November 2023 Issue

A New Direction: Munson leaders aim to improve outpatient care, regionalization and job vacancies

By Art Bukowski

Northern Michigan’s largest hospital system plans to regionalize certain services in an effort to cut wait times and increase overall access to care, particularly outpatient services.

Munson Healthcare recently announced its Regional Care Transformation Plan, a three-year, $50 million blueprint designed to maximize resources and improve access to doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests and other outpatient services across its service area. The system serves about 540,000 residents across 11,000 square miles from south of Cadillac to the Straits of Mackinac.

Ness

Chief Executive Officer Ed Ness said reasons for the plan are multiple, but a few key items rise to the …

No More Wait Times? Munson COO outlines four medical specialties on the rise in northern Michigan – and four areas of focus

By Craig Manning

For years, northern Michigan has brushed against the constraints of its healthcare system.

On the one hand, Traverse City is a desirable community with a healthy business economy and a population that swells during the summer months.

On the other hand, Traverse City still sits in the middle of a rural region and is still served by a rural healthcare system – one that hasn’t historically been able to offer all the services of a …

How the Outdoor Recreation Industry Is Good for All Michigan

By Chris MacInnes

Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy is large, growing and its overall impact on Michigan’s economy exceeds its statistical economic impact.

As Michiganders, we have long recognized the value of outdoor recreation to our quality of life, and the economic contributions from travel and tourism. But we had not looked holistically at this economy, with a wide variety of products designed, tested, headquartered and often made in Michigan that support outdoor experiences.

This changed in 2019 when …

Munson Probes Petoskey Market

By Art Bukowski

Munson Healthcare plans to open a 55,000 square-foot facility in Petoskey as part of its Regional Care Transformation Plan.

The former Art Van Furniture building on the city's south side will be remodeled to accommodate primary and urgent care, specialty clinics for orthopedics, cardiology, general surgery and obstetrics/gynecology, as well as diagnostic imaging and lab services.

The move marks Munson’s second foray into the Petoskey area, which as of now is served almost exclusively by …

Well-Ness: Munson's CEO on next steps for the region's largest healthcare organization

By Luke Haase

'A Foreign Language': Experts talk Medicare's annual open enrollment

By Art Bukowski

The Mother Load: New and expanded protections for pregnant and nursing workers

By Lindsay Raymond

Open Enrollment: An opportunity to unite your multi-generational workforce

By Andi Dolan

What the Doctor Ordered: Small-town pharmacies face unique challenges vs. big players

By Art Bukowski

For the Long Haul: Local company enters national trial for long COVID therapeutic

By Craig Manning

Renewable Energy Fact-Check: Where does all that energy come from for local utilities?

By Craig Manning

Follow the Sun: CBS Solar, Traverse Solar merge to launch super solar tracker

By Craig Manning

The Powers That Be: Local utility leaders discuss challenges, infrastructure and what's next for a growing region

By Art Bukowski

Engineering the Future: Local firms share what projects they're proud of and what's next

By Art Bukowski

'A Clear Purpose': TC-area leadership coaches on value, strategy

Andrew Lutes wasn’t completely sure what to expect when he signed up for leadership coaching, but being uncomfortable wasn’t on the radar.

Lutes is the director of operations at Commongrounds, a mixed-use complex in Traverse City that houses nonprofits, businesses and residential tenants. In 2021, he began coaching with Lucille …

By Art Bukowski

Leave It to the Experts: TC-based consultants are trusted advisors to world-wide clientele

Tech startups. Fortune 500 companies. Government agencies. Professional sports teams. Successful touring musicians.

These are just a few of the types of organizations that rely on consultants based in northern Michigan for guidance on growth and scalability, culture, conflict resolution, and more. The TCBN sat down with two of those …

By Craig Manning

'Sophisticated Rural': Economic development expert touts TC's offerings

By Rick Haglund

IT Power Tools: Small businesses that invest in IT are more likely to thrive

By Tim Cerny

Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career

By Chris Wendel

Briefly

NEW OWNER, EXPANSION FOR MED PRACTICETraverse Bay Internal Medicine in Traverse City has been purchased by Dr. Angela Pohl, a board-certified internist with more than 10 years of experience in Traverse City. Dr. Pohl had worked with recently-retired Dr. Robert Pacer, who co-founded the practice in 2016, since 2020. Dr. …

By Lynn Geiger

Newsmakers

BANKING & FINANCE

David Powell has joined TBA Credit Union in Traverse City as mortgage manager. With more than 25 years in the mortgage industry, Powell previously worked as an underwriting and processing manager at a credit union and has worked with various mortgage companies.

EDUCATION

The Grand Valley …

By Lynn Geiger

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