Three Hillsdale Hospital employees were appointed in October to represent the interests of rural hospitals by the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. 

Rachel Lott, John Robertson, and J.J. Hodshire will serve on various panels with the MHA. Lott, Hillsdale Hospital’s director of marketing and development, was appointed to the MHA’s Legislative Policy Panel. 

“The Legislative Policy Panel is a group of hospital leaders from healthcare organizations across the state,” Lott said. “We meet quarterly to review upcoming potential legislation. We also make certain recommendations or advocate for specific legislation that we support to the benefit of the hospital industry within our state.”

Robertson, the chief quality, information and technology officer at Hillsdale Hospital has assumed a role on both the Person and Family Engagement Advisory Council and the Safety and Quality Committee. 

“This is my 6th appointment to MHA’s Quality committee,” Robertson said.  “It is comprised of quality experts from around the State, as well as MHA Representatives, for both Quality and Patient Safety.  I feel honored to be a longstanding member of this Committee and am often able to bring back ideas, tools and resources that benefit Hillsdale Hospital.”

Hodshire, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer, serves on the MHA’s Board of Trustees, the Small or Rural Hospital Council, and the Human Resources Council. 

The MHA fills its councils and committees through self-nomination forms. Its website explains that healthcare workers are able to nominate themselves for these positions and their applications are reviewed by the MHA Board. 

“My goal in representing Hillsdale hospital is to be sure that the voice of rural hospitals like ours, and especially independent hospitals like ours, is part of that conversation and that we have a seat at the table,” Lott said. 

Robertson said he hopes his work on the Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council will directly reach Hillsdale Hospital. 

“I am hopeful to get suggestions and resources from this group to get our Advisory Council restarted at Hillsdale Hospital. It is a great tool for garnering input from customers directly, without the anonymity of a survey.  I’m very much looking forward to hearing how others use this function to improve care and safety,” Robertson said. 

According to Lott, the appointment of herself, Robertson, and Hodshire is important for advancing rural health initiatives and opportunities. 

“All of those appointments contribute to our goal to make sure that we are a part of the process in a big picture sense, and that what we’re doing is helping to further the cause of rural health in America, in addition to serving our own patients and community in the best possible way,” Lott said.