News / Developments

Congratulations to Mercy Memorial Hospital System physician Tedd March, DO for being elected to the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education. Dr. March specializes in internal medicine and has been a part of the Monroe community for many years.

To read more about this story, visit the Monroe Evening News.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System is proud to announce that it has received the State of Michigan’s prestigious 2007 Governor’s Award of Excellence for Improving the Quality of Care and Patient Safety in the Hospital Setting. MMHS was awarded this esteemed honor for surpassing award goals for improving its appropriate care measures, Surgical Care Improvement Project, and Emergency Department. “This award demonstrates the dedication to quality and safety as well as the outstanding teamwork at Mercy Memorial,” stated Annette Phillips, MMHS President and CEO.

The GAE award is a state program that was established in 2003 in collaboration with Michigan Peer Review Organization (MPRO). It recognizes hospitals for adopting evidence-based practices and achieving/surpassing set quantifiable metrics aimed at improving the quality of patient care.

“Award recipients are committed to providing Michigan citizens with high quality health care,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. Award criterion aligns with improving care in a number of clinical areas. MMHS chose from pre-selected clinical areas. These clinical areas are designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

At the end of 2007, MMHS submitted hospital performance data for three measures: Appropriate Care Measure (ACM), Surgical Care Infection Prevention (SCIP), and Emergency Department (ED). The award for ACM required an achievement of a 25% reduction in failure rate for the ACM composite rate based on the five Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), two Heart Failure (HF), and three Pneumonia (PN) measures. The award for SCIP required a 15% reduction in failure rate for the SCIP measures (average). The award for ED required rates for AMI and PN early indicators to individually be at or above 90% and meet the criteria for ACM award. MMHS surpassed each goal to improve safety and quality of care for its patients.

MMHS joined other Michigan hospitals to receive its award during a ceremony on October 29, 2008, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ray Peters, ER Clinical Operations Leader, and Mary Desloover, Surgical Unit, Clinical Operations Leader accepted the award on behalf of MMHS.

Consumers are becoming more and more skilled at searching for quality healthcare data and a government Web site, hospitalcompare.hhs.gov, is making that search a little bit easier.

“We’re very proud of how Mercy Memorial Hospital System compares to other hospitals – not just regionally, but nationwide,” says Annette Phillips, President and CEO of Mercy Memorial Hospital System. “Having this data available to our patients demonstrates the high levels of safe, quality healthcare provided at Mercy Memorial.”

Hospital Compare describes itself as a tool that provides consumers with information on how well hospitals care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. Because the Web site provides information from all hospitals in Michigan, you can use it to compare the quality of care each hospital provides.

The Web site allows the public to compare any given hospital data with the state and national average. Mercy Memorial Hospital System has shown favorable comparisons statewide and nationally in many quality measures, many of which are at 100%.

Hospital Compare provides information on 26 quality measures, which include process of care and outcome measures. Process of care measures reflect how well a hospital provides care, while outcome measures reflect the results of the care received while in the hospital.

In heart attack measures, Mercy Memorial scored higher than the state and national average for Aspirin at Discharge, Beta Blocker at Discharge, Aspirin at Arrival, Beta Blocker at Arrival as well as Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling. All of these quality measures are above or within 7% of providing care for 100% of their patients.

“The bottom line is that we have strong physician and nursing leadership using the information to provide continuous quality improvements in patient care and patients are using the information to make well-informed healthcare choices,” says Phillips. “Hospital Compare will show us where we need to improve and engage more extensively in the quality improvement activities of their staff and physicians”

Another major focus of Hospital Compare data is on pneumonia measures. Again, Mercy Memorial scored higher than the state and nationwide average in most categories.

Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services and other members of the Hospital Quality Alliance: Improving Care Through Information (HQA). The information on their Web site has been provided primarily by hospitals that have agreed to submit quality information for Hospital Compare to make public.

Saturday, November 8
Monroe County Community College's La-Z-boy Center – Meyer Theater


A full day of family entertainment with Mercy Memorial Hospital System! All tickets are available through the MMHS Foundation.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa. Children ages 3-10 can enjoy breakfast, a picture with Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick (courtesy of Shutterbug Digital), a free gift, and entry into the public viewing. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $20 per child.

The day continues with public viewing of the trees and silent auction items beginning at 11a.m. Viewing lasts until 3p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Finally, enjoy an evening of fantasy featuring hors d’oeuvers, open bar, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions of decorated trees, wreaths, and a variety of holiday décor. The Festival Gala begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. Tickets are $50/person.

This year’s festival is featuring the “Man Tree” once again, but with a twist. There are four separate prizes and four chances to win. Tickets are $50/ea. or three for $100.

There is also a “Woman’s Tree” this year. Volunteers are sitting in the hospital front lobby by the tree from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Tickets are just $5/ea.

Thursday November 13
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
718 N. Macomb Street, Ste. 317

Monroe County's Child Advocacy Center has moved from its location at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ida to Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe. Please join us at our new location!

Board members will be available to answer questions and lead tours.  Come learn about the services we are providing to assist abused children and their families.

In an effort to increase breast cancer awareness among the community, there will be two charity volleyball events to benefit the Side-Out Foundations’s breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Coached by Norm Potter, the junior varisity and varsity teams will raise awareness and funds for Side-Out Foundations’s breast cancer research. The teams will host the “Dig Pink” volleyball event held on Tuesday, October 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Dundee High School, located at 130 Viking Dr. The mistress of ceremonies will be Kelly Heidbreder of NBC TV 24 in Toledo. There will be raffles of women’s health and fitness services.

More than 700 volleyball teams across the nation are participating in Side-Out campaign this year.

Airport High School and Jefferson High School will compete on Wednesday, October 29 in “Volley for the Cure”, a match to raise awareness and funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “Volley for the Cure” will be held at 6 p.m. at Airport High School, located in Carleton at 11270 Grafton Rd.

Pink Volley for the Cure T-shirts will be sold for $5 and there will be a raffle for prizes such as an iPod, DVD player, autographed T-shirts, duffel bags and food coupons.

Admission is $4 for those wearing pink.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System welcomes J. Ricardo Compean, M.D. to its medical staff.

Dr. Compean and wife Cynthia have established Compean Family Medicine, PLLC, located in Monroe at 327 Stewart Road, and opened the practice on October 6, 2008. Dr. Compean is welcoming new patients and is excited with the prospect of serving the Monroe County community.

“I have lived in Monroe for 15 years. I enjoy everything about Monroe, from its lakefront and the county fair, to the parades and the friendly atmosphere. It has always been my desire to open a family medicine office serving the residents of Monroe,” stated Compean.

As a family practice physician, Compean will not be limited to a specific population and, therefore, will care for patients of all generations. He treats a variety of medical conditions such as, but not limited to, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and more.

Compean began his medical career as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy, attending school at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. After receiving advanced training as an electroencephalographic (EEG) technician at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, he became the lead petty officer (LPO) of the neurology department.

After his military career, he graduated from Mercy College (University of Detroit-Mercy) with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physician assistant studies. As a physician assistant, Compean was employed in family medicine by Henry Ford Health System and the Lymphoma Service at Harper Hospital (Karmanos Cancer Center) in Detroit. Working in these areas enriched Compean’s faith as well as fueled his compassion.

With years of medical experience and the desire to continue his education, Compean, supported by his Cynthia and their four children, decided to attend medical school at the University of Health Sciences Antigua School of Medicine, graduating June of 2005, with a Doctor of Medicine degree. In August 2008, he graduated from Mercy Health Partners Family Medicine Residency Program at St. Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. During his tenure as a resident, Compean served as the associate chief resident during his second year of residency and chief resident during his third year.

Compean said, “Our mission is to provide compassionate patient-centered care, defined as listening to our patients while diagnosing and managing acute and chronic medical conditions. We will have a Web site in the near future where a patient may leave a message, request a refill of medication, and review their laboratory results in a secure environment from the privacy of their home. Our goal is to become a certified medical home by meeting national standards and achieving national recognition for the treatment of diabetes, congestive heart failure and asthma."

With his up-to-date knowledge, high quality and comprehensive medical care, Compean is committed to his patients’ health and accepts most insurance plans. Compean is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Monroe County Medical Society and also a valued medical staff member of the Mercy Memorial Hospital System.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System’s Tender Tears is a memorial service for parents who have suffered a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death.

The hospital’s maternity staff recognized the need to offer a better bereavement program for those parents that have to deal with the grief from the loss of an infant. Maternal/Infant Services staff believed that they could do more to show how much they care for affected families and Tender Tears was formed. Laure Vandervlucht, RN, BSN, Maternal Infant Services recalled, “When I first started at Mercy Memorial six years ago, we did not have a program in place to help educate our patients who suffered a loss… even to acknowledge that loss and give them support and direction for their return home. This service gives them a much needed outlet.”

This memorial service will be held on October 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery (909 North Monroe Street).

Spa Saturday
Saturday, October 4, 2008
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In conjunction with a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Monroe Center Cancer Connection, Mercy Memorial Hospital System (MMHS) is sponsoring a free health fair for women 40 and over in Monroe County who are uninsured or underinsured. Spa Saturday will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Women’s Health Center, located inside Mercy Memorial Hospital at 718 North Macomb Street in Monroe.

If you are a woman aged 40 and older (or under age 40 and have a physician order indicating medical necessity), uninsured, underinsured (with a demonstrated financial need) and a Monroe County resident, then you qualify for a free mammogram through this grant-funded program.

Mammography technologists will be on hand to explain the importance of monthly breast self-exams as well as perform your yearly mammogram. Come to MMHS to talk with the experts, get a free screening mammogram and a complementary massage while you wait.

To register for this event, please call (734) 240-8440. For answers to other questions, please contact Community Relations at (734) 240-4552.

Car Seat Safety Check
Saturday, September 27, 2008
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

September is nationally designated as Child Passenger Safety Month.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System, in conjunction with other local businesses and organizations, will host a free car seat safety check on Saturday, September 27 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Harwood Automotive.

In the past few years, this clinic has checked over 50 cars and has given out 10 - 12 new seats per event. The seats available for distribution are to replace any expired or recalled seats currently being used.

No appointment is necessary for the car seat safety check. Participants should bring the following items: the child whom the seat is intended to fit, a vehicle, the car seat or booster seat, the car seat instructions and the vehicle’s instruction book.

Sponsors for the event include: Mercy Memorial Hospital System, United Way, State Farm Insurance, Child Advocacy Network (CAN), Lenawee Safe Kids, Monroe Community Mental Health, Monroe County Community College and Harwood Automotive. Harwood Automotive is located at 6095 North Monroe Street, just north of Nadeau Road.

In preparation for the child car safety check, Mercy Memorial has received money from these community organizations to cover the costs of certifying twelve Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Because of the new booster seat laws, Mercy Memorial hopes more technicians will be certified in the near future.

Mercy Memorial Hospital System has welcomed Donald Brock, D.O., as its new Medical Director of the Emergency Department. Dr Brock brings over 17 years of emergency medicine experience to Mercy Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department.

“I am extremely happy to have Dr. Brock join us as the new Medical Director of the Emergency Department. His extensive leadership experience in emergency services will add significantly to our continuing efforts to better serve our community,” said Gilbert Burgos, MD, Senior Vice President of Health Care Services and Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Memorial Hospital.

Over his extensive career, Dr. Brock has been involved in implementing Best Practices, 30 minute guarantees, electronic medical records, quality review programs, fast tracks, American College of Emergency Physicians’ triage guidelines and protocols, and a 50% reduction in door to physician time and 60% reduction in length of stay for patients.

“With the help of Mercy Memorial Hospital System and NES, we intend to institute best practices, improve service operations and ultimately improve patient care,” says Dr. Brock.

Dr. Brocks also hopes to continue improving patient satisfaction in the ED and says that his intention is to raise the bar in Emergency Medicine.

He currently sits on the American College of Emergency Medicine’s Examining Board and Practice Management Committee and was the Emergency Physician of the Year in 2005 for the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians.

Dr. Brock’s previous work includes positions at Bixby Medical Center in Adrian, Mich., Medical Director at Herrick Medical Center in Tecumseh, Mich., and Medical Director over the entire system of emergency departments at Oakwood, managing more than 230,000 patient visits annually.

After completing medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991, Dr. Brock trained at the POH Medical Center in Pontiac, Mich..

Dr. Brock will be working with NES Healthcare Group to serve Mercy Memorial Hospital System. NES is a privately held, physician-owned and managed, national emergency medicine staffing and management company.

Dr. Brock says he is excited by the opportunity to serve the residents of Monroe County and surrounding areas and is honored to be a part of the Mercy Memorial Hospital family.

Henry Ford Health System Vice President Joins Mercy Memorial Family

Mercy Memorial Hospital System is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Phillips to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 16, 2008. Annette joins Mercy Memorial from Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, a 379 bed hospital, where she served as Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. In her previous roles at Wyandotte Hospital, Annette has served as the Chief Financial Officer, Administrator of Business Development and Managed Care, Service Line Leader and Controller. Annette also has extensive public accounting firm experience at Deloitte and Touche.

A Certified Public Accountant, Annette is completing a Masters of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is active in her community through her role as Treasurer of the Wyandotte Rotary, and has previously been involved in Zonta and has served on the board of the Downriver YWCA Board of Directors.

Annette and her family currently reside in Brownstown Township with plans to relocate to the Monroe area shortly.

With the assistance of an executive search firm, the process to select Mercy Memorial’s President and CEO was one that involved its Board of Trustees, Medical Executive Staff and senior leadership team through a series of meetings and interviews. Annette emerged as a highly qualified healthcare administrator with a wide range of hospital administration, quality, customer service and financial experience. Annette has a rich and diverse background that will greatly aid Mercy Memorial in its transformation and contribute greatly to the hospital system, physicians and staff.

Most people visit the hospital about once every five years. So unless you have visited recently, read a news article, or have heard by word of mouth, you may not know about Mercy Memorial Hospital System’s (MMHS) brave transformation.

MMHS’ has evolved from its origin as two separate hospitals. For more than forty years, the City of Monroe was served by two independent, nonprofit hospitals, Memorial Hospital of Monroe and Mercy Hospital of Monroe. In July 1972, the two hospitals merged and Monroe had just one hospital; the newly formed Mercy Memorial Hospital System.

Built around the family practitioner, Mercy Memorial Hospital System provides treatment for sick and injured patients. As it continues its commitment to serve area residents, MMHS has dedicated itself to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to the residents of Monroe County, and its surrounding areas.

In 2006, MMHS entered into an exciting and vital juncture as it began a major construction and renovation project designed to modernize its’ facilities. MMHS has become a state of the art facility in order to provide Monroe County residents with the healthcare services they need. It also developed an ambitious and comprehensive plan to expand its’ service area through the development of offsite facilities throughout the county. It currently has seven outpatient sites in Monroe along with a new site in Bedford, one site each in Carleton, Dundee and Ida, and two sites in Newport.

To date, MMHS’s construction and renovation project has completed a new emergency department, outpatient pharmacy, main entrance and lobby, gift shop, and renovated imaging services and patient rooms. New operating rooms and digital cardiac catheterization lab are nearing completion. Ground work has begun on a new ambulatory surgery center on Stewart Road, which is also the planned site of the Karmanos Cancer Center.

When completed, this important modernization will provide Monroe County with state of the art emergency and surgery departments, state of the art diagnostic technology, and predominantly private patient rooms. It will enable MMHS to compete favorably with much larger hospitals. Also, the availability of highly advanced healthcare will meet the needs of the growing community of Monroe.

With the completed renovation of its Imaging Services department, MMHS is already providing high tech services to Monroe area residents, including a state of the art 3.0T MRI, 64 Slice CT scanner, 4D Breast Mammography, and CT Angiogram. With the use of Fuji/Synapse web-based application as its picture archiving and communication system (PACS), physicians can view images from anywhere within 24-hours.

MMHS’s planned partnership with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Institute will provide the most advanced radiation therapy services in the region.

In June 2008, MMHS launched the “Healthy Monroe” insurance plan to provide Monroe County businesses with access to convenient, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare for their employees. In conjunction with Starmark, MMHS offers local businesses and their employees with management strategies to promote wellness and support disease and lifestyle management. “Healthy Monroe” offers affordable and flexible health plans, and personal service from a leader in the industry.

The imperative to retain and expand the services provided by our award-winning community hospital, is clear from a healthcare perspective. Equally important is the positive economic impact this venture will provide to Monroe County and the surrounding communities.

This brave transformation is an investment in the health and economic strength of the community as well as a clear message that our community intends to keep its healthcare asset independent.

MMHS does not expect to stop with these improvements. It continues to raise excellence in quality and service that it provides to each of its patients.