Media Releases

Potential partnership will help strengthen healthcare delivery in the Western Upper Peninsula 

Hancock, Michigan (February 28, 2013) – The Portage Health Board of Directors today announced it has signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture with LifePoint Hospitals®. The proposed partnership will provide Portage Health with additional resources to expand the healthcare services provided in its communities and invest further in the growth of the hospital.

The letter of intent is a non-binding agreement that authorizes Portage Health and LifePoint to move forward with pursuing the proposed joint venture. Following due diligence and a negotiation process, which is projected to take 60 to 90 days, the parties would enter into a definitive agreement. The agreement would then be subject to review by of the Attorney General of Michigan before being finalized.

“We selected LifePoint as a partner because of its commitment to physicians, employees, and community,” said Steve Zutter, chairman of the Portage Health board. “As part of this joint venture, Portage Health would share ownership and governance of our system while benefiting from financial resources, clinical and quality programs, and management expertise of one of the leading hospital companies in the nation. Together with LifePoint, we have a great opportunity to enhance the outstanding, innovative care provided throughout the Western Upper Peninsula.”

Under the terms of the proposed partnership, Portage Health and LifePoint would share ownership and governance of the hospital. Portage Health and LifePoint would share ownership of the hospital, with LifePoint obtaining the majority ownership interest. Governance would be equally shared between Portage Health and LifePoint, giving the community a long-term voice in the strategic direction of the hospital. The retained assets of Portage Health and the proceeds from the transaction would be used to create a locally-governed charitable foundation that would fund organizations that support crucial community needs.

“Portage Health is known for its quality service, commitment to patients and dedication to its communities. We are delighted at the prospect of partnering with Portage,” said LifePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. “We look forward to working with the Portage board, management, employees and medical staff to explore new ways to expand and enhance healthcare services in the Western U.P. and strengthen the healthcare delivery system throughout the region.”

LifePoint is a leading hospital company focused on providing quality healthcare close to home. The joint venture with Portage Health will expand LifePoint’s presence in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In September 2012, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, the innovative joint venture partnership between LifePoint and Duke University Health System, acquired Marquette General Health System in Marquette.

“LifePoint has shown a tremendous commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the U.P. and partnering with providers to enhance the services we provide and ensure patients have access to the care they need and deserve locally,” said Jim Bogan, Portage Health President and CEO. “We are eager to explore this joint venture further and more closely examine the benefits it can offer our hospital and the future of healthcare in our communities.”

About Portage Health 

Portage Health’s mission is to improve the health of the community by providing high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare. Portage Health owns and operates a 36-bed acute-care hospital and a 60-bed skilled nursing unit and related health care services in Hancock-Houghton, Michigan, along with nine other locations throughout the Copper Country, each offering a variety of services provided by a full spectrum of healthcare professionals. More information about Portage Health can be found at www.portagehealth.org. 

PDF of Press Release 

Visit portagehealth.org/lifepoint for the latest updates.

HANCOCK – The Keller Family Community Foundation has awarded a $1,550 grant to Portage Health. The grant will allow the hospital to provide financial assistance to cancer patients who need to travel out of the area for radiation therapy.

“We are pleased to be working with the Keller family in an effort to provide financial assistance for patients who are on their path to health recovery,” said Kevin Store, director of Portage Health marketing and communications.

This is the second year Portage Health has received support from the foundation.

“We recognize the many challenges our cancer patients face, and appreciate the Keller family working with us to help our patients,” said Store.

The KFCF raises awareness, resources and money to help cancer patients and their families. The foundation was formed about five years ago in Richmond, Minnesota. Every year the foundation hosts a snowmobile event called the Snowball Cancer Challenge. Learn more at snowballcancer.org.

Families who are interested in using the grant to help offset travel costs should talk to the staff at Portage Health Cancer Care by calling (906) 483-1730.

HANCOCK – The Keweenaw Health Foundation and Portage Health Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Keweenaw Community Foundation on Tuesday, Dec. 18, for the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association and Calumet Hockey Association after the inaugural Hockey for Health.

“The community support we received for this event was unprecedented,” said Matt Vertin, executive director of the Keweenaw Health Foundation.

It’s estimated that about 800 people attended the event, which featured an open skate, community expo and for-fun hockey game featuring employees from Portage Health and Aspirus Keweenaw.

“This was a great collaborative effort,” said Kevin Store, executive director of the Portage Health Foundation. “We had a lot of encouraging feedback and people were really pleased to see our organizations working together for this cause.”

The $5,000 donation will be split evenly between the CHA’s C-L-K Youth Hockey Fund and the Copper Country Youth Hockey Fund, specially allocated for use by the CCJHA.

“The event was extremely successful,” said Vertin. “We couldn’t be happier to make such a large contribution to these organizations.”

The event was on Nov. 10 at Michigan Technological University’s Student Development Complex. More information on the event can be found at hockeyforhealth.com.

HANCOCK – The health issues caused by obesity run deep, and with 17 percent of the nation’s children and adolescents (ages 2-19) obese it’s obviously an issue that needs addressing.

The Center for Disease Control said the rate of childhood obesity tripled from 1980 to 2009. Another recent study showed nine of Michigan’s U.P. counties have an obesity rate higher than 30 percent. To help offset this problem in our area, the Portage Health Foundation is focusing on childhood obesity during the upcoming year.

“In 2009, Michigan was home to the 10th highest percentage of obesity in the United States,” said Kevin Store, executive director of the Portage Health Foundation. “This is becoming an epidemic, but it’s something that we can work on together.”

All proceeds from this year’s Portage Health Foundation Annual Spring Ball & Auction will go back to the community with a focus on curbing the trend of childhood obesity in our area.

“If we can lower our percentage locally, it could pay huge dividends down the road as our children will live longer and healthier lives,” said Store.

The Portage Health Foundation, a charitable, nonprofit organization, was established in 1990 to support Portage Health’s mission and enhance quality healthcare for all who are served by Portage Health.

The foundation ball and acution is the foundation’s largest fundraising event, and is scheduled for May 19. Registration is currently open, call (906) 483-1507 or visit portagehealth.org/foundationball for more information.

Note: This was originally posted on: 02/18/2010

HANCOCK — The Portage Health Foundation recently awarded $81,039 in grant monies to programs and projects within Portage Health. The recipients include:

Area Geriatric Education Scholars (AGES) Internship Program for U.P. Youth; PortagePointe Senior Living Community.

The AGES program supports a paid 7-week summer internship placement at PortagePointe for three local high school students, who assist with activities, interact one-on-one with residents and job shadow healthcare professionals.

BabySense Feature; Family Birthing Unit.

This comprehensive security system with door protection, tamper protection and continual supervision of tags on infants offers reminders to check the infant's tag and ensure it is securely attached.

GeneXpert IV; Laboratory.

This machine introduces Portage Health to the world of molecular diagnostics and the testing of specific bacteria. Result times decrease from 48 hours to 1 hour. It also reduces the risk of contamination and enables physicians to make quicker, better-informed treatment decisions.

Spinning Equipment; Fitness Center.

Consumer-demanded equipment providing a safe, fun, energetic way to keep fit.

Public Computer Equipment; Human Resources, Information Technology.

Three stationery computers and four portable notebooks with wireless Internet accessible to patients and families while waiting for services.

Portage Health Foundation, a charitable, non-profit organization, was established in 1990 to improve the health of the community. For more information about Portage Health Foundation, visit portagehealth.org.

Note: This was originally posted on: 02/18/2010 

Note: This was originally posted on: 05/19/2009

HOUGHTON — More than $20,000 was raised at the 17th Annual Portage Health Foundation Spring Ball and Auction held May 9 at the North Shore Grill and Pub in Houghton.

The event attracted about 140 people who dined, danced and donated by bidding on one of the 65 items on offer. A live auction included items such as Walt Disney World passes and a catered dinner for eight guests. A silent auction also was held, featuring items from antiques to jewelry to computer training and spa packages.

Portage Health Chief Executive Officer Jim Bogan said the attendance and proceeds in this time of economic turmoil was indicative that the public supports Portage Health's mission of improving healthcare in the community.

"The success of this year's event reflects a community that is striving to maintain a quality of life and a better future for its residents," he said. "We are a vital part of that mission, and we are grateful for the community support we have received."

Proceeds from the Ball and Auction will be used to support physician recruitment, a challenge affecting healthcare organizations nationwide.

Note: This was originally posted on: 05/19/2009

Note: This was originally posted on: 07/14/2008

HANCOCK — The Portage Health Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two new members, Roger Helman and Dana Johnson, to its Board of Directors.

Roger Helman of Houghton is an attorney and certified financial planner professional whose business, the Law Office of Roger S. Helman, Esq., is located in Hancock. He is a member of the Houghton Rotary and the Keweenaw Community Foundation Professional Advisory Committee.

Dana Johnson of Chassell is an associate professor of operations management at the School of Business and Economics at Michigan Technological University. She is a member of the Production and Operations Management Society, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Decision Sciences Institute, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the Institute of Management Accountants, the American Society for Quality Association of Production and Inventory Control, and the Michigan Technological University Presidential Council of Alumnae.

Helman and Johnson each began a three-year term as a Director on the Portage Health Foundation Board on July 1, 2008. Twelve Directors currently serve on the Board.

The Portage Health Foundation was established in 1990 as a charitable, nonprofit organization. Its mission is parallel to Portage Health’s mission: To improve the health of our community. As a resource for Portage Health, the Foundation funds innovative programs and projects that deliver a broad range of healthcare services, including education, program development and medical equipment.

For more information about the Portage Health Foundation, please call (906) 483-1566 or visit the Portage Health Web site at portagehealth.org/foundation.

Note: This was originally posted on: 07/14/2008