Reflections: A Look Back at 2025

This past year has been another incredible one for MyMichigan Health. As we do every year, we’re excited to share highlights from just a few of our milestones. While just a snapshot, they reflect the ongoing dedication of our employees, providers, volunteers and leaders, all committed to serving you, your family, friends and neighbors.

As you’ll see in one of our final stories below, I share the announcement of my retirement in 2026. I want to thank you for the allowing me the privilege of serving you all these years. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, all those that have inspired me and the lives I have had the honor to care for in my time here. MyMichigan Health has been a wonderful place to work, enriching my life in ways I never imagined. The future for the health system is bright and I look forward to watching it continue to soar.

On behalf of everyone at MyMichigan Health, we do hope you enjoy our stories below and I encourage you to check out our website for ongoing news about what is happening locally at your hometown Medical Center and throughout the health system. You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter there. As we embark on the year ahead, thank you for entrusting MyMichigan to care for the health of both you and your families. We wish you all the best in 2026.

Lydia Watson, M.D.
President and CEO
MyMichigan Health

Electronic Medical Record Goes Live in New Locations

Patients of MyMichigan’s Medical Centers in Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Centre now benefit from faster communication and more streamlined care through the implementation of a new electronic medical record. The Medical Centers and their affiliated provider offices and facilities moved to Epic in 2025. The project updated equipment, improved information sharing and integrated MyMichigan’s newly acquired facilities with the rest of the health system. It also enables each patient to have one comprehensive medical record shared across all MyMichigan Health-employed providers and facilities for more seamless and convenient care. Sign up for a MyChart portal account

New Call Center Simplifies Patient Access to Care

In 2025, MyMichigan Access Center, or MAC, was launched as a continued priority to ease scheduling for patients. Here, patients can call for assistance with scheduling imaging, sleep studies, respiratory services, as well as hospital follow-up and continuing care clinic appointments. The MAC will expand to include other services in fall 2026. Take a closer look

Latest MRI Technology Comes to Mt. Pleasant

Individuals living in the greater Mt. Pleasant region now have access to the latest patient-friendly innovation in cutting-edge Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology. In 2025, MyMichigan Medical Center Mt. Pleasant added a $2.3M MRI with state-of-the-art technology that can produce highly detailed images for enhanced diagnostics and treatment. The advanced system was one of many projects that occurred during the health care center’s growth and expansion of services. Check out the list of services in Mt. Pleasant

Foundation Pledge Supports West Branch Surgical Expansion

MyMichigan Health Foundation pledged more than $67,000 to support the opening of a fourth operating room (OR) at MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch. The pledge funds were used to purchase a state-of-the-art anesthesia machine for the new OR, which opened in early 2025. The OR expansion in West Branch not only increases surgical capacity but also improves access to care by reducing wait times previously caused by scheduling backlogs. What’s more, it positions the Medical Center for future growth, ensuring continued access to high-quality, specialized care for the community. Read inspiring stories of giving

Top Rural and Community Hospitals Lists

In February 2025, MyMichigan Medical Centers Alpena, Sault and Tawas were named among the 2025 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. In addition to these accolades, the NRHA recognizes the Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals from its list of Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals also determined by Chartis and the Alpena Medical Center was named to this list. The determining factors for the Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance. View listing of top quality awards

Forbes Four Year Champion

For the fourth year in a row, MyMichigan Health was named to Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025. More than 300 hospitals and health systems were among the organizations recognized and, of the 75 Michigan organizations listed, MyMichigan ranked 23 and was third on the list of Michigan health care systems. Then, just one month later, the health system was also named to Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025. Explore careers with MyMichigan

Saginaw Achieves Re-Accreditation as Comprehensive Stroke Center

MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw achieved re-accreditation through The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest and most demanding level of accreditation a stroke center can achieve. The two-year designation confirms MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw has the resources, staff and training to provide the very best in state-of-the-art stroke care. Find out what this means for you

Clare Expansion Nears Phase One Completion

Located in the heart of the community, MyMichigan Medical Center Clare is more than a health care facility—it’s a lifeline, as well as the top employer there. Its $40,000 expansion marked several milestones in 2025, as it nears the opening of its larger, Emergency Department, 16 new private patient rooms and a new imaging area in February 2026. Phase two, which will enhance many of the first-floor areas, including the Hospital Entrance and Gift Shop, will begin in early 2026. Be part of Clare’s history

Enriching Mental Health Needs for Thirty Years

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma celebrated 30 years of community service in 2025. The program started as part of a new movement in mental health care, and its success demonstrates its value in providing accessible, effective and recovery-oriented mental health services to the community. Step back to where it all began

Partnership to Strengthen Future of Medical Education

With a long-standing commitment to medical education, MyMichigan Health joined Central Michigan University and Covenant Healthcare in a special partnership to construct the university’s new College of Medicine in Saginaw. The facility will be located on the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw and will become part of the Medical Diamond project. See the full announcement

Dr. Watson Announces Retirement

Lydia Watson, M.D., president and CEO, shared the news that she will retire on July 5, 2026. Bryan Cross, Pharm.D., FACHE, chief operating officer for MyMichigan Health, will take over her position, transitioning into the role March 29, 2026. Discover what inspired her career in health care

Expansion of Midland Emergency Department Complete

The expansion of the Emergency Department at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland was completed in December 2025. The multi-year project increased department capacity by 38 percent and enhanced safety, privacy, and patient comfort. Phase three of the project, will further expand the department and add an MRI machine and a fixed PET Scanner to reduce wait times for these critical tests. The project is funded in part by donations from the Midland Area Community Foundation, MyMichigan Medical Center Midland volunteers and other community donors. Check out the new ED areas