Every Day Living is Excellent in Kalkaska
Kalkaska County is an outdoor wonderland with 561 square miles of abundant natural resources. With more than 80 inland lakes, 275 miles of streams and rivers including blue ribbon fly fishing, and numerous state and county parks, residents and visitors revel in the natural beauty that surrounds Kalkaska.
About the Community
Kalkaska County’s many lakes and streams lure travelers to the village of Kalkaska. Kalkaska hosts the National Trout Festival each April and is the starting point for the 27.2-mile Iceman Cometh Challenge bike race each November.
Kalkaska has a great school system – Kalkaska High school is in the top three in the state for academic and curriculum performance. Other amenities include affordable housing, easy access to state highway corridors, a county recreation complex, ball fields, and horse barns built by active equestrian clubs. Snowmobile, motocross, and horseback riding enthusiasts enjoy many marked trails that wind their way through Kalkaska County.
About Kalkaska Memorial Health Center
You might not expect to see a baby grand piano inside a rural hospital in northern Michigan, but Kalkaska Memorial Health Center (KMHC) specializes in providing more than is expected. This non-profit health center serves the greater Kalkaska County region with a wide variety of care options not often found in a small community.
It offers quality care for primary and urgent medical needs. Cardiology, laboratory, radiology, and rehabilitation services at KMHC are networked with Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, ensuring prompt, convenient diagnosis and treatment.
Expanded outpatient services include surgical suites for colonoscopies and cataract surgery, and a new Cardiac Rehabilitation area. A dialysis center, a beautiful assisted living center, state-of-the-art Green House senior living homes, and a long-term care facility offer convenience and continuity of care for residents. A new chemotherapy and infusion center is being built, along with expanded medical offices.
KMHC is owned by Kalkaska County’s 12 townships and is supported in part by a tax levy that provides funding for capital improvements and projects. It is also part of the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network.
Quality Recognition
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s Long-term Care was named a Best Nursing Home by U.S. News & World Report. The facility also received the Governor’s Award of Excellence for quality long-term care.
Kalkaska Dialysis Center was recognized in 2016 by the End Stage Renal Disease Network 11 for achieving 5-Diamond status based on best-practice standards for patient safety and care. It achieved a five-star Medicare rating in 2016 for high quality patient care.
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center services include outpatient surgery, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, a top quality dialysis center, physician-staffed emergency department, diagnostics, nationally-accredited diabetes education, an aquatic therapy pool, sleep disorders center, primary care, and specialty care.
The Stats
Founded: 1953
Beds: 8 acute; 104 extended and long-term care
Owned by: Kalkaska County’s 12 townships
Participates in: Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network