September 2025

Celebrating Women in Medicine
Each September, the American Medical Association (AMA) celebrates Women in Medicine Month — a time to honor the remarkable achievements and significant contributions of women to the field of healthcare. Whether it’s a physician leading a clinical team, a researcher driving patient-care improvements, or a practice manager shaping operational excellence, women are in the forefront of our industry.

Over the past few decades, the presence of women in medicine has grown significantly, transforming the healthcare landscape in powerful and inspiring ways. Today, women make up more than 50% of all U.S. medical school students, nearly 90% of nurse practitioners, and approximately 70% of physician assistants. Their influence spans every specialty — from primary care to surgery — and extends into key leadership roles.

At Munson, we hear directly from our patients that they sometimes prefer to be treated by a female provider. We’re proud that 45% of Munson’s medical staff are women, representing a wide range of specialties and delivering compassionate, expert care to our communities. Munson’s Find A Doctor search tool makes it easy for patients to locate a female provider who is accepting new patients and participates in their insurance plan.

In celebration of Women in Medicine month, we’re proud to spotlight six of our exceptional Munson women physicians, whose commitment, leadership, and excellence continue to elevate healthcare across Northern Michigan.

“Medicine first drew me in because of its altruistic nature — the simple goal of helping people live their best lives. Family Medicine allows me to build long-term relationships and understand patients within the context of their families, cultures, and communities. As a family physician, I serve as a health educator, meeting patients where they are and helping them make informed decisions. I celebrate their victories and support them during times of sorrow. Family Medicine gives me a deep sense of purpose and connection to our community.”

“I've always been passionate about working in healthcare. While working in a nursing home as a certified nursing assistant, I realized that my experiences and interactions with the patients had a direct effect on their quality of life. This realization helped fuel my desire to become a physician as I felt it would give me the best opportunity to have the greatest effect on patients’ lives.”

“I have never wanted to have another career aside from medicine. Urology is a unique specialty in medicine where you can create a comfortable environment, removing stigma from sensitive topics, and often are able to deliver treatment that improves a patient’s quality of life.”

“While at my three-year-old well check, I told my mom I wanted to be a doctor. During high school and in my undergrad years, the dream took shape and matured into my passion for women’s health in Obstetrics and Gynecology. I am proud to be a part of the Munson team providing evidence-based and individualized care for women in Northern Michigan.”

“I chose medicine because caring for my grandfather with Alzheimer’s disease showed me how deeply illness affects not just a patient, but an entire family.
That experience made me want to be the kind of physician who supports both healing and humanity.”

To learn more about Dr. Young,
read this month’s “Getting to Know.”

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Diane Young, MD
Urology

Dr. Diane Young is a board-certified Urologist specializing in female Urology, Neuro-Urology, and voiding dysfunction. 

She is on the executive committee of the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) and serves on Munson’s Peer Review Committee and Surgical Services Executive Committee.

Dr. Young was drawn to Urology because of the diversity of patients and the ability to fix an issue and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Referrals

Practices at:
Bay Area Urology

Manistee Community Health Center Urology

Phone:
231-935-0322

Fax:
231-935-0334

Direct Trust
dyoung6@direct.mhc.net

MHC.BayAreaUrology
@direct.mhc.net

Dr. Young joined Munson Healthcare in 2020. She has been married for almost 25 years, has two daughters — one in high school and one at the University of Michigan — and loves dogs.

In what conditions do you specialize?
Incontinence, pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, pelvic floor dysfunction, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), kidney stones, and bladder cancer.

What treatments do you provide specific to female patients?
Surgical management for incontinence, such as mid-urethral slings, and pelvic organ prolapse, including bladder lifts (AKA, cystocele repairs or bladder suspensions). Slings treat stress incontinence — leakage with laughing, coughing, or physical activity. Bladder lifts relieve symptoms like pelvic pressure or the sensation of sitting on a ball. I also treat patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and am pursuing menopause care certification to better support post-menopausal women.

When should providers refer patients to you?
I’m accepting new patients for all the above conditions and treatments.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Munson Medical Center

Medical Education:
Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center Shreveport

Residency:
Urology,
University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences

Fellowship:
Female Urology,
Neuro-urology, and
Voiding Dysfunction,
University of Texas
Health Science Center

Favorite Pastimes:
Reading, exercising, working in the yard, and sailing

Meet Munson’s Newest Providers!
In addition to announcing new providers when they join as part of Provider Moves (see below), we invite you to learn more about some of the recent additions to our Healthcare Team by clicking the links below.

Please join us in welcoming...

August

• Brandon Ahlgren, MD
  Munson Healthcare Rheumatology

• Rachel Cleminson, MD
  Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group – Family Medicine 

• Caleb Alley, DO
  Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group – General Surgery

• Brett Walker, DO
  Munson Orthopedic Institute and Munson Neurosurgery

• Megan Vanderkaay, PA
  Munson Healthcare Great Lakes Plastic Surgery and Skin Center

September

• John Fanta, MD
  Munson Healthcare Neurology

• Angela Keough, DO
  OMH Medical Group - Family Practice

• Emily Stevens, MD
  Munson Healthcare Petoskey
  Community Health Center - Urology

• Brent Flusty, DO
  Munson Healthcare Neurosurgery

• Holly Hinds, NP
  Munson Healthcare Kidney & Hypertension Specialists

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare’s Provider Moves webpage has been updated for August, including new providers, practice changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

For a directory of Munson-privileged providers who accept referrals, go to Find A Doctor.

The following Munson-employed providers have joined Munson Healthcare:

• Brandon Ahlgren, MD | Munson Healthcare Rheumatology
• Caleb Alley, DO | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group General Surgery
• Matthew Ayres, MD | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group Urology
• Blair Brown, MD | Kalkaska Medical Associates
• Rachel Cleminson, MD | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group Family Medicine
• John Fanta, MD | Munson Healthcare Neurology
• Brent Flusty, DO | Munson Neurosurgery
• Holly Hinds, NP | Munson Healthcare Kidney & Hypertension Specialists
• James Jonna, MD | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia 
• Angela Keough, DO | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group Family Medicine
• Nicholas Miller, MD | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia
• Natika Mitchell-Cowie, NP | Munson Healthcare Mio Primary Care
• Emily Stevens, MD | Petoskey Community Health Center – Urology
• Brett Walker, DO | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute – Gaylord

The following Munson-employed providers are new to the following MHC practices:

• Christy Kemner, PA | Munson Healthcare Digestive Health

Hospital Medicine Transition
Effective July 1, 2025, Hospital Medicine is now provided by SCP Health at all Munson Healthcare hospitals. For a list of new SCP providers as well as former Sound providers who are no longer on our medical staff, click here.

Here to Help: Kathy LaRaia
Administrative Executive for the
Oncology & Women’s Health Service Line

At Munson Healthcare, the commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible specialty care is driven by dedicated leaders like Kathy LaRaia, Administrative Executive for the Oncology & Women’s Health Service Line. In addition to overseeing these critical areas, Kathy also holds executive leadership responsibility for ancillary services including Radiology, Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Clinical Research.

“For the oncology service line, my passion is to facilitate program development and care coordination,” she shares. “Improving access to specialty services is a priority, and we continue to build upon access to oncology specialists through the diagnostic clinic for suspicion of cancer.”

Contact

231-392-8410

klaraia@mhc.net

“We aim to provide the full continuum of oncology care — from prevention and screening to treatment and survivorship,” she explains. “Enhanced screening programs like lung nodule surveillance and the high-risk breast cancer clinic are helping detect cancers earlier, leading to better outcomes.”

Primary care providers are essential partners in caring for patients. The Oncology team works closely with practices to streamline referrals, improve communication, and ensure patients receive coordinated care. Providers can reach out via the Cancer Referral Line at 231-392-7891 or visit munsonhealthcare.org/cancer.

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, Kathy highlights the diverse and talented female providers within her service line. “We have a strong complement of female specialists — from surgical subspecialties to Hematology Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology, and Radiology,” she says. “Their expertise and compassion are vital to our mission.”

What We Do 

• Strategic Planning: Align recruitment with organizational growth, service line needs, and evolving care models. 
• Candidate Engagement: Source top talent through outreach, digital platforms, and partnerships. 
• Interview and Selection: Facilitate a streamlined, inclusive, and collaborative hiring process. Arrange virtual team meetings and candidate site visits to ensure both the candidate and organization have the opportunity to explore the best fit.  
• Onboarding and Retention: Support new hires with a smooth transition and long-term career development. 

Recent Highlights 

• Recruited 78 new providers across key specialties in the last 12 months. 
• Rolled out a provider engagement framework focused on retention and career growth. 

How Can You Help?
Help us make the connection! Do you know a talented physician or APP who might be a great fit for our team? Or how about your residency/fellowship program? Your referral helps us strengthen our care teams and better serve our amazing communities.

Please reach out to one of our recruiters! They’re here to help.

Referrals and Reports

Petoskey Community Health Center Opening Sept. 29!
Munson Healthcare is pleased to announce the grand opening of its brand-new Petoskey Community Health Center on Sept. 29, 2025. The health center will offer Primary Care, Urgent Care, Lab, Radiology, Cardiac Diagnostics, and specialty clinics including Orthopedics, Urology, General Surgery, Nephrology, Plastic Surgery, and Cardiology.

Interested in having a look for yourself? Come to the Open House!

When: Thurs., Sept. 25, 5 – 7 pm
Where: 1619 Anderson Rd., Petoskey

Conditional Mammography Orders: High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic Added
We’re excited to announce that that the High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic has been added to standing conditional orders for mammograms to simplify the referral process for patients identified as high-risk. The team may still be reaching out to providers for any patients who had their mammograms ordered before conditional orders were changed.

To learn more about Munson’s new High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic, including services and how to refer, bookmark munsonhealthcare.org/breastcancerclinic. If you have any questions, please contact the clinic at 231-935-4305.

A reminder that radiology reports now include a personalized lifetime breast cancer risk score for every patient following a screening mammogram.

 Services

Special Mammography Screening Day – Saturday, Oct. 11
Munson Healthcare is offering mammogram appointments on Saturday, Oct. 11 to help patients fit this important screening into their schedules! No referral is needed and patients are encouraged to visit munsonhealthcare.org/mammogram and contact their preferred location* to schedule an appointment. Spots are limited!

To print a flyer for patients, click here.

*Prudenville and Kalkaska will not be offering appointments on Oct. 11.

 September is...

Sepsis Awareness Month
September is Sepsis Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness of this urgent, life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Did you know 87% of sepsis cases begin outside of the hospital? Many patients seek evaluation prior to hospitalization:

• Nearly 50% contact their primary care provider within 72 hours of admission
• 20% are seen on the day of admission

Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of sepsis. These Munson resources can help:

• Print and Post with the signs and clinical criteria for sepsis
• Sepsis Provider Quick Reference
• On-Demand CME: Munson Sepsis Initiative Update: The New Surviving Sepsis Guidelines

Following discharge, it is recommended that a patient who suffered sepsis be seen by their provider within two weeks. Studies suggest prompt follow-up can help prevent sepsis-related readmissions. Performance data from Munson Medical Center’s HMS Sepsis Patient Data & Quality Report shows 58% of our patients reported follow-up with their PCP within two weeks of discharge.

These follow-up appointments represent an opportunity to screen our patients for infection and reoccurrence of sepsis and to educate them regarding the warning signs: Sepsis Alliance Zone Tool.

Post-sepsis syndrome is a condition that affects up to 50% of sepsis survivors. It includes long-term physical and/or psychological effects similar to ICU syndrome. Are you aware of post-sepsis syndrome?

These resources can help:

• Post-Sepsis Syndrome | Sepsis Alliance
• Post-Sepsis Syndrome: Recognition and Management Webinar | Sepsis Alliance

For sepsis resources for providers, bookmark munsonhealthcare.org/sepsisforproviders.

Suicide Prevention Month
We all have the power to make a difference. By recognizing the signs and offering support, we can help those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Together, we can build a more compassionate and connected community.

If you or someone you know is showing signs of distress, help is available:

• Visit the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center — open 24/7 at 410 Brook Street on the Munson Medical Center campus in Traverse City. Click here to learn more.

• Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 — available anytime, from anywhere.

• For mental health resources for providers, click here.

 Resources and Reminders

Reminder: Include Office Contact Information on Lab Orders
To ensure timely communication and accurate handling of critical lab orders, please remember to include your office’s phone and fax numbers on all printed lab requisitions. This helps us quickly clarify any questions and return results without delay.

Thank you for your attention to this important detail!

Stay Updated with the Latest Payer Information 
For a curated list of payer news impacting you, including the latest payer changes and guidelines, bookmark: munsonhealthcare.org/PayerUpdates

 Networking Events

Women in Medicine Was a Great Success!
Last month, Munson Healthcare hosted its 3^rd Women in Medicine, which is a fun networking event celebrating women providers for their remarkable contributions, dedication, and resilience.

The more than 70 attendees raved at how fun and valuable the evening was. Here are a few highlights of their comments:

• This is a wonderful new tradition. Women in medicine are busy people, and the outpatient setting can be isolating as [colleagues are] in an exam room with a patient. This type of collegial interaction enhances love for their professions, greases the wheels of bidirectional communication and referrals, dismantles silos, and surely has additional intangible benefits. I personally value all of those benefits and thank Munson for this event!

• Was really fun!

• So good to see my colleagues that I so rarely get an opportunity to see.

 Education

Registration Opening Soon! Munson’s 2026 Provider Symposium
Please share with your providers

Providers are asked to please block your calendar Jan. 8 – 9, 2026, for Munson’s 2026 Provider Symposium.

New in 2026! The Provider Symposium will now feature a half-day of hands-on learning on Thursday afternoon, followed by a full day of CME sessions on Friday.

Participants at this popular and educational event can:

• Choose from an à la carte menu of in-person CME sessions featuring varied topics tailored to the educational needs of Munson Healthcare providers.
• Participate in dynamic plenary sessions with renowned medical experts.
• Network with colleagues at the Friday Evening Happy Hour.

Once registration opens, providers can learn more and register at munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium.

This program has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit munsonhealthcare.org/providerevents.

Online Resources
Munson's For Providers website features clinical resources and education to support providers as well as practice resources for managers and office staff. Bookmark now for quick access: munsonhealthcare.org/forproviders

To easily identify resources available on the For Providers website in Practice Pro, look for the following icon:

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit munsonhealthcare.org/PracticePro. 

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