Joanne Schroeder| The Petoskey News-Review
At a time when hospitals are closing across the country due to financial and operational challenges, we’re proud of our commitment to you and the place we call home — Charlevoix. Last month, Munson Healthcare unveiled its new vision for the future of healthcare in Northern Michigan. We are taking steps to improve and meet the evolving needs of the Charlevoix area and surrounding communities after thoughtful planning, shaped by years of navigating the global pandemic and listening to what our patients want and need from their local healthcare system.
It’s important for the community and our patients to know that Charlevoix Hospital will continue to have 24/7 emergency services, surgery, obstetrics, observation patients and limited inpatient care. When I say limited inpatient, what that means is Charlevoix Hospital admits patients that fit the scope of care we provide, for example, someone experiencing severe dehydration may still stay in Charlevoix for fluids and inpatient care. However, depending on the condition, some patients requiring higher levels of care may be transferred to Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord or Munson Medical Center in Traverse City where there are more specialists available to meet their needs. This is similar to how we already operate and ensures we have aligned the right resources, right place and right care for each patient’s condition.
Our Regional Care Transformation Plan will result in a Munson that is focused on more and better access to primary care and outpatient services — all service areas where the needs are greatest. When I first arrived in Charlevoix, over 6 years ago, 80% of our revenue came from outpatient care and 20% inpatient. Today, outpatient services, such as minor surgeries and medical tests, have grown to 90% of Charlevoix Hospital’s revenue, and insurers and patients continue to drive that change further. This is a national trend.
By shifting to a more patient-centric model that focuses on preventative care like doctor visits, we will ensure Munson delivers the care patients are asking us for while remaining a viable and sustainable healthcare system without closing any hospitals. Charlevoix Hospital is a strong, thriving organization and we want to continue to be the provider of choice for your healthcare needs. Charlevoix Hospital is growing, particularly when it comes to outpatient services like mammograms, labs, radiology and pulmonary function testing. We are also going to further expand virtual services that were first launched during the pandemic and provide more options for home-based care.
We are excited to continue to expand in key areas. First, we’re expanding OBGYN care, so we can continue to provide quality care close to home. We have recruited our third OB/GYN who will join Drs. Jeakle and Monks. We will continue to deliver babies at Charlevoix Hospital and we are looking to expand OB and women’s health services in nearby communities. We also have two pelvic floor physical therapists here and we’re expanding clinical hours in Harbor Springs, too. This is all part of our commitment to be that convenient, critical access point for the community including families, women and expectant moms.
As part of these changes, patients can also expect better coordination and collaboration within our healthcare system that allows us to strengthen the overall level of care we provide — this includes one patient record system, which will be fully implemented by next year. This plan will elevate Munson Medical Center in Traverse City to a high-level, specialty-care hospital with providers available to ensure stroke, heart, oncology, trauma and other special needs so that patients won’t have to travel long hours downstate to receive treatment.
In the years ahead, recruiting new talent and retaining the skilled members of our existing team will remain a top priority. While there's still work to be done, more than 2,000 new team members have joined Munson Healthcare since January. We’re confident our team is on the right growth path to continue serving the Charlevoix, Petoskey and surrounding communities for many years to come.
We are confident Munson’s transformation will open new doors for our patients and keep care local in Northern Michigan for the next 100 years. To learn more about the Regional Care Transformation Plan, please visit munsonhealthcare.org/transformation.
— Joanne Schroeder is president of Charlevoix Hospital.
