While the old adage contends that an apple a day will keep the doctor away, we’re fortunate to have a substantial contingent of medical professionals in our midst who care for us on multiple levels and in myriad ways. Especially today, we might do well to thank them.
In fact, today, March 30, the crew at Lakeland Health will honor the commitment of over 450 physicians in southwest Michigan as part of “Doctor’s Day” – an annual celebration across the nation. Currently, Lakeland employs 450 partner physicians and licensed providers, representing a total of 55 specialties. Twenty-one new physicians (MDs and DOs) and 31 advanced practitioners, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives joined the medical staff in Fiscal Year 2016.
Lakeland also serves as a teaching hospital and offers residency training programs through a partnership with Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since the program began in 2011, 37 physicians have completed their residencies at Lakeland Health and we are currently training 61. Of those, 19 have chosen to continue practicing medicine in southwest Michigan after graduation.
In May of 2016 the emergency medicine residency program at Lakeland Health became one of five emergency medicine programs in the nation to become accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The new accreditation allows the program to attract and train allopathic physicians (MD) in addition to osteopathic physicians (DO).
Lakeland Health President & CEO Loren Hamel says, “We are honored to play a critical role in shaping future doctors and the future of health care in our region.” He adds, “In the years to come you can continue to expect the very best talent, knowledge, and clinical care from our enhanced physician team.”
To medical professionals everywhere…Happy Doctor’s Day.
