COVID-19 HEROES

Local healthcare professionals worked tirelessly on the frontlines when the pandemic hit Northern Michigan and the battle continues. We’re sharing some of their stories here—stories of incredible interdisciplinary teamwork, grit and resilience, long hours beyond normal responsibilities, gratitude for colleague and community support and capable task forces that remain intact.

- Laurel Sutherland

COVID-19 hit Northern Michigan, as it did the country, with a sudden urgency—the likes of which most of us have never seen. While Munson Healthcare and McLaren Northern Michigan work every day to prevent infections, secure patient and staff safety and care for patients with skill and compassion, the pandemic has put both healthcare communities to the test.

Frontline healthcare professionals throughout the country, and the world, have performed heroic acts, and Northern Michigan healthcare professionals dove into the fray with commitment and vigor, remaining vigilant in the face of this virus. The following are just a handful of the many local healthcare heroes.

Kathy Stutzman, BSN, RN-BC Manager of A2 Cardiothoracic/COVID Unit Munson Healthcare

As manager of Munson Hospital’s A2 cardiothoracic unit in Traverse City, Kathy Stutzman, BSN, RN-BC, is used to being flexible in high-pressure situations. But COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge. The reality of the pandemic hit home for Stutzman on St. Patrick’s Day 2020—when her Munson Medical Center unit was designated as the best place to care for COVID-positive patients. Knowing this meant a huge effort to relocate the unit’s patients to another part of the hospital and gear up for COVID-19 patients, Stutzman arrived home that night in tears. Her husband reminded her that she was prepared for this.

Stutzman worked closely with her unit manager, Resource Nurse Clinician Tim Nastbergen, to relocate cardiothoracic patients, opening up their unit to accommodate COVID-19 patients. They worked daily from 6:30 in the morning until after 9 at night to ensure patients were transported safely—all while navigating ever-changing PPE protocols.