by k. douglas deck
When I arrived in Traverse City four years ago to join Munson Healthcare, I was incredibly impressed with both the quality of health care services available here, and the people who deliver those services. Since then, my admiration and respect for what we have here has only grown. Our communities are and should be very proud of the support they've provided that helped establish the nationally recognized health care we enjoy today throughout the Munson Healthcare System.
Munson Healthcare is truly unique among health care systems in the nation. For more than 20 years, the boards and leadership at community hospitals in our area have mapped out a variety of agreements that allow us to collaborate in providing a high level of care to patients -- no matter where they live in northern Michigan.
They realized some time ago that everyone benefits when we share our strengths and work together. There has been a steady push to provide the best technology and highly qualified providers throughout the region. The staff at each hospital takes pride in the care they give to their friends, neighbors and own family members.
The physicians, clergy, community and business leaders who make up the Munson Healthcare board have had the foresight to seek strong partners and expand collaborative efforts to prepare for the future. That's exactly their motivation in considering a possible partnership with Spectrum Health.
Munson Healthcare's Board of Directors not only wants to maintain the excellent health care services we have today, but to assure those services will meet tomorrow's needs. The key is determining the best way to do that in a highly challenging environment.
As strong as we are, the challenges of health care reform, rising costs in clinical technology, and a shortage of physicians in rural America and Michigan may be more readily met with a partner such as Spectrum Health. At its core, a partnership discussion with Spectrum Health is about preserving the health care assets our communities have grown to expect and appreciate.
The quality of health care provided here is an amazing asset to our region, and one of the reasons so many people choose to retire here. For my part, working with the men and women on our board is an honor. They are a group of people dedicated to excellence, concerned about community needs, and willing to do the hard work of thoughtfully looking into the future.
Collaboration has always been a key to our success, and the potential of a new partnership presents exciting possibilities for our patients and our communities.
About the author: K. Douglas Deck is President and CEO of Munson Healthcare. Munson Healthcare owns Munson Medical Center, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, Munson Home Health and North Flight EMS. It also manages Kalkaska Memorial Health Center and is affiliated with Mercy Hospital Cadillac, Mercy Hospital Grayling, Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord, West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, as well as Northern Michigan Supply Alliance, Munson Mobile Imaging, Northwest Michigan Surgery Center, and Munson and Kalkaska Dialysis Centers. Munson Healthcare is a nonprofit organization. Its entities employ approximately 7,000 people in northern Michigan.
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