Tag: Ruthanne Sudderth

Workforce and Innovation Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

Member News

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 7 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more. The board was joined by Bruce Brandes, president, care.ai, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP). Brandes provided a strategic overview for how AI and ambient intelligence is transforming care delivery models. care.ai sponsored a joint lunch for MHA and MHASC board members and provided an update on its Smart Care Facility Operating Platform. The MHASC is planning to launch new Endorsed Business Partners and innovative solutions in the coming months.

The MHA Human Resources (HR) & Workforce Council met Jan. 30 to discuss current HR priorities and review its role in advancing the mission of the MHA and the role of human resource leaders. The council provided input on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to healthcare employers, including diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, workplace safety and workforce development. Members provided feedback on current workforce-related legislative efforts and shared valuable insights with colleagues during a round-table session addressing 2024 priorities, innovative ideas, lessons learned and more. The HR Council is looking forward to networking with colleagues at the upcoming MHA HR Conference on March 5.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of non-dues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and EBP program. The MHASC’s mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance, addressing various business needs including workforce, supply chain, revenue cycle, strategic growth solutions and more. Members are encouraged to visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about the resources available.

Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

Healthcare Economic Impact Included in 2024 MBN Economic Forecast Breakfast

Member News
MHA CEO Brian Peters highlights the economic impact of healthcare in Michigan during the 2024 Economic Forecast Breakfast hosted by MBN.

The Michigan Business Network (MBN) hosted the 2024 Economic Forecast Breakfast Jan.11, which featured the inaugural release of the latest Michigan Future Business Index survey data, 2023 reviews and a look ahead on regional economic, business, healthcare, tourism and international business forecasts.

Given the healthcare sector significant role in Michigan’s economy, MHA CEO Brian Peters joined the Economic Forecast Breakfast as a presenter for the first time, highlighting the economic impact of healthcare in Michigan. Peters spoke about the mission and work of the MHA, including key strategic pillars in the 2023-2024 strategic action plan such as workforce support, hospital viability, behavioral health and health equity. Peters also discussed how working with hospitals and economic partners in the region contributes to growing the economy of Michigan. The MHA is an official partner with the MBN.

Other event presenters included Chris Holman, CEO of MBN; Mike Witt, senior vice president of Asset Management; Van Martin, president & CEO of Martin Commercial Properties; Julie Pingston, president & CEO of Choose Lansing; Steve Japinga, senior vice president of public affairs at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership; and Charles Ballard, emeritus faculty of Michigan State University Economic Department.

The MHA’s involvement in the event is an example of the association’s collaboration with economic leaders across the state of Michigan.

Members with questions about future regional economic events may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

Holiday Headline Roundup

Issues in Healthcare, Member News, MHA In The News, Patient Safety and Quality, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage over the holidays during the weeks of Dec. 18, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Topics covered include the healthcare workforce, the MHA Keystone Center, air ambulance services and a review of 2023.

MHA Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Ruthanne Sudderth spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about registered apprenticeship programs.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include interviews with MHA CEO Brian Peters; Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA; and Sarah Scranton, vice president, safety & quality and executive director, MHA Keystone Center.

Monday, Jan. 1

Saturday, Dec. 30

Thursday, Dec. 21

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Monday, Dec. 18

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Strategic Action Planning Session with MHA Service Corporation Board

Member News

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more during their Oct. 18 planning session. The board discussed healthcare market strategies to identify and grow solutions for MHA members and clients. MHA members are invited to register for the upcoming Nov. 9 virtual membership meeting for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The MHASC board discussed current and future strategic priorities to enhance cutting-edge and cost-effective solutions for member hospitals. Specifically, the board discussed how innovations can support advocacy priorities to address workforce staffing shortage issues. The MHASC board also welcomed Eric Wallis, DNP, senior vice president and system chief nursing officer, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, as a new director providing clinical innovation expertise. The board also honored Deloris Hunt, chief human resources officer, Michigan Medicine, for her upcoming retirement and thanked her for serving as chair of the MHA Human Resources & Workforce Council.

The board was joined by Eric Eder, CEO, CyberForce|Q, for an overview of the Healthcare Security Operations Center (HSOC) history and how it has helped participants improve their security posture as threats increase. The MHASC is planning to launch new endorsed business partnerships and innovative solutions in the coming months.

The MHASC’s mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program addressing various business needs including workforce, supply chain, revenue cycle, strategic growth solutions and more. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available.

Members with questions regarding the MHASC Board may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Aug. 21, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Joins Partners to Urge Childhood Vaccinations

The MHA participated in a press conference Aug. 17 alongside representatives from I Vaccinate, the Franny Strong Foundation, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Ascension Michigan and Pontiac Middle School, to urge families …

Opportunities for Training and Placement of CHWs Available to Hospitals

The MHA has multiple higher education partners that recently received Health Resources and Services Administration grants to increase the number of community health workers (CHW) and health support workers, and these institutions are …

DEA Listening Sessions on Prescribing Controlled Substances via Telemedicine

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be hosting two listening sessions to receive additional input concerning the practice of telemedicine with regards to controlled substances. Hosted virtually and in person from 9 a.m. …

MHA Webinar on Maximizing Contributions of Physician Board Members

How can leadership utilize the distinct skills and expertise of physician board members? The MHA webinar Maximizing Contributions of Physician Board Members will take place from noon to 1 p.m. EST Oct. 17 will present …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyNot for Profit Hospitals: Are they the Problem?

“The issues facing the U.S. health industry are complex. The role hospitals will play is also uncertain. If, as polls indicate, the majority of Americans prefer a private health system that features competition, transparency, affordability and equitable access, the remedy will require input from every major healthcare sector including employers, public health, private capital and regulators alongside others. It will require less from DC policy wonks and sanctimonious talking heads and more from frontline efforts and privately-backed innovators in communities, companies and in not-for-profit health systems that take community benefit seriously.

No sector owns the franchise for certainty about the future of U.S. healthcare nor its moral high ground. That includes not-for-profit hospitals.

The darkening cloud that hovers over not-for-profit health systems needs attention, but not alone, despite efforts to suggest otherwise. Clarifying the community-benefit standard is a start, but not enough. Are NFP hospitals a problem? Some are, most aren’t but all are impacted by the darkening cloud. …”

Paul Keckley, August 14, 2023

News to Know

  • The Healthcare Association of Hawaii has compiled a list of trustworthy local organizations that are accepting monetary contributions amid the recent wildfires of Maui, Hawaii.
  • The MHA encourages MHA chief nursing officers and other Michigan hospital leaders to register for Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13.
  • QURE Healthcare was approved for associate membership June 2023.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Aug. 14 following a press conference Aug. 17 where Michigan health officials urged families to get kids up-to-date on routine vaccines ahead of the new school year. …

MHA Joins Partners to Urge Childhood Vaccinations

Member News
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (top left); Jonnie Hamilton, DNP, PNP-BC, NE-BC, Medical Manager, Ascension; Ruthanne Sudderth, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Michigan Health and Hospital Association; Veronica Valentine McNally, President, Franny Strong Foundation and Founder, I Vaccinate Campaign; Colleen Hall-Young, DNP, Pontiac Middle School’s health center.

The MHA participated in a press conference Aug. 17 alongside representatives from I Vaccinate, the Franny Strong Foundation, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Ascension Michigan and Pontiac Middle School, to urge families to get their kids up-to-date on routine vaccines as the new school year begins.

Vaccination rates for Michigan children ages 19 to 36 months have fallen below 70% in more than half of the state (52 of 83 counties), according to June 2023 data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).

Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at the MHA, encouraged families to get the safe and effective vaccines that are available to help protect their own children, as well as those who cannot get vaccinated in their communities. Speakers at the event also highlighted the latest vaccine data, the safety review processes that vaccines undergo in the U.S., the status of COVID-19 boosters and answered questions from the media regarding vaccine hesitancy and data trends.

The MHA will continue to promote vaccine safety and effectiveness information throughout the program year.

Members with vaccine questions can contact Ruthanne Sudderth.

MHA Service Corporation Board Highlights Solutions and Successes

Member News

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held its final meeting of the 2022-2023 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of workforce sustainability, financial viability, achieving health equity and improving access and funding for behavioral health. Members are invited to review the July MHA CEO Report for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The MHASC board celebrated the  2023 Outstanding Performance award given to the MHA Unemployment Compensation Program (MHA-UCP) by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. This award affirms the MHA-UCP’s dedicated work to reduce unemployment liability for its clients, decrease unemployment fraud and prevent waste with state unemployment agencies. The MHA-UCP has a large portfolio of healthcare employer clients throughout the country, including many MHA members. To learn more about the services available, members may contact Neil MacVicar at the MHA-UCP.

The board was joined by Kelsey Stevens, principal and senior consulting actuary, Wakely, for an overview of actuarial and risk management services for value-based payment arrangements and more. MHASC is planning to launch new Endorsed Business Partnerships in the coming weeks.

The MHASC board had several appointments and reappointments adding depth and breadth of expertise and welcomed new MHASC board members Melissa Holmquist, CEO, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Marquette; Paul Karsten, CFO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids; Peter Marinoff, south regional president, Munson Healthcare, Cadillac; and Scott McLean, managing director, Corewell Health Ventures, Grand Rapids. The board recognized David Leonard, JD, chief legal officer, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids and Southfield, and Dennis Smith, president, Dennis H. Smith Consulting, LLC, Marquette, for their service on the board ending this year. The board also affirmed the reappointments of Betty Chu, MD, chief quality officer, Henry Ford Health, Detroit; Brian Connolly, Connolly Associates, Rapid City; Brett Furst, founder & CEO, Foresight Ventures, Lake Orion; Marita Hattem-Schiffman, president & CEO, MyMichigan Health Central Region, Alma; and Chair Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of nondues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other business needs. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available.

Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

MHA Launches MI Hospital Careers Healthcare Career Campaign

Member News
MI Hospital Careers Campaign Logo

MI Hospital Careers Campaign LogoMichigan hospital and education leaders joined forces June 8 to highlight the current state of Michigan’s healthcare workforce shortage and launch a campaign to expand interest in health careers in Michigan. The goal of the new Mi Hospital Careers campaign aims to ensure students in high school and college know about those opportunities, as well as working professionals looking for a rewarding career. Without addressing the existing healthcare workforce shortage, Michigan residents risk losing access to quality, accessible healthcare services within their local community.

Member hospitals and health systems, as well as other stakeholders, are encouraged to use the Partner Toolkit on the campaign website to help raise awareness about the benefits of working in healthcare and about the range of career pathways and training/education/financial support mechanisms available.

While many are aware of the shortage of physicians and nurses, high demand exists for non-clinical roles as well, with more than 27,000 total open positions at hospitals across the state. Within the next five years, the U.S. faces a projected shortage of more than 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers such as medical assistants, home health aides and nursing assistants, according to a Mercer report.

The campaign launched Monday, June 12. Residents can visit mihospitalcareers.com where they can learn more about the career paths available in healthcare and the different training programs and scholarships available across Michigan.

The MHA received media coverage from outlets including Crain’s Grand Rapids, Michigan Advance, Becker’s Hospital Review, Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, Lansing City Pulse, WOOD TV, WNEM-TV, WILX News 10, WJR Newsradio 760, Gongwer, MIRS and HealthLeaders Media.

Members with questions may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 20, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Innovative Solutions Explored by MHA Service Corporation Board

The MHA Service Corporation board began its Feb. 8 meeting addressing current strategic priorities including exploring innovative solutions to support hospital financial viability, workforce restoration and wellbeing, behavioral health improvements, health equity and more. The board considered strategies to continue …

MHA Keystone Center and MVC Release Statewide Childbirth Outcomes Report

The MHA Keystone Center and the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) developed and released a statewide report Feb. 2 on birth outcomes following recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an effort to support maternal health …

Nominations Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Award

The annual presentation of the MHA Healthcare Leadership Award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within individual facilities and in their communities. Nominations for exceptional healthcare trustees, executives, physicians, nurses or other leaders for …

headphones with heart icon in middle.MHA Podcast Explores the Community Benefit of Rural Hospitals

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 26, Helen Johnson, …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleySOTU 2023 Takeaways for Healthcare: Surprises, Implications

“The spontaneous reaction to the President’s commentary on Medicare was the biggest surprise of the night! It’s especially significant as 2024 Presidential campaigns launch in the next 90 days (Haley this week) and Congress grapples with the debt ceiling and appropriations to Medicare, Veterans Health, Medicaid, pandemic preparedness and public health to name a few. ….”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 13, 2023

News to Know

The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management is now accepting nominations for the Paul Venzke Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of Healthcare Risk Management. …

T. Anthony Denton.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 13 regarding challenges impacting hospital viability in Michigan and on a statement released by MHA CEO Brian Peters following the shooting Feb. 13 on the campus of Michigan State University …

Innovative Solutions Explored by MHA Service Corporation Board

Member News

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board began its Feb. 8 meeting addressing current strategic priorities including exploring innovative solutions to support hospital financial viability, workforce restoration and wellbeing, behavioral health improvements, health equity and more. The board considered strategies to continue to diversify and increase opportunities to support members through potential products, business opportunities and Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) expertise. The board also recognized the MHA Unemployment Compensation Program for expanding its consultative approach to managing unemployment claims in Ohio, Idaho, New Mexico and more. The MHASC and MHA leadership teams will continue to evaluate the performance and availability of existing and potential endorsed services to ensure they align with the MHA strategic action plan.

MHA EBP Demand Workforce/Qodex presented to the board, outlining an innovative, on-demand mobile app that is transforming healthcare staffing by providing a simple, user-friendly platform that enables hospitals to fill open shifts quickly and efficiently. Members are invited to register for free webinars from 12 to 12:30 EST Feb. 22 and March 8 to learn more information.

In addition, the MHASC Board passed a resolution in honor of the upcoming retirement of longtime MHA Chief Operating Officer Peter Schonfeld and celebrated recent organizational changes to integrate business development and marketing support for both the MHA and MHASC, including the promotion of Ruthanne Sudderth to senior vice president and chief strategy officer. A lunch with the MHA and MHASC Board was jointly sponsored by partners from Merritt Hawkins, AMN Leadership Solutions and Demand Workforce/Qodex.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA and MHA members through its Data Services products, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other operational needs.

Questions regarding the MHASC board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.