Grant from Midland Area Community Foundation Helps Expand Emergency Department
The MyMichigan Health Foundation has received a $60,000 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation to help expand the Emergency Department and add new imaging equipment at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland.
Construction is now underway to create a more comfortable, safe and private waiting room and triage area in the Emergency Department. Six new “vertical spaces” will help treat patients with less serious conditions faster. This phase of the project is due to be finished in August.
“We are grateful for Midland Area Community Foundation’s support to improve the patient experience at our Emergency Department,” said Chuck Sherwin, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. “We both care deeply about the Midland Community, and this partnership fits our purpose of Creating Healthy Communities – Together.”
The multi-year project will also add a third Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and a fixed Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanner to reduce wait times for these critical tests.
“We’ve seen a 52 percent increase in MRIs for emergency room patients and a 15 percent increase for inpatients since 2021,” said Gina Stevens, director of imaging services, MyMichigan Health. “A third scanner will help us schedule both routine appointments and urgent cases more quickly.”
PET/CT scans are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease and some brain disorders. MyMichigan currently uses a mobile unit that is shared with other locations. Installing a fixed PET/CT will expand operation in Midland to at least five days per week, shortening wait times in Midland and freeing up the mobile trailer to better serve other MyMichigan communities.
“This project is all about making it easier for patients to get the care they need, from the moment they walk into the Emergency Department to faster test results,” said Sherwin.
Those who want to support the project may visit www.mymichigan.org/give-ED-midland/. Project details, including drawings of the future Emergency Department, are posted at www.mymichigan.org/ED-midland.
About the Midland Area Community Foundation
The Midland Area Community Foundation exists to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation and help ensure all residents thrive.
