Ascension Invests Additional $125 Million in Northern Michigan Hospitals, Ensuring Care to Communities for Years to Come On September 17, Ascension announced it will be investing $125 million in operational capital into their northern Michigan health ministries - Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Ascension Standish Hospital in Standish and Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City. This latest investment from Ascension is evidence of the organization’s ongoing commitment to the growth and success of its three northern Michigan hospitals that was initiated in May 2018. At that time, $50 million was dedicated to facility renovations and upgrades, advanced imaging technology, various patient care enhancements and an $18 million emergency care center expansion at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in downtown Saginaw which is expected to be complete in November. Combined, this equates to more than $175 million of investment into Ascension’s northern Michigan hospitals. This latest capital dollar commitment will support multiple strategic growth initiatives identified through the development of master facility plans including: • The renovation and expansion of intensive care units and rooms, and private patient rooms throughout Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital • Upgrades to cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital • Development of a new emergency department waiting area at Ascension Standish Hospital • Construction of a medical office building at Ascension Standish Hospital for primary and specialty care physician offices, laboratory and rehabilitation services • Relocation and expansion of obstetrics and the birthing center at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital • Two new linear accelerators for the radiation oncology services at Ascension St. Mary’s Seton Cancer Institute in Marlette and West Branch “This exciting news is possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of our associates, physicians and hospital leaders who work hard each and every day to provide compassionate, personalized care,” said Joe Hurshe, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Michigan. “We are thrilled these enhancements will be coming to fruition and our care teams can continue to be proud of the incredible work and service they provide to the communities we are privileged to serve.” Details and timelines for the projects will be established and shared in the coming weeks. 20 The Bulletin | October 2021
“I am so overjoyed by this announcement and Ascension’s acknowledgment of the great work performed at our healthcare sites,” expressed Stephanie Duggan, MD, Regional President and CEO, Ascension Michigan Northern Ministries. “Ascension's ongoing investment and commitment to the northern Michigan ministries is a validation of what we have been working towards. This is all about our patients, they are at the center of everything we do. It’s a testament to our front line caregivers and medical providers who continue to fulfill our Mission of caring for all. We will be here for generations to come.” Ascension St. Mary’s Welcomes Four New Providers Ascension St. Mary’s proudly introduces the newest members to the medical staff. These providers are now caring for individuals at their office locations and Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in support of our Mission to improve the health of our community. Sefako Phala, MD, a family medicine physician, joins his wife, Brittany Phala, MD, at Ascension Medical Group (AMG) Bay City Family Physicians, located at 4040 North Euclid Avenue, just south of Wilder Road. Dr. Phala received his bachelor's degree from the University of Western Ontario and his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts and Nevis, an accredited Caribbean medical school . He completed his family medicine residency at Wheeling Hospital in West Virginia. Dr. Phala is accepting new patients and can be reached at 989-671-9153. Jasleen Kaur, MD, is a fellowship trained rheumatologist. She is seeing patients at AMG Primary Healthcare, 1015 S. Washington Avenue, 2nd floor, in Saginaw. Besides in person appointments, Dr. Kaur also offers virtual visits. Appointments can be made by contacting Dr. Kaur at 989-753-5300. Dr. Kaur received her medical degree from Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College in India and completed an internal medicine residency at Detroit Medical Center. She also completed a fellowship in rheumatology at Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health Services. Dr. Kaur believes in providing compassionate care to each person with treatment plans that are evidence based and personalized to each individual. continued on page 22
