March 2026

Trusted Surgical Expertise in Your Community
Munson Healthcare’s expert general surgeons deliver exceptional results across a full range of open, laparoscopic, endoscopic, and other minimally invasive procedures. Our surgeons are supported by teams of highly skilled anesthesiologists, CRNAs, registered nurses, surgical technologists, and other specially trained clinical staff — ensuring every patient benefits from coordinated, expert care.

Our teams use advanced diagnostic tools and progressive pre‑ and post‑operative care pathways to support strong outcomes and smooth recoveries. Referring providers can rely on us to perform local colonoscopies (lower scope) and EGDs (upper scope) within our regional hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, helping reduce delays in diagnosis and keep patients close to home.

Patient-Centered Care
We’re committed to clear communication and coordinated, patient‑centered care. From pre‑surgical preparation through recovery, our skilled and caring teams deliver personalized support every step of the way.

How to Refer
Referring providers can expect rapid scheduling and timely updates. Same‑week appointments are often available for urgent surgical evaluations.

To refer a patient, contact our centralized referral center:

• Phone: 231-213-8600
• Fax: 231-213-8700
• Direct Trust: MHC.CentralReferrals@direct.mhc.net

Learn more about Munson’s General Surgery program at munsonhealthcare.org/generalsurgery.

For additional information about Munson Healthcare surgeons, read these news stories:

• Three Munson Healthcare Surgeons Achieve Master Surgeon Accreditation
• Ten Northern Michigan Surgeons on Innovation, Leadership, and Life Beyond the Mask

Meet Some of Our Expert General Surgeons

William Bell, DO
Manistee

Kevin Harris, MD
Traverse City

Barrett Kielhorn, DO
Charlevoix • Petoskey

Emily McKerchie, DO
Charlevoix • Petoskey

Kegan Rummel, DO
Cadillac

Ashley Sachtleben, DO
Traverse City

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Dr. Barrett Kielhorn
General Surgery

Barrett Kielhorn, DO, FACOS, FACS is a general surgeon and the trauma medical director at Charlevoix Hospital. His practice covers the full spectrum of general surgery, from elective endoscopy to cancer-related surgery to urgent/emergent surgical care. When clinically appropriate, Dr. Kielhorn utilizes the daVinci robot surgical system to provide a minimally invasive approach.

Referrals/Consults

Practices at:
Munson Healthcare
Charlevoix Surgeons

Petoskey Community Health Center General Surgery

Phone:
231-547-2812

Direct Trust:
bkielhorn@direct.mhc.net

Dr. Kielhorn enjoys time with his wife and three children, participating in community events, running, and spending time outdoors. 

What basic diagnostic workup should be completed before referral to a general surgeon?
Primary care providers should follow their clinical judgement when ordering imaging and workup prior to a surgical referral. Some key considerations include:

• Breast lumps: Obtain a 3D mammogram and breast ultrasound.
• Suspected Hernia: Imaging is not always necessary. If the exam clearly suggests a hernia, referral without imaging is appropriate.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Charlevoix Hospital

Joined:
2018

Medical Education:
Michigan State University
College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency:
General Surgery, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health System

What red flag symptoms or findings require urgent surgical evaluation?
Please direct patients to the Emergency Department for immediate evaluation when presenting with:

• Systemic signs of infection (fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis)
• Large or rapidly progressing abscesses
• Severe or escalating abdominal or soft‑tissue pain
• Clinical signs of dehydration
• Any form of acute clinical decompensation

If you’re unsure which studies to order or would like surgical input before starting a workup, Dr. Kielhorn is happy to discuss cases and help determine the safest and most efficient diagnostic plan.

People on the Move
After heartfelt, careful consideration, and thoughtful discussions about the future, Bonnie Kruszka, Chief Operating Officer for the Munson Physician Network (MPN) and Chief Advanced Practice Provider (APP) has determined the timing is right to depart from her role. We thank Bonnie for her leadership, commitment, and positive impact she has made during her time with Munson Healthcare. We wish her all the best as she embarks on her next chapter.

AJ Ghasham, MPA, Service Line Executive Director, Medical Specialties, will step into the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer for the MPN while MHC plans a search for the next operational leader and takes time to assess the APP part of Bonnie’s role. AJ will continue to provide strong leadership in this interim role and we thank him for his willingness to step in during the transition. 

Please watch for additional updates as MHC continues to develop a leadership structure that supports our future. 

Explore Clinical and Practice Resources on Munson’s For Providers Website
Did you know Munson’s For Providers website features clinical and practice resources to support clinicians and their practice staff? Whether you’re prescribing controlled substances, managing patients with diabetes, combating infectious diseases, or preventing strokes, these resources will help providers enhance their practice of medicine.

Bookmark now — munsonhealthcare.org/forproviders — for quick access to:

Want a personalized website tour? If you’d like support in locating specific resources or want a guided overview of what’s available, our Physician Liaison team is happy to assist! We can walk you through the site, highlight tools relevant to your specialty, and answer any questions. To schedule a tour, please email PhysicianLiaison@mhc.net.

 Reports and Referrals

 Services

Radiology One Teleradiology Now Live
Last week’s launch of teleradiology support provided by Radiology One went smoothly, with only a few minor issues that were resolved quickly.

Resources, hours, and contacts are available here (must be on Munson network to access).

Support

• Clinical Questions/Consults: Radiology One 24/7 Customer Support, 480-845-0009.
• Report QA Issues: mhc-radnetgroup@mhc.net or submit a VOICE report
• Non-Clinical Questions: Branden Hill, MHC System Director of Radiology, bhill4@mhc.net
  
  

Consult and Referral Services for Clinicians
Munson offers a variety of consult and referral programs designed to support clinicians in delivering exceptional patient care. These include:

• Anticoagulation (Warfarin) Clinic
• Child and Adolescent Psych Consults (Inpatient/Outpatient)
• Child Psych Consults (Emergency Department)
• High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic
• Infectious Disease Consultants
• Lung Nodule Referral Program and Clinic
• MMC Geriatric Consults
• Neurology Headache E-Consults
• Wound Care

For details on these and other clinical resources, visit Munson’s For Providers website.

March is National Nutrition Month
In March we celebrate National Nutrition Month, which encourages everyone to learn about making informed food choices and to develop healthy eating habits.

Nutrition counseling is a cornerstone of any weight management plan. Working with one of Munson’s registered dietitians, patients receive personalized guidance on making healthier food choices, managing portion sizes, and developing sustainable eating habits. This approach addresses individual dietary needs and preferences to help patients achieve their goals. Nutrition counseling is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with emotional eating or have specific health conditions.

A referral from your primary care provider is required for nutrition counseling. To learn more about Munson’s nutrition counseling, visit munsonhealthcare.org/nutrition. For helpful nutrition advice and healthy recipes, read our blogs on nutrition.

 Patient Care

LabMed Reports
Prior Auth: To support insurance compliance and improve patient billing satisfaction, MHC Laboratories has added an Ask at Order Entry (AOE) question to tests requiring prior authorization. Learn more on this change in LabMed Report | March 2026 Vol. 8.

Body Fluids pH Testing: Munson Medical Center will send body fluid samples to Mayo Clinic Laboratories for pH testing whenever the pH cannot be accurately determined or if the pH falls outside of the 7.0 – 8.0 range for certain chemistry tests. Learn more on this change in LabMed Report | March 2026 Vol. 9.

An archive of LabMed Reports is available at munsonhealthcare.org/labmed.

CDC International Travel Advisory: Poliovirus
The CDC has issued a Level 2 international travel advisory for poliovirus. Travelers are advised to ensure their polio vaccines are current before any international travel.

As Michigan’s overall childhood vaccination rates have declined, please encourage parents to keep up to date on vaccinating their children against preventable illnesses such as polio. The I Vaccinate initiative (supported by MHA) has a provider toolkit to help providers educate Michigan parents about the safety and effectiveness of childhood immunizations.

Primary Care Practices Needed for U-M Hereditary Cancer Risk Study
Primary care plays a key role in identifying patients at increased hereditary cancer risk. As many eligible individuals do not receive genetic testing, a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) study will compare two approaches in primary care: referring high‑risk patients to genetics vs. offering point‑of‑care testing during the patient visit.

The University of Michigan (U-M) is seeking 20 primary care practices to participate in a study on genetic testing for cancer risk. Interested sites would agree to be randomized to either a traditional care model or point-of-care model, and undergo training. CME credit and funding support are available.

For details and to learn more, read the project summary.

Interested? Contact Dr. Elena Stoffel or Sarah Austin.

Committed to Healthy Families: Classes Available for New Parents
Munson offers free, evidence-based prenatal and postpartum education to support patient preparedness and confidence. Virtual classes cover childbirth, breastfeeding, infant care, and pregnancy, with printed take-home materials for reinforcement. Select locations offer Birth Center tours, and a Postpartum Support Group provides connection and emotional support for new mothers.

What parents are saying: “As new parents with not a lot of experience with babies, there was a lot we didn't know about childbirth and care. We finished those classes feeling much more prepared and confident.”

Please direct pregnant patients to visit our online registration page to find the class and location that meets their needs!

TEXT 4 TIPS Empowers Patients with Diabetes
With more than 75,000 Northern Michigan residents affected, Munson Healthcare remains committed to supporting individuals living with diabetes through accessible, proactive resources.

Text 4 Tips is a free, easy-to-use program designed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications. Each week, enrolled patients receive encouraging text messages that include:

• Tips for managing stress and mental health
• Guidance on monitoring blood sugar
• Ideas for increasing physical activity
• Nutritional advice and healthy recipes
• Reminders for routine care and appointments

Please encourage your patients to enroll by visiting munsonhealthcare.org/text4tips. A printable patient flyer is available.

For more diabetes resources, patients can visit munsonhealthcare.org/diabetes. Provider-specific resources are available at munsonhealthcare.org/nmdi.

N. MI Flu Activity Report – Week Ending March 14

• Flu Testing: Recommended
  • National: Varying from high to minimal.
  • Michigan: High activity, but decreasing.
  • Regional: High activity, but decreasing.
    • Total Tested = 850
    • Total Positive = 147 (17%)
    • Inpatients = 4

 Resources and Reminders

Due March 31: Annual Safety Curriculum
Please remind your MHC-credentialed providers.

Munson Healthcare providers must complete an annual HealthStream Safety Curriculum assignment by March 31. This is an MHC/regulatory requirement, which makes it a condition of employment and/or medical staff privileges.

Providers: Click here to complete the safety curriculum assignment in HealthStream.

Advocacy Update: Help Protect Michigan’s IMLC
Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) — which streamlines multistate licensure for qualified physicians — has been essential in helping Munson Healthcare recruit and retain high‑quality providers, particularly in rural areas where access to care is most vulnerable. Without legislative action, Michigan’s participation will expire on March 28, 2026.

The Michigan House recently approved HB 5455, which would make Michigan’s participation in the IMLC permanent. The bill now moves to the Senate.

We are asking physicians to contact their state senator and voice support for the bill. You can do so by clicking here or scanning the QR code at right.

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

Page Corporate Communications if a Reporter Contacts You
If a reporter or other media representative ever approaches your office or one of your providers with a request for comment on a story or any other communications request, please have them page the on-call media officer pager at 231-465-3374. Someone from the Corporate Communications team will respond to them as soon as possible.

Please remember that all calls/interviews and on-site audio/videotaping with news media must be coordinated through Corporate Communications. The Corporate Communications team can also be paged directly through PerfectServe by searching for the MHC On Call Communications Media Group.

 Education

Save the Date: Harm Reduction Conference
In partnership with District Health Department #10 and Catholic Human Services, Munson Healthcare is proud to co-host the 3^rd Annual Harm Reduction Conference. This conference will include harm reduction topics, panel discussions, community resources, and networking opportunities.

• When: Tues., May 19, 8 am – 4 pm 
• Where: Revival Center of Cadillac
• Topics:
  • Understanding the Evidence
  • What is Perinatal Harm Reduction 
• CE: CE credits available for Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP)
• More Information: For details, read the printable flyer
• Register: Look for a registration link in the April Practice Pro!
  
  

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 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:

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

Have staff who would benefit from receiving Practice Pro? Please have them subscribe by completing this form.