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Commission receptive to UPHS CEO’s positive commentary

To the casual observer, the part of the Marquette City Commission meeting Monday that dealt with the UP Health System-Marquette update on the new hospital construction was little more than a perfunctory project review of the type and nature one would reasonably expect, given the scope of the work. But for people paying attention to the mood of not only the commission but the community, brief comments from CEO Brian Sinotte and Board of Trustees Chairwoman Judy Watson Olson were nothing less than a salving balm.

Although little is said publicly, many people in the greater Marquette area have been ill at ease with the new hospital ownership. Some would point to employee layoffs. For others, it’s issues with patient care. Underscoring virtually all of the complaints are concerns about hospital leadership. And why not? The CEO’s office has been a revolving door.

We sincerely hope Sinotte’s August appointment helps quiet concerns. His comments Monday about commiting to the area and plans to stay fell on very receptive ears.

“I’m really excited to be here, back home in the Midwest,” Sinotte said for a Mining Journal story. “In the years to come, I am very confident that our public rankings will continue to improve, and we will continue to earn recognition for our high-quality delivery of patient care, not just in the (Upper Peninsula) but in Michigan and nationally.

In the story, Sinotte said there’s work to do to reach the level of excellence expected but that the hospital has received some recent accolades, such as improvements in national public rankings, one of lowest pneumonia readmission rates in the country and a Blue Cross Blue Shield designation for quality and safety in spine surgery, knee and hip replacements and maternity care.

Retired physician and current city commissioner Mike Conley may have said it best when he noted,“Everyone’s excited, I am too, that we’re bringing in the Duke team, and our excellent staff and employees are ready for your leadership. Thanks for coming. It looks like you’re geting us started on a new path, where we should’ve been all along. We appreciate that.”

So does the community.

Sinotte should consider regular public addresses, to not only provide construction updates but to reassure community members who, after all is said and done, are the people who keep him in business.

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