A message from Jamie Carter, Interim President & CEO, McLaren Bay Region 

Over the past several years, the global health care industry has experienced transformational changes in how hospitals deliver care driven by a drastic movement from inpatient to outpatient care, increasingly unfavorable insurance reimbursements, unprecedented supply cost increases, and industry-wide workforce shortages. McLaren Bay Region has not been immune to these challenges.

CHANGES IN CARE

After careful consideration, the decision was made to centralize endoscopy services and team members within our hospital. Additionally, our dedicated Geriatric Psychiatry department has been integrated into the Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, where patients will continue to receive the specialized care they need. Every effort has been made to redeploy affected team members wherever possible.

Other changes include the closure of our Anticoagulation (Coumadin) Clinic, our Outpatient Diabetes Education Program, and the McLaren Bay Region Sleep Center. Rest assured, we remain committed to ensuring continuity of care for our patients who utilize these services and have been working with referring providers to transition their patients’ care.

While these changes are admittedly difficult in the short term, they are needed to position McLaren Bay Region for growth in the future by increasing access to primary and specialty care and expanding the services available for our patients. A number of these efforts have already been accomplished with more announcements coming soon.

INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE

Over the past year, we have added imaging services and specialty outreach clinics—including orthopedics, vascular, and general surgery—to West Branch, Midland, and the Thumb Region, with plans for further expansion.

Focus has also been placed on the recruitment of additional providers—primary care providers as well as those with experience in specialty care—to the communities we serve. As a result of these efforts, in the past year, McLaren Bay Region expanded access by adding providers in primary care, oncology, behavioral health, pulmonology, general surgery, cardiovascular, orthopedics, neuro services, and emergency care. In the coming months, we look forward to the announcement of a new orthopedic spine surgery clinic, as well as adding to our interventional cardiology team. We also launched our Internal Medicine residency program, through which the inaugural class of six physicians are receiving the latest in specialized education to care for our community for years to come.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

Most importantly, as we undergo these needed changes, we must remain committed to clinical excellence. Our efforts and dedication have already led to several accolades. McLaren Bay Region was the recent recipient of two Governor's Awards of Excellence, earned for outstanding achievements in preventative care quality. We have also been recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, for surpassing our cohort in improvements in opioid reduction following general surgeries. This important initiative helps reduce the amount of opioids in our communities and has been made possible through the collaboration of our entire clinical team.

Additionally, we are proud of two very special recognitions from Newsweek – Dr. Nicholas Mouawad was named one of America’s Best Vascular Surgeons, and the McLaren Bay Region Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit was named one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers. These honors were awarded based on physician performance data, quality metrics, accreditation data, a national survey of industry experts, and reviews from patients.

We must build upon these clinical accomplishments and remain focused on quality and safety as McLaren Bay Region expands access points and services in the coming months. Your patience and understanding are truly appreciated as we implement these transitions. On behalf of everyone at McLaren Bay Region, I want to sincerely thank you for continuing to trust us with your care.

Jamie Carter

Interim President & CEO

McLaren Bay Region

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PROVIDERS

On September 26th, Jonathan Olsen, MD – Interventional Radiologist, was surprised with his award as Physician of the Quarter. Click the video above to watch. Congratulations, Dr. Olsen!

Joshua Ulery, Vice President of Operations

Dr. Olsen, in the time he has been with us, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to professionalism, quality, and patient satisfaction. He consistently goes above the requirements of his job duties to ensure issues are communicated and patient safety is maintained. During a recent network outage, Dr. Olsen gave up his free time in the evenings and canceled a family vacation in order to stay here at the hospital to ensure patient care could be sustained. For two weeks, he came in after hours for emergency cases to provide verbal dictation so that other clinical professionals could continue to provide care for their patients. Without Dr. Olsen’s commitment to doing what’s best for our patients, the hospital would have been on full diversion for that time period with patients being shipped out to other facilities. He is a valued member of our team and our medical staff. We are fortunate to have him as the medical director in the Imaging Services Department.

Erica Armbruster, Director of Ancillary Services

Dr. Olsen is a one-of-a-kind physician. He is incredibly kind, caring, and empathetic, and our patients love him. He is great to work with on a professional level as well. He’s incredibly invested in the department, wholistically, has brought forth a wealth of knowledge and experience, and somehow creates a perfect balance between working hard and creating an enjoyable work environment. We always look forward to the weeks we get the pleasure of working with Dr. Olsen.

Mary Ann Gruszczynski, Interventional Radiology Coordinator

Dr. Olsen is dedicated to doing what is best for McLaren patients and staff. On any Monday morning, Dr. Olsen assesses the schedule of patient cases and prepares meticulously for the week ahead, as well as those cases for other IR providing physicians in the upcoming weeks. Dr. Olsen brings a level of professionalism and an enthusiasm for the procedures and the care of our patients.

Dr. Olsen has established a working relationship with physicians in the other specialties, and at times performs procedures in assistance to these physicians where an expertise that he can provide is required. Dr. Olsen provides a positive attitude within the Interventional Radiology department when working with the extended team and when interacting with our patients, which serves to elevate the staff and bring reassurance to the patients who may be having a difficult time.

Dr. Olsen considers all options ahead of patient procedures, striving for the best possible outcomes for the patient and for McLaren. Dr. Olsen discusses the procedure with an ordering physician when an alternative method may be less invasive and of less risk to the patient, always putting the best interest of the patient and McLaren at the forefront.

Dr. Olsen is consistent in his support of the staff within our department, providing guidance and an efficient approach. Dr. Olsen would make an excellent choice as the new full-time physician to the Interventional Radiology department at McLaren Bay Region. 5/13/24

Dr. Olsen took on the role of Medical Director at McLaren Bay Region recently, adding to his current duties and working outside the Interventional Radiology Department. Dr. Olsen stayed local and operated on an on-call basis to aid McLaren during the August cyber-attack to maintain necessary level of care to our patients. For these reasons in addition to my previous nomination, I believe that Dr. Olsen deserves this award for Physician of the Quarter. 8/28/24

Karen M. Dziuba, NP-C – Urological Surgery

Dr. Olsen deserves the Physician of the Quarter for his assistance during the cyber attack at McLaren and Radiology service.

Patient Comments

• Dr. Olsen was wonderful with explaining everything. He was interested in my wound and found out exactly where it was coming from. Dr. Olsen is a wonderful doctor and has a compassionate group of nurses that work with him.
• Dr. Olsen has a way of explaining everything so you can make an informed decision. What an amazing provider.

Sleep Clinic

We would like to inform you that the McLaren Bay Region Sleep Center, located in Essexville at 1458 W. Center Avenue, Suite 1, has permanently closed. The last day caring for patients was completed on September 24, 2024.

Please be assured we are committed to providing the highest level of care for your patients. Future referrals can be directed to one of our McLaren Sleep Centers located online at mclaren.org/main/sleep-center or by contacting the clinics below:

Pulmonary & Sleep Center - McLaren Thumb Region

1100 S Van Dyke, Suite 1

Bad Axe, MI 48413

Phone:(989) 269-1565

Sleep Services - McLaren Caro Region

401 N Hooper St

Caro, MI 48723

Phone:(989) 672-5111

McLaren Sleep Diagnostic Center at McLaren Flint

G-3200 Beecher Rd., Suite ZZZ

Flint, MI 48532

Phone:(810) 342-3900

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Erica Armbruster, Director of Ancillary Services, at (989) 894-6504.

Memo from the desk of Dr. Ali Gabali, Chief Medical Director, McLaren Corporate Lab, and Tom Downs, Director, McLaren Corporate Lab

We are writing to inform you about a recent event that may have impacted some of the laboratory test results for your patients. From August 5 – 25, 2024, McLaren Health Care experienced a disruption to our information technology platforms due to a cyber incident. This issue affected some of our systems, including those used for processing laboratory tests.

Key Information:

• Not all tests have been affected. We are carefully reviewing the scope of this disruption, and the vast majority of tests conducted during this time have been processed and resulted without issue. However, in some cases, the ability to obtain results has been compromised. Specifically, many specimens that were collected on August 23 – 24, 2024, were unable to be completed, as they were not viable to be tested and resulted.
• Test Stability and Cancellation: Due to the extended duration of the system outage, some tests could not be completed within the necessary time frames for accuracy and stability. As a result, the tests collected on August 23 – 24, 2024 were cancelled.
• No Charges for Cancelled Tests: Please rest assured that no laboratory charges will be issued for any tests that were unable to be completed due to this disruption.
• Retesting: If you have not received a result on any laboratory testing that you ordered, please reorder that test, as our laboratory systems are back up and fully functional.
• Critical Results: Please note that all critical results during the time frame of August 5 – 25, 2024, were verbally called back to the ordering provider.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused. Our team is dedicated to continuing laboratory testing, and we can ensure the timeliness of all patient results moving forward. At McLaren, we are fully committed to serving our community, patients, and clients.

We understand the importance of reliable diagnostic services, and we are here to assist you with any concerns or questions you may have regarding specific patient cases. We encourage you to contact our laboratory support team at 810-396-5715 for further clarification or to discuss any outstanding tests.

Thank you for your continued trust in McLaren Corporate Lab as we work through these challenges and remain committed to providing the highest standard of care.

Please click HERE for a printable version of this memo.

To ensure appropriate reimbursement for STAT/URGENT/ADD-ON surgical procedures, all STAT/URGENT/ADD-ON scheduled surgery procedures should be communicated to the McLaren Access Center Financial Clearance department immediately.

Please remember the financial clearance process includes insurance benefits and

network verification, point of service collection of patient responsibility such as co-pays,

deductibles, and co-insurance, and validating prior authorization once obtained from the

physician's office/staff.

Surgical schedulers/boarders should schedule STAT/URGENT/ADD-ON procedure within a 3-hour time frame from the time of scheduling to allow the financial clearance agents

time to review and financially clear the patient to proceed.

All STAT/URGENT/ADD-ON procedures that have not been financially cleared, such as

those with no authorization or self-pay payment, will be escalated to the hospital's CFO

administration for awareness.

The McLaren Access Center Financial Clearance department and agents are available

Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Surgical Schedulers can email the

Financial Clearance staff at

McLarenAccessCenterFinancialClearanceSurgery@mclarenhealth.onmicrosoft.com or dial 1-800-McLaren (625-2736) option 4 for pre-registration surgery. We are here to support you in this process.

Please contact the McLaren Access Center leadership directly with any questions or

concerns:

Financial Clearance Supervisors

• Michelle Bidoul, Corporate Director: michelle.bidoul@mclaren.org
• Ericka Smith, Manager: ericka.smith@mclaren.org
• Stephanie Neubacher: stephanie.neubacher@mclaren.org
• Angela Kenske-Mcgriff: angela.kenske-mcgriff@mclaren.org
• Laurie Adams: laurie.adams@mclaren.org

Topic: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Speaker: Younghwa Kwon, MD

Date: October 9, 2024

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Johnson East/West Conference Rooms

and Teams

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 246 874 986 294

Passcode: 33QpT8

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 810-275-1295, 183859049#  

United States, Flint

Phone Conference ID: 183 859 049#

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Grand Rounds provides a forum for healthcare providers to share clinical expertise and experiences, best practices and other topics of interest that help improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience. By presenting the research-based knowledge in conjunction with clinical scenarios, the participants will be able to apply the new knowledge into their clinical practices. Download the full flyer HERE

If you missed the June Grand Rounds lecture, "Heart Function in Heart Failure", presented by Sue Hafer, NP-C, click HERE to view a recording.

Karmanos Cancer Institute will host two continuing medical education courses in October:

Gastrointestinal Oncology Symposium

• Saturday, Oct. 5, 8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Detroit Marriott Troy, 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084. Click here to register or for more information!

Second Annual Lung Cancer Symposium

• Saturday, Oct. 19, 8:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m., Detroit Marriott Troy, 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084. Click here to register or for more information!

With Special Presentation Honoring: Dr. Yousef Bader & Dr. David Cook

When: Saturday, November 23rd

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Downtown Bay City-Riverfront

CHARITY BALL SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

Diamond

Ruby 

Emerald

Sapphire

Pearl 

$4,000 

$3,000 

$2,000

$1,000  

$600  

16 Dinner and Ball Tickets

12 Dinner and Ball Tickets

8 Dinner and Ball Tickets

4 Dinner and Ball Tickets

2 Dinner and Ball Tickets

For more information please call 989-686-2560.

TICKET PRICES

Patron Couple – Open Bar Dinner and Ball – $300

Patron Couple – Open Bar and Ball – $250

Couple – Open Bar, Dinner and Ball – $260

Couple – Open Bar and Ball – $200

Single – Open Bar, Dinner and Ball – $130

Single – Open Bar and Ball – $100

Single Junior – Open Bar, Dinner and Ball (30+Under) – $105

Single Junior – Open Bar and Ball (30+Under) – $75

Gourmet dining stations with elegant dessert bar will be served from

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

For more information please call 989-860-4275.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Brought to you by Laura Love

October 5: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; walk begins at 10:00 a.m., tents open at 8:30 a.m.; new location and route at SVSU. If you would like to join the McLaren Bay Region/Karmanos Cancer Institute team, register HERE

October 9: Bay Area Stroke Education Series “Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke”; 3:00 p.m. at Center for Rehabilitation, 3190 E. Midland Road, Bay City, 48706; register online HERE at or call toll-free 1-877-411-2762; Free

October 17: Breast Cancer Screening; 11:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Bay Diagnostic Center, located on McLaren Bay Region’s West Campus, 3175 West Professional Drive, Bay City; call toll-free 1-877-411-2762 to make an appointment; Free

October 23: Balance Screening; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at McLaren Bay Region’s West Side Medical Mall, 4175 N. Euclid, Bay City, 48706; register for an appointment by calling toll free 1-877-411-2762; Free

October 23: Virtual Childbirth Crash Course; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.; contact (989) 894-3020 or baychildbirth@mclaren.org for questions or register HERE; Free

October 25: American Red Cross Blood Drive; 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at McLaren Bay Region Lincoln Center; 820 S. Lincoln Street, Bay City, 48708; for information or appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org (sponsor code: McLaren BC) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); Free

October 29: Heart Health & Stroke Screening; 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at McLaren Bay Region East Medical Mall, 1454 W. Center Road, Essexville, 48732; registration required by calling toll-free 1-877-411-2762 anytime to make an appointment or online HERE; Free

For more information on upcoming community health events, click HERE.

October 2024

American Pharmacists Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Global Diversity Awareness Month

Health Literacy Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Medical Librarians Month

National Physical Therapy Month

Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month

October 1-7 Health Care Supply Chain Week

October 1-7 Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 6-12 National PA Week

October 6-12 Emergency Nurses Week

October 8-14 National Sterile Processing Week

October 9-15 National Case Management Week

October 10 World Mental Health Day

October 15-21 Health Care Quality Week

October 15-21 International Infection Prevention Week

October 16-20 National Medical Assistants Recognition Week

October 22-28 National Respiratory Care Week

October 28 National First Responders Day

October 31 Halloween

MEDICAL STAFF RULES – REMINDER

Leaving on vacation?

Out of Town CME?

Notify Medial Staff Services, (989) 894-3806, either verbally or in writing, the beginning and ending dates of your vacation and who is covering your patients.

In addition, the Health Information Services Department uses this information when completing their list for suspensions. Any provider going on vacation will not be suspended for records that have been discharged 48 hours before their vacation; and they will then have 48 hours after returning to complete these records.

Please contact Medical Staff Services at (989) 894-3806 or medstaffservbay@mclaren.org with any questions regarding Medical Staff Bylaws.

Questions regarding suspension can be directed to HIM at (989) 894-9541 or teresa.ricupati@mclaren.org or heather.humphrey@mclaren.org.

We are asking all of our healthcare partners to inform us of any changes within your office, including provider status, address, phone number, fax number or other pertinent information. This is key to ensuring that offices are getting all necessary communications regarding patient care and hospital updates.

Please send any changes to Sheri Kelley, Patient Access Supervisor, at sheralee.kelley@mclaren.org or call (810) 600-7915.

For hospital credentialed provider offices, please ALSO send changes to Janet Matuszewski, Regional Manager of Medical Staff, at janet.matuszewski@mclaren.org.

Love working with McLaren?

Know someone who would be interested in joining our team?

McLaren is always on the lookout for dynamic people to add to the organization! There are openings across all positions — share them with your friends and family!



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McLaren Bay Region | mclaren.org/bayregion