Media Recap: Hospital Viability & MSU Shooting Statement

T. Anthony Denton.

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 (MSU).

T. Anthony Denton.
MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton.

Bridge published an op-ed Feb. 13 from MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton, J.D., MHSA, expressing the need to consider short- and long-term policy solutions to the problems facing healthcare in Michigan. Denton is also senior vice-president and chief environmental, social and governance officer of University of Michigan Health-Michigan Medicine.

“I believe in the power of quality healthcare — care that treats the whole person, with attention and dignity and is close to where people live,” said Denton. “We can only continue to provide that care with high levels of commitment to health with proper resources. Please join me in my call to our policy leaders: healthcare is a team sport, and we all have a vital role to fulfill, on behalf of patients, healthcare teams, families and communities.”

The MHA also released a statement from MHA CEO Brian Peters Feb. 14 expressing support to the victims of the MSU shooting. News outlets that published the statement include Becker’s Hospital Review, WILX News 10, Gongwer and the Michigan Business Network.

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

Headline Roundup: Week of Nov. 8 for COVID-19 in Michigan

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. 14

Friday, Nov. 12

Thursday, Nov. 11

Wednesday, Nov. 10

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.

Chris Mitchell Discusses Hospital Financial & Operational Health

Chris Mitchell

MHA Executive Vice President Chris Mitchell speaking with FOX 47 News.Chris Mitchell, executive vice president, advocacy & public affairs, MHA, discussed the financial and staffing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan with State of Reform, FOX 47 News and WILX News 10 during the week of July 12.

State of Reform published an article July 14 where Mitchell discusses the impacts of decreased revenues from delaying care and nonemergency medical procedures and the increased demand for staff as hospitals operate near capacity and experience higher amounts of health professionals leaving the workforce. Mitchell also discusses potential policy solutions to improve staffing challenges and concerns about the spread of the Delta variant.

“We have seen that with the help of our state and federal partners, our hospitals were able to effectively manage the worst pandemic of our lifetime,” said Mitchell. “I truly believe that as long as we continue to work together and work with our partners and the federal government, that we can get through anything together.”

The FOX 47 News story aired the evening of July 15 with Mitchell discussing the healthcare workforce shortage that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The WILX News 10 segment covered the same topic the following day.

“If you look at really each of the three surges when they ended, there’s really been an exodus of healthcare workers who are either taking their retirement or going to work in other fields just as a direct result of burnout,” said Mitchell to FOX 47 News.