I was watching CNN today and saw that Michigan was listed as a red state meaning we are one of the states with the highest unemployment rates. 

I live in Northern Michigan and work in Traverse City at Munson Medical Center.  Munson employs over 3,000 employees and was able to give a 2.5% pay inrease across the board this year.  We received this information yesterday, the same day Barack Obama made his speech about how bad the US economic status really is.  I feel very lucky to have a job let alone getting an increase in pay.

Being a hospital means having to deal with write offs and not being fully compensated for many services; therefore money has always been an issue for Munson.  I remember when I started working there 8 years ago; they watched their financials closely even then.  I think many companies that are experiencing financial difficulties may benefit from Munson's practices.  There are no fancy offices for the Administrative staff.  They are crammed in small offices just as other employees are.  Any extra space the hospital may have is used for patient care not for fancy, big offices or luxury break rooms.  Same thing with office supplies and such.  The hospital re-uses office equipment, furniture, etc.  If someone needs a chair you have to go to the storage room to see if there is one there that meets your needs before one is ordered. Munson also offers employees an incentive to think of ways to save money for the hospital.  If an employee comes up with a money-saving idea and it truly proves to be money saving that employee will receive a check for $2,500 depending upon how much money is saved during 1 year.

If other companies such as GM, Chrysler, Walgreens, etc. had followed these frugal processes while running their businesses the last 10 years maybe they would not be in as bad of shape as they are now.

Munson has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the US 10 times!  I think that says something about the management and employees.  

Melissa S.