Renewed Commitment to Caring and Collaboration
A year ago, the Sault nurses were out on the sidewalk requesting to be compensated equal to registered nurses from other MyMichigan hospitals. Today, the nurses and MyMichigan are working side by side with administration and management as a team. The collaboration is a testament to the renewed spirit of caring and commitment to patient well-being.
“We understood that it was a tough challenge due to the financial limitations facing health care today, but we felt heard. Today we are working side by side with administration and management as a team to continue to provide a great environment for health care services in our community,” said Colleen Waucaush, R.N., MNA president. “Teamwork drives our success in providing the best care possible. We appreciate the support that our community showed the nurses during negotiations, and we now ask you to please support your community hospital.”
In the past year, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault has made significant strides, bringing positive change to the community hospital and its workforce.
“MyMichigan Medical Center Sault and the Sault MNA nurses have worked diligently over the past year to heal and strengthen our relationship after the informational picketing in April 2024. We value and support the critical role our nurses, and all our staff and providers, have in delivering safe, excellent care. They are our number one asset,” said Kevin Kalchik, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault. “In the past year, we have continued to work hard to maintain open lines of communication with our nursing staff to ensure their voices continue to be heard and if and when an issue arises – we work through it – together.”
Kalchik continued, “I can say that we have some of the very best nurses both in clinical skills and compassion. They truly care about our community. I would not hesitate to have our nurses take care of me or any of my family in our routine care and in the most critical of times. Our community is truly blessed with the nursing staff that we have. I trust them personally and I enjoy working with them daily. And, most importantly, together with our nurses and all our staff and providers, we are committed to building a healthier and even stronger future for the benefit of our patients and the communities we serve.”
In addition to strengthening its workforce relationships, in the past year, the Medical Center has also focused on the individual well-being of our staff and our community.
“We believe in investing in our people and building strong relationships within our community which is consistent with our purpose of ‘Creating Healthy Communities – Together’ and keeping the patients in the center of everything we do,” concluded Kalchik.
By reuniting around the shared focus of the patient, the nurses and administration have fostered an environment where mutual respect and understanding have grown. This collective effort has not only strengthened the work environment but also ensures that the highest standards of care are delivered to patients, reflecting a unified dedication to the community we serve.
“As a whole, our number one priority is our community. We strive to provide care above and beyond our call as nurses. From the minute a patient walks into our door, our commitment is to provide safe and compassionate care.,” said Waucaush. “We will continue to recruit, train, and support our nurses and all staff at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault while continuing to provide safe, top-notch care throughout our facility. We want you to feel safe coming to MyMichigan Sault for treatment. We want our hospital to be where you and your family choose to come for exceptional care. We are working together to promote and provide the highest level of teamwork with all staff, providers, and management to ensure you have the exceptional care you deserve.”
