Courtesy Photo Posing for a photo after a tour of the new patient tower at MidMichigan Medical Center–Alpena are, from left to right, Hal Neiman, chairman, MidMichigan Medical Center–Alpena Development Council; Marty Thomson, chairman, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation; Eileen Budnick, treasurer, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation; Kathy Brown, secretary, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation; Mike Mahler, president, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation; and Ann Diamond, fund development director, MidMichigan Health Foundation.

ALPENA — Women and families needing maternity care in Northeast Michigan will benefit from a significant donation provided by the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation. The foundation has recently granted $25,000 to MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena for the funding of a Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum suite in the medical center’s new patient tower, set to open in April 2022.

“We are so thankful that the First Federal Legacy Foundation has chosen the Alpena Medical Center to receive this generous donation,” said Ann Diamond, fund development director, MidMichigan Health Foundation. “The foundation’s board of directors have always been extremely philanthropic in the Alpena community and we are honored to have them come alongside of the medical center in this funding opportunity that will impact families in Northeast Michigan for generations to come.”

In addition to private patient rooms and a new surgery suite, the 99,000-square-foot patient tower has an entirely new Women’s Health Unit which includes a private C-section suite and eight new private LDRP suites. Each room is beautifully decorated and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment. The C-section suite is just steps away from the private rooms in this secure unit. The Women’s Health Unit will be located on the second floor of the patient tower with rooms overlooking the Thunder Bay River.

“First Federal of Northern Michigan was based in Alpena for over 60 years,” said Michael Mahler, president, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation. “My fellow board members and I understand the significance this project has to our community and we are pleased to be able to partner with MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena to offer this donation. Funding this project in the new patient tower is a great example of our goal to strengthen community development in the Northeastern Lower Michigan communities we’ve served over the years.”

“It’s an amazing facility,” said Marty Thomson, chairman, First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation. “It’s something that will attract doctors to our area and provide a great place for employees to work; not to mention a place that provides excellent health care when those of us in the community need it most.”

Originally established in 2005, the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation was initially established by First Federal of Northern Michigan, a community bank headquartered in Alpena, with a mission of strengthening the social and economic well-being of the communities in which FFNM operated. Although First Federal of Northern Michigan merged into mBank and now Nicolet Bank, the foundation still exists as a legacy foundation to serve the needs of the communities within FFNM’s original footprint.

Over the years, the foundation has supported Alpena Community College through the addition of the Electrical Trades program as well as the Van Lare Hall expansion. Additionally, they’ve assisted with funding to the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, the Maritime Heritage Trail, the Thunder Bay Folk Society, the Alpena Figure Skating Club, as well as many other projects in Alpena and the surrounding areas.

“We’ve donated around $500,000 over the 16 years the foundation has been in existence,” said Mahler.

Those interested in more information on the FFNM Legacy Foundation, may contact Mahler at 989-464-8321 or mikemahler@ffnmlegacyfoundation.com. Those who would like more information on the patient tower project or would like to support the MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena patient tower project, may contact Diamond at 989-356-7738 or ann.diamond@midmichigan.org or visit www.midmichigan.org/alpenatower.