Two Van Buren County hospitals are the recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Award of Excellence.

Bronson Lakeview in Paw Paw and Bronson South Haven received the awards for their work addressing some of Southwest Michigan’s most pressing health issues. Bronson Healthcare Manager of Patient Safety and Quality Sherrie Toth says they work to provide the right care in a timely matter.

“We’re trying to educate the community and make it easier on getting to the patient through our MyChart and through educating our patients on the right resources and how to get to their needs,” Toth said.

Bronson South Haven Hospital was recognized for reducing readmissions, while both hospitals were recognized for prescribing non-opioid medications to treat patient pain. Toth says they do that when possible.

“We work with our providers to acknowledge those recommendations and how we can make sure that we are following those recommendations. And if we are not, then our providers have a very thoughtful reason for not prescribing to those recommendations.”

The awards started in 2003 through a collaboration of the governor’s office, iMPROve Health, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Key Center.