Ten years ago today, the Packard Health board of directors, hired me to be the Interim Executive Director/Emergency Manager. My assignment was to stabilize the financial situation and find a permanent replacement for my position. At the time, I knew very little about Packard Health other than they were a primary care medical provider for the underserved and under insured. I also knew they were in dire financial straits. Little did I know how bad.
On Monday ten years ago, my first day, Paul McGrath, the CFO, walked into my office with a big smile on his face and said, “I sure am happy to see you.”. Paul and I were former colleagues and friends. He then told me that we have a big problem that needs to be solved immediately. He then said to me, “We have $27,000 in the bank and we have a $60,000 payroll due on Friday. What are you going to do about it.?”. My labor of love for Packard started at that point and continues to this day. I eventually stabilized the financial situation and was able to find a successor, but not without a hiccup. The board eventually settled on hiring Dr. Ray Rion, who was the Medical Director, to be the Executive Director and Medical Director. After the hiring of Dr. Rion, I became Treasurer of the Board, a position I hold to this day.
Fast forward to today. On Thursday, Packard Health saw its last patient at the main office on Packard Road, a facility that was like no other. To say the facility was rundown would be an understatement. From my first day on the job, I knew Packard had to get out of the facility if Packard was ever going to sustain itself over the long haul. As of today, Packard has done it.
On this coming Monday, August 23, Packard opens it new main Packard Health clinic on Carpenter Road. Packard purchased the building from AAA, and has spent over $1 million renovating it and converting it to a state- of-the-art clinic facility. The facility has plenty of space for primary care services, behavioral health services, social services and nutrition counseling services. There is plenty of parking space for patients and employees. In addition, Packard was donated a beautiful facility off of S. State Street in Ann Arbor, which houses our administrative functions. In the future this facility will also provide for complementary health services. Packard also has a clinic in Ypsilanti and in west Ann Arbor. Packard also provides medical services for the Delonis Center homeless shelter, the Miller Manor housing unit and the Family Shelter Assessment and Referral Center.
Packard Health is the main provider in Washtenaw County of Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) for people seeking assistance for opioid addiction. People who come to the ERs at St. Joseph Mercy and Michigan Medicine hospitals seeking assistance with opioid addiction are safely transitioned to the care of Packard Health’s addiction specialists. Packard Health’s MAT program delivers the most effective intervention to treat opioid use disorder, and with therapy and FDA-approved medication, MAT has saved many lives and allows patients to work, love, and care for their children.
Through Dr. Rion’s leadership, Packard Health now has an extremely strong board of directors, a dedicated staff of medical and behavior health providers, a very strong leadership team, and a strong support staff. In addition, the Campaign for Expansion, has nearly completed the goal of raising $8 million to support the cost and renovations of new facilities and the start up cost for new programs.
When I think back to where Packard was 10 years ago today, I could never have dreamed that Packard would be where it is today. It has been a great 10-year run.
Stay safe. Social distance. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly. Get your vaccine.
Orchid of the Day: Packard Health for a great 10-year run.
Onion of the Day: No onions today
Quote of the Day: “It was clear to me that what I thought about the way the world should work really didn’t make much difference to the world, and that the world was a lot bigger than I was. I was going to have to find some kind of way to make peace with it. I stopped blaming my parents, and I stopped blaming society, and I stopped blaming the economic system and I stopped blaming people’s indifference and I stopped blaming racism and sexism and everything else for the way things were and I started thinking more and more about who I was, and whether I was becoming everything I could be. That began to be the question which I framed my life.” Bob Williamson, one of the eight people who broke into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania in1971, reflecting on his live nearly 30 years after the break-in.
Your support of PH and thoughtful words are so appreciated. You were the beginning of the success story. I, too, am thrilled with the success of the campaign and journey of PH.
You and others have done so much more than me. It is a labor of love for all of us.
I agree with Barb Campbell Tom. You were the catalyst for what Packard has become today. One of your best moves was to elevate Dr. Rion to CEO. I look forward to visiting the new facility.
Mark
Thank you so much. I will never forget your contribution. You provided leadership and much needed stability.
Biggs