Rothwell speaking at EDC meeting
TRAVERSE CITY -- Former state economic development head Doug Rothwell will speak at the annual meeting of the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corp.
Rothwell, head of Business Leaders for Michigan, will discuss a 5-step plan to create jobs and economic growth in Michigan with the local EDC on Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus.
He is the former president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Representatives of the Traverse Bay EDC also will review 2009 activities, discuss new area partnerships and priorities for this year. More information is available from the EDC office at (231) 995-7101.
Career change guide available at library
TRAVERSE CITY -- An electronic guide to help people seeking professional career changes is available through the Traverse Area District Library.
Career Transitions is a self-guided application that assists with various aspects of career planning including assessing professional strengths and interests, preparing a resume, networking, finding educational opportunities and completing online job applications. Library patrons can access the service on the library's Web site by using their library card.
"Career Transitions is a one-stop resource for people going through career change," TADL reference librarian Margaret Kelly said. "It comes at a time when people need help making life-changing career choices and libraries are becoming more involved in this process."
Battery cell plant coming to state
HOLLAND -- Korean battery-maker LG Chem Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary Troy-based Compact Power Inc. will make battery cells for electric vehicles at a plant in western Michigan.
The companies announced in a statement Friday that at its peak the $303 million factory in Holland will produce enough battery cells for 50,000 to 200,000 vehicle battery packs, including the Chevrolet Volt.
Production at the 650,000-square-foot plant is expected to be fully operational in 2012 and create more than 400 jobs by 2013.
Groundbreaking for the facility, located on a 120-acre site in the city about 155 miles west of Detroit, is scheduled for this summer. It will be financed in part by a $151.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. LG Chem also will invest $151.5 million in the plant.
Hospitals team up to expand pediatrics
DETROIT -- Detroit Medical Center's Children's Hospital of Michigan has established new agreements with Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Hurley Medical Center in Flint to expand pediatric surgical expertise at these hospitals.
As part of these agreements, pediatric surgeons from the Children's Hospital of Michigan are now performing outpatient surgical procedures and operations at these two health care facilities.
In addition, the DMC has established a new Children's Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center at 5635 West Maple Road in West Bloomfield to house pediatric surgery services for patients.
According to Michael Duggan, chief executive officer of the DMC, regional partnerships like these are critical to ensuring appropriate access to hard to find pediatric surgical specialties that Children's Hospital offers. Over the past several years, Children's has established outpatient specialty centers in Birmingham, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn Heights, and Southfield. These facilities are an important component of Children's Hospital's continued strategy to expand the reach of its pediatric medical and surgical experts throughout the region to best accommodate the needs of referring physicians and their pediatric patients.
"As the state's busiest hospital and referral center for pediatric medical and surgical specialty care, we understand how important it is to provide this care in locations and facilities that are convenient and easily accessible to area pediatricians and their patients," says Herman B. Gray, MD, MBA, president, Children's Hospital of Michigan. "Partnerships like these provide unique opportunities to efficiently and economically expand patient access, while maintaining the highest quality care for children and adolescents in surrounding communities and throughout the state."
"Henry Ford and Children's Hospital of Michigan have had a long standing history of excellent collaboration and cooperation," says Nancy Schlichting, president and chief executive officer, Henry Ford Health System. "Having Children's pediatric surgeons practicing in our West Bloomfield Hospital is an exciting new way to provide outstanding care and service to pediatric patients in the Oakland County community."
"Hurley Medical Center is very enthused about the relationship with Children's Hospital of Michigan and the positive impact it will have on the community," says Brian Nolan, M.D., clinical director of pediatrics, Hurley Medical Center.
Founded more than 120 years ago, Children's Hospital of Michigan is the first and only hospital in the state dedicated exclusively to the treatment of children. A leader internationally in neurology and neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, and diagnostic services, it is ranked one of America's best hospitals for children. More Michigan pediatricians are trained at the Children's Hospital of Michigan than in any other facility. Children's Hospital of Michigan is one of nine hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). The DMC is proud to be the Official Health care Services Provider of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons. SOURCE DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan
