News

Munson Healthcare (MHC), in partnership with Harm Reduction Michigan (HRMI), has installed 25 NARCAN® (Naloxone) Distribution Boxes at facilities across the health system to continue supporting a statewide trend of declining overdose deaths. 

Supported by a grant from the Health Resource and Service...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Nate Rousse, NP, to the Grayling Cancer & Infusion Clinic. 

After serving as a medic in the U.S. Army, he was recruited by his mom, an oncology nurse, to join Dr. Schwert's practice in Traverse City.  He finds oncology care to be an incredibly meaningful and...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital has received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Fall 2024. The hospital received the same top mark in the spring. The twice-yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released November 15, 2024.

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital President...

Certified application counselors are available at several Munson Healthcare facilities to help individuals enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance Marketplace for 2024-2025.

The enrollment window began Nov. 1 and closes Jan. 15. Open enrollment remains important for anyone not covered by...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome CJ Staley, PA-C to Traverse Heart & Vascular.

CJ chose to specialize in cardiology because the field requires him to take a multidisciplinary and unique approach to each patient’s care. He earned his graduate degree from Western Michigan University.  

“I strive...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Anthony McClafferty, MD, to the team at Traverse Heart & Vascular. 

Dr. McClafferty chose to specialize in cardiology because of the significant impact cardiovascular disease has on patients’ quality of life. He attended Wayne State University School of...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital invites community members to attend a Community Open Forum on Thursday, September 5, at 6:15 PM at the Crawford County Commission on Aging. This event is designed to foster an open dialogue with the community and will feature a brief presentation on the Regional...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Kyle Ahnert, NP, to Milltown Primary Care Clinic. Kyle is a Grayling native, who is proud to return to the area to care for his community.

His favorite part of practicing medicine is connecting with his patients and ensuring that their concerns are recognized...

Carl Schubert, MD, obstetrics and gynecology physician, is now seeing patients at the OMH Medical Group - Lewiston Clinic. Dr. Schubert will see patients at this location every other Monday, bringing his expertise closer to the Lewiston community.  

In addition to his new schedule in Lewiston, Dr...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome E. Grant Carey, MD, to Munson Orthopedic Institute in Prudenville.

Dr. Carey is a dedicated orthopedic surgeon with a strong connection to Northern Michigan. Born in Petoskey and raised on the shores of Higgins Lake, Dr. Carey comes from a family that has...

Four Munson Healthcare hospitals – out of just 14 in Michigan – received a 5-star ranking from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2024, placing them among the top 8 percent of hospitals in the nation for quality care.

Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Otsego Memorial...

Northern Michigan is recognized nationally as a summer tourist destination which means a bump in population of 42 percent or more and increased demand for healthcare services across the area Munson Healthcare serves.  

While more and more patients are seeking out virtual care options, many continue...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital announced today that it has received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2024. The twice-yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today. 

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital President and CEO Kirsten Korth-White said the “A...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Michelle Amore, FNP-C to Grayling Community Health Center. 

Michelle was drawn to a nursing career to improve the health of the community she serves. Advancing her career as a family nurse practitioner was a natural progression, allowing her to continue to...

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation at Munson Healthcare launched a new Virtual Spine Center at the Roscommon Community Health Center, as part of the Munson Healthcare Regional Care Transformation Plan. 

This new program partners a virtual physiatrist and an in-person physical therapist to provide spine...

Munson Healthcare (MHC) announced today that Jennifer Standfest, MSN, RN, NE-BC, has been named the system’s Chief Nursing Officer. 

"As we continue to transform our internal culture, create more patient centric experiences, and implement our strategic plan, it will be critical to have a positive...

Munson Healthcare earlier this week was identified as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems™ according to an independent quality analysis based on a scorecard provided by PINC AI™, the technology and services brand of Premier, Inc. and reported by Fortune.

PINC AI™ relies upon publicly...

Munson Healthcare will offer low-dose CT scan screenings as part of National Lung Screening Day on Nov. 11.

Munson Healthcare Director of Radiology Branden Hill said the screenings at health system hospitals emphasize the importance of lung health for residents in the region.

“Lung cancer remains...

Munson Healthcare President and CEO Ed Ness recently announced the appointment of Michael Saad as chief information officer (CIO) for the health system.

Saad joins the health system from the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn. where he served as senior vice president and...

Munson Healthcare is harnessing the power of art to address mental health in the community.

Northern Michigan’s largest non-profit healthcare system today launched a “Voices for Youth Mental Health Art Contest” to allow those of all ages to express their feelings, wisdom, and hope on issues related...

Back-to-school season for many is an exciting time for children to reconnect with friends, meet new ones, and experience opportunities for growth and learning.

It is also a time when parents dread the viruses and bacteria that come with school being back in session. Germs take advantage of young...

Munson Healthcare today announced starting Thursday, July 6, the Walk-In Clinic will switch to a "same-day care" model, offering up to 32 appointments per day for anyone in the community, including those visiting the area this tourism season.

 The new, by appointment only service, will be housed at...

As a nationally-recognized summer tourist destination, the population swells this time of year across the northwest lower peninsula’s 10-county area by 78 percent – according to a study by Networks Northwest. This also means an increased demand for healthcare services, which equates to a 42 percent...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Brown as the health system’s new Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. She will lead internal and external marketing, communications and public relations for the health system which includes eight hospitals across northern...

Munson Healthcare (MHC) will join nine other health systems across the state in relaxing its masking and visitation policies effective Friday, April 14. Universal masking will no longer be required for everyone in Munson Healthcare hospitals and clinics.

Munson Healthcare Chief Safety and Quality...

North Flight Aero Med, a service of Munson Healthcare and Corewell Health, announced today it is adding a Beechcraft King Air B-250 airplane to its fleet.  This aircraft will become the new primary airplane for the air ambulance operator in northern Michigan while its current King Air B-200 is...

Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, and President of Ambulatory Services and Business Development Ellen Smith today announced the appointment of Dino Recchia, M.D., FACC, as Heart and Vascular Service Line Medical Director for the health system.

“Dr. Recchia will...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome board certified nurse practitioner April M. Butler to Prudenville Community Health Center, located at 2585 W. Houghton Lake Drive in Prudenville, Mich.

Butler chose the medical field because she enjoys providing holistic care to those in need. She was a...

Munson Healthcare leadership recently announced the appointment of radiation oncologist David Heimburger, M.D., as the Physician Chief for Oncology in the health system. He replaces David Gordon, M.D., who retired in November.

“Dr. Heimburger has served as the Radiation Oncology Program Director...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Angela J. Vanderkarr, N.P., to Roscommon Community Health Center, located at 234 Lake Street in Roscommon, Mich. 

Vanderkarr always felt medicine was her calling because of her empathy and compassion for those in need of medical care. She became a nurse and...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Nicole L. VanDeCasteele, C.N.M., to Grayling Community Health Center, located at 1250 E. Michigan Avenue in Grayling, Mich. 

VanDeCasteele is a Certified Nurse Midwife with a decade of labor and delivery experience. She received her nurse-midwifery master’s...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Fall 2022. The twice yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today.

Grayling Hospital President Kirsten Korth-White said recognition reflects the dedicated efforts of staff and...

Certified application counselors are available at several Munson Healthcare facilities to help individuals enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance Marketplace for 2022 - 23.

The enrollment window began Nov. 1 and closes Jan. 15. Open enrollment remains important for anyone not covered...

Munson Healthcare (MHC) President and CEO Ed Ness recently announced changes to the health system’s senior leadership team with the promotion of Laura Glenn to chief operating officer and the appointment of Shelley Spencer to chief human resources officer.

Glenn, who joined MHC in 2017, most...

Munson Healthcare Executive Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Joan Rickli announces the appointment of Jacques-Brett Burgess, M.D., as Service Line Medical Director, Pediatrics for the health system.

The new part-time administrative position is part of Munson Healthcare efforts to...

The Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute offers cutting-edge technology and fellowship-trained
physicians. Below right is Michael VanWagner, D.O., who can provide knee surgery using the
ROSA device.

The Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute (MOI), which opened the doors of a new clinic in...

Munson Healthcare was recently recognized by Forbes as among “America’s Best Employers by State” for 2022, ranked third among healthcare employers and 37th overall in the state of Michigan.

Forbes and the market research company Statista generated the list after anonymous surveys of 70,000...

Munson Healthcare Hospice is hosting its annual Memorial Butterfly Release event in three northern Michigan communities during July.

Munson Healthcare Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Erin Gray said the release is something Munson Healthcare Hospice looks forward to sharing with the region’s...

Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, recently announced appointments of two health system physician leaders to regional chief medical officer (CMO) roles.

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital Chief Medical Officer Aditya Neravetla, M.D., has accepted an expanded role...

Munson Healthcare President and CEO Ed Ness received a double dose of honors from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) this week with the 2022 Healthcare Leadership Award and the 2021 Grassroots Champion Award.

The MHA met on Mackinac Island for its annual meeting. Ness was one of...

Northern Michigan residents considering bariatric surgery are invited to attend a free virtual informational seminar on Monday, June 13, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Michael Nizzi, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., medical director of Munson Medical Center’s Bariatric Program, will discuss surgical benefits and explain...

Munson Healthcare encourages the residents of northern Michigan to enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend while recognizing that COVID-19 remains a concern.

Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, said positivity rates in the region remain high in some counties and...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital is among three Munson Healthcare hospitals to receive an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2022. The twice yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today.

Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord and Munson...

Munson Healthcare has named Peter Tucker, M.D., as the medical director for the primary care service line.

A new position, Dr. Tucker’s role will be to provide visionary and strategic physician perspective on the direction of healthcare delivery. He will work closely with Munson Healthcare...

Cardiologist Kristen Maurice, D.O., will discuss the “Long-term Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19” as part of the virtual meeting of the Long COVID Support Group from 5 - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. The public is invited to join the presentation.

Registration is required by going to muns...

Munson Healthcare System Director of Safety and Security John Bolde recently was selected by the Michigan Safety Conference for the “Daryl C. Hill Safety Professional of the Year” award honoring a Michigan safety or health professional who has made a positive impact on safety and health in the state...

A large-scale technology upgrade project for Munson Healthcare’s Radiology Services is now underway with the installation of five new GE 256-Slice Revolution™ CT scanners.

Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital is the first of four Munson Healthcare hospital sites to receive the new technology. In...

Munson Healthcare, along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance care planning in recognition of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day.

As a participating organization, Munson Healthcare is offering free...

Munson Healthcare has further reduced its operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic from Pandemic Level Orange to Yellow status effective Thursday, March 17. The move comes as infection rates decline in the community and lower numbers of COVID-19 patients are in health system hospitals.

The...

Munson Healthcare Foundations has set an ambitious goal: to raise $100,000 on Tuesday, Nov. 30, in support of healthcare for the people of northern Michigan.

This day, more commonly known as Giving Tuesday, is recognized each year on the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The...

Munson Healthcare today announces revisions to its visitation policies as the continued COVID-19 surge brings added concerns for virus transmission and the need for patient and healthcare team safety.

Effective immediately, all inpatients, including those who have tested positive for COVID-19, will...

Munson Medical Center received the top “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Fall 2021. The twice-yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today.

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, and Munson...

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise across the region, Munson Healthcare is activating protocols for Pandemic Response Level Red for the first time in the organization’s history.

While COVID-19 numbers are on the decline across the nation as a whole, this is not the case in Michigan...

Victoria Francis-Aalaei, M.D. has joined the medical staff of Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital as a board-certified specialist in family medicine. She has special interests in pediatric mental health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and women’s health.

Dr. Francis-Aalaei practices at...

Munson Healthcare’s East and South Region presidents today jointly announced the appointment of Cristen Brandsma to Director of Surgical Services, Community Hospitals. 

East Region President Kirsten Korth-White and South Region President James Barker said Brandsma will oversee surgical services...

The Michigan Lean Consortium presented Munson Healthcare’s Vaccination Team with a 2020 Best in Healthcare Continuous Improvement award for the system’s tireless efforts to help vaccinate the communities it serves against COVID-19. The award was announced at the 9th Annual MLC Healthcare Symposium...

Munson Healthcare President and CEO Ed Ness announced today that Alicia Maitland has been named chief financial officer for Munson Healthcare.  She will be taking over the role from Mark Hepler who is retiring at the end of month.

Maitland joined Munson Healthcare in August of 2012 as the director...

Munson Healthcare is offering an infusion treatment called monoclonal antibody therapy for treating patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms. 

This one-time outpatient infusion therapy may help patients recover quicker and avoid hospitalization. The treatment is especially useful for...

Today, Munson Healthcare is officially moving our pandemic response stage from orange to yellow due to fewer COVID-19 cases both in Michigan and locally. As part of this change, we have modified our visitation policy so that all patients can have one visitor/support person at a time (18 years and...

Two Munson Healthcare hospitals received the top grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2021. The twice yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today.

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital and Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital received “A” marks while Munson...

Two Munson Healthcare hospitals received the top grade from The Leapfrog Group for spring 2021. The twice yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released today.

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital and Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital both received “A” marks while Munson...

Munson Healthcare will allow one vaccinated visitor per patient per day at its Munson Healthcare hospitals and clinics effective Friday, April 16. The effectiveness of vaccines is allowing the expanded policy, despite the current COVID-19 surge. 

Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Christine...

Munson Healthcare Community Hospitals and System Integration President Tonya Smith announced today that Kirsten Korth-White has been named east region president for Munson Healthcare effective May 1. 

The east region was created in 2018 when Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital became fully...

Munson Healthcare is limiting visitor access to Munson Healthcare facilities effective Monday, March 29, due to a spike in community spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants, and because more residents with the virus are requiring hospital care in northern Michigan. 

The number of patients...

Munson Healthcare President of Ambulatory Services and Value Based Care Laura Glenn announced today that Joan Rikli, M.B.A., M.S.N., R.N., CPNP-PC, NE-BC, has been named Women’s and Children’s Service Line executive director.

Rikli will have responsibility for coordinating women’s and children’s...

After a rewarding 21-year career, Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) CEO Tom Lemon has announced his retirement effective April 30, 2021.  Lemon joined OMH in late 1999, relocating from northern Illinois.  

Lemon led a variety of initiatives at the hospital, including two major...

Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital will welcome back expectant families to the Birthing Center on April 6 after a four month COVID-19 redeployment plan. In early December of 2020, Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital and Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital temporarily merged their...

Northern Michigan residents considering bariatric surgery are invited to attend a free virtual informational seminar on Monday, March 8, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Michael Nizzi, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., medical director of Munson Medical Center’s Bariatric Program, will discuss surgical options and explain how...

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have launched a joint operating agreement to bring state of the art rehabilitation services to Grayling. Mary Free Bed will now manage the outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services in Grayling...

Certified Application Counselors are available at several Munson Healthcare facilities to help individuals enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance Marketplace for 2021.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order creating an emergency enrollment window that continues through May 15.
...