Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) on June 1 officially joined Munson Healthcare as the seventh fully integrated hospital in the Munson Healthcare system.
The hospital will be called Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital reflecting a new level of coordination and collaboration with the system. Gaylord’s hospital joins Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, Munson Healthcare Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City as fully integrated hospitals in Munson Healthcare.
The agreement also includes the full integration and name change for outpatient clinics and medical practices owned and operated by the hospital in Gaylord, Elmira, Indian River and Lewiston.
New signs will be installed today and hospital staff and patients will enjoy celebration activities throughout the day. A short ceremony with comments from hospital officials is planned for later in the day.
OMH Board President Mary Sanders said full integration enhances regional health care for our patients and allows greater access to additional quality healthcare for the future.
“Our Gaylord-area communities have relied on our hospital to offer quality care for years and now greater access to additional areas of care is strengthened for future generations,” she said.
OMH first affiliated with the Munson Healthcare system in 2006. During the past 10 years, the organizations have worked together to strengthen cardiology and oncology services in Gaylord and throughout OMH’s growing service area. Joint planning and shared physician recruitment activities have allowed OMH and Munson Healthcare to partner to improve services and overall outcomes.
Under the final agreement, Munson Healthcare has committed to supporting OMH with several key projects, either currently underway or planned for the future, that will increase access and enhance the patient experience. Projects under the plan include the current renovation and expansion of the medical/surgical unit to primarily private rooms, and conversion to a single electronic health record for both OMH and medical group practices.
“Munson Healthcare’s philosophy remains grounded in keeping care as close to home as possible,” said Ed Ness, president and CEO of Munson Healthcare. “Otsego Memorial Hospital is a strong organization that has served Gaylord-area residents for decades. We look forward to our closer relationship and advancing clinical opportunities for the region.”
OMH CEO Tom Lemon said over the past several months, teams from both organizations have completed the necessary work to ensure a smooth transition for staff and patients. Lemon will retain his leadership role as president of the hospital.
“Having been affiliated with Munson Healthcare for several years, we are excited to take this next step on behalf of our community,” Lemon said. “We believe this integration will provide not only ongoing stability, but also opportunity to potentially bring new services to the region.”
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital can be found online at munsonhealthcare.org/omh.