Munson Healthcare COVID-19 Newsroom
Munson Healthcare encourages media covering the COVID-19 pandemic to use this page to learn more about health system efforts to care for residents of our nine-hospital northern Michigan region. This page is designed to offer information and links to timely messages and data that will offer the context important for an accurate understanding of the current pandemic environment.
COVID-19 Virtual Press Conferences
Munson Healthcare hosts regular virtual press conferences about COVID-19 and vaccination. These events are livestreamed on the Munson Healthcare Facebook page, and the videos and supporting materials are published on this page following each press conference. Members of the media: Email us to be added to the distribution list for future events.
Next COVID-19 Press Conference
Tuesday, January 25, 11:15 am
Munson Healthcare leaders and health department officials will share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, discuss hospitalizations, and answer questions.
Panelists will include:
- Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare
- Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department
- Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10
- Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan
- Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
Members of the media: Register here
Press Conference Archive
COVID-19 Virtual Press Conference, January 18, 2022
Munson Healthcare leaders share the latest information on COVID-19 and current hospitalization data, discuss COVID-19's impact on cancer patients at Munson Healthcare, and answer questions.
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; David Gordon, M.D., Physician Chief, Cancer Services, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
COVID-19 Virtual Press Conference, January 11, 2022
Munson Healthcare leaders and health department officials share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, hospitalization data, and provide the latest guidance on testing and isolating.
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
COVID-19 Virtual Press Conference, January 4, 2022
Munson Healthcare leaders share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, discuss hospitalizations, and answer questions.
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
COVID-19 Virtual Joint Press Conference, December 28, 2021
Munson Healthcare leaders and health department officials share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, discuss hospitalizations, and answer questions.
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcar
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
COVID-19 Virtual Press Conference, December 21, 2021
Munson Healthcare leaders share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, discuss hospitalizations, and answer questions.
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Christopher Ledtke, M.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Healthcare
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
COVID-19 Virtual Joint Press Conference, December 14, 2021
Munson Healthcare leaders and health department officials share the latest information on COVID-19, provide vaccine information, discuss hospitalizations, and answer questions.
Panelists: Joe Santangelo, M.D., Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
Press Conference Slides (PDF)
December 7, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
November 23, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; James Robertson, M.D., FAAP, Pediatrics, Kids Creek Children’s Clinic; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
November 9, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Christopher Ledtke, M.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., C.P.H.A., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
October 26, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Healthcare
October 12, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Healthcare
September 28, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Christopher Ledtke, M.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; James Robertson, M.D., Pediatrics, Kids Creek Children’s Clinic; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
August 31, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
August 17, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Christopher Ledtke, M.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
August 3, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Healthcare
July 20, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jordan Powell, M.P.H., Epidemiologist, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
July 6, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
June 22, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, RN, NP, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory Services, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
June 8, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
May 25, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
May 11, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Leah Doezema, High School Student; Olivia Ludka, High School Student; Ethan Roe, High School Student; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
May 4, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
April 27, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jim Jeakle, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital; Stacey Sensor, D.O., Obstetrics & Gynecology, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
April 20, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
April 13, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Christopher Ledtke, M.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
April 6, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
March 23, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
March 16, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases, Munson Healthcare; and Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Medical Center
March 9, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
March 2, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases, Munson Healthcare; and Brian Lawson, Regional Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Munson Medical Center
February 23, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, CEO Northwest Michigan Health Services; Josh Meyerson, Medical Director, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan
February 9, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, CEO Northwest Michigan Health Services; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan
February 2, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: James Whelan, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Cadillac Hospital, and Medical Director, Munson Clinically Integrated Network; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
January 26, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Mark Cannon, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, CEO Northwest Michigan Health Services; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan
January 19, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, RN, NP, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory Services, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
January 12, 2021 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, CEO Northwest Michigan Health Services; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan
January 5, 2021 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, Pharm.D., BCIDP, Munson Healthcare Infectious Disease Clinical Pharmacist; Mark Cannon, MD, PhD, Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
December 29, 2020 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Michael Lahey, M.P.H., Emergency Preparedness Director, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Jennifer Morse, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, Medical Director, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, CEO Northwest Michigan Health Services; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Laurel Johnson, Public Information Officer, Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Rachel Pomeroy, Public Information Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
December 22, 2020 | Munson Healthcare Press Conference
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Matt Wille, President and CEO, Munson Medical Center; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare
December 15, 2020 | Joint Press Conference with Health Departments
Video Slides (PDF)
Panelists: Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Munson Healthcare; Dianne Michalek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Munson Healthcare; Nick Torney, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Disease, Munson Healthcare; Wendy Hirschenberger, M.P.H., Health Officer, Grand Traverse County Health Department; Lisa Peacock, M.S.N., R.N., WHNP-BC, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Jeannine Taylor Public Information Officer, District Health Department #10; Heidi Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Michigan Health Services
Additional COVID-19 Resources Links
Here are pages with additional information related to COVID-19
Media Inquiries
Submit media inquiries related to COVID-19 to one of our media relations contacts.