the need for serious change on this issue. The MHA will continue to educate lawmakers on this challenge and work to expand the assessment responsibility to improve the delivery of care for behavioral health patients in Michigan.

In addition, the Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee took testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 134, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), which repeals the regulatory compliance exemption under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA). If signed into law, this legislation would significantly increase the potential for class-action lawsuits under the MCPA purview against the hospital industry in the state without protecting consumers. The MHA, along with several other businesses and industries stands opposes to this harmful legislation.

Members with additional questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Hospital Executives Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

Member News

The MHA announced the winners of its 2024 Healthcare Leadership Award June 27 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 2024 recipients are Jawad Shah, MD, founder, president and CEO, Insight, Flint; and Harmony Gould, vice president of hospital & residential services, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids. 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.

Jawad Shah, MD, founder, president and CEO, Insight
Jawad Shah, MD, founder, president and CEO, Insight

Insight Health System has seen remarkable growth and innovation under Dr. Shah’s leadership since its inception in 2008. Starting with a humble team of four in Flint, Michigan, the organization now boasts more than 1,500 employees and extends its services across multiple states, profoundly impacting healthcare delivery and patient care.

Insight Health System manages a vast network, including the flagship Flint Medical Campus, which provides more than 216,000 patient services each year across a range of specialties such as neurosurgery, orthopedics and behavioral health. Following its acquisition and revitalization of the former Michigan Surgical Hospital, Dr. Shah spearheaded the transformation of the facility into the thriving Insight Surgical Hospital in Warren, achieving financial solvency within a year and increasing patient accounts by 520% in 2023.

The network expanded further in 2022 with the opening of Insight Dearborn, offering advanced outpatient services in orthopedics and mental health, among others. The organization’s reach also spans to Illinois and Iowa, reinforcing its mission to deliver exceptional, patient-centered healthcare.

Dr. Shah’s commitment extends beyond healthcare delivery to significant community involvement. He has been instrumental in establishing Insight Research Institute and Insight Behavioral Health Foundation. These entities recently pioneered the creation of Genesee County’s first medical-psychiatric hospital, slated to open in fall 2024, addressing urgent community needs in behavioral health.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Dr. Shah contributes to the medical field as a Clinical Associate Professor at Michigan State University. Demonstrating his dedication to community service, he has generously directed the $1,000 monetary award to support Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, further enriching the lives of those in the Flint area.

Harmony Gould, vice president of hospital & residential services, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Harmony Gould, vice president of hospital & residential services, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Gould’s commitment to patients is unwavering and is evident from the many programs and initiatives she has led at Pine Rest, including expansion and improvement projects. She developed and led the only behavioral health unit in West Michigan accepting individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis, which was recognized as the 2022 recipient of the MHA Advancing Safe Care Award. Gould also led the opening of the Beachwood and Lotus programs, which are two residential units built as a response to an unmet need and at the request of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to alleviate the need for residential care settings for adults and adolescents throughout the state. The Beechwood Unit is a 12-bed crisis residential program offered as an alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for adults. And the Lotus unit is a 25-bed intensive residential program designed to treat adolescents with complex care needs.

Additionally, Gould oversaw an expansion of Pine Rest’s Adult Partial Hospitalization Program in response to community needs and is leading the team developing a crisis stabilization unit, which is a new license in Michigan resulting from her participation in the MHA’s Behavioral Health Integration Council. She is also a key member of the Pediatric Center Oversight team at Pine Rest, which is opening the Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health in 2026. Her efforts have also put patient experience at the forefront, spearheading several initiatives that bolster patient and family input into organizational processes and practices.

Not only is she committed to patients, but she has also been highly committed to employee satisfaction and organizational stability by her involvement in launching Pine Rest’s Great Place to Work Initiative, which asks employees at any level of the organization to submit ideas for improvements and then collaborate with peers and leaders to develop plans for implementation. She is also active with Network180 to collaborate with other stakeholders to enhance crisis response protocol. And as mentioned earlier she has been a catalyst by offering invaluable insights in the strategic work of the MHA’s Behavioral Health Integration Council. At Gould’s request, the $1,000 monetary portion of the award will go to the Pine Rest Foundation, specifically for the Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health campaign.

The MHA congratulates the winners of the 2024 MHA Healthcare Leadership Award.

MHA Podcast Explores Benefits, Challenges of Virtual Care in Behavioral Health

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring how clinicians are navigating virtual care in the behavioral health space.

The episode, released during Mental Health Awareness Month, features two providers from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Dr. Heide Rollings, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship director and Dr. Lisa Vroman Stokes, Ph.D., manager of Forest Hills Clinic and child and adolescent project coordinator, joined to share insights about the advantages and challenges of telemedicine in the behavioral health setting.

“We know that for children and adolescents – especially in rural communities – it can be really wonderful to have [telehealth] as an option,” said Dr. Rollings, who also serves as an assistant clinical professor in the division of psychiatry at Michigan State University.

Flexibility plays a big part in the new normal. Although virtual options have helped improve access, both Rollings and Stokes noted that it can’t always substitute in-person screenings and treatment. In many cases, clinicians must communicate expectations to patients early on to develop effective treatment plans within virtual and hybrid formats.

“We’re finding ourselves in a position as providers of re-educating and acclimating our patients to how they can most effectively engage and benefit from treatment,” said Dr. Stokes, who also oversees predoctoral psychology interns at Pine Rest.

As demand for behavioral healthcare services increases, staffing shortages continue to impact the workforce. In an effort to grow the talent pipeline, Pine Rest offers a variety of educational opportunities to those entering the field. This includes:

As the third-largest non-profit mental health care provider in the country, Pine Rest offers a full continuum of care for mental health and substance use disorders in West Michigan. In addition to their outpatient locations and psychiatric urgent care, the health system is also building a pediatric behavioral health center slated to open in 2026. Pine Rest was one of six organizations to receive grant funding following a $50 million appropriation from the Michigan legislature as part of the 2023 State Budget, which aimed at increasing the number of inpatient beds available for pediatric psychiatric patients across the state.


The episode is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and YouTube. Those interest in learning more about the services, Questions or idea submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes can be sent to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Public Relations Professionals Gather at MHA Communications Retreat

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MHA Events
Sue Tetzlaff, co-founder, Capstone Leadership Solutions; Emily R. Sexton, communications coordinator, Holland Hospital; Hannan Deep, director of strategic communications operations, Henry Ford Health; and Lauren Zakalik, director, public & media relations strategy, Henry Ford Health, during a panel discussion. 

The 2024 MHA Communications Retreat brought together nearly 100 communications, marketing and public relations professionals from MHA-member facilities May 7 to network and learn from peers across the state. Topics on the agenda included artificial intelligence (AI), behavioral health, the healthcare workforce and internal communications.

The event began with several speakers presenting on how they are using communications tools to assist in reacting to the behavioral health crisis. Speakers included Kara Gavin, lead public relations representative, Michigan Medicine; and research & policy media relations manager, U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation; Jim Rose, director of marketing and communications, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health services; Dallas Rau, executive director, Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership; and Tera Szeliga, director of marketing, communications and Institute for Leaders, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance.

A panel discussion was conducted discussing communications strategies to address the healthcare workforce and the importance of engaging with government relations and advocacy efforts. Angela Minicuci, APR, partner, Martin Waymire, moderated the panel comprised of Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, and Megan Brown, chief marketing and communications officer, Munson Healthcare. MHA CEO Brian Peters followed the panel with an update on the MHA strategic action priorities.

AI industry experts Joshua Wilda, chief digital and information officer, University of Michigan Health – Regional Network; and Tony Lambert chief technology officer, TechSmith, presented on the AI trends in healthcare and hospitals and how its impacting communications and marketing.

The event concluded with a topic focused on internal communications strategies hospitals can implement to celebrate their workforce and tactics they can use to address employee morale, support recruiting and improve brand perception. Each speaker shared strategies for different sized hospitals. Those speakers included Sue Tetzlaff, co-founder, Capstone Leadership Solutions; Emily R. Sexton, communications coordinator, Holland Hospital; Hannan Deep, director of strategic communications operations, Henry Ford Health; and Lauren Zakalik, director, public & media relations strategy, Henry Ford Health.

The event was sponsored by Martin Waymire and MHA Data Services, who attended the event and provided resources about their products and services. Photos from the event are available on the MHA Facebook page. For more information and resources from the event, contact John Karasinski at the MHA.