Closing of sale today marks new start for community’s health care

CHEBOYGAN – With news today that McLaren Health Care has finally closed on the sale of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, the registered nurses who worked there are looking forward to the May 14th re-opening of the emergency department and other services.

“We are very proud that the nurses’ advocacy for our patients, our partnership with McLaren and the unity of our community has been successful in restoring much of the health care we need,” said Lori Trestain, a nurse who worked at CMH.  “It’s important now that we don’t take this health care for granted, because as a rural community, we will continue to face challenges in that area. Nurses are very glad to be moving on and helping re-open CMH, and at the same time we will be reminding our leaders that we need their support to protect our community’s access to health care in the coming months and years.”

Cheboygan Memorial Hospital closed on April 3 after a deal with potential buyer McLaren Health Care fell through. CMH is the only hospital in Cheboygan County; residents have had to travel at least 30 miles for an emergency room or hospital care since the closure.  About 400 employees lost their jobs, sending a devastating economic ripple effect through the region.

Many of the 37 nurses at CMH, all represented by the Michigan Nurses Association, attended a rally last month organized by the community. McLaren announced a tentative deal with CMS at the rally, and with the deal finalized the nurses are eager to serve their community again beginning May 14.
 
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