JULY2019
SOLUTIONS THAT SAVE LIVES
Adam Havey, executive president of business operations at Emergent BioSolutions, is on the front lines of America’s opioid epidemic IN THIS ISSUE • Marijuana is legal, but can your employer stop you from using it? • How Medicaid expansion is leading to fewer heartrelated deaths. • Taking a look into your daily health when factoring in workplace wellness.
Chris Lutzke, in collaboration with Pete Dye, has designed a rolling “links” style championship golf course featuring magnificent shot values on every hole. The replica island green of TPC Sawgrass #17 has been named the “most impressive and literal clone” by Golf Digest. Host of multiple US Open qualifiers, Michigan PGA Professional Championships, Michigan Amateur and JR Amateur as well as the 2020 NCAA Men’s Regional Tournament.
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Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578- 5653 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Talent Investment Agency. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.
JULY 2019 ON THE COVER In the Weeds......................................................................................... 8 Heart Diseases.................................................................................... 10 Coping with a Crisis.......................................................................... 14
Workplace Wellness......................................................................... 20
14 NEWS We Have the Technology...................................................................................................................... 6 Measles Outbreak Under Control................................................................................................... 12
FEATURES Visual Breakdown..................................................................................................................................... 18 Musk vs. The Sec....................................................................................................................................... 22 Behind the Scenes.................................................................................................................................... 24
Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 32, Issue 7 group
Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-3333 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Office: 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2
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COMMENTARY
Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges, jhodges@m3group.biz Editor: Kelly Mazurkiewicz, kelly@m3group.biz Asst. Editor: Mary Gajda, mary@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Carey Jarvis Account Managers:
OPIOIDS ARE EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY America is on drugs. We’ve been told since the ‘80s that we need to “Just Say No.” We haven’t listened and by all appearances, it only seems to get worse by the day. People often think this is another state’s issue, neighboring community’s problem or it happens in someone else’s family.
Megan Fleming
It’s everyone’s problem.
Liz Reno-Hayes
It’s happening in Michigan, and in Lansing … probably just down the street. The issues related to battling addiction, lack of education on the subject and too many overdoses have ruined lives and permeated our society. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States.
Zack Krieger Bruce Ellison Jami Anderson Art Director: Mark Warner Publication Designer: Quandrel Ollie Graphic Designers: Jeanette Wummel Cody Fell Matthew McDaniel Chelsey Freedman Communications Specialists: Alicia Frank Christopher Nagy Rich Adams Adam Lansdell Photographer: Mary Gajda Videographer: Michael Cagney GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Calvin Jones — Government Relations Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Deb Muchmore Consulting — Owner, Deb Muchmore Consulting Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank
• In 2017, around 68% of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths involved an opioid. • In 2017, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was six times higher than in 1999. • On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Running a business is tough, but if you add this crisis it can feel impossible. A recent report by the National Safety Council provides staggering statistics about prescription drug use and its effects on the workplace. According to their findings, employers surveyed have been affected by employees’ prescription drugs use. Nearly 40% of employers have experienced employee absenteeism because of prescription drug use and they also say they are using these drugs at work. That type of behavior impacts job performance. This has become an epidemic that is impacting functioning members of society and our workforce. We are lucky to have local ties to a company that is raising awareness and providing an antidote to opioid overdoses. Emergent BioSolutions, while headquartered in Maryland, has an amazing contingent of professionals that dwell amongst us. Everyone has a story involving the opioid epidemic. Some end well and others don’t. It will take more time and a lot of commitment from organizations to provide the solution that will benefit the masses. The community, our businesses, its leadership and each individual have a responsibility to be a part of the solution. If someone in your office is struggling with drug abuse and you are seeking resources, contact the Rise Recovery Center, located 217 N. Sycamore St. in Lansing by calling (517) 708-8688. Be dynamic in all you do,
Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Supervisor, Charter Township of Lansing
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Tiffany Dowling | Publisher
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REDESIGNING HEALTH CARE. McLaren Greater Lansing is redesigning health care with a new $450 million hospital that will be adjacent to MSU. The campus will house a 240-bed state-of-the-art hospital, cancer center, medical services building, and other facilities to support health care delivery, educational opportunities, and medical research. Learn more at mclaren.org/redesignhealthcare.
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NEWS
‘WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY’ Lansing's Advancements in Medicine BY NICK MCCORMACK Lightbeam collects data from patient’s medical experiences. Say you’re at a cocktail party and your particular clique lands on the topic of “cuttingedge medical technology.” Off the top of your head, what would come to mind? Sleek bionic limbs? Lasers?
Coordinator Jeneen Hinkle. “This technology will revolutionize the ability of physicians and staff at McLaren Greater Lansing to consult with other top-level experts at a moment’s notice.”
For McLaren this means more quickly determining the best course of immediate action when faced with patients who have experienced large vessel occlusion strokes, a critical condition that requires critical timing.
While all of these have their roots in the reallife bleeding edge of medical technology, more often than not simple connectivity is driving innovation in Lansing hospitals. Area hospitals have injected intuitive telecommunication and all-encompassing databases in an effort to keep the process of treating mid-Michigan residents as efficiently as possible.
The InTouch Vici robot consists of a tall white pylon mounted on a dolly, fitted with a drawer for materials, a monitor to display the chosen medical professional’s face and a fully adjustable camera.
Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital is another area facility stepping up its game in the way of patient-physician connectivity. “Three years ago, we implemented Lightbeam’s claims-based software solution at Hayes Green Beach’s facility,” said HGB Chief Integration Officer Patrick Sustrich. “It is unlike more publicized pieces of medical tech in that it’s implications reach our entire Medicare population.”
McLaren of Greater Lansing is currently using a bit of elementary new tech to bring victims of strokes closer to the front line of treatment. “McLaren Greater Lansing is preparing to join the McLaren Tele-Network via Telestroke with the addition of the InTouch Vici robot for use in stroke cases,” said McLaren Greater Lansing Registered Nurse Neuro Program 6
“The InTouch Vici uses an integrated system to share health information instantaneously with a neurointerventionalist, while at the same time streaming two-way audio and video for the physicians and patient to hear and see each other,” said Hinkle. “The compact device can be moved at a moment’s notice, with an equally agile camera system that ensures a neurointerventionalist can see and hear exactly what they would be able to if they were physically in the room with a patient.”
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Lightbeam is essentially a health care database that quickly and easily collects data from any given patient’s medical experiences and allows physicians to generate accurate, actionable insights.
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“It is far more robust than typical EMR (electronic medical record), which is limited in what one can plug into the system, whereas Lightbeam collects everything patients are experiencing through the health care system regardless of where they go or what they do,” Sustrich said. This tech can allow HGB and hospitals like it to keep tabs on patients resulting in a manageable, complete picture of an individual’s current condition. “In the past, health care has been largely reactionary,” said Sustrich. “Patients often sit at home and wait until the need to present themselves to a physician arises. What we are able to do with Lightbeam is identify high-risk patients, individuals with multiple chronic illnesses and diseases, and intervene by getting them into immediate contact with community paramedics, nurses, social workers, etc.” As daunting as it may sound, predictive
medical databases are nothing but a plus to the people of Greater Lansing, as the driving forces of this technology is prevention, a higher quality of care, patient satisfaction and a reduction of health care costs. Lansing’s health care ecosystem is bounding into the future while focusing on what really matters: How well a provider can interact with their patients. With the introduction of some quality fundamental tech solutions, the area can look forward to smoother hospital visits and care that’s two steps ahead of anything that ails them. Nick McCormack is a fourth-year advertising major at Michigan State University and a freelance contributor for the Greater Lansing Business Monthly. He enjoys covering surfacing trends and local innovators. In his free time, he busies himself with good books, scenic hikes and shooting his bow.
The InTouch Vici robot is used in stroke cases.
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IN THE
Weeds
Michigan’s New Marijuana Law Causes Confusion for Employers BY TEECE ARONIN The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) was approved by voters in the Nov. 6 general election. Under the law, adults age 21 and up may possess as much as 2.5 ounces of marijuana. They also may keep up to 12 marijuana plants at their residences. One unintended result of the law is confusion among employers who, for now, must step gingerly around the stones of workplace rights. While the new law does not markedly change the level to which employers must tolerate the use of recreational marijuana by employees, the water has become murky regarding the use of medical marijuana. Among the issues with which employers are grappling is just what constitutes being under the influence, and what should they do when confronted with marijuana consumption on the part of an employee using it to alleviate symptoms of a disability?
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In 2016, a New Jersey man diagnosed with cancer was injured in a work-related car accident. At the emergency room, he disclosed his use of medical marijuana to hospital staff. Even though he was found not at fault in the accident, the hospital disclosed his cannabis use to his employer, who ordered him to take a drug test and subsequently fired him. The bigger picture was more complicated, however, because of New Jersey’s antidiscrimination law, which requires reasonable accommodations for individuals seeking use of medicinal marijuana. Arguments were made that the ability to use medical marijuana in the employee’s off hours at home constitutes a reasonable accommodation. Last March, a New Jersey state appeals court reviewed the man’s case and ruled that New Jersey workers cannot be fired for medicinal marijuana use. Equally confusing is what
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constitutes an employee being “under the influence,” and employers have been urged to watch for observable indicators before taking action. NJ.com quoted attorney Maxine “Mickey” Neuhauser, co-author of an analysis of the state’s decision: “Think about it as you would for a prescription for Vicodin or Xanax or Ambien. You might need to go through the reasonable accommodation analysis for those individuals if you became aware of their use. You have to focus on the employee’s conduct.” She also stressed that for those with disabilities, it’s imperative that employers act on a case-by-case basis. “Under Michigan’s recreational marijuana laws, employers can continue to prohibit or restrict marijuana use in any way they choose,” said Stephen Sinas of Sinas Dramis Law Firm in Lansing. “The reality, however, is that
NEWS
employers may encounter more people in the workforce who, at least to some extent, use marijuana. Therefore, as a practical matter, employers may have to reconsider the specific restrictions or prohibitions they have with regard to marijuana use. It may make sense for employers to implement restrictions based more around when marijuana use directly impairs a person’s ability to safely and effectively perform his or her job, rather than simply around whether a person has traceable marijuana in his or her system.”
David Harns, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, said the Marijuana Regulatory Agency “doesn’t have any say in how the changes in the laws impact employers regarding their responsibilities when it comes to drugtesting employees.” As with any sweeping change in laws affecting the workplace, it might take a while for all involved to grasp every nuance impacting them when it comes to marijuana use, both recreationally and medicinally.
Rashawn Molden Meter Reader
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Teece Aronin is a blogger and columnist. Teece writes a humor/ health and wellness column for the Oakland Press and is the Featured Writer for October at TrueHumor. com. Her artwork is available at the Redbubble.com store, phylliswalter, and Teece seriously considers any request for workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements. Read her blog at ChippedDemitasse.BlogSpot.com, contact her at paronin1@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @ taronin.
CAL 352
NSIN G, MI
“As a meter reader for the Board Water & Light, I watch out for the public. It can be anything, making sure someone with a flat tire is okay, or a grandma that needs help with her groceries. A lot of people gave back to me, coaches, other parents and other families. My mom didn’t have to worry about what I was doing because of my community’s support. So it’s very important for me to be a good role model. That’s what I feel like I’m here for, to help and give back as much as possible.”
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NEWS
HEART DISEASE-RELATED DEATHS DECREASE FOLLOWING EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IN MICHIGAN BY TERESA J. FRITH Fewer U.S. residents are dying due to cardiovascular deaths in counties that have implemented Medicaid expansion vs. nonexpansion states, according to a recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in May. The study followed information between 2010 and 2016 after some states expanded Medicaid enrollment as part of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare.” The research showed that areas of the U.S. that expanded Medicaid had a much lower mortality rate than the states with no expansion, according to Dr. Sameed Khatana, a fellow in cardiovascular disease at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, who coauthored the study. Things like unemployment rates, median household income and the number of 10
cardiologists in the states for each 100,000 people were taken into account when compiling the final data numbers. Michigan’s version of the Medicaid expansion is called the Healthy Michigan Plan, and it went into effect April 1, 2014. According to statistics on michigan.gov, more than 660,000 Michiganders were enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan as of May of this year, which included people not required to be enrolled in a medical plan. Eligibility in this plan depends on things such as household income, family status and disabilities. Exact coverage information can be found online at michigan.gov. Several studies done since this coverage was adopted in Michigan show just how providing medical coverage for many more Michiganders is saving lives in many ways, including those suffering from heart-related problems.
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According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, cardiovascular problems accounted for 25.8% of statewide deaths in 2017. Heart-related issues have continuously been the top cause of deaths in Michigan for several years prior to that date, and it is still the top cause of death in the state. Another study led by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation involving 4,090 participants covered under the Healthy Michigan Plan reported an improvement in their health status during the first two years of participation. Yet another study in 2017 led by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine – which included teams from the University of Michigan, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, the Virginia Cardiac Services
NEWS
Quality Institute, and the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons Quality Collaborative – showed Medicaid expansion in Michigan definitely helped save more lives when it comes to cardiovascular deaths in patients covered by the Medicaid expansion in Michigan vs. noncovered patients in the state of Virginia. Researchers in this study looked at outcomes based on heart surgery quality databases in both states over a three-year time frame in which 18 months were prior to and 18 months were after the Medicaid expansion in Michigan.
While the nonexpansion state of Virginia showed no major changes in patient outcome, among Michigan Medicaid patients the risk of developing a severe complication postoperatively after receiving heart-related services dropped 30% in the months after Michigan expanded its Medicaid program. The final overall numbers in the national study by Khatana and his fellow researchers showed that deaths due to a cardiovascular reason between 2010 and 2016 went up from 141.9 to a mere 142 in states that expanded Medicaid vs. rising from 176.1 to 180.6 in those not expanding Medicaid per 100,000 residents. This shows that less than one death happened on average per 100,000 people in those years
in covered states vs. four deaths per 100,000 in noncovered states. The bottom line is that Medicaid expansion appears to be working in the quest to help save lives both here in Michigan as well as in other states that adopted expanded Medicaid coverage. Teresa Frith is a Navy veteran now residing in Nashville, Mich. She's been writing and editing as a freelancer since retiring from the Navy in 2011, where she was a military journalist. She holds a BA in English from Western Illinois University. Her hobbies include reading, writing and working to help stray and feral cats.
Eaton Rapids
Medical Center The only five-star hospital within 50 miles of Lansing, and one of only 11 in the entire state The rating, given by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is based on as many as 57 different quality measures such as effectiveness of care, efficient use of medical imaging, timeliness, friendliness, safety, cleanliness, and patient satisfaction. Learn more and compare hospitals at medicare.gov/hospitalcompare. We are welcoming new patients! Learn more about our hospital services at www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org. 517.663.2671 • www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org 1500 South Main • Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
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NEWS
MEASLES OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL, BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS REMAIN ON GUARD BY MARK MEYER The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s leading public health institute, reported 1,022 confirmed cases of measles in 28 states through June 28 – the largest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992. According to the CDC, outbreaks in New York City and Rockland County, New York, have continued for nearly eight months. If those outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the U.S. is in jeopardy of losing its measles elimination status. That loss would be a major public health setback inasmuch as the measles elimination goal – first announced in 1966 and accomplished in 2000 – was a monumental task. As of May 31, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed 44 total measles cases statewide. The outbreak, which began in mid-March, included 40 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the city of Detroit. In addition, an international traveler was diagnosed with measles following a visit to Washtenaw County and a second international traveler resulted in a case of measles in St. Clair County in May. Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years; a majority of the cases involve adults.
The CDC continues to work with affected state and local health departments to get ongoing outbreaks under control. “Measles is preventable and the way to end this outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults who can get vaccinated, do get vaccinated. Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe; they do not cause autism. The greater danger is the disease the vaccination prevents,” CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said in a statement. “Your decision to vaccinate will protect your family’s health and your community’s well-being. CDC will continue working with public health responders across our nation to bring this outbreak to an end.” Before widespread use of the measles vaccine, according to the CDC, an estimated 3 to 4 million people contracted measles each year in the U.S., resulting in an estimated 400-500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations.
This is the highest number of measles in Michigan since 1991, when 65 cases were reported.
“We’re not the best in the country, but overall I believe we do a very good job with vaccinations in Michigan,” said Bob Swanson, director of the MDHHS Division of Immunization. “My big concern is the pockets we see around the state where we have communities that do not vaccinate, where there are individuals who question the importance of vaccines, and that leads to larger susceptible populations where you will see the spread of the disease.”
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccinepreventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air.
Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for the Oakland County Health Division, issued a statement the first week in June that said the
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measles outbreak in Oakland County had ended. According to Stafford, the end of the outbreak was reached when two 21-day incubation periods passed without any new cases being discovered. During the outbreak, the county, along with the MDHHS and private organizations, held 17 vaccine clinics and administered 3,300 vaccinations. “We are thankful that this outbreak has ended, and hope it also serves as a reminder of how important getting vaccinated is to prevent future outbreaks,” Stafford said in a statement. Swanson emphasized the importance of knowing the measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95% of children, but after two doses, almost 100% are immune. Typically, the first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is administered between 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between the ages of 4-6 years. Everyone 6 months and older should be protected against measles before traveling internationally. Babies 6-11 months old need one dose of measles vaccine before traveling; all others needs two doses. International travelers unsure of their vaccination status should consult with their health care provider before traveling. The CDC reports an estimated 10 million people are affected by measles annually, resulting in almost 110,000 deaths worldwide. The majority of measles cases that are brought
NEWS
into the United States come from unvaccinated U.S. residents.
How does measles spread?
Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune also will become infected. An infected person also can spread measles to others four days before the rash even develops.
Measles spread easily through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. It is so contagious that anyone who is exposed to it and is not immune will probably get the disease.
What are the symptoms of measles?
“Because we’re seeing huge increases in measles cases, not only in the U.S. but worldwide, every measles case is just a plane ride away from someone in Michigan,” Swanson said. “So it is concerning that if the right person comes in contact with the wrong person, then we’re going to see another outbreak.”
Measles symptoms typically include: • High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees) • Cough • Runny nose • Red, watery eyes • Rash breaks out three to five days after symptoms begin
Mark Meyer is the former sports editor of the Lansing State Journal. He previously served as senior writer at Truscott Rossman and is currently employed at Michigan State University.
WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE #LOVELANSING, MICHIGAN
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COVER
Adam Havey, executive vice president of business operations at Emergent BioSolutions
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COPING WITH A CRISIS Our nation is facing a crisis of epidemic proportions. In the last two decades, the number of opioid-related overdoses has climbed at an alarming rate, turning a national issue into a public health emergency that impacts all races, genders and socioeconomic groups. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), drug overdose deaths involving opioids rose from 8,048 in 1999 to 47,600 in 2017. Among those overdose deaths in 2017, over 17,000 were the result of a prescription opioid overdose. The state of Michigan set a new record for overdose deaths that year with 1,941. Even with the crisis deeply rooted in the Midwest region, it still comes to the surprise of many that opioid addiction can be found in their schools, workplaces or even their very own homes. The first wave of the epidemic occurred as a result of the increase in opioid medications to treat pain in the early 1990s. For thousands of Americans, dependency on these addictive pain medications has led to an increase in heroin and synthetic opioid usage. Local experts working on all sides of the issue say that awareness, prevention and treatment are all key parts of the equation to help save lives. “Of our time right now, it’s probably the leading health crisis,” said Adam Havey, executive vice president of business operations at Emergent BioSolutions. “I think we all have a responsibility to be behind and help solve (the problem).” As the developer of the only anthrax vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Narcan, the brand name of the nasal spray
As the opioid epidemic grows, local frontline experts are combating the problem BY STEFANIE POHL
used to deliver the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone, Emergent BioSolutions is no stranger to combating national health crises.
to maintain that focus and make sure as many people as possible have access to Narcan, our nasal formulation of naloxone.”
“I think we’ve come into this like we’ve come into many emergency situations in the past, like the anthrax situation back in the early 2000s: with an eye to our mission to protect and enhance lives,” Havey said. “We’ve tried
A year ago, Emergent BioSolutions purchased Adapt Pharma, the company that invented and licensed Narcan nasal spray. “The Narcan nasal spray and the formulation is
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the only FDA form of naloxone that is nasally administered,” Havey said. “That is ours and proprietary as an Emergent product.” Havey said the company sees Narcan as a way to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and a key medical countermeasure to help protect and save lives.
Emergent BioSolutions hopes to save lives by expanding access to Narcan, with a specific target on the population of Americans considered at risk of accidental overdose by the CDC. “Of those 33 million Americans that are considered at-risk by the CDC guidelines of accidental overdose, about 21 million are receiving opioids prescribed by a doctor that meet those risk essentials,” Havey said. Emergent BioSolutions works with all of the major retail centers — including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart — to distribute Narcan through a standing order or on a prescription basis. In addition, the company is making Narcan available to community entities such as EMS, police and fire departments.
first-aid kit out there if it is needed is a key component of our mission.”
misconceptions is that people can be cured of addiction.
With 60% of overdoses occurring in front of a witness, friends and family around those who use opioids have the opportunity to intervene in an emergency.
“People should understand that addiction is a chronic brain disease, which means that you are going to be in recovery for the rest of your life,” Scott said. “You’ll be in need of counseling and medication-assisted treatment.”
“If a person was having an overdose event, and someone had naloxone and had been trained, that could save a life,” Havey said. Having the community tuned in to the impacts of this epidemic is crucial, because the negative effects go well beyond addicts themselves. There are many costs associated with the crisis, including the burden on the health care and criminal justice systems. “From a business perspective, one of the important components is the cost in the community,” Havey said. “Lost jobs, lost wages, lost efficiency, lost productivity-I think all of those costs factor into that.”
“If their addiction goes untreated, it could have a devastating effect on their careers and maintaining their families,” Scott said. “Each person has their own needs for treatment and a recovery strategy.”
In addition to the tangible costs, Havey noted there’s an emotional cost: “We can’t as easily put a price tag on that, but that process is just as real as the hard costs of lost jobs and health care expenses.” Larry Scott has served as the director of the Office of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for two years and has over 30 years of experience in the field. His office provides state policy funding and oversight on substance abuse disorder prevention, treatment and recovery to regional entities that are responsible for providing those services to the community. He said one of the most common
Havey anticipates Narcan could be as readily available and administered as other similar emergency solutions, such as an EpiPen or automatic emergency defibrillator. “The key part of this product and problem is you need Narcan nasal spray available at the scene,” he said. “Having it almost as a G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY
In addition to using resources to educate physicians and surgeons on proper prescribing, Scott also is involved with community coalitions to do opioid education and Narcan distribution campaigns. He said that this particular crisis is impacting all groups, races and genders, proving that opioid addiction does not discriminate. Despite the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, Scott noted that something good has come out of it: A number of community coalitions have sprung up across the state, consisting of family members who have dealt with the crisis. “One positive out of this particular crisis is that we’ve had many family members that have become really strong advocates for treatment and prevention of opioid addiction
Building 63, the Emergent BioSolutions main visitor entrance
Havey said raising awareness of the company’s effective antidote in state and local communities is one of their key initiatives. Emergent BioSolutions has several programs aimed at schools, libraries and YMCAs designed to get naloxone out into the community. Havey said it is a common misconception that this is an innercity problem, when in fact it is “an every community problem.”
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He said that while some might not believe in using medication to get off of a drug, it can be the best option to getting someone on the pathway to recovery.
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COVER
and overdose deaths,” Scott said. “Through the grief process, through the education process, through the process of resiliency, they have actually become very effective advocates and tremendous peer support coaches.” One of those coaches is Phil Pavona, founder and vice president of Families Against Narcotics in Ingham County. Pavona and his wife Pat lost their son, Eric, at age 25 to a heroin overdose in 2011. In the years after their son’s death, Pavona has been committed to helping families in similar situations by providing the type of support and resources that weren’t available when it happened to his family.
abuse epidemic, changing the face and stigma of addiction and having an impact on the community. The chapter was instrumental in making sure every police car within 25 miles of Ingham County is equipped with Narcan, something that wasn’t the case when Pavona’s son overdosed. Families Against Narcotics has peer recovery coaches in jails to help addicts who have been arrested. Through its Hope, Not Handcuffs program, nearly 2,800 people have been helped to get into treatment in the last two years.
“We’re helping the community access a whole bunch of things that were almost impossible to access before,” Pavona said. Stefanie Pohl earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Michigan State University and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a freelance writer raising her two young daughters with her Spartan sweetheart. Find her musings about motherhood and more on her blog, www.mostefinitely.com. Stefanie has been spelling out her name since 1985.
“When you have an addict in your home, once the disease of addiction hits, it’s terrible,” Pavona said. “These are good kids from good families, but they’re doing horrible things. They’ll say, ‘We never could imagine it could happen to us.’”
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Many of the people Pavona works with were legitimately put on prescription medications before it got out of control. He said that people often delay seeking help because of the stigma attached to addiction, as well as the belief they can get through it alone.
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“So often, they’ve had such success in their life that they have this misconception that they can get themselves clean,” he said. “I’ve never met a heroin addict who can do this on their own.” Pavona said most of the families he works with involve young people in their mid- to late 20s or 30s – “You name a profession, I have one of their kids. Doctors, pastors, therapists, plumbers” – and come from suburban or rural backgrounds. Over 90% of the heroin addicts he works with began their addiction through prolonged prescription drug abuse, transitioning from expensive pills to what was cheaper and more readily available. “When you have that in your own home, it’s so much chaos,” Pavona said. “There’s nothing worse. It’s the first thing you worry about when you wake up and when you go to bed.” His son’s addiction took a financial and emotional toll, and the couple quickly realized the lack of resources available to families coping with addiction. Pavona founded the Ingham County chapter of Families Against Narcotics, providing local families like his with information and support.
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The organization’s primary goals are raising awareness of the prescription opiate drug L
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VISUAL BREAKDOWN
LESS STRESS BRINGS OUT YOUR BEST BY MARY GAJDA Everybody has stress, especially in the workplace. There’s nothing worse than having a long to-do list and getting sick on top of it. Studies have shown that chronic stress can physically take a toll on your body, leading to an increase in the likelihood of getting sick. To combat this, companies have come up with stressrelieving exercises in the workplace.
SOME EMPLOYERS PROVIDE REST AND RELAXATION FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES TO JUST TAKE A BREAK AND UNWIND OR TO STRETCH THEIR STRESS AWAY.
AIRBNB PROVIDES FREE YOGA CLASSES FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.
APPLE ALLOWS 30 MINUTES A DAY FOR EMPLOYEES TO MEDITATE.
NIKE OFFERS ACCESS TO RELAXATION ROOMS.
COMPANIES WILL ADD SPORTS AND GAMES THAT TAKE EMPLOYEES’ MINDS OFF WORK, ENCOURAGING THEM TO GET ACTIVE AND SPEND TIME WITH CO-WORKERS.
DROPBOX PROVIDES PINGPONG TABLES.
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A GOOGLE OFFICE SPORTS A BOWLING ALLEY AND A BASKETBALL COURT.
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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY HAS AN INDOOR ROCKCLIMBING WALL.
OTHER COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN A MORE DIRECT APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THE MENTAL TOLL THAT STRESS BRINGS BY HELPING EMPLOYEES IN NEED WHILE SPREADING AWARENESS.
ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP THEM COPE WITH THAT STRESS.
ACCESS TO THERAPISTS, SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER EXTERNAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
HAVING AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY, WHERE YOUR WORKERS CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT ANYTHING WITHOUT BEING JUDGED, CRITICIZED OR REPRIMANDED, CAN HELP CULTIVATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF MUTUAL APPRECIATION.
A FEW COMPANIES TAKE THIS TO THE EXTREME BY GETTING THEIR EMPLOYEES OUT OF THE OFFICE, FINANCING TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES AND EVEN PAYING FOR A PORTION OF AN EMPLOYEE’S VACATION.
BAMBOOHR THOROUGHLY BELIEVES IN THE POWER AND BENEFIT OF TRAVEL SO MUCH THAT IT HELPS PAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES’ VACATIONS. BAMBOOHR FRONTS THE COST FOR PLANE TICKETS, HOTEL ROOMS AND OTHER TRAVEL EXPENSES UP TO $2,000.
NOMATIC FOCUSES ON OUTOF-OFFICE TEAM-BUILDING EXPERIENCES. IN 2018 EMPLOYEES WENT MOUNTAIN BIKING, SNOW SKIING, INDOOR SKYDIVING, SURFING, ROCK CLIMBING AND ATTENDED A LOCAL BASKETBALL GAME.
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FEATURE
WORKPLACE WELLNESS INCREASES ACTIVITY BUT NOT HEALTH CARE COSTS BY MARK MEYER With June’s designation as National Employee Wellness Month officially in the rearview mirror, and more employers turning to workplace wellness programs to improve workers’ health and save on health care costs, a new study shows program results to be slightly less than healthy. The study, published in the April edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association — the first large-scale, randomized clinical trial examining the causal health effects of the employee programs — found that workplace wellness participants exercise more, actively manage their weight and have other healthier behaviors than their peers outside of the programs. However, they don’t have lower body-mass index, blood pressure or cholesterol, according to the analysis. The study also found the programs did not reduce health care spending or utilization of health care services. In a recent article in Modern Healthcare, study co-author Dr. Zirui Song, assistant professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School, said: “These findings suggest that employers who may be thinking about investing in workplace wellness programs or people who manage public dollars that might be interested in workplace wellness programs perhaps should temper their expectations of such programs to generate a large return on investment in the short run.” Another study from Song and Dr. Katherine Baicker, dean of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, found that medical costs were reduced by $3.27 for
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every $1 spent on wellness programs. Costs associated with absenteeism fell by $2.73 for each dollar spent.
any area of their work or personal life to get confidential support when they need it the most.
In 2018, 82% of large firms and 53% of small employers across the country offered a wellness program, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: A zerocost benefit that gives employees more worklife balance is a huge perk for many workers, especially those who are caring for others or raising kids.
With those numbers in mind, Corporate Wellness Magazine compiled a list of low-cost employee wellness program ideas for any workplace: ON-SITE WELLNESS SERVICES: Chair massages, meditation sessions, yoga instruction and acupuncture. Set aside a special area where employees can sign up for weekly sessions at reduced costs. FREE HEALTHY SNACKS: Employee break areas and meeting rooms should be stocked with plenty of healthy low-fat snacks instead of salty or sugary ones. WALK/BIKE PATHS: Designate an area of the company property for lunchtime walks. Hand out pedometers to employees so they can track their movement and maybe a selection of bikes for employees to enjoy on their breaks. DESTRESS ZONES: Every office needs at least one “safe” area where employees can cry, vent or decompress after a particularly difficult day without the embarrassment of creating a scene in front of peers. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: These very low-cost programs give employees the ability to call a caring counselor about
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CORPORATE HEALTH DISCOUNTS: There are many ways to pass corporate health discounts down to employees for local gyms, YMCAs and health product vendors. COOKING CLASSES: Local restaurants and universities often have professional chefs willing to conduct a cooking class for your employees. WELLNESS TECHNOLOGY: There are many free and low-cost wellness apps and web tools for managing weight, blood pressure, diabetes, stress, smoking cessation and more, so be sure to provide access to these to your employees. Food co-op: Partner with farmers and produce groups to bring in healthy fruits and veggies as part of a companywide food co-op program at least once a month. Give employees the chance to buy these foods at a greatly reduced group rate. Mark Meyer is the former sports editor of the Lansing State Journal. He previously served as senior writer at Truscott Rossman and is currently employed at Michigan State University.
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FEATURE
MUSK VS. THE SEC How Tweets Impact Stocks BY ALLISON SPOONER The stock market is already a volatile environment. Extreme rises and falls can mean trouble for investors and often the economy – and sometimes it takes less than 280 characters to cause chaos in the market. While currently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allows public companies to use Facebook and Twitter to make announcements as long as investors have been alerted to which to social medic channels will be used as long as the information is truthful, Elon Musk, former CEO of Tesla, could cause these rules to change. Musk has sent the investment world into a whirlwind of confusion multiple times using only his Twitter account. In multiple tweets regarding the state of his car company, it was the “truthful” part of the SEC rules that landed Musk in hot water.
Among Musk’s tweets: “Shareholders could either to (sic) sell at 420 or hold shares & go private.” In response, the SEC lodged a complaint against Musk, claiming he falsely indicated that it was virtually certain he could take Tesla private at a purchase price that reflected a substantial premium over Tesla stock’s then-current share price and funding for this multibillion-dollar transaction had been secured. The truth was that Musk had not confirmed or discussed key deal terms or pricing with any funding source. These SEC rules are in place for a reason, and when they are broken there can be consequences for both the subject of the tweets and investors. According to Sara J. Frank-Hepfer, vice president of Financial Technology Inc., “The SEC has a mandate to protect investors. They want all securities-
First National Bank of Michigan seeds landscaper’s continued success. “Jennifer Marsh at First National Bank of Michigan made me and my business a priority, she understands and supports every aspect of my business, and her communication is second to none.”
Pictured left: Jennifer Marsh, FNBM Pictured right: Brian Stiles, owner, Stiles Landscape
-Brian Stiles, Owner Stiles Landscape
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related public communications to be truthful. Misleading information can lead investors to make decisions that may not be in their best interest.” Musk took things a step further in April, despite past run-ins with the SEC, by lying on Twitter in order to play an April Fool’s joke. He tweeted that Tesla was bankrupt. Investors weren’t laughing when shares closed down 5.1% the following day after falling as much as 8.1%. Then, Musk tweeted that a Tesla reorganization was underway, causing shares to rise. Now, Musk and the SEC are locked in negotiations regarding keeping Musk’s tweeting under control. Besides a fluctuating stock market, what types of implications could misleading tweets (or posts) have for public companies like Tesla? Lansing has several publicly traded companies, including General Motors, Neogen Corp. and Emergent BioSolutions. According to FrankHepfer, an employee tweeting about the state of a company may have different information than an official company statement would provide. “Publicly traded companies provide guidance in accordance with SEC rules and regulations to ensure that investors are getting good information on which to base their decisions,” said Frank-Hepfer. This information came into play in Lansing in 2008 just before General Motors declared bankruptcy. Frank-Hepfer said that “several people were trying to buy GM stock thinking that their investment could save the company, while most people were discouraged from making a bad investment by brokers. If the official company statements mirrored what local employees were saying, losses could have been exponentially more. The company would have compounded their debt by becoming legally liable for having made false and misleading statements to the public.” While Musk and the SEC have not reached an agreement, this behavior may be a good indication that social media is not the right platform to talk about the financial state of public companies. L
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Certifying Professionals Through Continued Education
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BY KERRY HART
THE AMERICAN BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Bringing the Gold Standard in Emergency Care to Lansing
A conversation with American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Executive Director Earl J. Reisdorff.
WHAT IS ABEM AND WHAT IS ITS MISSION? ABEM is the premier national medical specialty board that certifies emergency physicians who meet its educational, professional standing and examination standards. ABEM’s mission is to ensure the highest standards in the specialty of emergency medicine. ABEM is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the umbrella organization for the 24 recognized medical specialties.
WHAT SPARKED THE IDEA FOR ABEM AND HOW DID IT GET STARTED? In the early 1960s, the public began to demand improved quality of care in emergency departments. In response, hospitals developed full-time emergency services. As a result, a number of physicians began developing the training and practice of emergency medicine. To support this growing physician group, new organizations formed, such as the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), which was located in Lansing. In the early 1970s, ACEP began the arduous process of setting forth the standards for credentials and certification in emergency medicine, which involved developing training requirements for residency programs and eligibility requirements for physicians who wished to sit for the examinations.
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Director Earl J. Reisdorff.
As a result, in 1976 ABEM was incorporated to become the certifying board for emergency medicine. In 1979, the American Board of Medical Specialties approved emergency medicine as the 23rd medical specialty. The fact that ACEP began here means that Lansing is the birthplace of organized emergency medicine.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE CERTIFIED BY ABEM AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? To become certified by ABEM, a physician must complete an accredited emergency medicine residency program; pass both a secure high-stakes, multiple choice examination and an oral examination; and have a medical license that meets ABEM policy. One benefit is greater job opportunities, as board certification is among the requirements to practice at many hospitals. In addition, ABEM-certified physicians have the opportunity to certify in 14 subspecialties, such as emergency medical services and pediatric emergency medicine. Second, board certification indicates that a physician is a recognized specialist in emergency medicine, which is a source of professional pride.
HOW DOES ABEM ESTABLISH A HIGHER LEVEL OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE? ABEM certification is the “gold standard” in board certification. The requirements for ABEM certification and continuing certification help to ensure the public that if they are treated by an ABEM-certified physician, they will get the best quality care
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available. ABEM certification and continuing certification are recognized as a higher standard in emergency care.
HOW DOES ABEM CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER LANSING COMMUNITY? In addition to providing good jobs and paying state and local taxes, ABEM staff regularly hold internal fundraising events to benefit local charities. Among past recipients are Small Talk, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center, East Lansing Public Library, a pediatric emergency medicine unit, a local hospice program and a Lansing elementary school.
WHAT DOES ABEM LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE? Currently, we are developing a new type of testing format that will move away from an assessment of learning toward an assessment for learning. Learning will be measured as change in knowledge over time, acquiring and mastering knowledge (including new advances in the specialty), and the application of actionable knowledge. By rapidly identifying and assessing physicians on emerging diseases and treatments, ABEM will radically transform knowledge translation for the specialty.
Kerry Hart is a couple and family therapist with a private practice in East Lansing. The only thing she loves more than saving relationships is writing about them. See more of her musings at kerryhartcounseling.com
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LEGISLATIVE
GOING PRO TALENT FUND HELPS LANSING REGION BUSINESSES CLOSE SKILLS GAP BY: STEVE JAPINGA
Resounding Golf Clap Please... As we thank our 2019 Sparrow Health Classic sponsors and golfers, whose support is an investment in the health of our region.
Presenting Sponsor SEI Investments Platinum Sponsors Beecher Carlson/Axia Strategies Sentinel Technologies/ Cisco Systems Cart Sponsor Client Financial Services 19th Hole Dinner & Awards Sponsor Dewpoint Lunch Sponsor Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook Flag Sponsors Jessica Artibee Agency, Inc. – Farm Bureau Insurance Gunthorpe Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Beverage Cart Sponsor First National Bank of Michigan
Gold Sponsors AdvisaCare Comprehensive Pharmacy Services Foresight Group International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 324 Lansing Sanitary Supply Lumeris Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company Michigan Orthopedic Center Milliman Plante Moran Townsquare Trimedx Driving Range Sponsor River Caddis Development, LLC Putting Contest Sponsor Dimondale Nursing Care Center
And many other generous friends... For the complete list of sponsors, visit SparrowFoundation.org/HealthClassic
Overwhelmingly, businesses in the Lansing region are struggling to attract, develop and retain talent. In fact, 68% of Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce members listed talent as the top issue facing their business in the chamber’s 2018 member survey. When chamber staff broke down that 68%, one of the significant areas of concern to businesses as it pertains to talent are the challenges combating the skilled workers shortage, and we are seeing this same message throughout the state. By 2026, there will be 545,000 jobs open in Michigan that require levels of specialized or skilled training. Our current talent pools don’t have nearly enough skilled workers to fill open jobs. Regrettably, there is not a silver bullet for this dilemma; however, there are a number of proactive steps being taken to close the skills gap. One program that has already produced success is the Going PRO Talent Fund. Going PRO, formally known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, was created to assist employers in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Businesses of all sizes have been utilizing the program since its inception and are seeing real results. In Greater Lansing, businesses are enhancing their workforces and combating the skilled
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LEGISLATIVE
Motors, Bekum America Corp., Cameron Tool Corp., Dart Bank, Hospice of Lansing, KTM Industries, Neogen, Niowave, Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center – URA, Peckham Diversified, Piper & Gold Public Relations, Sparrow Health System and Triterra.
workers shortage by utilizing more than $1.5 million awarded through the Going PRO Talent Fund to train employees to gain specialized skills. The state of Michigan Talent Investment Agency distributes the funds to Lansing businesses through Capital Area Michigan Works! Of the $1.5 million awarded to Lansing-area businesses, $825,137 of it went to 15 Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce members: Peckham Inc., Dowding Industries, Spartan
We are encouraged by the early success of the Going PRO campaign and that local area businesses are taking advantage of this program to hire individuals who are ready to learn and ready to work. In addition, we appreciate the great partnerships we have with our regional chambers of commerce across Michigan, as well as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature for placing such a strong emphasis on cultivating and retaining talent. They are helping to provide the resources businesses need to continue to grow and thrive.Could your business utilize the Going PRO Trust Fund? Amanda Fischer, communication, policy and talent manager for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, leads talent development efforts. If you have questions on talent and workforce development in the Lansing region or would like to be added to our list for more information on Going
PRO funding, contact Fischer at afischer@ lansingchamber.org or Capital Area Michigan Works! at (517) 492-5500. For more information on the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit camw.org/employers/findtraining-grants.
Steve Japinga is Director of Government Relations for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for developing and managing the Chamber’s policy priorities as well as monitoring local, state, and federal issues that may impact the business community and the Greater Lansing region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives in Lansing with his wife Katherine and dogs, Charlie and George.
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BUSINESS CALENDAR
JULY 2019 JULY
2,18, 11,23,17, July 2, 11, 17, 25,18, 31 23, 25, 31 CONCUR USER TRAINING, EAST LANSING The Travel at State Project team offers bi-weekly half-day training sessions in a computer lab. These sessions are strictly for Colleges/MAUs that have been invited to or have completed implementation of Concur (Request and Expense). Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Visit Eventbrite for more information about this event. July 10
JULY 10
WLAM MID-MICHIGAN ANNUAL DINNER, BATH Join the Women Lawyer’s Association of Michigan for a plated dinner, cash bar and more. This event is a celebration of another year of women lawyers in the capital area and all they have achieved and contributed in
local communities. All those attending must purchase a ticket and select a meal option. If you do not make a selection, you will be defaulted to the vegetarian pasta option. Visit Eventbrite for more information about this event. July 18
JULY 18
industries. This free quarterly networking series will feature prominent industries in the area. Enjoy complimentary food and refreshments, music, and cash bar. For more information, contact Ashlee Willis at Events@ MichiganPremierEvents.com. July 24
JULY 24
THE DRINKING LUNCH, LANSING
CITY2SHORE DISCOVERY DAY, LANSING
There was a time when it was expected that you’d have a few at your business lunch, and then it vanished. The Drinking Lunch is proud to be bringing back the afternoon libation, without the judgment. Bring your business cards and raise a toast to The Drinking Lunch. Visit TheDrinkingLunch.com for more details.
City2Shore Real Estate has experienced rapid growth over the past few years and is searching for more Realtors and brokers to grow with the agency. Learn how it got started, its approach to the real estate business and how it reaches success. You will also get an in-depth look at its proprietary systems, learn about its agent recruitment and retention programs, and more. Visit Eventbrite for more information about this event.
July 23
JULY 23
COLLABORATE LANSING, LANSING Expand and diversify your network in Lansing by collaborating with various
LYMAN & SHEETS
July 25
JULY 25
FBN SUMMER CLINIC, MASON Farmers Business Network Summer Clinics are open to anyone, so bring a friend, family member or neighbor. See how easy it is to turn your farm's data into real value for your operation. Cameras and recording devices will be out to capture the big event. Your attendance is consent to our commercial use for any purpose of any photos, recordings, or likenesses of you taken at the event. Visit fbn. com for more details. July 30
JULY 30
GRUB CRAWL IN REO TOWN, LANSING The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Grub Crawl is a food- and drink-sampling tour of various areas around Lansing. Host restaurants and food trucks offer specialty appetizer samples and discounted drink specials to purchase. This celebration of food and drink is a great opportunity to support the local community and grow awareness for the restaurants and food trucks in the Greater Lansing area. Use this event to get together with friends for a night out or to provide a bonding opportunity for your corporate team. Visit the chamber website for more details.
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Taking care of business means taking care of the people who make it run. Local. Personal. Flexible.
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NOTABLE NEWS
MORGENSTERN NAMED CTR PRINCIPAL Clark Trombley Randers Consulting Engineers announced Scott Morgenstern was named as a principal in the firm. Morgenstern, Scott Morgenstern a licensed mechanical engineer, has over 24 years of experience in the design of mechanical systems and provides project management and technical leadership in the Grand Rapids office. CTR has been providing mechanical and electrical engineering and design services to architects and building owners for facilities of all types since 1961. CTR currently has offices in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
13070 S. U.S. 27 in DeWitt. Owners Nathan and Cori Wycihowski opened their first store in Okemos in March 2018 and are looking forward to a location in Dewitt. “The space, formerly occupied by a frozen yogurt shop, was the perfect layout for us. Crossroads Center has a great mix of tenants that complement our business, and the location on U.S. 27 will be very convenient to our customers” said Nathan Wycihowski. Amy Richter Perkins of Martin Commercial represented the landlord, Paul Fata & Sons LLC, in securing a new lease less than three months after the previous tenants closed their business. “Amy was diligent in helping us fill this space with the right tenant so quickly,” said Larry Fata. “The Martin Commercial team is always great to work with and is extremely professional.”
SMALLCAKES CUPCAKERY & CREAMERY TO OPEN IN DEWITT
BIG RAPIDS DENTIST NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE MICHIGAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery will join Subway, Great Clips, Little Caesars, Verizon Wireless and others at the Crossroads Center
Dr. Margaret Gingrich has been appointed president of the 5,900-member Michigan Dental Association (MDA). Gingrich will
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One Choice
serve as president during the MDA’s 20192020 administrative year. As the MDA’s fifth female president, Gingrich has been an active member and dedicated volunteer with the Michigan Dental Dr. Margaret Gingrich Association and organized dentistry for the past 15 years. Gingrich joined the MDA board of trustees in 2015 and became president-elect in 2018. Gingrich’s professional affiliations include the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Gingrich’s volunteer activities include 10 years of international dental mission work, serving as dental director for the Special Olympics Special Smile state games, as a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross and a fourtime participant of the MDA Foundation Mission of Mercy program – twice serving as assistant dental chair and serving as local lead in 2014.
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NOTABLE NEWS
BURNETT JOINS TRITERRA Mariah Burnett, previously an intern for Triterra, has joined the Triterra team Mariah Burnett as a geologist. Burnett holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geological sciences and a professional geographic informations certificate from Michigan State University. Burnett’s work at Triterra will primarily focus on contaminant investigation and remediation projects along with aiding on environmental due diligence projects. Her responsibilities include coordinating field work, communicating with subcontractors, completing subsurface investigations, overseeing remediation work and preparing technical reports.
SPARROW RECOGNIZES NURSES OF THE YEAR Five Sparrow Hospital nurses were given special recognition for their quality, compassionate care and service as part of activities celebrating National Nurses Week.
Sparrow Hospital Nurse of the Year Cyndi Dupuis (center) accepts her award from Dee Ann Soper, manager of the float pool, and Jeanne Bishop, director of nursing operations.
Cyndi Dupuis, a critical care float nurse, was named Nurse of the Year after being lauded for her education, training, empathy and compassion toward her patients. Others receiving special honors at Sparrow Hospital were:
• Elizabeth Anderson, clinical nurse specialist, nursing education: Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year • Justen Waiter, cardiac progressive unit: Charge Nurse of the Year • Erin Gilbert-Eyres, labor and delivery, and Amanda Tanner, cardiac stepdown: Preceptor of the Year Sparrow’s Pain Resource Committee and the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nursing teams were recognized with Nursing Excellence awards. Sparrow Carson Hospital honored Kelsie Smith, a medical/surgical nurse, as its Nurse of the Year. The Sparrow Ionia Hospital named Kathy Raby, who provides care to patients in the oncology/ hematology center, as its Nurse of the Year. BERGMANN WELCOMES ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER Paul Schneider has joined national architecture, engineering and planning firm Bergmann as an assistant project manager in the firm’s Lansing office. Schneider will provide support for various regional and statewide projects.
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Schneider specializes in both the creative elements of architectural project management– imaginative schematic solutions, Paul Schneider refined design development, freehand ideation abilities and more – and the managerial aspects such as production and oversight of documents and drawings, consultant/vendor coordination, and client liaison abilities. His experience ranges across many categories, including academic and financial institutions, multifamily housing, senior housing, health care facilities and municipal buildings, among others. “Paul has overseen numerous high-profile projects across Michigan and beyond in his more than 25 years’ experience in architectural design,” said Jeff Ledy, vice president of Midwest buildings for Bergmann. “His diverse knowledge and skills will benefit our teams and clients.”
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Most recently, Schneider served as senior architectural designer at Paradigm Design. INGHAM TO PARTICIPATE IN INITIATIVE TO EXPAND OPIOID TREATMENT IN JAILS Ingham County announced it has been selected to participate in a national program to expand medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in jails. The county will receive expert guidance on how to overcome barriers to providing opioid treatment and scholarships for staff members to attend trainings in Washington, D.C. Experts will work with jail officials to create treatment guidelines, manage administration of the medications and educate jail staff about addiction. The Ingham County team includes six people representing the Ingham County Health Department; the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department; the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office; the 55th District Court-Probation and Treatment Courts Division; and Community Mental Health of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties.
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“With the expertise, dedication and resources of the Ingham County team, I know we will bring home and implement real change to improve the health of inmates and those released back into the community,” said Linda S. Vail, Ingham County health officer. SALE OF FORMER LANSING SCHOOL FINALIZED Martin Commercial Properties announced the sale of a 30,421-square-foot school building at 1030 S. Holmes St. in Lansing. Jeff Ridenour of Martin Commercial represented the sellers, a partnership that includes Verlinde Construction Inc., Jo-Buck Electric LLC and Capital Steel & Builders Supply Inc. “We could not have been more excited to sell the property and to see its redevelopment,” explained a spokesman for the locally based owners. “Martin Commercial and Jeff handled all of the details of the sales process very professionally.” The building will be repurposed from a former Lansing school building into a multi-family apartment complex located a half-mile from the Interstate 496/Pennsylvania Avenue interchange.
NOTABLE NEWS
LEPFA TAKES THE REINS ON SILVER BELLS IN THE CITY The Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) will be coordinating the 35th annual Silver Bells in the City this year, having been under the direction of Downtown Lansing Inc. over the past eight years. The much-anticipated start of the holiday season in Greater Lansing will take place with a Nov. 22 event in downtown Lansing this year. Mindy Biladeau, formerly executive director for Downtown Lansing Inc. and coordinator of Silver Bells in the City, will be joining LEPFA as the director of special events.
Luginbill, of Dimondale, is a family medicine physician who works for Sparrow Medical Group Lansing and has attended over 2,000 births. A graduate of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he was honored as Physician of the Year for 2014-2015 by the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Kristin Bredin, medical director of Sparrow Hospice and Palliative Care, received the Sparrow Physician Leadership Award. They
were honored during the recent Sparrow Physician Recognition Dinner at the University Club of Michigan State University along with five others inducted into Sparrow’s Physicians Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include: • Dr. Michael Andary • Dr. Ellen Cavenagh Meadows, a pediatric radiologist who led initiatives
“We know how important Silver Bells in the City has become to residents and guests in the Great Lansing region. The annual celebration that takes place downtown has become an integral part of the holiday tradition for countless families,” said Scott Keith, president and CEO of LEPFA. “We are determined to build upon the solid foundation the city and Downtown Lansing Inc. have created to continue to raise Silver Bells in the City to new levels of fun, creativity and festivity.” MORROW ROOFING ANNOUNCES MERGE Morrow Roofing Inc. is merging with Weather Shield Roofing Systems Inc. in Ken McNulty Grand Rapids. “Better together. That’s our vision for our merger with Weather Shield. We will have a new ability to provide our clients with even better service and better pricing,” said Morrow Roofing President Ken McNulty. “We will be stronger and more capable while still remaining agile enough to serve the roofing needs of our clients with the same professionalism, integrity and responsiveness that they have been accustomed to. We are thankful for the continued trust placed in us by our clients as we join Weather Shield and look forward to serving them.” SPARROW NAMES PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR, INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS TO HALL OF FAME Lansing native Dr. David Luginbill is Sparrow’s 2019 Physician of the Year. L
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to enhance safety for the hospital’s smallest and youngest patients. • Dr. Howard Chang, a neuropathologist at Sparrow Hospital. • Dr. Robert Darios, a faculty physician with Sparrow/MSU Family Medicine Residency who began a residency training site that would eventually evolve into Sparrow Medical Group. • Dr. Martin Schoenmaker, an OB/ GYN who taught medical residents and students and guided many local women during the birth of their children. MASON STUDENTS AWARDED 2019 “AGGIE” CORNER SCHOLARSHIPS Two Mason High School students, Olivia Beeney and Jayden Hartsuff, were awarded the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce’s Agnes “Aggie” Corner Scholarships for community volunteerism in May. Mike Waltz, MACC president, presented the scholarships at the Mason High School awards ceremony. Both students live in the Mason area and were awarded $500 each for their focus on both education and community volunteerism.
Beeney has volunteered at Turning Point Donkey Rescue for many years and volunteers with the Ingham County Animal Shelter. She is interested in pursuing a certificate in horse management at Michigan State University with an internship at an equine facility. Hartsuff has worked and studied in the culinary arts field and volunteers as an assistant volleyball coach at Mason Middle School. She also has volunteered with the Ingham County Animal Shelter. When she goes to Lansing Community College in August, her goal is to become an elementary school teacher and coach volleyball. A portion of the net proceeds of the annual MACC Golf Classic goes toward funding the chamber’s longtime $500 scholarship program, which now assists two students a year. In 2008, the scholarship was named by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce to honor the memory of Aggie Corner, a prominent community volunteer. The 46th annual MACC Golf Classic, presented by Oracle Financial Solutions and sponsored by many other chamber members, will be held this year Thursday, July 25, at Eldorado Golf Course.
JAMES MADISON STUDENT JOINS LANSING PR FIRM Lezotte Miller Inc. has announced that Joseph Perry of Joe Perry Farmington Hills, an undergraduate student in the Michigan State University James Madison Program for Public Affairs and Public Policy, has joined the company as a project assistant intern for the summer semester. Perry conducts research on statewide issues, develops news releases and articles, and tracks media coverage for clients. “Every person in this office has a different set of skills and comprehension for public relations,” Perry said. “I plan to gain experience that will build my career in public relations.” Perry, a graduate of Farmington High School, is on track to graduate in May 2020, with an undergraduate degree in social relations and policy and international relations.
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CASH RECEIVES HONOR FROM THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics board of directors has Stella Cash selected Stella Cash to receive the academy’s 2019 Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award. The award is the highest honor the academy presents to a member. It was awarded to Cash in recognition of her distinguished career and the many contributions she has made to the academy, its foundation, and the nutrition and dietetics profession. Cash currently serves as a senior advisor to the president and provost of international engagement at MSU. “The Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, which is the most prestigious honor of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was first presented in 1945. Since its inception, the academy has grown to a membership of over 100,000, with only one recipient of the Copher award annually,” said Cash. “My nontraditional
career in dietetics has centered on dietetic majors at MSU, serving as a consultant for companies such as Kellogg, and connecting people in this community through my work at Sparrow Health System, my service on numerous boards and contacts around the world.” The Copher Award will be presented at the 2019 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo on Oct. 26, in Philadelphia. DAVIS WINS RECOGNITION FROM AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINAL LAW ATTORNEYS
What if you could educate yourself and inspire others by learning about area history, getting the inside scoop on new offerings coming to town and surrounding yourself with positive people looking to make a difference? What if you could personally have a hand in creating a positive visitor experience? These are the goals of the Greater Lansing Certified Tourism Ambassador Program. The regional program is part of an international program consisting of over 17,000 active global CTAs, but it is the first in the state of Michigan to offer this one-of-a-kind training and invitation into a community of residents who want to be in-the-know themselves as
“I’m honored to receive this award of the 10 Best Estate Planning Attorneys for Client Satisfaction “said Davis. “I’m grateful to be recognized by such a prestigious organization for my work.” MERCANTILE BANK ANNOUNCES STAFF APPOINTMENT
Jack C. Davis of Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Jack Davis Gotting PC has been awarded recognition in the 2018-2019 10 Best Estate Planning Attorneys for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of Legal Counsel Attorneys.
Mercantile Bank of Michigan has announced the appointment of Amy McNamara Amy McNamara as vice president, commercial lender to its Lansing commercial lending team.
As part of the firm’s business transactions, real estate, business entities and tax law
McNamara will serve business clients in the Greater Lansing area by helping them
LOVE LANSING? BECOME A CTA TODAY! Do you #LoveLansing? The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is challenging you to do more than just smile and nod. We want you to help us welcome others, and in some cases convert others – whether they are visitors or residents who simply aren’t feeling the love.
departments, Davis manages a large client base, providing expert legal counsel to business clients. He also practices in the area of sports and entertainment law. He has served on several international delegations to advise government leaders on trade and international tax matters for the development of a freemarket economy.
By Brendan Dwyer
well as informative and helpful to countless others. Launched in 2010, over 1,600 area residents have taken the one-time, four-hour class for the low cost of $20 and have come away with a brand-new perspective in addition to the well-known professional designation of CTA. During the year, there are numerous CTA functions at area attractions where the education and fun networking opportunities continue. “As a CTA facilitator my favorite thing is watching attitudes change during the class,” said Kristina Kauffman, events and CTA program manager for the GLCVB. “People learn new things, make contacts with other classmates and I see the birth of inspiration for new business ideas, partnerships and a whole new way of looking at Greater Lansing.”
is a healthy 58%, the Greater Lansing renewal rate is an unprecedented 77%, the No. 3 best renewal rate for the global program. “Now in its ninth year, I can tell the program has more recognition locally,” continued Kauffman. “More and more area residents are taking the initiative to step up and stand out and be that smiling face with all the great local information.” Find the date and location of the next local class at lansing.org/cta.
Brendan Dwyer is the Manager of Marketing Communications with the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Statistics back up Kauffman’s assessment of the program. While the international renewal rate for CTAs (you take the class just once but renew your designation annually)
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accelerate receivables, improve payables, project cash flow, and obtain financing to support growth and operations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Walsh College of Business and brings over 25 years of banking and commercial finance experience to her new role. She also has formal credit training and specializes in the health care and nonprofit industries. McNamara has held positions as committee member of ATHENA WIN, board member of the Capital Area Humane Society, treasurer of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network and committee member of the Small Business Advisory Council. CASE CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS CASE Credit Union has announced the following executive hires and promotions:
union executive for more than 20 years, overseeing the accounting, branch operations, technology, business development and marketing departments. Corrie Jameson has been promoted to assistant vice president of internal audit. Jameson, who came to CASE Credit Union on Oct. 12, 2018, previously served as internal auditor. Derek McKerr has been promoted to the position of assistant vice president of compliance. McKerr, who joined CASE Credit Union on March 26, 2018, most recently served as the compliance officer. Rachel Singleton has been promoted to vice president of operations and resolutions, having most recently served as CASE Credit Union’s assistance vice president of resolutions.
Laura Hosey has been named vice president of lending, a position in which she will oversee consumer, mortgage and business lending. Bryanna Benoit has been named vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Benoit, who joined CASE Credit Union on Feb. 25 of this year, has been a credit
MSUFCU RECOGNIZED AS A 2019 WEST MICHIGAN BEST AND BRIGHTEST Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) announced
it received the West Michigan Best and Brightest Companies to Work For award for the seventh year. “As an organization, MSUFCU is dedicated to maintaining a positive work environment,” said Silvia Dimma, MSUFCU’s chief human resources officer. “We strive to provide our employees with the resources they need to be successful in their personal and professional lives. By investing in our employees, we are investing in their futures, as well as the futures of our members, the Credit Union, and our community.” Those honored as a one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For were assessed based on survey feedback conducted by an independent research firm. Assessments were based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition and retention. MSUFCU received the award in the Elite category in 2012 for Compensation and Benefits, an award for Training and Development in 2013, and awards for Best of the Best Overall in 2015, 2016, and 2017, as well as an award for Diversity and Inclusion in 2018.
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