President Courtney Millbrook called the meeting to order in the Michigan Room of Lansing Community College and led all assembled in the 4-way test. Rebecca Bahar-Cook provided the reflection, which spoke to the recent tragedy at Michigan State University, recognition of the many heroes who responded, and the care provided to our region by Sparrow’s Level 1 Trauma Center. A somber rendition of My Country ‘Tis of Thee followed. Matthew McGaughey facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.
President Millbrook, Nicole Noll-Williams, Diane Sanborn, and Cindy Kangas shared announcements, including:
• New member orientation is at 3:30pm on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Lansing Brewing. All red-badge Rotarians are encouraged to attend.
• The Signature Grant application for Rotary Club of Lansing funding is open until Feb. 28.
o https://www.lansingrotary.org/page/apply-for-a-grant
• LAN (Capital Region International Airport) needs your help; please write a letter of support to continue American Airlines service direct to D.C.
o https://www.flylansing.com/supportamerican
• The Saginaw Street Corridor Improvement Authority is conducting a community input survey for the West Saginaw Street area. Please see the link below and share with your neighborhood contacts. o https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLB1OFGnXYe3N5RkYZF5VQcdmORZQ_4rr00ndxab2Cd9zzcA/viewform
• Rosie the Riveter Day is March 21st – Manufacturing Councils across the state are coming together with hundreds of women in manufacturing, as well as 10 original Rosie’s to lift up the history and the future of women in manufacturing.
• Trey Williams was given parenting kudos – his son Teddy, a Grand Ledge Senior, will play football and serve at Army West Point in the fall.
President Millbrook recognized Michelle Reynaert as Chair of the month and invited Kim Garland, Chair of the Day, to introduce James F. Dover, President & CEO, Sparrow Health System. Kim opened with thanks to the Sparrow Trauma Team, shared Mr. Dover’s BIO and gave him a 4-way test of tennis trivia. Jim Dover came to Sparrow in 2019; he and his wife have four grown children (three daughters and a son). Jim opened by acknowledging that his intention had been to talk about Sparrow’s expanding relationship with UM-Health, but instead will speak to the shootings at MSU and the Sparrow response. He gave kudos to MSU and the many first responders, who gave Sparrow the notice needed to ready our trauma teams. As this region’s Level 1 Trauma Center (one of only 10 in the state), Sparrow has one trauma room/team at the ready 24/7/365; three trauma rooms were prepped to be ready when the first victims arrived from MSU. In addition to the events on campus, there were also multiple motor vehicle accidents that evening. Sparrow had five operating rooms running simultaneously – four for shooting victims and one from the vehicle accident. Seven trips were made to the Red Cross Blood Bank and 100 units of blood were transfused in 3 hours. Jim spoke to the humbling opportunity that night to witness the incredible work of caregivers at E. W. Sparrow Hospital (EWSH). From the Emergency Department to the lab, food & nutrition, surgery, security, patient placement and more, as well as the forensic pathology team who cleared multiple crime scenes and prepped the bodies of the deceased for viewing by family prior to autopsy (as the Medical Examiner (OME) for Ingham county and 6 surrounding counties), hundreds of Sparrow caregivers were involved in many facets of trauma-related care that evening.They responded with grace and professionalism during a time of great tragedy and stress. Jim spoke to Sparrow’s 127+ year history of caring for the community, recognizing the deep relationship Sparrow has with MSU to provide vital and valued clinical training and services, such as residency and fellowship programs. Sparrow’s role as both the safety net for community health, as well as a major economic engine for the region (with 120+ sites of care
across 5 counties and a payroll that is $27M every two weeks for nearly 9,000 employees) is substantial. From 114 founding women to 19 current local governing boards, Sparrow’s roots are in community. Jim spoke to the importance of state funding for Level 1 Trauma Centers, the need for a united front on the crisis that is mental health in our state, reimbursement models for healthcare, the need to grow our own nurses, and resources offered at Sparrow for caregivers (referred to as the 2nd victim), and more. Q&A included remarks from Rotarian John Grettenberger, Jr, who shared via zoom that his nephew was one of the victims and thanked Sparrow for the care being provided to him/the family. John also spoke to the importance of mental health and urged Rotary to pick this up as a challenge, to be advocates for change. It was suggested Jim Dover return another time to speak about the expanded partnership with UM-Health. More information about that partnership can be found at www.sparrow.org/newchapter.
across 5 counties and a payroll that is $27M every two weeks for nearly 9,000 employees) is substantial. From 114 founding women to 19 current local governing boards, Sparrow’s roots are in community. Jim spoke to the importance of state funding for Level 1 Trauma Centers, the need for a united front on the crisis that is mental health in our state, reimbursement models for healthcare, the need to grow our own nurses, and resources offered at Sparrow for caregivers (referred to as the 2nd victim), and more. Q&A included remarks from Rotarian John Grettenberger, Jr, who shared via zoom that his nephew was one of the victims and thanked Sparrow for the care being provided to him/the family. John also spoke to the importance of mental health and urged Rotary to pick this up as a challenge, to be advocates for change. It was suggested Jim Dover return another time to speak about the expanded partnership with UM-Health. More information about that partnership can be found at www.sparrow.org/newchapter.President Courtney thanked Mr. Dover for his time and noted that in lieu of a speaker’s gift, we’ll donate to a local organization through our Lansing Rotary Foundation, which has, through the history of the club, given more than $2M to local organizations and projects.
REMINDER: See you THURSDAY, February 23, at Lansing Brewing for our monthly social gathering.
Respectfully submitted by Michelle Reynaert, michelle.reynaert@sparrow.org