Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
McLaren Oakland ‘Tops Off’ Oxford ER Construction Project
McLaren Oakland, part of the statewide McLaren Health Care organization, has placed of the final steel beam, otherwise known as “topping off,” in its $35 million renovation and expansion of its McLaren Oxford campus.
The final beam, featuring signatures from team members throughout the organization, completes the expansion’s steel support structure.
Highlighted by the addition of a freestanding emergency department, construction at McLaren Oxford broke ground in late-April, and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024. The facility remains open and treating patients throughout the project.
Located along Lapeer Road, the renovated McLaren Oakland Oxford campus will be modernized while also increasing square footage to allow for additional services, alongside its existing primary care and other frequently used services, such as lab and imaging.
For more information, visit here.
Priority Health Recognizes Top Physician Offices in Southeast Michigan
Priority Health has announced the 50 southeast Michigan recipients of its 2022 Quality Awards, which recognize top physician offices that improve health care outcomes for patients across Michigan.
The awards are given to physicians and physician offices that receive the highest overall scores through the Priority Health Primary Care Provider Incentive Program. Priority Health sets high targets, with practices needing to meet or exceed the national 90th percentile across 13 performance outcomes in preventive care and chronic disease measures, including cancer and depression screening, immunizations, and chronic condition management. Awards are based on performance throughout the previous calendar year, so awards presented in 2023 honor provider performance in 2022.
“We’re proud to collaborate with such exceptional physician partners who provide quality care and work diligently to help make Michigan a healthier state,” says Praveen Thadani, president of Priority Health. “This recognition program is our way of celebrating excellence in care and expressing our appreciation for their dedication and talent.”
To see the complete list of recipients, visit here.
University of Michigan Health Advantage Plan Expands Service Area
Physicians Health Plan (PHP) announced its Medicare Advantage plan, University of Michigan Health Advantage (HMO-POS), is expanding its service area to include Calhoun, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties for plan year 2024.
Medicare beneficiaries who live in Calhoun, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties can shop for University of Michigan Health Advantage (HMO-POS) plans.
In addition, Medicare beneficiaries in these counties also can shop for PHP’s new PHP Medicare Advantage PPO plan, which is available throughout PHP Medicare’s 17-county service area: Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Montcalm, Sanilac, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Tuscola, and Washtenaw. PHP Medicare Advantage (PPO) allows Medicare beneficiaries more flexibility, especially for those who may travel out of state for long periods throughout the year.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (OEP) begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare plan that best fits their healthcare needs.
Culinary Artist Rohani Foulkes Joins BasBlue as New Chef in Residence
BasBlue, a Detroit-based organization for women of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, announced that chef, teacher, community organizer, and advocate Rohani Foulkes will serve as its café’s newest chef in residence.
With decades of cross-continental and restaurant experience, Foulkes will weave together her passion for community and wellness with locally sourced made-from-scratch dishes to bring a health-forward menu inspired by the seasons.
Foulkes’ menu includes healthy soul food and organic dishes for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. New recipes include an Autumn Breakfast Bowl, Vegan Dreams Sammie, Sweet Waffle, and an open-face Smoked Salmon Sammie.
Main dishes can be paired with coconut curried or squash and kale soup or a green goddess or smoked salmon salad. A limited special brunch menu will be available on Saturdays created to pair perfectly over coffee and cocktails with friends and the community.
Homemade brownies, cakes, and cookies also will be available for purchase at the café as well as grab-and-go meals.
For more information, visit basblueus.com.
Global Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer Selects Eaton’s Component
Southfield-based power management company Eaton has reached the first agreement to supply its new 48-volt programmable aftertreatment heater controller for electrically heated catalysts to a global commercial vehicle manufacturer.
Rapidly warming up the diesel exhaust aftertreatment catalyst, and keeping it warm during low engine load operation, is essential for optimal performance to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) exhaust emissions.
The air-cooled electric catalyst heater controller is part of Eaton’s broader 48-volt electrical system portfolio, which contains several technologies that allow manufacturers to integrate 48-volt architectures in next-generation vehicles.
Harman Strengthens Automotive Cybersecurity Program
Novi-based Harman’s cybersecurity management system has been audited in accordance with ISO/SAE 21434:2021 and obtained the Certificate of Compliance, strengthening the automotive supply chain for partners OEM.
The certification helps the industry define a structured process to ensure cybersecurity is incorporated into the design of road vehicles and provides a framework for organizations to identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks throughout the lifecycle of their products. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding vehicles and vehicle occupants from potential cyber threats, while also promoting a standardized approach to automotive cybersecurity across the industry.
“With cybersecurity consistently being a top priority for new vehicles, Harman is committed to delivering products and technologies that have a tangible impact on improving the safety of connected vehicles,” says Huibert Verhoeven, senior vice president of Intelligent Cockpit at Harman. “Through strong collaboration, Harman passed the audit and obtained certification for ISO/SAE 21434 compliance, further validating HARMAN’s track record of successfully advancing cybersecurity innovations within new automotive experiences.”
For more information, visit here.
Members Approve Merger of Ida Farmers Cooperative and Ohio Farm
The members of Luckey Farmers Inc. in Ohio and the Ida Farmers Cooperative, west of Monroe, have approved the merger of their cooperatives. The effective date of the merger will be February 1, 2024.
“We are confident that together, we will become an even stronger cooperative and be better positioned to improve on our already strong portfolio of products and services that we offer,” says John Moore, chariman of the Luckey Farmers board. “Both cooperatives have employee teams that take pride in their work and will continue their strong culture of service and commitment to our customers.”
Ida Farmers Board Chairman Bryan Otto adds: “On behalf of our boards, management, and employee teams, we appreciate each and every member who cast a ballot in this cooperative merger. We look forward to realizing the advantages of combining our cooperatives while still maintaining local ownership.”
The merger vote highlights the members’ request for their cooperative to do more working together than either business could do separately. The leadership team says it values the members’ confidence in a combined cooperative as they prepare for integration and execution.
Together, Luckey Farmers and Ida Farmers will have 11 locations across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan providing products, programs, and services through its grain, agronomy, energy, and feed divisions to meet the needs of agricultural producers across its footprint. The newly unified cooperative will be headquartered at the current Luckey Farmers office located in Woodville, Ohio.
The initial board of directors will consist of 12 directors with representation from each geographical district. More information and further updates will be provided in coming months as integration plans are finalized.
Roberto Kalb to Lead ‘Arias and Overtures: Detroit Opera in Concert’ Oct. 28
On Oct. 28, Roberto Kalb will conduct his first performance as music director of the Detroit Opera, a concert featuring the Detroit Opera Orchestra onstage, “Arias and Overtures: Detroit Opera in Concert.”
The concert will also will feature five singers: soprano Christine Goerke, Detroit Opera’s associate artistic director and baritone Rod Gilfry, tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, soprano Mané Galoyan, and countertenor Key’mon Murrah.
They will be joined onstage by Detroit Opera’s rising-star resident artists soprano Melanie Spector, mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali, tenor River Guard, and baritones Rolfe Dauz and Ben Reisinger. These early-career professionals are in residence in Detroit for the 2023–24 season, performing on the mainstage, as well as with the orchestra in a new community series called Beyond the Pit, which launches on Dec. 16 with a free concert at Detroit’s Western High School.
More information about the Oct. 28 concert is available at the Detroit Opera website or by calling 313-237-7464. The purchase of a subscription package entitles patrons to priority seating, easy and free ticket exchanges, savings of up to 40 percent on tickets, and exclusive access to pre-paid parking in the Opera House Parking Center.
Uncork for a Cure to Take Place at M1 Concourse Nov. 4
The 8th annual Uncork for a Cure celebration, hosted by The Dynami Foundation, is happening Nov. 4 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac.
The event will feature award-winning chefs, world-class wines, music, art installations, Ferrari track rides hosted by Cauley Ferrari, live and silent auction, and more.
This year, The Dynami Foundation also is hosting the sold-out Uncork Up North at the Hagerty Garage in Traverse City (Oct. 11) and Neiman Marcus Troy will host a sold-out Art & Fashion Show Luncheon (Oct. 19). This trio of events aims to meet a cumulative goal of $3 million raised over eight years for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) research while also supporting local women in financial need.
Uncork for a Cure will showcase the city’s best culinary talent and award-winning wines curated by Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon of Plum Market alongside other sommeliers and wine professionals.
Participating restaurants include Mabel Gray, SheWolf, Grey Ghost, Takoi, Selden Standard, Barda, Oak & Reel, Marrow, Motor City Seafood, Brine Oyster House, and many others.
Cauley Ferrari will host M1 Ferrari track rides. Local artist Mike Han will return for a live painting experience and new this year, a special Uncork gallery of artwork curated by Mary Wysocki of Paragon Art Collective. This art collective and more will be available in the evening’s live and silent auctions.
Featured artists include Amelia Currier, Eric “El Cappy” Lowry, Elijah McNeeley, Matthias De Vogel, and Takeisha Jefferson. Artwork is now available for viewing at Neiman Marcus at the Somerset Collection in Troy. The full catalog of art and silent auction items can be viewed here.
For more information, tickets, and sponsorships, visit here.
