Pursuing Partnerships

Northern Michigan Regional Health System continues to pursue partnerships to create integrated delivery systems that are better for our patients by providing access to high quality healthcare services. Partnerships facilitate resource sharing, increase quality initiatives, and improve community health benefit. This initiative is consistant with our mission to provide healthcare as we expect for our own family.

President Podcasts
Listen to Northern Michigan Regional Health System podcasts on your computer or download them when and where you want it. New to podcasting? Learn more about Podcasts and RSS feeds.

Reezie DeVet, President & CEO of Northern Michigan Regional Health System, will be offering podcasts to discuss the Hospital’s pursuit of excellence, potential affiliations, and the ways Northern Michigan Regional Health System is being recognized through various state and nationwide awards.

NMRHS/Cheboygan Memorial Hospital Affiliation Status
(2.14 min, 4.4MB)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010

A podcast from NMRHS President & CEO regarding the status of the NMRHS/Cheboygan Memorial Hospital affiliation. Created: 6/21/2010 by the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Media Library. Date Released: 7/6/2010.

Partnership Updates
Northern Michigan Regional Health System Terminates Agreement with Spectrum Health
July, 2010 - Northern Michigan Regional Health System Board of Trustees informed Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health of its unanimous decision to terminate the agreement to pursue affiliation, effective July 26, 2010. The two parties entered into an agreement to explore potential affiliation in March 2009. While due diligence was proceeding satisfactorily, the negotiations surrounding the terms of the affiliation agreement ultimately led to the identification of significant differences in our vision for the delivery of healthcare in northern Michigan. Northern Michigan Regional Health System is committed to developing an integrated healthcare network in northern Michigan that will ensure access to primary and advanced specialty care for patients in even the most remote and rural settings. We will continue to provide leadership in this effort across northern Michigan through partnerships and resource-sharing initiatives with other care providers.

Affiliation Discussions with Spectrum Health Continue
July, 2010 - Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Spectrum Health of Grand Rapids continue to move forward in discussions regarding potential affiliation. Most recently, discussion has centered on the terms strategically necessary to effect a final decision. Our Board of Trustees is committed to a careful and thoughtful examination of all aspects of a potential affiliation, with a decision expected in the next 60 days.

Spectrum Health and NMRHS Affiliation Discussions Continue
June, 2010 - David Buzzelli, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Wendy Walker, MD, former Board Chair, and Reezie DeVet, President & CEO, met with representatives from Spectrum Health to discuss the terms strategically necessary to effect a final decision. Much of this discussion was centered on our organizational performance both from a clinical quality and financial perspective. Given that Munson Healthcare in Traverse City is also considering a Spectrum Health affiliation, local and regional governance models were discussed.

While the affiliation decisions of the Munson Healthcare organization are separate and distinct from the evaluation currently under way for Northern Michigan Regional Health System, their potential involvement as a member of the Spectrum Health System here in northern Michigan does create a new dynamic in the region. Northern Michigan Regional Health System Board of Trustees is committed to a careful and thoughtful decision-making process for such an important move that could shape the course of healthcare in our region for many years to come. A decision is expected in the next 60 days.

Cheboygan Affiliation Discussions Slowed
June, 2010 - The timeline for completion of the initial phase of discussions was moved back to allow Cheboygan Memorial Hospital ample time to “right-size” their organization in light of economic and financial pressures. Before executing a more formal and binding agreement, Cheboygan Memorial Hospital must be financially and operationally viable and adopt a financial plan that ensures ongoing sustainability. Cheboygan Memorial Hospital is on track with the Critical Access application process following a successful Joint Commission review the first week of May, and hopes to have that designation in place late this summer.

Value Health Partners
Northern Michigan Regional Health System has joined eight Michigan healthcare systems to create greater value for their patients and communities by forming Value Health Partners. The organization’s focus will involve maximizing value through:

Clinical quality and best practices
Community health improvement programs to address health disparities for at-risk populations
Advocacy to represent a variety of Michigan communities on policy issues

Partnership News
Northern Michigan Regional Health System Announces Town Hall Meetings
Monday, June 28, 2010
Petoskey, Mich. – June 28, 2010 – Northern Michigan Regional Health System has announced Town Hall Meeting dates through July and August.

Hospital system still pursuing Spectrum Health
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Harbor Light - June 23, 2010 - By CHARLES O'NEILL Northern Michigan Regional Health System (NMRHS) continues to pursue a partnership with Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health, according to ...

Forum offered to update community on possible healthcare affiliation
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Cheboygan, Mich. – Nov. 3, 2009 - A Community Forum will be held on Wednesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. to update community members about the potential affiliation between Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Cheboygan Memorial Hospital. The evening will begin with a discussion by Thomas C. Mroczkowski, President & CEO of Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Brian E. Dietz, CEO of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital about their vision of healthcare delivery in our region, followed by a question and answer session. The Forum will be held in Conference Room A on the third floor of the Cheboygan Memorial Health Center, 740 South Main Street, Cheboygan.

Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Cheboygan Memorial Hospital Explore Affiliation
Friday, August 28, 2009
Petoskey Mich. – August 28, 2009 – Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Cheboygan Memorial Hospital have entered into an agreement to explore the possibility of an affiliate membership for Cheboygan Memorial Hospital in the Northern Michigan Regional Health System.