Laura Appel is executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA). In her current role, she has executive oversight of the MHA’s Capitol Advocacy Center, which houses the policy, advocacy and public affairs functions of the organization. She is an expert in auto insurance and legislative policy and has a proven ability to influence legislation and healthcare policy through her understanding of the issues, educating influencers and policymakers, and introducing fresh ideas.

 

Since joining the MHA staff in 2000, Appel has focused on strategic priorities related to state and federal lobbying and healthcare policy analysis. She served as vice president of federal policy and advocacy, executive director of the MHA Health Reform Resource Center, senior vice president of strategic initiatives, senior vice president and chief innovation officer, and senior vice president, health policy & innovation, prior to being named to her current position in February 2022.

 

Crain’s Detroit Business acknowledged Appel in 2020 as one of Crain’s 2020 Notable Women in Health, joining 40 other women recognized for making a difference for patients, their businesses and in the healthcare field.

 

Before joining the MHA, Appel started her career as a policy analyst at the Michigan Insurance Bureau (now the Department of Insurance and Financial Services [DIFS]) before moving to the Democratic policy staff of the Michigan House of Representatives, where she worked for 12 years, serving as director during her final year. She currently serves on the board of Southwest Solutions and the Michigan Fitness Foundation. She previously served on the Alliance for Advancing Nonprofit Health Care in Washington, DC.

 

Appel holds a master’s degree in health care transformation from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Additionally, she received an MBA certificate in design and innovation from Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, MI, to further her interest in design as it relates to creating and improving organizational systems and healthcare delivery.

The Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation will be open for Local Grant applications from Monday, March 13 to Friday, April 7 at 5 pm. Local Grants up to $10,000 each with a total of $50,000 Grant dollars available for funding and meet the following criteria:

 

Make a significant, positive difference in the Lansing community

- Projects serving residents of Ingram, Clinton and Eaton counties,

- Projects serving an underserved or disadvantaged population,

- Projects enhancing cultural, recreational or economic elements of the community

- Projects demonstrating a unique or emerging need that is unmet by another organization

We came, we divided and conquered, and a rousing good time was had by all at the Social Gathering of Rotarians Thursday, Feb. 23rd. There were appetizers and drinks aplenty, and the conversations were extra special, because we had the opportunity to meet freshly minted Rotarians who’d just completed their New Member Orientation.

 

As a former Society Page editor, I’ll share event highlights from that perspective.

 

Ever the hostess with the mostest, Cathy Andrews encouraged Rotarians in attendance to eat, drink and be merry, and we gladly obliged.

 

There was talk of mentoring opportunities. Anyone interested in engaging new members in the important role of helping them learn the ropes and get involved, reach out to Membership Committee co-chairs Kevin Schumacher and Chris Swope.

 

Speaking of Chris Swope, he sported a gorgeous new high-and-tight ’do … just in time for his trip with husband Bradly Rakowski to Puerto Vallarta. Bon voyage, fellas!

 

I had the pleasure of sitting with Craig Stiles for a bit. I’ve often seen him at our regular Friday afternoon meetings but never actually had a chance to get to know him. He and his wife have eleven (yes, eleven) children! They live on a farm, and when Susan Angel mentioned that a friend raises egg-laying hens, we learned that Craig does as well. We discussed the deliciousness of freshly laid eggs and why hens sometimes don’t produce any (it may be the chicken feed). Craig also told us about how the best Thanksgiving turkey he’s ever eaten came right from his farm. Living off the land truly has its benefits.

 

Many talked about the Feb. 13 shooting tragedy at MSU. Our community is still reeling from it. Understandably, many expressed sadness and heartache over what students and first responders endured. It’ll take time for all of us to heal.

 

Susan Angel hatched a plan for a spring disco event, and sprung it on an unsuspecting Terry Terry to host it at Urban Beat in Old Town. He was a good sport about it, and ran through a list of upcoming live music events that just might fit the bill. We’ll all be putting on our dancing shoes very soon. Without a doubt, Rebecca Bahar-Cook and I won’t miss an opportunity to get on the dance floor and boogie with good friends.

 

Those among the last to leave the social gather got a chance to catch up with Nicole Noll-Williams and her husband, Keith. A passerby pegged Keith as a man of the cloth. He asked for a blessing, which Keith graciously gave.

 

No one is sure how much longer winter will last, but we’ve all got a bad case of spring fever. Still, there was a positive vibe in the air, with talk of whosits and whatsits and wheresits. Whatever you do and wherever your adventures take you, please be safe.

 

Cheerfully submitted by Lolo Robison, her email is:  LRobison@cata.org