Munising Memorial Hospital and
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital are the newest additions to Superior Health Partners, a health care partnership which now includes seven U.P. medical groups and hospitals.
SHP was formed by Bell Hospital in Ishpeming and Marquette General Hospital in Marquette in 2010 in order to make healthcare more accessible to U.P. residents and compete with out-of-area health providers.
"Marquette General Health Systems and its CEO Gary Muller have taken a leadership role in creating Superior Health Partners and setting its mission to both increase the quality and effectiveness of local health care as well as making local health care more affordable. Munising Memorial is pleased to join SHP and help support the fulfillment of its mission," says Munising Memorial CEO and president Kevin Calhoun.
The hospitals are the next to join after August's announcement that four more partners had signed on; those were Portage Health of Hancock, Baraga County Memorial Hospital of L'Anse, Dickinson County Healthcare System of Iron Mountain, and major insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The alliance aims to strengthen small community hospitals; SHP focuses on combining resources, sharing specialists, and finding ways to deliver quality medical treatments everywhere in the U.P.
"The SHP alliance is committed to strengthening the quality healthcare umbrella in the region. The Wisconsin provider model is one of encroachment, and if left unchallenged will diminish local healthcare access in many U.P. communities. SHP provider hospitals, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, are committed to preserving and strengthening access to quality care close to home for U.P. residents," said SHP board chair Tim Larson.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kevin Calhoun, Munising Memorial Hospital
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