December 2024

Munson Heart Services: Committed to Healthy Hearts in N. Michigan
Munson Heart Services has provided advanced heart care longer than any other team in Northern Michigan, with a dedicated focus on the following:

• Prevention: Promoting healthy lifestyles and preventive measures to keep our community safe and well.

• Diagnostic Testing: Providing accessible and accurate diagnostic services to aid in quick and proper diagnosis of Heart Disease.

• Early Disease Detection: Implementing early detection programs to catch heart disease early and improve outcomes for our community members.

• Interventional Treatments: We continue to grow our Interventional Cardiology programs, including structural heart, Heart Failure, and Electrophysiology.

• Leading-Edge Research: Conducting innovative research to bring the latest medical advancements to our community.

Our expert team is situated throughout Northern Michigan, so your patients never have to travel far for outstanding, award-winning heart care.

In matters of the heart, your patients can trust Munson Healthcare for all their needs – from a stress test to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) to advanced open heart surgery. Follow-up care is just around the corner, including our renowned cardiac rehabilitation. For a complete list of our heart services and specialties, click here.

Munson Heart Services Highlights

• In May 2024, the Young Family donated $1 million to Munson Healthcare in tribute to their son Michael. This gift was used to equip a 3^rdCardiac Cath Lab with cutting edge Philips Azurion 7 imaging technology. For more on this heart-felt donation and the Young's legacy of giving, read the news release.

• Our heart team continues to expand with 6 new providers added this year to increase access (see below).

To learn more about Munson's Heart Services, patients can visit munsonhealthcare.org/heart.

A reminder there's a Heart Health toolkit available for practices.

Welcome to Our Newest Cardiology Providers!

“I’m dedicated to Northern Michigan and care about meeting my patients where they are and helping them improve their cardiovascular health.” 

“I truly appreciate the ability to help patients comb through the complexity of medicine.”

“As a cardiologist, I try to help patients better understand their heart health and provide diagnostic and treatment plans that help meet their needs and goals.”

“I am passionate about providing exceptional care to the patients I see.”

“I strive for the best clinical outcomes for my patients so that they can enjoy the most important parts of their lives.”

“I enjoy forming partnerships with my patients and helping them understand their diagnosis and treatment options to improve their quality of life.”

Heart Topics at 2025 Provider Symposium

To learn more on heart topics, providers are invited to join us at this year's Munson Healthcare Provider Symposium for the following sessions presented by our expert heart team:

• Antiplatelet Therapy in the Anticoagulated Patient | Joseph Gibbs, MD, Interventional Cardiology

• Early Detection and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Lung Cancer | Brandon Wojcik, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Renal Denervation | Todd Adams, DO, Interventional Cardiology and Cardiology

• Skills Lab: EKG/Cardiac Emergency & POCUS Refresher

• Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) | Erik Howell, MD, Interventional Cardiology

• Updates in Structural Cardiology: TAVR, MitraClip and Watchman | Prasanthi Yelavarthy, MD, Interventional Cardiology

Technology

Look for Updated Lab Compendium
Munson Healthcare is in the process of updating our Laboratory Compendium. Please look for this important update soon!

New Radiology and Imaging Scheduling Process in Charlevoix and Gaylord
Munson’s centralized Radiology Scheduling is expanding to include locations in Charlevoix and Gaylord. As of Monday, Jan. 27, you or your patients can call 1-800-968-9292 to have radiology testing scheduled at ALL of Munson’s Radiology testing locations except those in Manistee.

Because of this change, either the patient or your office will need to call to schedule their imaging. With the current process, it is difficult to contact patients at a convenient time for them. Now, your patients can either call to schedule their testing, or your staff can call to schedule when the patient is in the office.

For a step-by-step guide on how to schedule outpatient radiology testing as of Jan. 27, 2025, click here.

Questions? Contact Stephanie LaMont at 231-935-7210 or slamont@mhc.net.

Healthcare Team

Welcome to Munson's Newest Providers!
In addition to announcing new providers when they join as part of Provider Moves (see below), we invite you to learn more about some of the recent additions to our Healthcare Team by reading their news release. Please join us in welcoming...

• Ryan Miller, DO | Munson Healthcare Infectious Disease Consultants
• Nate Rousse, NP | Munson Healthcare Grayling Cancer & Infusion Clinic
  
  

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for November including new providers, practice changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

For a complete directory of Munson-credentialed providers, go to Find A Doctor.

Please join us in welcoming the following new Munson-employed providers:

• Ariel Ennis, NNP | Munson Medical Center Neonatology Unit
• Ryan Miller, DO | Infectious Disease Consultants
• Nathan Rousse, NP | MHC Grayling Cancer and Infusion Center (and additional locations)
• Jaclyn Rochefort, CRNA| Munson Healthcare Anesthesia
• Kyle Trent, CRNA | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia

The following Munson-employed providers have updated their last names.

• KayLyn Swiderek, NP (was Brown) | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group - Indian River
• Nicole Tramontini-Gunn, MD (was Tramontini) | Munson Healthcare Rheumatology
  

 Services

Munson Healthcare Sleep Services
Getting enough sleep is part of optimal cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic function. Good sleep also improves quality of life measures and driving safety.

Munson Sleep Disorders Centers (MSDC) across Northern Michigan and Munson Healthcare Pulmonary and Critical Care (MPCC) provides comprehensive care for simple to complex sleep disorders. Patients receiving care from MSDC and MPCC can expect: 

• Full consultation at an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accredited Sleep Disorder Center prior to diagnostic testing

• Selection of the best type of sleep study to guide the appropriate treatment

• Continuity of care

To be a patient, please note MSDC and MPCC:

• Will not be able to accept an isolated home sleep apnea test (HSAT) performed outside their offices.

• Patients are required to receive a sleep test from either MSDC or MPCC. 

• If a patient had an outside HSAT performed, they may need repeat testing under MSDC or MPCC care. This could result in an out-of-pocket cost. 

Questions? Call us or visit munsonhealthcare.org/sleep.

Munson to Launch New High-Risk Breast Program
Northern Michigan has one of the highest incidences of breast cancer in the state, with many cases considered high risk. To address this, Munson Healthcare is implementing updated mammography scanning software to assist Radiology in scoring an individual’s risk of breast cancer after a screening mammogram. Patients identified as high-risk will be referred to new high-risk breast program launching in February 2025. This program, located at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City, will:

• Identify individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer, ensuring early detection and intervention
• Provide follow-up testing guidance and support, offering peace of mind and comprehensive care
• Follow high-risk individuals through annual breast cancer screening
• Discuss best practices for reducing risk and offer genetic counseling when appropriate, empowering individuals with knowledge about their health
• Coordinate surgery, if clinically indicated

For more details, read the January issue of Practice Pro. Additionally, join General Surgeon Ashley Sachtleben, DO, on Jan. 11, 2025, at the Munson Healthcare Provider Symposium for a session that will kick off this new program.

All MHC Gram Stains to be Performed at MMC
Effective Jan. 1, MHC’s East Region hospitals — Charlevoix, Grayling, and Otsego Memorial Hospitals — will no longer perform or interpret Gram stains.

All specimens ordered throughout the MHC system will be couriered to Munson Medical Center for staining and interpretation.

 Patient Care

SUD and Controlled Substances Resources
Munson Healthcare offers a variety of resources and supports for patients with opioid-based substance use disorders (SUDs) – from accessible life-saving intervention and intensive inpatient treatment to medication-assisted therapy and outpatient services, including peer recovery coaches with lived experience. For more information on patient resources, click here.

We also provide the following resources to support providers in managing their patients with substance use disorders.

SUD and Controlled Substances Resources for Providers
Munson has updated its online provider resources for SUD and Controlled Substances. This helpful resource includes information on:

• Prescriber Requirements and Clinical Guidelines
• Pain Management
• SUD Treatment and Resources for Patients
• Harm Reduction
• Education

MOUD Treatment Now Available in Prudenville
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) is an effective, evidenced-based treatment for people with opioid-based substance use disorders (SUDs). In addition to Traverse City, we're excited to announce MOUD treatment is now available at Prudenville Community Health Center to help area residents struggling with an opioid-related disorder.

Support Available for Practices Wanting to Integrate MOUD Treatment
Want to integrate MOUD treatment into your practice? For integration guidance and support, contact SUDsupport@mhc.net or join the virtual MS Teams MOUD Mentorship meeting on Thursdays, 12:00 – 12:50 pm.

Improving Compliance: Appropriate Ordering of Vitamin D Assay Testing
In 2024, CMS audited Munson Medical Center 3 times for appropriateness of Vitamin D Assay Testing (CPT 82306) orders as part of Medicare’s Targeted Probe and Educate Program, which is designed to reduce claim errors and denials. Although CMS accepts an error rate <20%, all 3 audits failed individually and there was an overall average error rate of 39% (n=117, pass 72, fail 45). 

The most common reasons for denial were test frequency (ordering too often) and patient’s medical condition not being a covered diagnosis without documentation to support testing.   

Thank you to the offices who participated in this audit! After we reviewed your records, it was clear clinicians are providing excellent patient care.

For ordering guidance based on our takeaways after reviewing the tests that failed CMS’ audit, refer to Vitamin D Assay Test Ordering Guidance.

Remain Vigilant: Pertussis
As pertussis continues to circulate in Northern Michigan, please have a heightened suspicion for this diagnosis when evaluating a patient with a respiratory illness. For clinical guidance, including testing recommendations, read Provider Alert: Pertussis.

Remain Vigilant: HIV
In recognition of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), primary care providers are reminded to:

• Ensure every patient has at least one HIV test in their lifetime (ages 15-65).

• Test for HIV more frequently in patients with unusual symptoms or identified risk factors (i.e., Injection Drug Use).

• Talk about sexual history with your patients by including sexual history in your past medical and social history discussions, possibly as part of their annual physical regardless of the patient’s age or risk factors.

• Know the available resources for yourself and patients. Please review the clinical and educational resources available at munsonhealthcare.org/HIV.

For additional guidance related to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of HIV, please contact the Thomas Judd Care Center at 231-935-7548.

 Resources

Here to Help: Quick and Easy Access to Library Resources and Support
At MHC, Library Services provides healthcare professionals with the information they need to deliver high-quality patient care. Whether you need help finding the latest clinical guidelines, conducting comprehensive research, or seeking medical literature on a specific topic, your librarians are ready to assist. Here’s how:

• Access to Expertise: Get personalized support from knowledgeable library staff who can assist with complex literature searches and research needs.

• Timesaving: Quickly find the latest clinical guidelines and evidence-based research without spending hours searching on your own.

• Enhanced Patient Care: Access to accurate and up-to-date information to help you make informed decisions, improving patient outcomes.

• Convenience: Support is available through multiple channels—email, Teams chat and meetings, and phone calls—making it easy to get help when you need it.

• Project Support: Receive expert consultation on research projects, ensuring thorough and well-supported work.

• How to Access Library Services Web

• From MHC-networked computer: MHC Intranet > Tools & Resources > Library Services

• From off-site: Log into Citrix Storefront > open Edge web browser, i.e., MHC Intranet > Tools & Resources > Library Services

• Questions? Contact your librarians at Library-HealthSciences@mhc.net.

 Reminders

Please Encourage Your Providers to Complete the Well-Being Index
As we continue to address provider burnout and wellness, Munson-credentialed providers are invited to participate in the Provider Well-Being Index (WBI). 

This brief, anonymous online assessment offers immediate, personalized resources and helps MHC leadership understand how we can better support our providers. The more providers who participate, the more reliable the gathered data will be to drive meaningful changes in supporting well-being and reducing burnout across our system.

To learn more including how to complete the assessment, click here.

Note, to receive automated messages from the WBI, please have your providers mark no-reply@mywellbeingindex.org and hello@mywellbeingindex.org as a safe sender. Or check their junk folder.

 Education

Registration Closes Jan. 3!
Please share with your providers

Participants at this popular and educational event can choose from:

• An à la carte menu of varied in-person CME sessions
• Dynamic plenary sessions
• Networking with peers at the Friday Evening Provider Reception

Cost for the CME sessions is $150/day (excludes lodging). No cost to attend the Provider Reception.

Providers can learn more and register at munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium.

This program has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 

Connect with Colleagues at Friday Night Provider Reception!

Friday, January 10 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Governors' Hall, Grand Traverse Resort

The Friday Night Provider Reception is a great opportunity to connect and socialize with colleagues. This is an exciting, well-loved event and we hope to see you there!

Although the reception is free to attend, registration is required. Guests are welcome to join. 

The reception begins at 6:00 pm in the Governors’ Hall of the Grand Traverse Resort, with a networking session kicking off at 6:30 pm. Beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit our website.

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit our website. 

Have staff who would benefit from receiving Practice Pro? Please have them subscribe by completing this form.