Join MHA Endorsed Business Partner SmarterDx for the webinar From Policy to Your Playbook: Turning Rural Health Transformation Programs into Actionable Steps, Feb. 26 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET. This session will provide insights into federal and state Rural Health Transformation initiatives that are unlocking meaningful funding and help healthcare leaders translate policy language into action they can take for their organizations. Members with questions may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board met Feb. 4 to advance and promote current and future business services of the MHASC and its Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) Program. The board also welcomed incoming board member Pankaj Jandwani, MD, system vice president and chief information officer, MyMichigan Health, to strengthen innovative and strategic leadership.
The meeting featured an update from MHA EBP CommerceHealthcare®, which shared a 2026 report on financial trends and insights. The MHA has partnered with CommerceHealthcare® for more than 15 years to offer solutions tailored for healthcare organizations, including RemitConnect, an accounts receivable tool to help match remittances with payments, a patient financing program and an accounts payable virtual card program. KC Mathews, Ward Svarvari and Dan VandenBosch with CommerceHealthcare® explored how its solutions help improve cash flow and create better patient experiences. Members interested in additional information may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
The MHASC business lines provide critical support to the MHA through its Supply Chain Collaborative, Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and EBP Program to keep dues as low as possible. The services offered align with the MHA strategic action plan to ensure that financially driven efforts support the MHA’s mission.
Members with questions regarding the MHASC board may contact Lindsay Peters at the MHA.
A Endorsed Business Partner Wakely is hosting the webinar Summary and Impacts of the 2027 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice Feb. 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET. This session will provide an overview of the proposed changes, with an emphasis on the likely impact that the new rates and policies will have on Medicare Advantage bids, membership growth, quality and strategy. Members with questions may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council met virtually Jan. 15 to identify ways to support the MHA strategic action plan. Council members shared tactics for highlighting their hospital’s community impact and how to support patients navigating the healthcare system; examined the research from the Birth Experience Project, shared birth plan templates and pregnancy service literature to improve patient experience and outcomes, and discussed using patient journey mapping to identify where patients feel the most disconnected in their care process. Questions about the council can be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.
The MHA and MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) AMN Healthcare Revenue Cycle Solutions will host A Tale of Three Health Systems: Their Mid-Revenue Cycle Insights and Road to Revenue Integrity webinar from 11 to 11:50 a.m. ET Feb. 19. This webinar highlights the journeys of three health systems and how they navigated mid-revenue cycle challenges to strengthen revenue integrity. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for C-suite leaders focused on denials management, documentation accuracy and technology adoption—empowering organizations to maximize every dollar.
By attending this session, participants will:
The webinar is free of charge and members are encouraged to register.
For additional information, visit the AMN Healthcare page or contact Christine Poleon, DVP, revenue cycle solutions, AMN Healthcare. Members seeking information about the MHA’s EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29. The session will feature speakers from Trinity Health, the Michigan State Cyber Command Center and other organizations.
Presenters Adrienne Chase and Sam Khan will walk attendees through a real-world incident, discuss key lessons learned, practical takeaways and the strategies that made the biggest difference when every minute mattered. Michigan State Cyber Command Center leader Tarek Sasy will also provide insights into statewide response efforts and best practices.
Members are encouraged to register for a first-hand look at what happens when a real cyber incident occurs, including proactive steps organizations can take to accelerate recovery and reduce impact. The session is designed for leaders seeking a realistic understanding of incident response, preparation and how proactive defense shapes outcomes when facing real-world attacks.
To learn more about CyberForce|Q, contact Midwest regional sales director, John Kelley. Members interested in solutions offered through the MHA EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
The MHA’s Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) program promotes industry-leading firms. The EBP program connects member hospitals to solutions that alleviate pain points. The MHA recently endorsed SmarterDx, a national leader in revenue integrity solutions, offering advanced clinical artificial intelligence (AI) that is transforming how hospitals translate care into payment. Their platform connects clinical context with revenue intelligence, helping health systems recover millions in missed revenue, improve quality scores and appeal every denial.
Founded by physicians in 2020, SmarterDx’s proprietary AI platform understands the nuances of clinical reasoning, enabling hospitals to accurately reflect every patient visit for fair reimbursement. By doing so, hospitals can recover millions in earned revenue, enhance care outcomes and quality metrics and optimize healthcare operations.
SmarterDx currently partners with 60+ health systems representing over 250 hospitals nationwide, including McLaren Health Care.
For more information about SmarterDx, members may contact Tom Dougherty, head of sales, SmarterDx. Members seeking information about the MHA’s EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.
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.
MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare recently released the Rural Physician Recruiting Challenges and Solutions white paper, produced by its Physician Solutions division (formerly Merritt Hawkins).
The resource identifies several approaches to address these challenges:
According to AMN Healthcare’s 2025 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives, the average signing bonus for family medicine physicians has increased by 15% over the past year. This trend underscores the escalating competition for medical talent in underserved areas. For rural hospitals, the stakes are even higher. With limited resources and fewer candidates, attracting and retaining physicians requires innovative strategies.
While competitive salaries and signing bonuses are important, they are no longer the primary drivers for physicians considering rural practice. A recent survey by AMN Healthcare revealed that 70% of physicians prioritize work-life balance and community engagement over financial incentives. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of recruitment strategies.
Successful rural hospitals are adopting comprehensive recruitment strategies that include:
By implementing these strategies, rural hospitals can strengthen recruitment efforts and improve retention.
Members seeking for more insights and detailed strategies may download the full white paper.
Members with questions may contact Ben Jones, regional vice president at AMN Healthcare. Members with questions about the MHA Endorsed Business Partner Program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.