Tag: Speak-up! Award

Trinity Health Michigan Team Members Recognized with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center recognized Camryn Smith and Alicia Evans, medical assistants at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipients.

Camryn Smith and Alicia Evans, medical assistants at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, at the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award presentation.

The Speak-up! Award honors individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff. Smith and Evans were recognized for speaking up – and jumping into action – after Smith detected an abnormal blood pressure reading while performing a stitch removal.

“Some of the most powerful acts of courage and leadership come from those early in their career,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “The work of the Trinity Health IHA Medical Group team is a strong reminder that every voice matters when it comes to enhancing patient safety. It also underlines the importance of establishing a culture where speaking up is encouraged and supported.”

Upon realizing the patient’s blood pressure results seemed inconsistent using automated equipment, Evans, a medical assistant intern at the time, asked Smith for assistance with a manual pulse check. The two soon learned that the patient’s heart rate was dangerously low and promptly notified an attending provider to further assess the situation.

It was discovered through an electrocardiogram (EKG) that the patient was experiencing an episode of atrial fibrillation (AFib). As a result of Smith and Evans’ prompt attention to detail, the individual was safely transferred to the emergency department for further treatment.

“Camryn and Alicia listened to their instincts and worked together to ensure timely, lifesaving intervention,” said Cindy Elliott, president of Trinity Health Michigan Medical Groups. “Stories like this reinforce our mission and commitment to delivering safe, exceptional care.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, is available online.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 20, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

DIFS Releases Bulletin Protecting COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued a bulletin on Oct. 16, advising health insurers in the individual and small group markets to continue covering COVID-19 vaccinations without cost-sharing. The bulletin was …

McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital Nurse Honored with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center recognized Rachel Heise, BSN, RN at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, as its MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for the second quarter of 2025. The Speak-up! …

FBCM Hosts Inaugural Michigan Food as Medicine Summit

The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) brought together over 250 healthcare, community organization, government and other key industry leaders for the state’s inaugural Food as Medicine Summit. The two-day event aimed to build cross-sector …

MHA’s Lauren LaPine-Ray Recognized in 40 Under 40 in Public Health

Lauren LaPine-Ray, vice president, policy and rural health, has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 in Public Health in recognition of her work at the MHA. The de Beaumont Foundation announced the …

Rural Health Today Podcast on Breaking Down Barriers for Rural Health Providers

MHA Endorsed Business Partner ModusOne Health was recently featured on the Rural Health Today, hosted by JJ Hodshire, president and CEO, Hillsdale Hospital. The episode “Breaking Down Barriers for Rural Healthcare Providers with …

AHA Trustee Insights Highlights Aging Population and Cybersecurity Oversight

The October edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, highlights podcasts, videos, webinars and other resources on today’s most pressing issues. The issue examines the nation’s aging population and …

Keckley Report

Healthcare’s Biggest Blindspot: Household Financial Insecurity

“The U.S. health industry revolves around a flawed presumption: individuals and families are dependent on the health system to make health decisions on their behalf. It’s as basic as baseball and apple pie in our collective world view. …

Healthcare organizations must rethink their orientations to patients, enrollees and users. All must embrace consumer-facing technologies that empower individuals and households to shop for healthcare products and services deliberately. In this regard, some insurers and employers seem more inclined than providers and suppliers, but solutions are not widely available. And incentives to stimulate households to choose “high value” options are illusory. Data show carrots to make prudent choices work some, but sticks seem to stimulate shopping for most preference-sensitive products and services.

The point is this: the U.S. economy is slowing. Inflation is a concern and prices for household goods and necessary services are going up. The U.S. health industry can ill-afford to take a business-as-usual approach to how our prices are set and communicated, consumer debt collection (aka “rev cycle”) is managed and how capital and programmatic priorities are evaluated. …”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 12, 2025

New to KnowNews to Know

MHA Endorsed Business Partner Wakely recently released its quarterly insights including the white paper, ACO Foundations: Four Pillars for Successful Risk Management in Value-based Contracts.

McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital Nurse Honored with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News
Nicole Pitcher, MHA; Gary Roth, MHA; Rachel Heise, BSN, RN, McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital; MHA CEO Brian Peters and Adam Novak, MHA, pictured during the Q2 Speak-up! Award presentation.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center recognized Rachel Heise, BSN, RN at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, as its MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for the second quarter of 2025.

The Speak-up! Award honors individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff.

Heise was recognized for speaking up when she noticed a patient’s signed surgical consent form did not match the patient’s reason for admission.

“As a nurse, I hold a deep responsibility to protect my patients’ well-being,” said Heise. “Identifying this clerical error was an important step to ensure my patient received the appropriate care.”

“Rachel’s dedication to her patients reflects the ‘speak-up for safety’ standards we uphold across our organization,” said Linda Peterson, MD, FAPA, FAPM, chief medical officer at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Her careful work directly improved the patient’s experience and is a prime example of putting our established safety protocols into action.”

Additional Speak-up! finalists for the second quarter of 2025 included:

  • Kylee Zomerlei, Corewell Health Grand Rapids
  • Danielle Arnold, Corewell Health Grand Rapids
  • Deborah Kensick, Corewell Health Grosse Pointe Hospital

“It’s an honor to recognize nurses like Rachel whose actions set the standard for excellence in patient care,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Her attention to detail played a vital role in ensuring her patient received the correct treatment.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, is available online.

Corewell Health Trenton Hospital Nurse Honored with Q4 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
Q4 Speak-up! Award recipient Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital pictured with Lamont Yoder, president, Corewell Health East, Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, MHA, and Gary L. Roth, DO, chief medical officer, MHA.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center celebrates Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for February.

The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff. Baumann was recognized for her commitment to patient safety by advocating for a patient whose discharge posed potential health risks.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition and to know this represents a positive outcome for one of my patients,” said Baumann. “We are empowered at Corewell Trenton to advocate for our patients, regardless of role. I’m grateful to be part of a team and organization that instills this confidence in all healthcare workers.”

Shortly before a patient was scheduled for discharge, Courtney identified concerning changes in the patient’s condition. Courtney’s intervention ensured the patient received the necessary care and reinforced the importance of speaking up in critical situations.

“Courtney’s dedication made all the difference and highlights the importance of speaking up for patient safety,” said Kristine Donahue, RN, president, Corewell Health Hospitals, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne. “Her ability to recognize a concern and take the necessary steps to address it embodies the strong patient-first culture we uphold at Corewell Health.”

Additional finalists for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 program year included:

  • Spencer Smith, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault
  • Thomas Warner, McLaren Greater Lansing
  • Beronica Bahoura, Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital

“We are proud to recognize dedicated healthcare professionals like Courtney, whose advocacy and commitment to patient safety make a meaningful impact,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Her quick thinking and willingness to speak up exemplify the highest standards of care and reflect Corewell Health’s dedication to fostering a strong culture of safety in Michigan hospitals.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Police Authority Officer Honored with Q3 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
Q3 Speak-up! Award recipient Ronald Patterson, a police authority officer at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow pictured with Kira Carter-Robertson, chief operating officer at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing and MHA CEO Brian Peters.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center has recognized Ronald Patterson, a police authority officer at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for December.

The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff. Patterson was honored for his proactive advocacy on behalf of a patient requiring additional care after being discharged from the emergency department.

While responding to a call to escort the patient out, Patterson quickly identified impairments that could compromise the patient’s safety. Recognizing the potential risk, he took immediate action, alerting the care team. As a result, the patient was readmitted and received the necessary care to ensure their safety.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for something that is truly a part of my daily commitment to ensuring patient safety,” said Patterson. “In this instance, I was simply doing what I believe anyone in my position would do—advocating for a patient who needed additional help to remain safe.”

“Ronald’s actions exemplify our mission to provide exceptional care and foster a culture of safety,” said Kira Carter-Robertson, chief operating officer at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing. “His quick thinking and compassion ensured that this patient received the care they needed. We are proud to have team members like Ronald, who go above and beyond to make a difference.”

Additional finalists for the third quarter of the 2024-25 program year included:

  • Spencer Smith, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault
  • Thomas Warner, McLaren Greater Lansing
  • Beronica Bahoura, Corewell Health Farmington Hills

“Ronald’s actions serve as a powerful reminder that all healthcare workers share a responsibility for the safety and well-being of patients,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are pleased to celebrate his commitment to fostering a safe environment and applaud University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s dedication to cultivating a just culture.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

MHA Monday Report Sept. 23, 2024

Monday Report

Speak up awardMcLaren Port Huron Nurse Receives MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center celebrated Melissa Burgess, RN at McLaren Port Huron Hospital as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient in September. The quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! …

Final Rules Strengthen Access to Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Benefits

The United States Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury issued a set of final rules Sept. 9 on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The rulings …

Upcoming MDHHS Maternal Health Offerings

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Maternal and Infant Health is partnering with the Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative yo offer its Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Data Meeting from 4 to 6 …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Explores AI in Healthcare, Workplace Equity and Community Partnerships

The September edition of Trustee Insights, a monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) will change healthcare operations and how trustees can provide meaningful leadership and guidance. The issue …

Keckley Report

The Four Core Beliefs of Hospital-Employed Physicians

“In my report June 10, I wrote: “The major sources of physician discontent are administrative hassles and unwelcome clinical oversight that create dissonance. They conflict with a false sense of autonomy that the majority of physicians imagined when choosing medicine. Cuts to reimbursement, participation in alternative payment models and medical inflation are manifestations of a system in which ‘suits’ are intruders who make rules, exact handsome salaries, generate corporate profits and distance physicians from patient care purposely… “

This assessment remains true today. Discontent among physicians is palpable and it’s magnified by a growing sense of financial despair among many clinicians. And it poses a unique challenge to hospitals that now employ more than half of America’s physician workforce. …

The core beliefs held by employed physicians about their hospitals may not be fair, objective or accurate, but they’re no less deeply felt and impactful. Hospital boards and C suite leaders would be well-served to refresh plans accordingly.”

Paul Keckley, Sept. 16, 2024

Laura AppelMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Sept. 16 regarding Michigan healthcare careers and what’s next for digital health. Second Wave Michigan published a story Sept. 17 on healthcare careers and the existing healthcare …