Beware of callers impersonating MyMichigan Health asking for credit card information. If you receive a suspicious call, request a call back number if possible and report that information to our security team at (989) 839-1911.

Learn More

Published on November 28, 2023

Wellness Programs Identify Lifesaving Intervention for Employee

Photo of Penny Sauer on the left and Tina Parsons, wellness coach and manager of employee wellness, on the right.

Penny Sauer, left, has worked in health care for many years. Today, she’s an example of how a strong employee wellness program can transform a life. Part of this program included learning about nutrition with Tina Parsons, wellness coach and manager of employee wellness, MyMichigan Health.

Penny Sauer has worked in health care for many years. Today, she’s an example of how a strong employee wellness program can transform a life.

When Sauer began at MyMichigan Health in November 2022, she was impressed to learn that MyMichigan offered their employees a robust wellness program that included an app designed to keep them active and healthy. As one with a family history of heart disease, Sauer decided to embrace the culture of wellness at MyMichigan and will tell you now, what she shared with Lydia Watson, M.D., C.P.E, president and CEO of MyMichigan Health: that the journey she began as a new employee saved her life.

When Sauer joined the MyMichigan team, she took part in an initial wellness check offered by Employee Wellness and established an account on the app they provided. She soon became excited and motivated to improve her health. Sauer will tell you she’s competitive; she joined wellness groups and challenges using the app and tracked her movement. Every day she was at work, she spent breaks walking the stairs from the basement of her office building in Midland to the third floor, then zigzagged back down. She became motivated to develop a goal for herself: to participate in the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk over Labor Day weekend.

“I was really excited about having access to all the wellness programs MyMichigan had to offer to their employees,” said Sauer. “I worked on nutrition with my wellness coach Tina Parsons, manager, employee wellness, and established a relationship with Samantha Haken, M.D., as my primary care provider. Everyone was helpful and welcoming.”

However, as time went by, Sauer began gaining weight rather than losing it, and at the beginning of the summer noticed that her breathing was irregular and labored climbing the stairs she had come to know so well. Having seen her siblings battle heart disease, she reached out to Dr. Haken to request a stress test.

“I’m so grateful to Dr. Haken for listening to me and trusting that I know when my body feels confused,” Sauer shared. “My eating didn’t match my weight gain, and there was a burning feeling in my chest and lungs that wasn’t there before. Based on my family history, she agreed that a stress test was in order.”

An analysis of the test showed the need for further investigation. After a cardiac catherization, it was revealed that Sauer had a significant blockage and that she needed triple bypass open heart surgery. “I wasn’t really worried about the surgery itself; I believed I was in good hands, and I was. The surgical and intensive care unit teams here took such good care of me. My only concern was laying low afterward and being patient with myself in order to heal.”

As tough as that’s been, Sauer continues to listen to her body and rest when needed while healing from a successful surgery. She is committed to the cardiac rehabilitation program designed for her by the team at MyMichigan’s Heart and Vascular Center, understanding how important it is to strengthen her cardiovascular system and help her with her overall recovery. She’s back at work as a patient representative and getting reacclimated. She shares her story with coworkers at every opportunity, encouraging them to take advantage of all the wellness programs offered to them. She jokes that they are about to experience ‘100 percent Penny Sauer.’

“I am thankful every day for the wellness opportunities offered to all of us here at MyMichigan Health. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen at other places I’ve worked,” said Sauer. “If I hadn't been encouraged to put my wellbeing first, walking every day and trying to earn points using my app, I might have missed warning signs. I truly believe that these programs have saved my life.”

MyMichigan Health offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits and professional development and education opportunities for employees along with a commitment to employee wellness. The program includes a variety of education, tools and encouragement for employees on their journey to lifelong wellness. Those interested in learning more about a career with MyMichigan may visit www.mymichigan.org/careers to view open positions and apply.