Milestone Approaches, Join the Gifts of Wellness Campaign

Exterior photo of the patient rooms and ambulance entrance at MyMichigan Medical Center Clare. 

At the heart of every rural community is a place where hope begins, where healing happens and where families come together during life’s most vulnerable moments. For Clare County and its surrounding communities, that place has always been MyMichigan Medical Center Clare.

As the Medical Center in Clare continues its Gifts of Wellness Campaign, which supports its current renovation and expansion project, leaders are issuing a heartfelt call for community support. The campaign has a goal of $1 million, and thanks to the generosity of the community, half of that goal has already been reached. This final push is essential to meet the full goal needed to ensure the future of local, accessible health care.

“MyMichigan Medical Center Clare is the only hospital within a 35-mile radius. When emergencies occur, every minute matters and traveling farther simply isn’t an option for many residents. All contributions to this campaign directly support the future of care close to home. It’s more than a building, it’s about investing in the people that care for the community,” said Marita Hattem-Schiffman, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Clare. “Community support is the backbone of everything here. This generosity doesn’t just strengthen our facility; it strengthens the future of health care for every family who depends on us. When you give, you ensure that compassionate, local care remains accessible for generations to come. We simply could not fulfill our mission without you.”

Community members and local businesses recently received a letter outlining the campaign goals and the life-changing impact of each contribution. Volunteers and community advocates have echoed this importance.

“As a longtime volunteer, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply this hospital touches the lives of our friends and neighbors,” shared Jane Sartor, Medical Center volunteer and community advocate. “When you support the Gifts of Wellness Campaign, you’re not just giving to a building, you’re giving to people. You’re giving to hope. You’re giving to healing. This is our community, and we all have a part to play in its wellbeing.”

The MyMichigan Health Foundation is encouraging residents to make a meaningful contribution as the campaign enters its final phase. All donors who participate will receive an invitation to an exclusive celebration event on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, offering a first look at the transformation their generosity is making possible.

“Every gift, no matter the size, creates lasting impact,” said Becky Church, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation. “We are halfway to our $1 million goal, and with this final wave of support, we can get across the finish line. Our community has already shown tremendous heart, and together, we can strengthen the future of health care in Clare County.”

The expansion and renovation project at the Medical Center in Clare includes two construction phases. Phase one includes construction of a new two-story section that will house a new Emergency Department, new Inpatient Unit with all private rooms, and an expanded Imaging Department, including a fixed MRI Unit. Access to the Medical Center for 24/7 outpatient services, including lab, X-ray and CT imaging, will also be improved.

Phase two of the project includes construction of a new main entrance and canopy, as well as a plaza connecting the campus aesthetically to the downtown area. Improvements include better patient entry and wayfinding, and complete renovation of first floor public spaces to include Patient Registration, first floor dining, the Shamrock Patch Gift Shop and access to outpatient services.

Hattem-Schiffman concluded, “This is not a campaign of extras, it’s a campaign of essentials. Together, we can ensure that accessible, compassionate health care remains close to home for our community today and for generations to come.”

Those interested in supporting the Gifts of Wellness Campaign may donate online at www.mymichigan.org/givetoclare or contact Church at becky.church@mymichigan.org or (989) 839-3342.