Posted on November 1, 2018
Mary Free Bed, Spectrum Health establish Forum for Hospital Collaboration
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Experts from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Spectrum Health have been long-time collaborators in patient care and are now forming a deeper relationship.
“For years we have worked closely with clinicians at Mary Free Bed to coordinate care for patients who can benefit from the highly specialized technology and expertise they provide,” explained Spectrum Health President & CEO Tina Freese Decker. “We are excited to formalize processes that will benefit our patients and our community.”
Mary Free Bed President & CEO Kent Riddle has first-hand knowledge of that process. His wife nearly died from a traumatic brain injury following a 2002 traffic accident. “The medical team at Spectrum Health saved Susan’s life,” Riddle said. “When she regained consciousness after being in a coma for two weeks, Susan transferred to Mary Free Bed where she got her life back following seven weeks of intensive therapy.”
Freese Decker and Riddle signed an agreement establishing a Forum for Hospital Collaboration that outlines the shared vision. The two organizations will focus first on coordinated pediatric research and tracking results of patients from birth to age 17 who receive care at both hospitals. They also will collaborate on refining the process to coordinate the intensive rehabilitation services that patients receive at both Spectrum Health and Mary Free Bed. Research shows the sooner patients begin vigorous rehabilitation, the better their outcomes. Both leaders are committed to the Forum and believe it will improve patient care.
