May 2025

Rest Easy: Munson’s Comprehensive Sleep Services Are Close to Home
Almost half of Americans experience sleep disorders. These may include snoring, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disturbances. When left untreated, insufficient sleep may impair daytime function as well as increase the risk of other chronic diseases impacting the cardiovascular system, neurological systems, and metabolic imbalances.

Munson Healthcare offers expert, experienced sleep medicine specialists and accredited Sleep Disorders Centers throughout Northern Michigan in Cadillac, Charlevoix, Manistee, and Traverse City. A good night’s sleep may be closer than your patients think.

Common Sleep Conditions We Treat
Munson Healthcare Sleep Disorders Centers provide a comprehensive program including both outpatient and telemedicine consultations and follow-ups, sleep studies, as well as treatment for a full range of conditions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea/Central sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Restless legs syndrome
• Circadian Rhythm disorders
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Narcolepsy/Idiopathic hypersomnia
• Parasomnias

Munson Healthcare Sleep Disorders Centers
Services we provide:

• Around-the-Clock Sleep Studies: Attended sleep studies are available at all 4 sleep lab locations. Sleep studies can be scheduled at your patients’ convenience with 24-hour availability in some locations to accommodate shift workers. Home sleep testing is also available.

• DOT and FAA Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

For more information on Munson’s sleep services, visit munsonhealthcare.org/sleep.

Our Expert Sleep Team

How to Refer
If your patients are not sleeping well, please refer them to a Munson Healthcare sleep specialist for a comprehensive evaluation. To refer a patient for sleep services, please send referral to one of the Munson Healthcare Sleep Disorders Centers listed below via Oracle Health, Direct Trust, or fax. Patients can also call to request a consultation.

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Miriam Brown, MD, MPH
Pediatrics, Psychiatry

Miriam Brown, MD, MPH, is board certified in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child Psychiatry with a special interest in working with younger children. She leads Munson’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Consults, offering specialized care for outpatient and inpatient pediatric patients ages 18 and younger within the Munson Healthcare coverage area (more information below).

“I enjoy supporting young patients and families in reaching their mental health goals.”

Consults

Practices at:
Munson Outpatient
Behavioral Health Services

Grayling Community Health Center

To request a
Pediatric Psych Consult:
Refer to this webpage or scan the
QR code for the consultation form:

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Direct Trust
MBROWN34@direct.mhc.net

As May is Mental Health Month, we asked Dr. Brown a couple questions on the pediatric psychiatry consult service that was launched earlier this year.

What do you want primary care providers to know about Munson’s new pediatric psychiatry consult service?
We started a pediatric psychiatry consult service for primary care physicians for when there are questions regarding diagnoses, medication management, non-pharmacologic treatment options, and non-emergent disposition. We can review patient charts and discuss with providers, and we also can see patients 1 to 3 times to help answer some of those questions and guide future management with the primary care providers.

What do you want providers to know about treating adolescents who need mental health support? 
In addition to the new consult service, we are excited to be developing more care and treatment options for adolescents who need mental health support in the area. The Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center will offer more services over the next couple years for all ages, specifically for the adolescent age group.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Munson Medical Center

Joined:
July 2024

Medical Education:
Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine

Residency:
University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center,
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh,
Western Psychiatric Hospital

Fellowship:
Child and Adolescent Fellowship,
University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center

Favorite Pastimes:
Running, camping, swimming, cheering on the Spartans, and exploring the area with her husband and 2 dogs.

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for April, 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 directory of Munson-privileged providers who accept referrals, go to Find A Doctor.

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

• Nadia Braidwood, NP | Bay Area Urology
• Rebecca Kloote, NP | Munson Neurosurgery

Office updates:

• MHC Urgent Care West has a new fax number: 231-392-7341.

• The MHC Anticoagulation Clinic located in Traverse City will be moving from Foster Family Community Health Center to Munson Family Practice as of June 2, 2025. Phone and fax numbers remain the same.

AJ and his team coordinate the people, places, processes, and strategic focus necessary for seamless patient care. “Our goal is to be the ‘easy button’ for all the services we provide, making referrals effortless and ensuring patients receive timely access to high-quality care within their communities,” he says.

AJ emphasizes the importance of keeping patients local, where they can benefit from Munson Healthcare’s exceptional services without needing to travel elsewhere. “Munson offers the highest level of care with phenomenal providers and outstanding results,” he says. “Continuing to refer gives us the ability to grow these practices and further support the needs of the 29+ counties we serve.”

Escalation pathways are in place to ensure emergent patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible. To expedite a patient’s treatment outside of regular wait times, indicate their priority and potential diagnosis in the referral. Consult the monthly ‘Munson Practices Status’ sheet, which is emailed to practices, for further escalation procedures. If you're not already receiving this report and would like to, please email AJ.

Ultimately, AJ and his team are here to support providers and practice leadership, emphasizing that the lines of communication are always open. “Our providers are always willing to talk to other providers and offices that have questions,” he stresses. “We have great specialists and all of them are willing to have a conversation about your patient if you have a concern or question.”

 Services

 Patient Care

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

To easily identify resources available on the For Providers website in the articles below, look for:

Measles Testing
Read guidance on available lab tests that are recommended to confirm/rule out a possible case of measles. An archive of LabMed Reports is available here. 

Measles resources are also available on Munson’s For Providers website.

New Blood Lead Testing Requirements for Children
As of April 30, 2025, Michigan law (MCL 333.5457d) now requires all children to be tested for lead in the blood at 12 months and 24 months of age and at other intervals based on their risk of lead exposure (aka, universal blood lead testing).

For key points of this new legislation and clinician resources, click here.

DHD#10 Has Discontinued Latent Tuberculosis Infection Care 
Due to funding cuts and workforce limitations, District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is no longer investigating or treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). All abnormal TB tests (IGRA or TST) reported to the DHD#10 will be referred back to the ordering provider for further evaluation and management. 

For details and provider resources, read the DHD#10 Letter to Providers.

 Medical Staff Services/Credentialing

Role of Our Regional Medical Staff Offices
At Munson Healthcare, our regional medical staff offices (MSOs) are here to help:

• Facilitate the process of medical staff applications, for both initial appointments and reappointments, from initial application through Munson Healthcare Board approval. 
• Ensure credentialed medical staff meet accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Support local Medical Staff leaders/MECs.

Credentialed providers are required to notify their regional MSO immediately if any of the following occur:

• Changes to name or contact information
• Updates to medical licensure, DEA, board certification, or life support certifications
• Requesting or relinquishing privileges
• Medical malpractice renewals or changes
• Subject to a professional liability lawsuit
• Complaint or action against their licensure or DEA
• Any Medicare/Medicaid exclusions, preclusions, or sanctions
• Change in staff status and/or privileges at any other health care entity because of peer review activities
• Any changes in ability to safely and competently exercise clinical privileges or perform the duties and responsibilities of appointment because of health status issues
• Any arrest, charge, indictment, conviction, or a plea of guilty or no contest in any criminal matter other than a misdemeanor traffic citation; or any charge of, or arrest for DUI/OUI

Also, please notify us if one of your providers is planning to leave your practice, such as for retirement, relocation, termination, or extended leave of absence (>60 days).

Regional Medical Staff Office Contacts

• East Region | Charlevoix, Gaylord, and Grayling: Nikki Chavez, 231-213-2024
• Grand Traverse Region | Traverse City:
• Jennifer Mathews, 231-935-5891 (Lead)
• Heather Lynch, 231-935-6005
• Yvonne Skiera, 231-935-5884
• Kalkaska Region | Kalkaska: Teresa Smith, 231-258-8053
• South Region | Cadillac, Frankfort, and Manistee: Kim Loveland, 231-935-5892

To learn more about your MSO contacts, read the June issue of Practice Pro.

Encourage Providers to Complete Hospital Reappointment Promptly
The providers in the following specialties should have received emails in April to their mhc.net email including a link to their upcoming reappointment application and related password. If they haven't already, 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

Stay Updated with the Latest Payer Information 
We are thrilled to announce a new resource for offices featuring curated payer news impacting you. This resource, updated monthly, will keep you informed on the latest payer changes and guidelines. 

Bookmark this new resource! munsonhealthcare.org/PayerUpdates

 Education

Implicit Bias Training Opportunities
A reminder the following Munson Healthcare CME presentations have been reaccredited for on-demand CME and meet the LARA requirements for Implicit Bias Training. These activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

• Implicit Bias: Bringing Hidden Bias to Light
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
• Weight Bias: Providing Better Care for Patients with Obesity

Other Michigan organizations also offer Implicit Bias Training meeting LARA requirements. To learn more, visit Munson's For Providers website.

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit munsonhealthcare.org/providerevents.

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.