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Caduceus Meeting for Recovering Health Care Professionals
SVSU Dean Marcia Ditmyer to Lead Michigan Health Improvement Alliance Board
Dr. Catherine Baase becomes chair emerita, continues focus on population health
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Marcia Ditmyer, dean of the Crystal M. Lange College
of Health & Human Services at Saginaw Valley State
University, is set to become chair of the board of the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA). Starting January 1, 2023, she will succeed Dr. Catherine Baase, who helped found MiHIA in 2007. Though stepping down as chair, Dr. Baase will remain involved as chair emerita and a board member. MiHIA has a 29-member board composed of leaders in healthcare, public health, higher education, business, state, regional and community entities, faith-based organizations and nonprofits. The organization brings community partners together and helps secure funding to positively impact the culture of health and wellness, and as a result, economic sustainability. MiHIA serves 14 counties in central and eastern Michigan. MiHIA supports community partner initiatives such as those that educate older adults on the safety of using multiple medications and teach pregnant women to monitor fetal health. Other efforts support medical professionals working to alleviate life-threatening mistakes in care, and efforts to improve access to healthy food. Ditmyer has more than 40 years of experience as a healthcare professional. At SVSU, she leads a college that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in programs such as nursing; social work; kinesiology; health sciences, including health administration and leadership; and occupational therapy.
Dr. Baase’s quest to transform health began in family medicine and led to a 32-year career at Dow where, for 20 years, she served as their chief health officer with broad-based leadership worldwide. “I’ve always looked at how we can improve the health and well-being of people in the greatest number, to the greatest extent possible,” she said. “I have been honored to participate with and learn from some of the greatest leaders in the country across the landscape of health, including healthcare delivery, public health, health promotion and health policy. It has been extraordinary to be part of the national thought leadership, planning, research and case making, while also being grounded in real work at the grassroots level.” In addition to Ditmyer and Baase’s new roles, the Rev. Craig Tatum, pastor of New Life Missionary Baptist Church Ministries, will become secretary of the board. Tatum succeeds Sandra Lindsey, chief executive officer of the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, who has served in the secretary role for many years. “Dr. Baase had the foresight to establish MiHIA as a backbone organization and will always be a powerful advocate for the health and well-being of entire populations,” said Dr. George Kikano, vice chair of the MiHIA board and Central Michigan University vice president for health affairs and dean of the CMU College of Medicine. “I’m glad she will continue to be involved as a board member. She, Marcia Ditmyer and Rev. Tatum are champions for residents across the 14-county region and know that by advancing health, we advance communities,” Kikano said.
Third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church 545 7th Street, Freeland, Michigan (Behind Pat’s Grocery Store on Midland Road in Freeland) Caduceus meetings are available to health care industry professionals, and have adopted many of the principles of 12-Step programs. Caduceus meetings are “closed” meetings for recovering health care professionals including, but not limited to, nurses, doctors, dentists and pharmacists. We engage in group discussions where members may want to speak up, ask questions or share thoughts with fellow members.
