North Ottawa Community Health System Moves Forward with Joining Trinity Health Michigan

Grand Haven-based Health System Begins New Era on October 1

LIVONIA, Mich., September 20, 2022 – Leaders from North Ottawa Community Health System (NOCHS) and Trinity Health Michigan signed an agreement for NOCHS to become a full member of Trinity Health Michigan, starting October 1. NOCHS becomes the ninth hospital system of Trinity Health Michigan and will be known as Trinity Health Grand Haven.

“This is an exciting day for Grand Haven and the lakeshore because it signifies the start of a new era of access to great local care well into the future," said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan. “Health care is always about meeting patients where they are. We are confident that with our history of serving together, we can continue to advance the choices available for high-quality specialty and primary care. We are looking forward to preserving a strong local health care presence as an integrated health system.”

The agreement brings all of NOCHS' services into Trinity Health Michigan, including the 81-bed community hospital, North Ottawa Care Center at Heartwood Lodge, outpatient care and urgent care facilities. They join a comprehensive West Michigan network that includes Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Shelby, Trinity Health Saint Mary's in Grand Rapids, four senior living communities, and 2,600 primary care and multi-specialty providers of Trinity Health Medical Group.

After several years of a serving the lakeshore together in a strategic alliance, the organizations announced their intentions to merge in March. The proposal was approved by a unanimous vote of the North Ottawa Community Hospital Authority in July.

“As a member of Trinity Health Michigan, NOCHS can continue adapting to a changing health care environment, providing needed care and services, as we have since our founding in 1919,” said health system president Shelleye Yaklin, who will continue as president of Trinity Health Grand Haven. “We have seen Trinity Health make inroads as a true partner in keeping care in the community, adding services from Mill Point, Trinity Health Medical Group primary care and specialties like cardiology for our community. With this agreement, there is more opportunity for continued growth and success as part of a larger system.”

All of NOCHS' current services will proceed without interruption. Patients will continue to see their same physicians and providers at their current locations. The system's 650 employees and providers will continue to serve patients, and all operations and appointments for inpatient and outpatient services will proceed as scheduled. All current insurance plans will continue to be accepted. NOCHS will maintain a local governing board and local leadership.

As the relationship progresses, we will work closely together to further enhance care delivery services to the lakeshore.

This agreement officially brings together the two health systems to continue the legacy of community-based care in Grand Haven and the surrounding communities, with the continual goals to improve health care access, delivery and offerings the community has relied on for over a century. The agreement strengthens a longstanding affiliation between the two health systems.

Since 2016, NOCHS and Trinity Health Muskegon have shared a strategic alliance to coordinate patient care along the West Michigan lakeshore. In 2018, North Ottawa Physician Group joined Trinity Health Medical Group. Working together, the two health systems have improved access to specialists, primary care and health care services, while keeping care close to home.

New Trinity Health signage will be installed over the next several months. During the transition, patients and community members may see either the NOCHS logo or Trinity Health logo on billing statements, signs and patient materials.