Four MyMichigan Medical Centers Receive 2024 Governor's Award of Excellence

MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alpena, Gladwin, Midland and Sault Ste. Marie were recently recognized with a 2024 Governor’s Award of Excellence. This distinguished award was offered through a collaboration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, iMPROve Health and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center.

MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena received the award for achieving required milestones for the award in Adverse Drug Events: High-Dose Opioid prescribing upon discharge. The Medical Center in Midland was recognized for completing required milestones in the increase percentage of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older who receive a pneumococcal vaccine. MyMichigan Medical Centers Sault and Gladwin were honored for attaining required milestones in All-Cause 30-Day Readmissions. The Medical Center in the Sault received an additional Health Equity Medal of Achievement in improving All-Cause, 30-Day Readmissions by using strategies to advance health equity

“At MyMichigan, we come to work each day with a commitment to do the right thing and we stand strong in our dedication to ensuring we provide the highest level of patient satisfaction, safety and quality for all those we serve,” said Lydia Watson, M.D., president and CEO, MyMichigan Health. “A recognition such as the Governor’s Award is a reflection of this commitment and confirms that we are making a measurable difference in the health and wellness of our patients and our communities.”

The award criteria were aligned with the health care objectives of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Enrolled organizations could win the Governor’s Award in up to three different categories and could receive Medals of Achievement by demonstrating the incorporation of Person and Family and/or Health Equity strategies to drive improvement.

Health care organizations invited to participate included: community coalitions, critical access hospitals, home health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes and physician offices.

The Governor’s Award of Excellence started in 2003 in partnership with iMPROve Health and Gov. Engler. The award recognizes providers that focus on improving some of Michigan’s most pressing health issues. The Medals of Achievement are additional recognition for providers that incorporate an inclusive approach to care and strategies that are aimed at decreasing disparities in care.

Those interested in learning more about MyMichigan Health’s leadership in measurable quality may visit www.mymichigan.org/quality

About iMPROve Health
iMPROve Health is Michigan’s designated Quality Improvement Organization. As a nonprofit organization, we have 40 years of experience improving healthcare across the continuum of care using evidence-based and data-driven logic. We also have extensive experience completing thoughtful and impartial utilization review, dispute resolution and peer reviews. Our multidisciplinary staff is composed of physicians, registered nurses, data analysts, quality consultants and health information technology experts. Our reach extends throughout the country. Since 2002, iMPROve Health has maintained URAC accreditation as an Independent Review Organization: Comprehensive Review.

About MHA Keystone Center
All Michigan hospitals and thousands of their team members are voluntarily participating in MHA programs to improve the safety and quality of healthcare. A growing number of hospitals in other states are now part of the MHA-lead patient safety and quality initiatives.

As a result of these initiatives, which are driven by evidence-based, best practices, and strongly supported by data, engaged hospitals are seeing great improvements in safety and quality outcomes. The MHA Keystone Center’s mission, vision, and values are an essential part of the work being done, and demonstrate their engagement to improving Michigan hospitals.