April 2025

Munson Orthopedics: Committed to Northern Michigan Communities
Northern Michigan, your patients have access to world-class orthopedic care that can enhance how they move, feel, and function. With a team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons performing thousands of procedures annually, expert care is always within reach to help your patients regain their active lifestyles.

At Munson Orthopedic Institute (MOI), we develop personalized, comprehensive, high-quality, and evidence-based treatment plans for all orthopedic concerns. From pediatric to geriatric care, Munson Orthopedic Institute stands out as the superior choice. 

We provide everything necessary for a successful and smooth recovery from broken bones to joint pain:

• Same-day appointments available 
• On-site imaging    
• Enhanced surgical recovery program
  • Joint Camp: Comprehensive Pre-Surgery Education 
  • Partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
• Robot-assisted knee surgery available in Traverse City and Grayling

Conveniently located at 7 locations across Northern Michigan, our best-in-class orthopedic surgeons and advanced practice providers are dedicated to supporting you and your patients close to home for hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, fracture care, and more. Please reference the guide below for what is available in your community.

Our Orthopedic Surgeons

For more information on Munson’s skilled, compassionate orthopedic surgeons, visit munsonhealthcare.org/MOI. For more on MOI’s Sports Medicine services, read the September 2024 Practice Pro.

To refer a patient for orthopedic services, please fax referrals to Munson Orthopedic Institute at 231-935-3464 or via Direct Trust at MHC.OrthopedicInstitute@direct.mhc.net. Patients can also request a consultation by calling 231-935-5880.

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Jonathan Beaulac, DO, FACOI
Geriatrics and Internal Medicine

Dr. Jonathan Beaulac is board certified in geriatric and internal medicine. Geriatric medicine is a medical subspecialty focusing on patients 60 years of age and older and the specific processes or syndromes associated with aging.

Consults

Practices at:
Munson Medical Center
Geriatric Inpatient Services

Munson Healthcare Advanced Wound Center

To request a Geriatric Consult for a MMC Inpatient:
Refer to this webpage.

Hours: Monday – Friday,
9 am – 5 pm. 

“My main focus in practice is to allow patients to live the best they can for as long as they can. To not only give them extra time with their loved ones, but to enjoy it. Offering hope and providing a positive perspective when conditions become complex.” 

To better support geriatric patients, Munson Medical Center launched a new hospital-based Geriatric Consultative Service in January 2025 to address their unique needs with compassion and expertise. The team, led by Dr. Beaulac and Breann Dalzell, NP, works alongside patients’ providers to provide consultation.

What would you want providers to know about MMC's new Inpatient Geriatric Services?
Patients may be seen for a simple fall and future injury prevention to severe chronic disease management and poor overall prognosis. We discuss advance directives, educate patients and families about end-of-life expectations, and refer to palliative or hospice care if needed.

For a list of conditions for which providers might request a Geriatric Consult, click here.

Anything else you’d like providers/practice managers to know?
We’re happy to discuss cases if providers or clinicians are not sure whether a consult is indicated. We’re exploring adding inpatient telehealth capabilities to help support Munson’s community hospitals.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Munson Medical Center

Joined:
September 2023

Medical Education:
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency:
Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital

Fellowship:
Geriatric Medicine, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers

Fellow of:
American College of Osteopathic Internists

Favorite Pastimes:
Skiing, hiking, boating, biking, cooking, trying new restaurants, and time with family and friends. He also helps support his wife who runs a pet boarding facility in Traverse City.

Meet 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 clicking here.

Please join us in welcoming...

• Nicholas Zendler, DO | Neurology

• Breann Dalzell, NP | Geriatric Inpatient Services

• Jessica Duncan, PA-C | Manistee Primary Care

• Emily Griffith, NP | General Surgery and Trauma Care

• Nicole Kanomata, NP | Manistee Cancer and Infusion Center
  
  

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for March, 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:

• Emily Griffith, NP | Munson Healthcare Traverse General Surgery and Trauma Care
• Laryn Kenwabikise, PA | Munson Neurosurgery
• Thomas Olen, DO | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia
• Ryan Urbonas, DO | Munson Neurosurgery
• Tyler Williams, PA | Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Emergency Room
• Amanda Yanska, NP | Munson Neurosurgery

Also, Stephanie Stuck, PA; MMC APP Pulmonary Intensivists, has changed her name to Stephanie Macconnel, PA.

 Services

Munson’s Centralized Outpatient Scheduling Expanding to Manistee
We’re excited to announce that Munson’s centralized outpatient scheduling services will expand to include Manistee starting Monday, May 5. This transition achieves our goal of having all Munson outpatient scheduling managed by a dedicated team, simplifying the scheduling process for patients and provider offices.

Effective May 5, please use the numbers below to order and schedule outpatient testing at ALL Munson locations:

Outpatient Testing in Manistee: Due to this transition, either the patient or your office will need to call to schedule any appointment-based testing.

*Note, walk-in testing continues to be available for labs and x-rays.

For easy reference to this outpatient scheduling guide, please bookmark munsonhealthcare.org/outpatientscheduling.

Retail Pharmacies – Please Help Patients with This Information
With the recent sale of our MHC-owned pharmacies to HomeTown Pharmacy, we’re asking our Healthcare Team to help with questions patients may have. Please let your patients know that although these pharmacies (MCHC Pharmacy, Sixth Street Drugs, MMC Discharge Pharmacy, Bay Shore Pharmacy, Empire Pharmacy) have shifted ownership, the following remains the same: 

• All of these pharmacies are in the same locations
• The phone numbers and hours of operation have not changed
• The staff is the same, providing the same great services as before 

For more information, visit Pharmacy Services in Northern Michigan. 

Munson Launches New Postpartum Support Group
Although welcoming a new baby into the world is a joyous occasion, it can also bring a range of challenges and emotions. Recognizing the need for a supportive community, we are excited to introduce our new Postpartum Support Group, designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for new parents navigating the emotional, physical, and psychological challenges of the postpartum stage. Whether you're struggling or simply seeking community, this support group offers a welcoming place to connect, learn, heal, and grow.

To learn more and register for Munson’s free, virtual childbirth, breastfeeding, and baby care classes and support groups, please visit munsonhealthcare.org/babyclass or scan the QR code. Birth Center tours are also available in Traverse City.

 Patient Care

Remain Vigilant: Measles
The CDC and MDHHS asks providers to:

• Remain vigilant for cases of febrile rash illness, especially if unvaccinated or vaccination status is unknown or with travel to a known outbreak location in the last 21 days, and
• Share effective measles prevention strategies, including vaccination guidance for international travelers.

Clinical Resources

• CDC Health Advisory
• MDHHS Measles Alert
• MDHHS Letter to Providers
• Grand Traverse County Health Department measles checklist
• Munson-specific Provider Guidance
• MHC Measles Resources
  
  

Health Alert: Dengue Fever
The CDC has issued a health alert on an increased risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections.

• Have increased suspicion of dengue among people with fever who have been in areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission within 14 days before illness onset.
• Order appropriate diagnostic tests for acute DENV infection: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and IgM antibody tests, or non-structural protein 1 [NS1] antigen tests and IgM antibody tests.
• Report cases of dengue fever to local health department. 
• Promote mosquito bite prevention measures among people living in or visiting areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission.
  
  

Access Clinician Resources on Munson's For Providers Website
Did you know Munson's For Providers website features clinical resources and education to support clinicians? Whether they're prescribing controlled substances, managing patients with diabetes, combating infectious diseases, or preventing strokes, these resources will help providers enhance their practice of medicine.

Bookmark now for quick access: munsonhealthcare.org/forproviders

 Credentialing

Encourage Providers to Complete Hospital Reappointment Promptly
The providers in the following specialties should have recently received emails to their mhc.net email including a link to their upcoming reappointment application and related password. Please encourage them to complete and submit their reappointment application promptly to avoid a lapse in privileges.

• Emergency Medicine
• Pathology
• Podiatry
• Wound Healing

Questions? Contact Alicia Stube.

 Resources

Third-Party HIPAA Data Breach Update
MHC recently learned that our pharmacy vendor, CPS Solutions, suffered a HIPAA data breach that impacted Munson patients. As a result of that breach, notifications were recently mailed to the impacted Munson patients on CPS letterhead.

No Social Security numbers, Driver's License numbers, bank/financial data or hospital medical records were involved in this breach. The information accessed via this third-party system included patient name, date of birth, address, health insurance info, and some medical info (such as provider name, prescription name, diagnosis or treatment information).

As a result of this breach, a link to the CPS notice about this incident (with an offer of free identity protection service for impacted patients) has been posted on our website and will be kept up for 90 days. Patients or staff members with questions about the breach or the letter they received can reach out to Privacy Officer Loretta Wingard at 231-935-5766 or privacyofficer@mhc.net.

 Recognition

MHC Hospitals Earn Women’s Choice Awards®
Congratulations to Charlevoix Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, and Otsego Memorial Hospital for being recognized as best hospitals by the Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™. To learn more, click here.

 Education

Save the Dates! Munson's 2026 Provider Symposium
Please share with your providers

Providers are asked to please block your calendar Jan. 8-9, 2026, for Munson’s 2026 Provider Symposium.

New in 2026! The Provider Symposium will now feature a half-day of hands-on learning on Thursday afternoon, followed by a full day of CME sessions on Friday.

Participants at this popular and educational event can:

• Choose from an à la carte menu of in-person CME sessions featuring varied topics tailored to the educational needs of Munson Healthcare providers.
• Participate in dynamic plenary sessions with renowned medical experts.
• Network with colleagues at the Friday Evening Happy Hour.
  
  

Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Harm Reduction Training
Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition and Community Recovery Alliance (CRAMI) are pleased to announce a virtual version of the in-person event previously offered on March 11 in Charlevoix.

• When: Wednesday, April 23, 9 am - 3:30 pm
• Where: Virtual
• Topics:
  • Understanding the Evidence
  • What is Perinatal Harm Reduction
• More information: For details, read the printable flyer
• Register: Click here to register
  
  

“Mastering Tough Conversations” In-person Course
Please share with your providers

Registration is open for Munson Healthcare Palliative Medicine’s Mastering Tough Conversations, a Powered by VitalTalk in-person course for clinicians in Northern Michigan.  

Featured in The TC Ticker on Sunday, March 30, this full-day course will focus on how to deliver difficult news and have goals-of-care conversations with seriously ill patients and their families. As part of this course, simulated patient actors from the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City will help participants to practice their skills and receive feedback from experts in real time.  

• When: Friday, April 25, 8 am - 5 pm
• Where: Cowell Family Cancer Center – Basement Conference Rooms, Traverse City 
• Cost: Offered on a donation basis ($250 minimum) — proceeds support the Munson Palliative Services fund
• CME: Munson Healthcare designates this live activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. 
• Register: Click here to register; space is limited
  
  

Introduction to Treating Patients with Buprenorphine for PCPs
Please share with your providers

This virtual training, hosted by OPEN, is designed to equip providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and treat patients with OUD using Buprenorphine.

• Upcoming Dates:
  • Friday, May 16, 8 am - 12 pm
  • Monday, Sept. 8, 9 am - 1 pm
• Financial Incentives:
  
  • BCBSM will provide a $250 incentive to any primary care provider attending this training for the first time (limited to first 250 registrants).
  • MHC-Employed Providers: To minimize the impact on productivity, if the training is scheduled during the provider’s established hours, MHC-employed providers can block and charge their time to the HRSA MAT Access II. For details, email SUDsupport@mhc.net.
• CME:
  • These activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
  • Meets DEA training requirements
• Register: Click here to register.
  
  

AEGIS Level 1 De-escalation and Self Awareness Classes
De-escalation can help providers and staff respond to difficult behavior in the safest, most effective way possible. Join one of our classes to learn:      

• The relationship between self-care, self-awareness, patient-centric care and safety.     
• Situational awareness and maintaining a safe care environment.     
• Strategies to address agitation and prevent escalation strategies.

This class is available to all MHC-credentialed providers and employees, and is offered monthly on the 3^rd Wednesday, 12 - 1 pm.

Register for this virtual education via HealthStream.

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

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit munsonhealthcare.org/PracticePro. 

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