MyMichigan Health Senior Leadership

Lydia Watson, M.D., C.P.E.
President and Chief Executive Officer, MyMichigan Health

Dr. Watson was appointed to her current position effective December 1, 2022. While serving with MyMichigan Health, Dr. Watson’s career has included roles as senior vice president and chief medical officer, chief quality and patient safety officer for MyMichigan Health, as well as chief of staff, vice president of medical affairs, and board member of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland.

Dr. Watson has been a member of MyMichigan’s medical staff since 1996. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology from Saginaw Cooperatives Hospitals, Saginaw. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Watson is active in her community and currently serves on the Strosacker Family Foundation Board of Trustees, Midland Center for the Arts Board of Directors, the Michigan Baseball Foundation Board of Directors, and the Michigan Hospital Association Board of Directors. She holds a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) certificate in medical management. Dr. Watson also served in the military as a captain in the 207^th EVAC hospital unit.

Bryan Cross, Pharm. D.
Chief Operating Officer, MyMichigan Health

With more than 30 years of experience in health care, Bryan began his career with MyMichigan as a paramedic supervisor. After earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, he transitioned to the manager of pharmacy, then spent 13 years as the corporate director of pharmacy, receiving the prestigious MyMichigan Health Chairman’s Award in 2006. Prior to his current position, Bryan served as president of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland and was instrumental in the strategic planning and coordinating of the COVID-19 response initiatives and vaccination program. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration.

Bryan is married with four children, three of whom are, or will soon be, working in the field of health care.

Mike Rose
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, MyMichigan Health

Mike joined MyMichigan Health in October 2020. He has nearly 30 years of healthcare experience and has served as CEO for a single hospital system and CFO for a regional system. Mike has experience working with academic medical centers, large physician practice groups, and has created unique partnerships with commercial insurance companies. Mike completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Longwood University, received his master's in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mike grew up in Virginia and has made stops along his career journey in New Jersey and New Hampshire. He is married with three adult children and enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and mountain biking.

Paul Berg, M.D., M.H.A.
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, MyMichigan Health

Paul was appointed to his current position effective December 1, 2022. In his new role, Dr. Berg will oversee administration for medical staff, graduate medical education, continuing medical education, clinical quality, patient safety, performance improvement and innovation, regulatory compliance, MyMichigan Medical Group, population health, as well as risk and claims. Dr. Berg is a board-certified family physician who has been with MyMichigan since 2005 and has served as president of MyMichigan Medical Group since February 2018.

Paul received his Medical Degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, and completed his family practice residency at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. He holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University. Paul is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Society for Risk Management and the Midland County Medical Society.

Sunita Vadakath, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, MyMichigan Health

Sunita provides leadership to all service lines across the continuum of care throughout MyMichigan Health. In addition, Sunita has responsibility for Business Development, Strategy, and Marketing.

Vadakath attended the University of Mumbai where she received her Doctor of Medicine degree in Anesthesiology. She completed her fellowship at the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 2000 while working at the University Hospital of Wales, U.K. Sunita also completed her Master of Public Administration at the University of Michigan in 2010. Prior to joining MyMichigan Health, Vadakath served as the internal medicine and cardiovascular service line director at Hurley Medical Center.

Joining MyMichigan in 2014 as the cardiovascular service line director, Sunita has established system-wide integration of clinical practices and coverage through the implementation of care standards and governance structure and was instrumental in both implementing the Structural Heart Program, Hybrid OR as well as the new Heart & Vascular Center.

Sunita is married to a surgeon and has two beautiful daughters. She loves gardening and is an avid reader.

Dan Waltz
Vice President and Chief Information Officer, MyMichigan Health

Dan is Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MyMichigan Health. He has extensive health care administrative and information technology experience. He joined MyMichigan Health in January 2014 after 13 years at Michigan Medicine where he was an Executive Director of hospital information technology and Program Director for the electronic medical record transformation. Prior to Michigan Medicine, Dan was the Chief Information Officer of Chelsea Community Hospital.

Dan earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Development from Eastern Michigan University.

Julie Ward
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, MyMichigan Health

Julie was appointed to her current position in May 2022. Prior to this, she served as System Vice President of Human Resources. Julie has more than 30 years of human resources experience. Prior to joining MyMichigan Health in 2021, she was an associate professor at Ferris State University in the Health Care Administration Program since 2008. Julie also served at Central Michigan Community Hospital as the vice president of human resources for many years.

A Michigan native, Julie received her bachelor’s degree in health system management from Ferris State University and her Master of Science in health services administration from Central Michigan University. Julie completed her Doctor of Education in health professions from A.T. Still University located in Mesa, Arizona. 

Julie and her husband have two adult children. Julie enjoys spending time with family, boating and swimming.

Michael Erickson
President, MyMichigan Medical Centers Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Centre

In April 2024, Mike was named president of MyMichigan Medical Centers in Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Centre. In June of 2022, he was named president of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Mike joined MyMichigan Health in 2008 as system vice president, support services.

Prior to joining MyMichigan Health, Mike was with Catholic Health Initiatives from 1997-2008, where he held several positions of increasing scope with his final being assistant vice president at St. Joseph Medical Center located in Towson, Maryland. Prior to that, Mike was at Pekin Hospital located in Pekin, Illinois from 1994-1997 as director of clinical engineering. Mike also served in the U.S. Army for 14 years, 5 active duty and 7 years reserve and National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge.

Mike holds a Master of Science in Technology Management, Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, all from the University of Maryland University College. He is also CHFM certified in facilities management.  He serves as a Board Member/President of Great Lakes Safety Training Center, Board Member of Great Lakes Surgery Center, Board Member of ISOMM Joint Venture Imaging Center and Board member/Finance Council at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Marita Hattem-Schiffman
President, MyMichigan Medical Centers Alma, Clare and Mt. Pleasant

In January of 2020, Marita was named President of MyMichigan Health with areas of responsibility including MyMichigan Medical Center Clare, MyMichigan Medical Center Gratiot and MyMichigan Medical Center Mt. Pleasant. In July of 2017, she was named the President of MyMichigan Medical Center's in Gratiot and Mt. Pleasant.

A native of Spring Lake, Mich., Marita holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant.

She joined MyMichigan Health from Wausau, Wis., where she had a wide range of responsibilities. Marita served as the chief experience officer of Connexus Credit Union for two and a half years before joining MyMichigan Health. Prior to that she was with the Aspirus health system, also in Wausau, where she held positions of increasing scope and responsibility from vice president of physician support services to interim president and chief operating officer of the Aspirus Wausau Hospital and finally senior vice president of provider relations and service lines for Aspirus, Inc.

Marita is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, and also holds a Certification in Professional Medical Services Management. In addition, she is a registered yoga teacher.

Marita believes strongly in community service and has been active with organizations such as the United Way and the YWCA.

Kevin Kalchik
President, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault

Kevin was named President of MyMichigan Medical Center Sault in July 2022 and previously served as Chief Financial Officer MyMichigan Medical Center Sault (Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital) since 2004. He came to Sault Ste. Marie in 2004 after working for Plante Moran, certified public accounting firm, and Munson Healthcare (Traverse City).  Kevin is a certified public accountant, completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Central Michigan University, and master’s in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. Kevin serves as President of the Community Health Access Coalition, Michigan Health and Hospital Association Legislative Panel, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Hunter Nostrant
President, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena

Hunter was named President of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena in September 2024. Previously, he was president and CEO of Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and Healthcare Center (HNJH). Prior to his appointment in 2019, he was chief operating officer and chief financial officer. He also worked at both MyMichigan Medical Center Sault and at Precision Edge Surgical Products before joining HNJH in 2015.

Hunter earned his bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and his Master of Health Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and earned a Rural Hospital CEO Certification through the National Rural Healthcare Association, amongst other credentials.

Hunter is a member of many professional organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives and Healthcare Financial Management Association. He also served on a variety of boards including the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Michigan Center for Rural Health, Upper Peninsula Health Plan and the Rural Health Congress for the National Rural Health Association.

Chuck Sherwin
President, MyMichigan Medical Center Midland

Chuck was named President of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland in June 2022. Since July 2018 he was president of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. He came to Alpena General Hospital as the Director of Organizational Improvement in 1996 and was named Administrator of the Alpena Cancer Center in 1999. In 2008, Chuck was named Vice President of Business Development and Clinical Services and in 2014 added Chief Nursing Officer to his role. Chuck is a Fellow of the College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and was certified as a Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

Chuck holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from the University of Detroit. He is Vice President of the Board of Directors for Alcona Citizens for Health, President of the Rotary Club of Alpena, and President of the Board for Northeast Michigan Cancer Center.

Ray Stover
President, MyMichigan Medical Centers Gladwin and West Branch

Ray was named President of MyMichigan Health in January of 2020. His areas of responsibilities include MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin and MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch. Ray served as the President of MyMichigan Medical Center Clare and MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin from 2009-2019 after serving as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MyMichigan Medical Center Clare from 2005 to 2008. He has been employed with MyMichigan Health since 1990 where he has held the positions of management analyst, cost/budget manager and accountant.

Ray holds a Master of Science degree in Health Administration and Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting from Saginaw Valley State University.

Ray serves on the Board of Directors for the Mid Michigan College Foundation, MidMichigan Community Health Services, the Gladwin County Economic Development Committee, and the Central Michigan University Master of Public Health Advisory Board. He is a member of the Gladwin Rotary Club, the West Branch Optimist Club, and the Beaverton and Harrison Lions Club.

Karen Cheeseman
President & Chief Executive Officer, Mackinac Straits Health System

In 2017, Karen was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Mackinac Straits Health System. Prior to serving as CEO, Karen worked for the health system for 17 years and held various leadership roles including the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Human Resource Officer positions. Karen holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Michigan State University. Karen currently serves on the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Board of Directors and is Chair of the Upper Peninsula Hospital Council. She has served on the Small and Rural Council and Legislative Policy Panel for MHA and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.