Henry Ford Health

What separates those who talk about change from those who lead it? In this episode of The BOBcast, our President & CEO Robert Riney welcomed Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Rocket Companies, and Dr. Steven Kalkanis MD, CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group and Henry Ford Hospital, for a candid conversation about how personal connection, philanthropy and bold decisions are reshaping Detroit’s healthcare and economic future. Their discussion highlights the momentum behind our Future of Health and Destination: Grand projects and the shared belief that Detroit is positioned to become a global model for innovation. "Innovation is in Detroit's DNA," said Dr. Kalkanis. "Destination: Grand is the largest investment in our city's history in terms of healthcare. It says to every Detroiter, 'you deserve would class care and you deserve it right here.'" Dan reflected on the decision to move his companies downtown and the importance of other institutions and businesses making big bets on Detroit. "Some people thought it was more risky than I did, but I really felt it in my gut," said Dan. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:: https://apple.co/4oSpvTe

Congratulations to our cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. RAED ALNAJJAR and his team at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, who recently performed the FIRST single-port robotic lung cancer resection in the state of Michigan! 👏 The single-port (SP) robotic system removes lung cancer tumors using only a single small incision – meaning less pain, faster recovery and minimal scarring. It received FDA approval in early 2025 for thoracic surgery. Only a few of these procedures have been performed nationwide. “The SP platform offers enhanced precision, improved control and a magnified 3D view – features that enable us to perform complex thoracic procedures with greater dexterity and reduced tissue trauma,” says Dr. Alnajjar. “I am confident the adoption of the SP platform will lead to shorter hospitals stays – potentially even same-day discharge – and quicker return to normal activities. I also believe that its applications will continue to expand and will likely include cardiac surgical procedures in the near future.”

Whether at the bedside, in the operating room or supporting patients behind the scenes, our Honeybee Award winners represent the very best of compassionate care. Their skill, heart and attention to detail make a meaningful difference for the people we serve every day. Congratulations to our outstanding Honeybee awardees: JoAnna Moale, Edith Tamlin, Tina Rossi, Katie Dangler, Danielle Spencer, Angie Todd, Kayla Crane, Mary Yager, Megan Schneider, Tyesha Clemons and Audreana Stitts. 🐝 To join our team: https://bit.ly/44fem3G

We recently welcomed WJR 760 AM's The Focus with Paul W. Smith to Henry Ford Hospital for a live broadcast featuring conversations with our leaders about the extraordinary work happening across our organization - and the philanthropy and innovation fueling it. 💠 Robert Riney, President & CEO, reflected on the one-year anniversary of our joint venture, highlighting how teams across our system have united to elevate care. He also spoke about how we’re creating a national model for the next generation of academic medical campuses. 💠 Dr. Adnan Munkarah, MD, President of Clinical Enterprise & Chief Physician Executive, and Denise Brooks-Williams, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, shared updates on the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Research Center set to open in 2027, and discussed our new Innovation Hub. 💠 Dr. Steven Kalkanis MD, EVP & CEO of Henry Ford Hospital and CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group, and Veronica Hall, President of Henry Ford Hospital, offered an exciting look at our Destination: Grand hospital expansion project and celebrated major achievements at our Detroit hospital. 💠 Mary Jane Vogt, EVP and Chief Development Officer, and Heather Geisler, EVP and Chief Brand & Experience Officer, highlighted our historic Rising Above, Reaching Beyond campaign - the largest in Henry Ford Health’s history - along with Compassion Champions, our new personal giving program. Listen to their interviews: https://apple.co/4i34dzL

We're proud to share that 4 of our hospitals earned ‘A’ ratings in The Leapfrog Group's Fall 2025 Safety Grades - the most of any hospital system in Michigan! 👏 Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital all received the highest honors for their commitment to patient safety and high-quality care. Notably, Henry Ford Hospital was the only hospital in Detroit to receive an ‘A’ rating. “This recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our team members, who work tirelessly every day to deliver the highest quality care,” said Dr. Steven Kalkanis MD, CEO of Henry Ford Hospital and our Henry Ford Medical Group. “Our goal is simple: to be the safest healthcare system in the country and these results show we’re well on our way. We’re proud of this achievement and committed to continuing to raise the bar for safety and quality.” In total, 77% of our 13 acute care hospitals earned an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rating. Grades are awarded each spring and fall to nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide, based on evaluations by a national panel of patient safety experts. These ratings reflect the strength of our culture of safety and our continued commitment to raising the bar for the communities we serve. Learn more: https://bit.ly/43uklnI

Congratulations to our respiratory therapist Lauren Glowe on winning the 2025 PHIL Award, a prestigious recognition in the field of respiratory care! The PHIL (Pulmonary Health and Illness of the Lungs) Award honors respiratory therapists who demonstrate outstanding care, compassion and clinical excellence in their work with patients. In the nomination form, Lauren's colleagues called her a "rare gem" who treats each patient with the "kind of dignity and empathy that reminds all of us why we chose healthcare." The PHIL Award was founded by Fritzi Nocolus in memory of her husband Philip C. Lamka, who passed away due to complications from interstitial lung disease. To join our respiratory therapy team, visit https://bit.ly/3HI3frz.

Our Henry Ford Medical Group recently held its 2025 Jubilee, a 2-day event that brought together hundreds of current and former Medical Group colleagues to celebrate our legacy as a major academic medical institution. During the Gala and Awards Night, we proudly recognized individuals whose leadership, teaching and discoveries have shaped our system and the broader medical community: 🏅 Dr. Fred W. Whitehouse Distinguished Career Award: Dr. Emanuel P. Rivers 🏅 Dr. Eric J. Scher Distinguished Career Award for Excellence in Medical Education: Dr. Kimberly M. Baker-Genaw 🏅 HFMG APP Career Educator: Ronald J. Manningham, CRNA 🏅 Dr. William A. Conway Quest for Quality & Safety Award: Dr. Namita Jayaprakash 🏅 Outstanding Scientist Award: Dr. Stephen L. Brown 🏅 HFMG APP Leadership Award: Christine O. Newman, NNP-BC 🏅 Dr. Alexander D. Shepard Award for Cultural Excellence: Dr. James O. Peabody We also celebrated our esteemed Medical Group Alumni Association honorees, whose careers continue to exemplify Henry Ford’s spirit of excellence and service: 🏆 Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Marwan Abouljoud, Dr. S. Sudhaker Rao, Dr. Jack Rock 🏆 Distinguished Career Award: Dr. Scott Dulchavsky, Dr. Doree Ann Espiritu, Dr. Jeff Genaw, Dr. Patty Kolowich, Dr. Tom Mikkelson, Dr. Tor Shwayder, Dr. Raghavendra Vemulapalli, Dr. Richard Zarbo, Dr. Ed Zoratti Congratulations to all awardees! 👏

Over the past 40 years, Dr. Michael Chopp, Scientific Director of our Neuroscience Institute, has led research exploring how to use the body’s own biology to treat some of the most common and devastating diseases including stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, peripheral neuropathy, neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers. Dr. Chopp’s work began in the 1990s with pioneering studies using stem cells to treat neural injury. His team later uncovered something remarkable: when stem cells are administered after an injury they don’t replace damaged cells, they help the body regenerate new cells and form new neural connections. This discovery established Henry Ford as a leader in the emerging field of restorative neurology, demonstrating that neurogenesis or “rebirth” can occur after stroke or neural damage. Looking further into this, the team found there are tiny biological nanoparticles that our cells release called extracellular vesicles (sEVs). They are at the root of neural rebirth. “[sEVs] are really how cells and organs talk to each other,” Dr. Chopp says. “And if you can control the communication, you control the biology.” Today, his lab is engineering and scaling these vesicles for therapeutic use — developing a new class of medicine that could safely and effectively treat neurological injury, neurodegenerative disease and even cancer. “I like asking questions and just being curious," Dr. Chopp says. "I like knowing and understanding and trusting my own ignorance. If I don't understand, that means probably other people also don't understand.” Learn more about Dr. Chopp’s groundbreaking research: https://bit.ly/4p6tyuQ

The first in her family to graduate from college, Lorinda Underwood MSN, RN decided to become a nurse after caring for her grandparents during their illnesses. “I felt a deep need to be someone who could provide compassionate care for those unable to care for themselves,” says Lorinda, who began her career in 2007 as a nurse intern at Henry Ford Health. “I once worried my outspokenness would be viewed as aggressive. Over time, I’ve learned how to channel that passion into advocacy for both patients and staff.” Lorinda is now a nurse manager, overseeing a Level 2 trauma emergency department at Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital, along with bed management at Southfield and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital. She credits our organization’s sense of community and elite level of care as to why she’s stayed for almost 20 years. “It feels like family here,” she says. “I’ve seen the care provided – not just professionally but personally for my own family members. I always say, ‘If I didn’t trust the care being given, I wouldn’t work here.’” She says she’s also been fortunate enough to witness incredible advancements throughout her career – increased tools, protocols and resources that improve safety while delivering high-quality care. And she’s inspired seeing the next generation of nurses use their voices to advocate for patients – exactly what Lorinda has been doing all these years. Her advice: “Be the kind of nurse you’d want caring for you or your loved ones. Once, when a patient passed away, his daughter turned to me and quietly asked, ‘What’s next?’ In that moment, everyone in the room looked to me for guidance and comfort. That experience reminded me of the profound impact we have — not just on patients, but on families during their most vulnerable times.” To join our dedicated nursing team, visit henryford.com/nursing

This Veterans Day, we celebrate our patients and team members who have served our nation and continue to make an impact in our community. For those who’ve served, challenge coins are more than keepsakes, they represent respect, shared experiences and the bonds that endure beyond the uniform. 🪖 ✨ 🎖️ Tammy Patton is a veteran and physical therapy patient at Henry Ford Medical Center - Fraser. She served in the U.S. Army from 1989 – 1997. Tammy is also on Henry Ford Macomb Hospital's patient family advisory council. 🎖️ Brenda Szalka, a U.S. Army Veteran and our director of Employee Assistance Program and team member wellbeing at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, gave a special challenge coin to Tammy. Brenda served in 72 Gulf Telecommunications from 1986 – 989. 🎖️ William Kenny is a veteran and physical therapy patient at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan. He also received a special challenge coin from Brenda. 🎖️ Chris Jones is a veteran associate and behavioral technician at Henry Ford St. John. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1995 – 1998. 🎖️ John Champine, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and cancer patient at Henry Ford Macomb, recently received a special challenge coin from Heath Roberts, a fellow Veteran and Henry Ford Health team member. 🎖️ Heath Roberts is a pediatric service line and St.John Children’s Hospital Leader. He also served 4 years of active duty as a healthcare specialist in the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division 502 Infantry Regiment.