Four of the 44 health innovation projects recently granted funding from the
Michigan Department of Community Health are in northern Michigan.
Each project can receive up to $35,000 in funding if they encourage creative approaches to bridge the gap between collaborative, innovative ideas in health care and their implementation, according to the department's criteria. In total, $1.34 million was given out.
Alpena Regional Medical Center received $35,000 for the Breastfeeding Education and Support Team Project. It serves Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties and is designed to bridge the gap between existing services and the educational and support needs of breastfeeding women and infants in the region.
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan got $35,000 to create a partnership of local health departments that will work to develop regional infrastructure to respond to community needs, collaborate with community partners, and meet performance standards. The partnership will be located in Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties and other areas the health department serves.
Mercy Hospital Cadillac also will get $35,000 to increase accessibility for mental health and psychiatric services using telepsychiatry. The services will cover Wexford, Missaukee, Lake, Manistee, Mecosta and Osceola counties.
And, one more project not located in northern Michigan, but that will certainly have an impact on the area: the Michigan Rural EMS Network got $35,000 in funding to create a toolkit that rural communities and EMS agencies can use to connect to resources at the national level through the Rural Assistance Center. As part of the funding, the network also will distribute the toolkit through conferences, events and at state and regional meetings.
Writer: Kim Eggleston
Source: Michigan Department of Community Health
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