Munson Healthcare

08/22/2025

Simulation Gets Real in Cadillac!

Munson Healthcare has expanded its cutting-edge Simulation Lab to Cadillac—bringing high-tech, hands-on training right to our local care teams.

With life-like manikins that blink, breathe, and even simulate childbirth, staff can practice real-world scenarios like Code Blue drills and emergency response exercises—all without risk to patients.

It’s all part of our commitment to clinical excellence and keeping our community safe!

08/21/2025

🏅 Let the Games Begin! 🏅

Every summer, the Mary Free Bed at Munson Healthcare crew in Manistee turns up the heat with their own Summer Olympics. From problem-solving challenges to teamwork triumphs, this event is all about collaboration, creativity, and a little friendly rivalry.

This year, the A Team rose to the occasion, snagging the gold medals and the coveted trophy! 🏆✨ Congratulations to the winners, Brienna Haack, Occupational Therapist; Sally Somsel, Physical Therapist; Jaime Colby, Physical Therapy Assistant; Annette Hart, Occupational Therapist; Melanie Young, Office Coordinator; and Mitchell Anderson, Physical Therapist.

08/20/2025

Thank you to our partner Community Connections for the important work they do to help our community members access the resources they need, including these recent success stories:

⭐️ Community Connections helped Margaret, a widowed senior, stay housed, get the legal resources she needed, secure coverage for her hearing aids, and provide her with a laptop for her future virtual visits. With her basic needs met, Margaret now feels more able to care for herself and focus on her wellbeing.

⭐️ Diana had been in and out of the hospital for several months and was referred to Community Connections. She was connected to transportation assistance, regained access to her food benefits, and was matched to Adult Services home help from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. With these resources combined, Diana feels encouraged that she’ll be able to stay well and have fewer hospital trips in the coming year.

Read more about Munson’s commitment to Community Connections at https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/about-the-system/news-media-relations/news/munson-donates-120k-support-community-connections.

08/19/2025

Which Munson shades are your favorite?

08/19/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Munson Healthcare’s 2025 Leaders of Northern Michigan! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate three outstanding team members recognized by the Traverse City Record-Eagle for their exceptional leadership and impact across Northern Michigan:

🏅 Tracy Cleveland – Vice President, Supply Chain, Munson Healthcare
🏅 George Bullard, BSN, RN – Nurse Manager, Munson Medical Center
🏅 Jennifer Standfest, MSN, RN, NE-BC – System Chief Nursing Officer, Munson Healthcare

Their dedication, innovation, and compassion continue to shape the future of healthcare in our region. 💙

Read more about their inspiring leadership journeys at https://record-eagle-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?special=leaders&fbclid=IwY2xjawMRT8xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGb0tSaFJ6TTBHTHNwUlJMAR7YSXdRmV46ybD1wVBhixZNBes8VdxF-fct5gRb_tihxfOtZHxbuuP1e3n7eQ_aem_8HNjyvLdynNvoy4UFopWMw.

IN THIS WEEKEND'S RECORD-EAGLE: This year's Leaders of Northern Michigan special section, featuring Cory Winfield of 217 Recovery, Amy Breckel of Forest Area Federal Credit Union, Jessica Edson of Edson Farms Natural Foods and many other local leaders. Pick up a copy of this weekend's paper at your nearest newsstand, or visit https://record-eagle-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?special=leaders to read the section online.

08/14/2025

Supporting Recovery & Community

Munson Healthcare is honored to donate $5,000 to Club Cadillac, a nonprofit helping individuals recover from mental illness and rebuild their lives. This support helps provide essentials like transportation, work attire, wellness resources, and more.

We’re especially inspired by Club Cadillac’s transitional employment program, which empowers members to re-enter the workforce with confidence. We’re grateful to partner in this mission — welcoming Club Cadillac members to our team at Cadillac Hospital.

Not only did Munson Healthcare have the honor of presenting the Club Cadillac team with a donation, members of our team also rolled up their sleeves and spent time volunteering in their kitchen and garden. It was a meaningful way to show support and strengthen the partnership — side by side, making a difference together.

For over 25 years, Club Cadillac has been a place of healing, hope, and growth. Learn more or support their work at https://www.clubcadillacclubhouse.org or 231-775-5638.

08/13/2025

"I have devoted my entire 46-year career to obstetrical nursing at Cadillac Hospital. I was born here, my children were born here, and my granddaughter was born here. This is a hospital that has served me and my family for literally generations, and I am honored to be able to give back to the community that I call home.

I want our community to know we stand prepared to support our patients through labor and birth. Women should be partners in their birth. They deserve to be educated about their care options and have a voice. Knowledge is power! I want women to feel empowered to be true partners in their care.

My favorite part of my work is when I am approached in the community, and families remember me from being their labor/delivery nurse or introduce me to their now adult children as the one who guided them to a safe and memorable birth. Or perhaps I was there to support them through a particularly difficult moment. Women remember their births, and the fact that I am positive part of that memory touches my heart." —Lori Barnes, BSN, RNC, Senior Manager of Obstetrics, Cadillac Hospital

Read more at https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/about-the-system/commitment-stories .

08/13/2025

Sharing a Passion for Nursing with the Next Generation

For the past three years, Tyler Kwapis, BSN, RN, CCRN, has been lighting a spark in young minds through the Michigan State University Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program, an initiative designed for advanced students from 4th grade through high school. Introduced to the program through his wife, Dr. Emma Kwapis, a graduate of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tyler saw an opportunity to bring nursing into the spotlight. "I saw it as a perfect fit to share my passion for nursing care,” Tyler shared.

Tyler’s sessions have become a highlight for many students, especially those in the 4th and 5th grade GUPPY program. From disaster triage role-play to mastering complex clinical concepts in minutes, Tyler’s sessions are more than just educational — they’re empowering. “I always love watching the moment a student ‘gets it.’ These students are the future of our industry, and it’s a pleasure to spend time with them.”

At Munson Medical Center, Tyler serves as a Patient Care Coordinator in the ICU, a role that blends leadership, education, and continuous learning. Whether mentoring new graduate nurses or collaborating with seasoned teammates, he embraces the evolving nature of nursing and the privilege of sharing his five years of critical care experience. “Nursing is a continuously evolving profession. It’s up to us to show up and push ourselves every day.”

👏 Thank you, Tyler, for inspiring the next generation and showing that nursing is not just a career — it’s a calling.

08/12/2025

🎉 Meet the Future of Medicine! 🩺

Munson Healthcare is proud to welcome the Class of 2027 from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine! MSU-COM's Traverse City campus provides training for third- and fourth-year medical students interested in practice in a rural setting.

These third-year medical students are diving into their core clinical rotations across our hospitals, clinics, and physician offices, gaining hands-on experience in rural healthcare settings to prepare them for real-world challenges.

As they explore opportunities and build connections with patients, mentors, and other members of the healthcare team, these future doctors are making a meaningful impact in our community.

Join us in giving them a warm Munson welcome as they begin this exciting chapter in their journey to becoming physicians!

Pictured, left to right, are Nick Kloczkowski, Paige Stearn, Becca Longman, Kelsey Revett, and Terrance Duncan.

08/11/2025

By learning how to recognize life-threatening emergencies and perform rescue techniques, you could help save a life.

Munson Healthcare offers a variety of American Heart Association accredited life support training courses — open to the public throughout Northern Michigan.

Take the first step by getting trained!

Learn more and find a course near you: https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/clinical-education/munson-life-support-training-center

08/08/2025

Honoring Our Healthcare Heroes 💙

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Munson Medical Center to personally thank some of our incredible healthcare team for their heroic efforts during the July 26 incident. Their swift, compassionate response saved lives and exemplified the very best of what it means to serve our community.

We are deeply grateful for their dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to care. Thank you for being the heartbeat of hope in moments that matter most.

08/08/2025

🏃‍♀️💙 Blueberry Dash 2025: A Sweet Success in Frankfort! 💙🏃‍♂️

On August 2, the streets of Frankfort were filled with energy and community spirit during the Benzie Senior Resources Blueberry Dash—the organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year!

Munson Healthcare was proud to support the event with a $500 sponsorship, helping fund essential programs and services for seniors in Benzie County. A special shoutout to the Paul Oliver Living and Rehabilitation team, who represented Munson with heart and dedication, showing their commitment to wellness and community care.

From runners to volunteers, every step taken helped strengthen the support network for local seniors. 💙 Thank you to everyone who made this event a berry special day!