News List

Crisis Center Shows Early Success in Addressing Community Mental Health Needs

The Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center (GTMHCAC) today presented to the Grand Traverse County Commission and released its first-ever scorecard highlighting the impact of the center’s first year of...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Hugh McLeod, PA-C, to the Munson Orthopedic Institute team in Manistee.

Hugh spent 25 years on active duty with the U.S. Army—first as an infantryman and later as a physician assistant caring for service members with both primary care and orthopedic needs...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Justin Kapke, PA-C, to the Charlevoix Urology team.

Justin chose the field of urology because he enjoys helping patients make educated decisions that impact their quality of life. He also enjoys working in a field that allows him to use his skills to assist...

National hospital watchdog awards top marks for patient safety

Munson Healthcare announced today that all eligible Munson hospitals have earned an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group in the organization’s Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grade ratings. Hospitals are given letter grades A through F — the “A”...

Munson Medical Center (MMC) is strengthening its commitment to safety and security with the installation of new, state-of-the-art security and weapons detections systems at the hospital’s main lobby and Emergency Department entrances. The systems were installed earlier this month.

 “We take the...

Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) would like to inform the community of temporary parking changes related to an expansion and renovation project currently underway.

For the next three weeks, the main entrance parking lot will have limited parking spaces available due to ongoing construction. A small...

Munson Healthcare announced today plans to significantly expand childcare access for members of its healthcare team, creating space for 137 additional children. Munson already has 496 children in its childcare programs and the organization broke ground on the expansion earlier this month. The...

After nine years of leading Charlevoix Hospital with heart, humility, and purpose, President Joanne Schroeder has announced that she will retire effective July 1, 2026. 

“It has truly been an honor to serve this community and its hospital,” said Schroeder. “Charlevoix Hospital is special because of...

After drawing enthusiastic crowds and sparking meaningful conversation in Frankfort and Cadillac last year, the highly anticipated women’s health event Hot Hormones & Cool Conversations is coming to Manistee for an evening dedicated to honest discussion, education, and encouragement.

Hosted by Munson...

For the fourth consecutive year, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital (POMH) has been named a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services. This distinction places POMH among the top 5% of hospitals...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Gaylord native, Jacob King, PA-C, to the OMH Medical Group Internal Medicine team.

Jacob's career in medicine is motivated by building relationships with his patients and helping them create meaningful changes to improve their lives.  

“I am dedicated to...

As a robust teaching location, Munson partners with Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine to expertly train 3rd- and 4th-year medical students in addition to hosting a dually accredited Family Medicine Residency program. Every March, graduating...

American College of Surgeons Awards Accreditation Through National Program

Munson Medical Center’s Cowell Family Cancer Center (CFCC) recently achieved accreditation through the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a distinction awarded by the American College of Surgeons. Munson...

The Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center at Munson Medical Center — Northern Michigan’s first and only Comprehensive Stroke Center — is pleased to announce we have been selected as a research site for the national SUMMIT RISE stroke study and recently enrolled three participants. This clinical...

Drs. Shurlow, Harden, and Reynolds Named Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery

General surgeons, Drs. James Shurlow, Lindsay Harden, and Paul Reynolds recently achieved accreditation from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery. This accreditation recognizes their...

Expanding outpatient specialty care outreach seeks to improve accessibility in rural areas

Munson Healthcare is pleased to announce the opening of an Outpatient Specialty Care Clinic in Elk Rapids on Monday, February 16 as part of ongoing efforts to provide greater access and convenience to patients...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Chandler Williams, NP, to the Hospice and Palliative Care team. 

Chandler chose a career in medicine because it allows her to care for people. She has always been drawn to palliative medicine and the importance of providing an additional layer of support for...

National watchdog group gives hospital its top mark for quality and safety.  

Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital announced today that it has received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Fall 2025. The twice-yearly report card from the hospital quality organization was released in...

Hospital maintains consistency for top marks from the national watchdog group. 

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital announced today that it has received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for Fall 2025, marking the sixth straight time it’s received recognition at this level. The twice-yearly report...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome the following providers to our clinics: 

“I take a careful and thorough approach to care and value good communication and teamwork, making sure that patients feel informed and supported throughout...

Those struggling during the holidays have 24/7 access to mental health resources.

There is now a new resource for those in Northern Michigan silently struggling with stress, loneliness, or loss this holiday season as the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center (Crisis Center) welcomes...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Heidi Pangborn, MD, to the Neurology team. 

Dr. Pangborn chose to practice neurology as she is fascinated by neuroscience and enjoys making a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients during pivotal life moments. 

She attended medical school at...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Michelle Beigle, NP-C, to the primary care team at the Petoskey Community Health Center. 

Over her career, Michelle has grown to love family medicine. She finds the bond a provider has with patients and the trust patients have in their provider to be...

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a $2.5 million grant supporting a five-year project to enhance street medicine training to medical students enrolled in Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) Family Medicine Residency Program.

One of only 24 such grants awarded nationwide, the...

Munson Healthcare is expanding access to an important need for bone density care in Northern Michigan. 

Victoria Buescher, MD, an internal medicine provider at Petoskey Community Health Center – Primary Care, offers appointments dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Jayme Larson, MSN, FNP-BC, to the Charlevoix Primary Care team. 

Jayme chose to pursue a career as an advanced practice nurse in family medicine because she enjoys the supportive nature of the field and the continuity of care, she’s able to offer her patients...

The Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center prepares for a period of increased risk as winter weather and the holidays approach.

The Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center (WFCSC) at Munson Medical Center is proud to announce its recertification from The Joint Commission as Northern Michigan’s...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Celeste Frazee, FNP-BC, to the Boyne Area Health Center team.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Celeste is passionate about building long-term relationships with patients and helping them in their journey to better health. 

“My greatest joy is helping patients...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Emily Levin, MD, FAANS, to the Neurosurgery team.

Dr. Levin originally gravitated toward a career in engineering before deciding to continue her education to pursue a career in neurosurgery. She calls on her engineering background when determining a plan of...

Munson Healthcare announces the planned retirement of Kelly Tomaszewski, a deeply respected and beloved leader whose unwavering dedication and compassionate leadership have profoundly shaped both Manistee Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. Over the years, Kelly has been a guiding force...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Victoria Buescher, MD, to the primary care team at the Petoskey Community Health Center. 

Dr. Buescher chose to pursue a career in internal medicine because she enjoys learning about different disease processes and helping patients with complex conditions. She...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Julie Sidelinger, PA-C to the orthopedic clinical team. 

Julie began her career in medicine as a paramedic. Since becoming a physician assistant, she has worked in a variety of surgical settings.  She earned her graduate degree from Western Michigan University...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Holly Hinds, NP, to the Kidney & Hypertension Specialists clinical team. 

Holly became interested in nephrology after accompanying her grandfather to the Munson Dialysis Center and experiencing the care and compassion from staff. 

She completed her graduate...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Tika Mitchell-Cowie, MSN, FNP-C, to the Mio Primary Care team. 

Tika has more than two decades of experience in healthcare and has worked in specialty areas such as acute and intensive care, obstetrics, neonatal care, pediatrics, home care/hospice, and...

New service is expected to benefit approximately 6,000 patients across the region. 

Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City is bringing a new resource to Northern Michigan focused on earlier detection and intervention for those with...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Moore, MD, to the family medicine team at Frankfort Medical Group.   

Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Moore worked in Anchorage, Alaska as a geophysicist interpreting seismic data. A passion for caring for people inspired her to move back to...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome the following providers to our clinics: 

“I enjoy helping patients navigate new health conditions by providing information and care.”

Dr. Ayres is trained in general urology and has special interests in robotic...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Charlie Whittaker, DO, to the family medicine team at Grayling Community Health Center. 

Dr. Whittaker chose family medicine because it allows him to care for the whole person across every stage of life, from newborns to older adults.   

Dr. Whittaker has...

As you may recall, HHS implemented various telehealth flexibilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency to promote the adoption and awareness of telehealth services. While some of these flexibilities have been made permanent, several key regulations are temporary and are set to expire on...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Rachel Cleminson, MD, to the Otsego Memorial Health (OMH) Medical Group Family Medicine team. 

Dr. Cleminson chose to practice family medicine because she loves building long-term relationships with her patients, as well as the variety a family medicine clinic...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Angela Keough, DO, to the OMH Medical Group – Family Practice team. 

Dr. Keough attended medical school at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board certified in Family Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy by the American Osteopathic Board of...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome John Fanta, MD, to the Neurology team in Traverse City and Manistee. 

Dr. Fanta attended medical school at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. ...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome the following providers to our clinics: 

“The brain serves as the essence of who we are, and helping those recovering from medical conditions affecting the brain is especially rewarding. I hope to lead my patients to a...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Brandon Ahlgren, MD, to the Rheumatology team. 

Dr. Ahlgren comes from a family of physicians. He is the oldest of five siblings, two of whom are also doctors. He became interested in joint and bone pathology from his father, an orthopedic spine surgeon. This...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Caleb Alley, DO, to the general surgery team in Gaylord.

Dr. Alley earned his bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University and his master’s in science from Purdue University Fort Wayne. Dr. Alley attended medical school at Liberty University and completed a...

Public Open House Scheduled for September 25

To celebrate, the public is invited to an Open House on Thursday, September 25 from 5 – 7 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to explore the new facility before it officially opens.

Open House Highlights include:

Munson Healthcare is thrilled to announce the expansion of its state-of-the-art Simulation Lab (Sim Lab) from Munson Medical Center to Cadillac Hospital, marking a significant investment in clinical education, hospital preparedness, and patient safety across the region.

The Munson Simulation Lab is...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Brett Walker, DO, to the orthopedic and neurosurgical clinical teams.

Dr. Walker will see patients in Gaylord and Harbor Springs and perform spine surgeries at Otsego Memorial Hospital and Charlevoix Hospital.

Dr. Walker attended medical school at Michigan...

Children arriving at Munson Medical Center’s Emergency Department often face challenges expressing themselves due to fear, injury, developmental differences such as autism spectrum disorder, or even simple shyness. To help bridge this communication gap, the ED team has introduced visual...

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Ashlyn Muntin, NP, to the OMH Medical Group Internal Medicine team.

Ashlyn earned her graduate degree at Michigan State University College of Nursing. She chose a career in medicine driven by a deep passion for healthcare with a focus on internal medicine. She...