Tag: podcast

MHA Podcast Uplifts National Rural Health Day feat. Munson Healthcare

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast, Issues in Healthcare

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews each month with experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

The November 2023 episode, released on National Rural Health Day, features Small and Rural Hospital Council Chair Peter Marinoff, president and CEO of Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) Southern Region. Marinoff is joined by Lauren LaPine, senior director of legislative and public policy at the MHA.

Marinoff, who joined MHC in 1999, currently oversees Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Manistee Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. LaPine, in addition to overseeing the Small and Rural Hospital Council, serves as staff secretary to the MHA’s Behavioral Health Integration Council and Public Health Task Force.

Throughout the episode, Marinoff and LaPine explore the unique challenges facing Michigan’s rural hospitals; what rural issues are being prioritized at the state and federal level; how MHC is prioritizing the well-being of their workforce and communities; and how decision-makers can support rural communities.

While discussing the behavioral health needs of rural residents, Marinoff details MHC’s work with the Regional Community Health Opioid Initiative, which was featured in the MHA’s 2023 Community Benefit Report. The program improves access to Substance Use Disorder treatment and resources while addressing stigma, ensuring safe prescribing and educating patients and providers.

MHA CEO Brian Peters also released a statement for National Rural Health Day celebrating the work of Michigan’s small and rural hospitals and health systems, where teams are often tasked with caring for some of the state’s most vulnerable patients with less resources than their urban counterparts.

The episode is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Questions or idea submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes can be sent to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA. To learn more about small and rural health efforts at the MHA, visit the rural health webpage or contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores Michigan Health Policy Priorities feat. Rep. Julie Rogers

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

State Representative Julie Rogers

On episode 30, State Representative Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the MHA, discuss current health policy priorities impacting Michigan hospitals, patients and communities. The episode is available to steam on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

Rep. Rogers is serving her second term representing Michigan’s 41st House District, which includes portions of Kalamazoo, Portage and Comstock township. She’s a practicing physical therapist and a champion of public health, previously serving on the National Association of Counties Health Steering Committee for seven years and now as chair of House Committee on Health Policy. Rogers also serves as a member of many committees within the house and co-chairs the Biosciences Legislative Caucus.

Throughout the episode, Rogers and Appel cover the impact health policy has had on issues like Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements within the Healthy Michigan Plan, preventative health, auto no-fault, ongoing workforce shortages, and more.

“We have about 208,000 people who work in our hospitals,” notes Appel. “We need another 27,000 more…nearly 8,500 nurses. We’re short over 4,000 technicians – the people who help out in the pharmacy, lab technicians, patient care techs – we also need people who contribute to operations.”

Those interested in learning more about how to get involved in healthcare advocacy or how to engage with local lawmakers on issues such as nurse staffing, 340B, auto no-fault, etc. can visit the issues and advocacy webpage and/or the MHA Legislative Action Center. Those looking to pursue a career in healthcare are encouraged to visit the Hospital Careers website.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores How Michigan Leaders Can Collaborate to Address Gaps in Behavioral Health

MiCare Champion Cast, Member News

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 29, State Representative Graham Filler and Dr. Julie Yaroch, D.O., president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital and Senior Vice President of Inpatient & Retail Pharmacy for ProMedica Health System kick off Mental Health Awareness Month discussing how lawmakers, healthcare leaders and the community can work together to address gaps in the state’s behavioral healthcare system.

The episode is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

Additional state behavioral health resources can be found through the Mental Health Association of Michigan and the Children’s Hospital Association. As mentioned in the episode, the MHA issued a request for proposal for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2023 state budget with the goal to increase the number of beds available to care for pediatric psychiatric patients requiring inpatient hospitalization. Applications are due to the MHA by 11:59 p.m. on June 1.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores Working Inside Michigan’s Rural Hospitals

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 25, Ross M. Ramsey, MD, president and CEO of Scheurer Health, gives listeners an inside look at working in one of Michigan’s rural hospitals as both a clinician and leader. Ramsey, who grew up in the region before attending medical school at Michigan State University, explains the care model and culture that sets rural hospitals like Scheurer apart from their urban counterparts.

The episode, currently available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud, also explores the vital role healthcare plays in rural communities and why those in the medical field might consider a career in the less populated areas of the state.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.