Tag: The Detroit News

MHA Mourns Loss of MyMichigan Health Leader Diane Postler-Slattery

Member News
Diane Postler-Slatter

Diane Postler-SlatterMyMichigan Health President and CEO Diane Postler-Slattery, PhD, FACHE, and her husband, Don, died unexpectedly as a result of a plane crash in Florida the evening of March 8, the health system reported. Funeral arrangements had not yet been announced as of March 11.

Postler-Slattery joined MyMichigan Health, formerly MidMichigan Health, as its president and CEO in 2013 and has been a member of the MHA Board of Trustees since 2015. In addition to her many contributions to healthcare, she was extremely active in the Midland community.

MHA CEO Brian Peters expressed the condolences of the entire MHA family in a statement March 9. Expressions of sympathy poured in from across the state and were published by The Detroit News, WNEM-TV and Becker’s Hospital Review. Information on memorial services will be shared when it is available.

Media Recap: Hospital Mergers and COVID-19

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Jan. 31 that focused on the history of hospital mergers and acquisitions in Michigan and the current outlook for hospitals regarding COVID-19.

Bridge published Feb. 1 an article that looked at the impact of hospital mergers on consumers in light of the merger between Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health. MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the story discussing the reasons between hospital mergers.

“The real watchword is ‘value,’” said Peters. “We want to create value and that equation of course, is cost and quality and appropriateness,” he said, adding “higher quality care costs less in the long run.”

The Detroit News published Feb. 2 a story that focuses on the future outlook for hospitals now that the COVID-19 surge driven by the omicron variant is declining. MHA Director of Communications John Karasinski discussed the statewide trends for hospitals.

“It’s clear that we’re on the downside of this omicron surge as the numbers this week are better than the prior week, but the status of hospitals does vary depending on region, bed capacity and staffing,” said Karasinski.

Members with questions on COVID-19 efforts and resources should contact Ruthanne Sudderth, and any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Week of Nov. 15 for COVID-19 in Michigan

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
covid cell

The MHA has been actively fielding and responding to media requests related to the growth in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, hospital capacity and healthcare workforce sustainability.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include statements from the MHA.

Sunday, Nov. 21

Thursday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 17

Tuesday, Nov. 16

Monday, Nov. 15

Members with questions on COVID-19 efforts and resources should contact Ruthanne Sudderth, and any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

Media Recap: Price Transparency & Staffing Crisis

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Oct. 25 that focused on hospital price transparency and the on-going staffing crisis.

The Detroit News published Oct. 24 a story on the staffing shortage impacting EMS workers and touched on the staffing crisis impacting hospitals. MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the story discussing the lack of availability of transport for patients to lower levels of care, resulting in increased cost and strain to the healthcare system.

“They are in crisis mode,” said Peters. “These are not only front-line clinical staff who are in short supply, but also non-clinical staff. … We are struggling on both counts.”

The MHA also provided statements to stories published by Crain’s Detroit Business and WXYZ Detroit on the federal price transparency rule.

“In addition, there is ambiguity within the final rule that has left hospitals to interpret the level and detail of pricing information that should be provided to consumers,” said the statement published by Crain’s. “Hospitals and health systems are working diligently to comply with federal policies in their release of information.”

Members with questions on COVID-19 efforts and resources should contact Ruthanne Sudderth, and any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.