GAYLORD — Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital will temporarily relocate its Birthing Center to Grayling Hospital starting Aug. 1 to address construction delays and staffing transitions, the health system announced Friday.
According to a June 20 news release from Munson, the move comes as part of adjustments to the Regional Care Transformation Plan launched in September 2023. Originally, the plan did not include a relocation of the Gaylord-based Birthing Center.
However, officials say unforeseen structural issues discovered during the $30 million expansion project, along with key staffing changes, have made the move necessary.
Dr. Miner has retired, and Dr. Sensor is preparing to depart, contributing to the need for a temporary shift in services.
“Our top priority is making sure families in our community continue to receive safe, high-quality care throughout this transition and into the future,” said Kirsten Korth-White, president of Munson Healthcare East Region and Grayling Hospital. “Although this path was not part of the initial plan, it has given us a unique opportunity to move forward in a way that strengthens our care teams, improves our facilities, and accelerates our construction timeline by six months.”
The relocation will allow for continued access to birthing services while construction crews address infrastructure needs that require several patient rooms to go offline. During the transition, birthing services will be available at Grayling and Charlevoix hospitals, with prenatal and gynecologic services continuing uninterrupted in Gaylord and other East Region clinics.
OMH’s birthing center staff will temporarily join the Grayling team to maintain continuity of care. Hospital officials say the collaboration is also a step toward unifying care teams ahead of the opening of the new OMH Birthing Center, now scheduled for summer 2026 — six months earlier than planned.
Once the new Gaylord facility opens, OMH staff will return, and Grayling’s birthing unit will close, in line with the broader regional plan to consolidate and enhance maternity services.
Munson Healthcare operates eight hospitals and serves more than 500,000 residents across Northern Michigan.