Two Years Into COVID-19: How Northwest Michigan Health Services Stepped Up

Northwest Michigan Health Services is reflecting on the past two years of COVID-19 and the challenges they faced. The Director of Community Health and Operations at Northwest Michigan Health Services, Tammy Sorensen says they really had to step up to help the people in rural parts of northwest Michigan.

“It seems like two years ago was so long ago,” Sorensen reminisces. “I don’t remember a lot of challenges, I just remember doing.”

Northwest Michigan Health Services knew the challenges they would face would be unique. Serving a rural community, Sorensen says they’re ability to pivot quickly helped the community and their response to the pandemic. They operated vaccine buses that delivered tests and vaccines to rural areas. Sorensen says it was all about their response, execution and ability to move when needed that got them here.

“It was in the moment, it was thinking how can we do this. We were coming on cold weather here in Michigan. How can we keep our healthcare workers safe and keep them warm. Yet still getting out there to those difficult areas to provide the access to care,” Sorensen says.

Sorensen says she proud of her team and the community for stepping up “when they were needed most.” However, even with dropping numbers and loosened restrictions, Sorensen says everyone needs to stay on their toes.

“I think the community should be really proud of what we’ve accomplished and also know we will be there again if they need us. And we’ll continue to be there because we’re still not at the end. We’re getting closer, but we still have to be diligent,” Sorensen says.