As our region continues to face the challenges of COVID-19, MidMichigan Health remains committed to providing care to all of the communities we serve. During such a time of uncertainty, the energy we have had to persevere through this pandemic has truly come from you – our community.

We can’t thank you enough for the generous gifts of personal protective equipment, handcrafted masks, monetary donations, handmade signs of gratitude on our campuses, and food deliveries for our staff. Our staff at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena is touched by these random acts of kindness and goodwill. It is this support that has helped us through the storm.

With a very low inpatient volume and continued decrease of COVID-19 cases in our health system and service area, we have intentionally begun to schedule time-sensitive surgeries and procedures for our patients. As your trusted health care provider, now more than ever, it is important to us that you feel safe to visit us for your care, and most importantly, to seek emergency care when every second counts.

First and foremost, we are experts in preventing the spread of infection. In addition to rigorous cleaning practices, we are instituting additional sanitizing protocols throughout our buildings. We have incorporated some temporary changes that you will see when you visit us. These changes include limiting the number of visitors in our buildings, symptom screening for those entering our facilities, and changes in entry ways and waiting rooms to ensure social distancing. And, in accordance with the governor’s and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, our staff, patients and visitors are wearing masks. In addition, we have virtual care options and a MyMidMichigan portal that enables you to communicate with us virtually.

All of these measures are carefully put into place to provide safe, excellent care for you, our patients; it is our top priority.

We thank our communities who have been incredibly supportive to our health care workers throughout this challenging time. You have supported us and we are here to support you. It is our promise to you.

Thank you for entrusting your care to us.

CHUCK SHERWIN,

President, MidMichigan Health, Northern Region, MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena