We have an opportunity to volunteer with the Lansing Food Bank on Thursday, January 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  We will be helping sort food.  Please contact Jason Brunette if interested. Email:  Jason.Brunette@martincommercial.com 

President Nick called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. and led Rotarians in the recitation of the Four-Way Test.

 

Anne Cauley wished everyone a happy New Year. She read a lovely poem about what we need to be thinking about beyond New Year’s resolutions. The poem, called Summons, was written by Aurora Levins Morales.

 

Rotarians sang My Country ‘Tis of Thee, accompanied by Hari Kern on piano.

 

It’s interesting how we Rotarians test the remote mic for functionality. Rebecca Bahar Cook says, “Hello? Hello?” Janet Lillie whispers, “Psst. Psst.” She also tapped the mic to see if she could hear her hand thumping in cadence through the speakers.

 

When the mic finally did what’s expected of it, Rebecca introduced Tina Gross, President of Sparrow Specialty Hospital. Rebecca thought today’s presentation would resonate with her guest.

 

Janet Lillie introduced her colleague from MSU, Bill Beekman, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. He graduated from Okemos High School and is a longstanding member of the community.

 

Ernscie Augustin attended her third meeting with our club, as a guest of Raeanne Mardigian. She is the owner of Augustin Law Firm, and she plans to submit her application for membership.

 

Michelle Reynaert’s guest was Michelle Massey, vice president, community and customer operations at TechSmith. This was Michelle’s third meeting, and she will also be submitting her membership application.

 

John Cauley introduced Ali Bennett. She recently started her own business, Grassroots Fundraising. She is interested in creating a Black business directory and is also a part-time professional photographer. She is a future member who is very interested in joining the club.

 

Susan Angel’s guest was Sarah Barber, the new marketing director at McLaren Greater Lansing. Andi Earl was accompanied by Heather Vida, director of Hospice House of Lansing. She is a member of the Delta-Waverly Rotary Club.

 

Tammy Hannah introduced Amanda Carr from Origami Rehabilitation. She is an occupational therapist by background and Origami’s director of rehab services.

 

Dr. Steve Robinson introduced his wife, Kathryn Robinson, a career HR professional and proud Spartan. She earned two degrees from MSU and is an HR rockstar.

 

President Nick reported that he did not have any updates for the Health of the Club.

 

The table for the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration Jan. 15 has been filled. If members are interested in attending, please see Bilky Joda-Miller.

 

Scott Watkins reported that 17 Rotarians celebrated their birthdays in December. Thirteen were tracked down for a 75 percent participation rate. Their generosity raised $1,250. Rotarians sang Happy Birthday for all those celebrating December birthdays.

 

Steve Robinson introduced half of the Pulse Quartet – Zachary Costello and Owen Robinson – Steve’s son. They are in their fourth year of study under Prof. Joseph Lulloff at Michigan State University. Steve reported that Zachary and Owen resided with him during COVID, which resulted in a special bond for them. Their success is usually associated with a master or doctor-level quartet. They are the outright winners of the NOLA Chamber Fest. They have placed individually in competitions all across the country. They’re both in the MSU Wind Symphony, one of the best bands in the country.

 

Laura Appel introduced our guest speaker today, Margaret Dimond, from Sparrow and University of Michigan Health systems. Laura described Sparrow as a premier anchor institution. “Becoming part of the University of Michigan Health System is a big change, but it means so many important, positive things,” which prompted her to ask Dr. Dimond to speak to and enlighten Rotarians today.

 

Dr. Dimond gave a fascinating presentation about Sparrow’s partnership with UofM Health System, indicating that not one single health system made money during COVID. In fact, Sparrow lost $170 million. The partnership allowed Sparrow to open operating rooms in Lansing where they were most needed, instead of forcing patients to drive an hour to Grand Rapids for a 10- to 15-minute wound care appointment, for example.

 

Sparrow’s priorities fall into three buckets: 1) Taking the business’s $170 million loss to break even; 2) increasing efficiencies; and 3) capacity management using a combination of AI and predictive analytics. The proof is in the pudding. Quality and efficiency metrics soared. Physician and practitioner recruitment, facilities and capacity, the availability of critically necessary services and beds improved. Sparrow, as a system alone, could not have replicated UofM’s bandwidth or technology. The partnership resulted in two teams on a single journey. It took the best of both worlds with programs from both MSU and UofM that benefit the community. Health care is agnostic, not competitive. The system now has access to millions of dollars to pour into patient care. The possibilities are promising.

 

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

 

The email for Lolo Robison is:  LRobison@cata.org