Incomparable: World-Class Health Care

In Emmet County, world-class health care comes standard.

There aren’t many towns of 6,000 in rural America that can boast walking-distance access to the world’s best physicians, a cadre of top oncologists, internationally regarded cardiologists, skilled stroke specialists, high-level nurses and pediatric hospitalists who can save even the tiniest baby’s life.
But Petoskey can.

Living in Emmet County brings quality of life on many fronts, and providing the best of the best in health care has always been at the top of the chart.

For decades, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital has been steadfastly supported by wealthy resort families who summer in Northern Michigan. Wanting access to the most advanced level of care for themselves and their community, these well-connected families have generously donated resources to the operations of the hospital. The community, too, has stepped up to ensure NMRH remains the vital force it is as a regional referral center.

Among the colleagues hustling down hallways and delivering care with compassion are doctors who literally could practice anywhere in the world. They’ve chosen Emmet County. Here’s why.

Beating cancer together

Oncologists/hematologists Dr. Justin Call and Dr. Todd Erickson met working as hospitalists in Denver as they decided to pursue the field of cancer medicine. When they completed their fellowships at the University of Colorado in 2008, they both began looking to join an established practice in a community where they could raise their families and feel connected.

Conveniently as it turned out, the oncology department at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital was looking to add two to its team, and both Call and Erickson were hired on in 2008.

“We both have young kids and we were both looking for a nice place to raise our families,” said Call, who is married to Amy and has two young children. “Petoskey and Northern Michigan Regional Hospital appealed on several different levels. Number one, a hospital like this is not typical for a community this size.”

Erickson said the sophistication of the hospital and the area attracted him to relocate with his family, including wife Erine, a doctor, and their three children. “We were so impressed with the town,” he said.

Hiring Call and Erickson has helped the upward momentum of the oncology department, where patients are able to receive a full array of treatments, such as infusion therapy and radiation, without having to travel out of the area.

Further, having physicians across the spectrum of specialties in one location makes it easier on patients who need surgeries, rehab and follow-ups. “There are quite a few people who are diagnosed with cancer who are cured,” said Erickson. “There are a lot of success stories here.”

For patients with advanced-stage cancers, getting treatment close to home brings comfort at a difficult time. “Being able to spend more time with their families is the most important thing,” said Call.

With five oncologists on staff, the department’s medical director, Dr. Lisa Galloway, said her unit continues to develop its complement of cancer services, including a dietitian and social worker.

“These physicians could be anywhere, but they’re better here. This is a perfect-sized facility for establishing relationships, which is so important,” Galloway said. “The staff is here because they want to be here. They put in well above the call of duty.”

Dr. Justin Klamerus, who is lead author on a recently released book, “The Johns Hopkins’ Patient’s Guide to Lung Cancer,” is one of them.

“One of the most important things about practicing in a small town is that as a physician you’re able to know your patients. That is one of the main reasons why the care here is as good, if not better than, at other larger hospitals. We can offer personalized care and because we are a part of the community, we understand our patients as human beings,” said Klamerus, of Petoskey. “This is particularly important in treating cancer. We’re all members of this community. We’re all dependent on each other.”

Award-winning care

The oncology department represents one link in the extensive chain of specialties at NMRH.

“A medical staff of roughly 200 physicians represents nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on heart, cancer, orthopedics and neuroscience services,” said hospital president and CEO, Reezie DeVet, RN, Ed.D.

Further, clinical trials done locally are having big impacts in the world of medicine.

“Physicians (here) are currently involved in more than 30 research and clinical trials on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases,” DeVet noted. “Other clinical trials involve studies of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, vascular diseases, cancer, defibrillators and pacemakers.”

Their efforts across departments are paying off. In 2009, NMRH received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from HealthGrades. It’s an honor DeVet said staff is most proud to note. “Patients rate Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in the top 5 percent in the nation for satisfaction, which is a testament to our dedicated staff and their excellent care,” she said.

NMRH by the numbers

• 243 beds
• 22-county service area across northern Lower Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula.
• Approximately 10,000 surgeries performed annually; more than 20,000 patients seen in the ER; more than 10,000 patients admitted.
• 1937: The year the current facility was built.
• $7.7 million: The John and Marnie Demmer Wellness Pavilion, expected to open in 2011.
“With heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation by John Demmer and his late wife, Marnie, we look forward to providing outpatient programs and services in a new facility… Among the services will be cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapies, dialysis, a cancer survivorship program and holistic therapy programs,” said DeVet.
• The project’s fundraising goal is $6.9 million; www.nmh-foundation.org.

Emmet County Guide 2010 » Incomparable: World-Class Health Care