MyNorth News Service

(Press Release provided by Munson Healthcare)

CHARLEVOIX: A new name will go on the hospital sign outside, but the same smiling faces and health care expertise will continue to meet any community needs.

Charlevoix Area Hospital today officially becomes Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital following an agreement signed earlier this fall to fully integrate the institution into Munson Healthcare.

“This is an exciting day for the hospital and the community because it ensures access to great local care will continue well into the future,” said Ruth Hoppe, M.D., chair of the Charlevoix hospital board. As part of the agreement between the hospital and Munson Healthcare, she will now sit on the Munson Healthcare Board of Directors.

Over the past few months, teams from both organizations have worked hard to ensure a smooth transition and have obtained the necessary governmental approvals.

Patients will see little change in the day-to-day operation of the hospital. Care will be delivered by the same caring staff and physicians. The closer integration with Munson Healthcare is expected to expand the range of clinical services available to the hospital and improve the coordination of care locally.

Munson Healthcare President and CEO Ed Ness said Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital joins four other fully integrated hospitals as part of the health care system.

“This is a historic day for Munson Healthcare as together we strengthen the network of services available close to home in northern Michigan,” Ness said. “The staff, physicians, volunteers, and board members at Charlevoix have laid a foundation of quality care in this community that we plan to continue to build on together.”

A community celebration of the hospital’s new chapter is planned for today in the cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be light refreshments and a short presentation at 5:15 p.m.

The hospital joins Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital as fully integrated hospitals in the health care system.

In addition to the hospital name change, physician practices and clinics associated with the hospital will see name changes as well over the next few months. As an example, Boyne Area Medical Center will become Munson Healthcare Boyne Area Health Center.

A new website for the hospital has launched at munsonhealthcare.org/charlevoixhospital.

Other hospitals in the Munson Healthcare system include a managed hospital, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, in Kalkaska, and three affiliated hospitals: Mackinac Straits Health System, St. Ignace; Otsego Memorial Hospital, Gaylord; and West Shore Medical Center, Manistee.

For more information on Munson Healthcare, go to munsonhealthcare.org/AboutMHC.


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Photo(s) by Munson Healthcare