Reflections: A Look Back at 2022
As we wrap up the first week of the new year, we pause to reflect on the many changes of the year prior. With the sudden passing of Diane Postler-Slattery and her husband Don in March, we, like so many of you, grieved the loss of an incredible leader and friend. Diane truly embodied a profound passion for health care. She strengthened our culture of service and excellence to our patients, communities, partners, and very own relationships with one another. That foundation, alongside our steadfast commitment to provide excellence in care to the regions we serve, remains as strong as ever as we live out our purpose in 'Creating Healthy Communities - Together.'
Please join me in taking a look back at just some of the incredible highlights from 2022 that we share with you below. You'll read stories of growth and accomplishment, learn about new exciting programs and services, and meet new team members and patients. While just a few, these stories are a testament to the hard work and dedication our employees, providers, volunteers and leaders have poured themselves into to serve you - our communities. We do hope you enjoy our reflections from the past year. But, more importantly, we appreciate the trust you have in us to care for you and your family. On behalf of all of us here at MyMichigan Health, we look forward to providing you excellence in health care and service in 2023 and for many years to come.
Lydia Watson, M.D.
President and CEO
MyMichigan Health
Recognized as Best in State
Excellence, teamwork, integrity and accountability have reinforced our organization as an Excellent Place to Work and landed MyMichigan Health on the Forbes fourth annual list of “America’s Best Employers By State.” Forbes conducted an anonymous survey of 70,000 Americans who work for companies of 500+ employees. MyMichigan Health came in second in Michigan and 31st overall out of 1,382 employers across the country, 262 of which were hospitals and health systems.
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Welcoming the U.P. to the Family
This past year we celebrated new affiliations with Mackinac Straits and War Memorial, now named MyMichigan Medical Center Sault. We also partnered with Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and Healthcare Center to provide Epic Electronic Medical Record at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. These exciting collaborations help us impact even more communities across the state with access to excellent resources, services and care.
View the regions we serve
Bringing Expert Cancer Care Under One Roof
MyMichigan Health held a Beam Hammering event in April to signify the beginning of construction on the James T. and Elsa U. Pardee Cancer Center (Pardee Cancer Center) on the campus of the Medical Center in Midland. With support from area foundations and supporters, patients will benefit from ease of access to seeing multiple specialists on the same day, services provided by Cancer Services and The Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund, which will be housed in the new facility. The Center also provides space to grow and bring more specialists and services to the community.
Meet the newest member of our cancer team
West Branch Earns Stroke Ready Certification
Patients who are experiencing warning signs of a stroke have one more reason to make MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch their go-to place for treatment. The Medical Center was certified as a stroke-ready hospital by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). The West Branch local team of experts includes board-certified physicians and credentialed nurses and clinicians in emergency medicine, hospital medicine, rehabilitation services and more.
Read Terry's story of stroke recovery
Magnet Status Represents Commitment to High-Quality Care
Last spring, confetti took to the air as nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland gathered to celebrate being named the first Medical Center in the region to achieve Magnet recognition. The honor is a reflection of nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations across the globe that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. There are currently 580 Magnet recognized hospitals worldwide and, of those, only 14 are in Michigan.
Explore our quality indicators
Teams Collaborate to Address Behavioral Health Challenges
Since the onset of the pandemic, awareness regarding the importance of treating mental health as a vital part of overall health care has reached new heights. In fact, our annual community health needs assessments (CHNA) continue to identify behavioral health as a top priority. MyMichigan Health’s Collaborative Care Program was designed to address the rise in mental health crises by reaching more patients. This includes those having trouble accessing care and those not seeking out treatment in traditional behavioral health settings by teaming primary care and behavioral health providers up to create healthier communities. The short-term therapy model is expanding to more MyMichigan locations.
Download our CHNA plans
New Patient Tower Reinforces Excellence in Care and Experience
After two years of construction, in April 2022, more than 700 attendees took part in grand opening celebrations for the new patient tower of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Thanks to the support of generous donors who gave to the project, the completed tower is home to 60 new private patient rooms, including eight intensive care unit beds, eight labor and delivery rooms, and 44 medical/surgical/telemetry beds. The new tower also includes 18 prep and recovery rooms, flex rooms, and five new operating rooms. The expansion is another example of ensuring patients remain close to home for their medical care.
Give to the MyMichigan Health Foundation
Partnership Keeps Student Athletes in the Game
Central Michigan University Athletics and MyMichigan Health launched a sports medicine partnership on June 1, providing student-athletes with specialized sports medicine care. MyMichigan Health began their sports medicine program with WellSport, the area's only primary care sports medicine program. MyMichigan also has sports medicine collaborations with Alma College, Northwood University, Mid Michigan College, the Great Lakes Loons, and more than 13 local high school athletic programs. They also assist with sports medicine coverage during the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, the World Tennis Association’s Dow Tennis Classic, and more.
Further your education
Growth in Surgical Services to Advance in Central Region
Continually advancing health care capabilities for central Michigan residents, MyMichigan Medical Center Alma's latest project is the construction of a new 51,200-square-foot advanced surgical services unit at the Medical Center. With support of generous donors, the redesigned patient care areas will offer patients and their families increased privacy and security, as well as an environment of seamless, coordinated care. The surgical services area is scheduled for completion in early fall 2023. Phase Two, to be completed in late 2024, will include the development of a new Medical Center entrance and enhanced patient access for diagnostic imaging.
Learn how Clare study may impact expansion
Hospital at Home Program Delivers In-Patient Level of Care
In 2022, MyMichigan Health was recognized as being among 84 health systems nationwide and one of only four in Michigan offering a CMS-approved Hospital at Home (HaH) program which allows for inpatient level of care in the comfort of one’s own home. HaH offers an additional, innovative approach to delivering excellent care to patients. Strong evidence reports higher-quality outcomes with HaH at a lower cost for patients compared to those with similar conditions admitted to acute care facilities. Other patient benefits include receiving care in a familiar place, removing traveling costs and eliminating transportation barriers.
Check out options for virtual care
New Program Expands Back and Neck Care for Patients
For patients with back and neck symptoms, MyMichigan expanded its care with a new program called WellSpine. This program uses an evidence-based algorithm for diagnosis and treatment and ensures timely evaluation and referral to all aspects of spine care and pain management, including our Spine and Pain Program, Rehabilitation Services and Neurosurgery, as well as access to behavioral health experts. The MyMichigan care team works together to customize the patient's plan of care, as well as streamlines triage and referrals to ensure they are seen without delay.
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