Munson Healthcare today announced a proposal to establish a Community Health Center in Petoskey which would bring more access to award-winning patient care in the area.
The proposal is part of Munson Healthcare’s recently-announced Regional Care Transformation Plan which is focused on preserving care close to home and expanding services patients want more of in northern Michigan – such as outpatient and primary care.
“We’re listening to our patients – and we’re excited to announce that we have submitted a proposal to local governments to open a new front door establishing a Community Health Center in Petoskey,” said Laura Glenn, Chief Operating Officer of Munson Healthcare. “The proposal would make it easier for patients to receive outpatient services including X-rays and blood draws, expand primary care, urgent care and outpatient specialty physicians including orthopedics.”
Applications have been filed with township and county governments. The proposed site for the healthcare center is the former Art Van building in Petoskey located on Anderson Road, an ideal location for expanded healthcare access. The existing building would be remodeled to accommodate Primary Care, Urgent Care, Specialty Clinics for areas like Orthopedics, Cardiology, and OB/GYN; as well as diagnostic imaging and lab services.
“Being a non-profit health system means we are committed to investing back in our communities every day,” Glenn said. “Reimagining a vacant 55,000 square foot building, growing jobs and investing in our community is part of our commitment to our patients and communities.”
Munson Healthcare announced its Regional Care Transformation Plan in September. The plan highlights include investing in outpatient services and primary care; adopting a more patient centric model; expanding virtual care access and regionalizing some inpatient services to maximize resources across the system. The expansion in Petoskey is one of the major benefits of the strategy.
“We’ve been around for more than 100 years providing excellent quality care, and we look forward to being around for the next 100 years providing care in Petoskey and northern Michigan,” said Glenn.
This continues Munson Healthcare’s investment in the local community. Munson acquired the Little Traverse Primary Care practice in Harbor Springs in 2022, and this brings added access to patients in the area.
Munson Healthcare is northern Michigan’s largest non-profit healthcare system which was established more than a century ago in Traverse City, Mich. The healthcare system is anchored by eight hospitals across northern Michigan, serving 500,000 people from more than 20 counties. Munson is the largest employer north of U.S. 10, employing 7,500 healthcare team members.