Sparrow Health System is now part of University of Michigan Health! This milestone marks an exciting new chapter and will allow us to expand services to Mid-Michigan residents, providing increased access to the highest level of care and improving facilities and technology for the patients we serve together.
Joining U-M Health will have a far-reaching impact on Sparrow and Mid-Michigan, expanding access to clinical care throughout the region and, ultimately, statewide.
Together, we will advance care to best serve the people of Mid-Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Sparrow and U-M Health a good fit?
By coming together, the combined organization is creating a clinical care network that builds upon the strengths of the world-class University of Michigan Health academic medical center and Sparrow’s successful community-based health system. There are several reasons why both organization’s Leadership Teams and Boards are confident this is the right step at the right time.
Joining University of Michigan Health enables Sparrow to accelerate the expansion of services, build greater breadth and depth of clinical expertise, and seamlessly integrate leading-edge technology and other updates into facilities. For University of Michigan Health, this advances the organization’s long-term vision of a statewide system of highly coordinated care—a vision that Sparrow also embraces and is excited to realize together. As a result, patients will have more coordinated specialty care and be able to stay close to home.
What does U-M Health and Sparrow coming together mean for patients? How will my care change?
Patients are our top priority. Sparrow and U-M Health remain committed to putting your safety and well-being at the forefront of all that we do. Sparrow will continue to operate with the same industry-leading healthcare programs and amenities that make us a health system of choice.Our focus is on integrating care to best serve patients, with an emphasis on keeping care local. Over time, we look forward to continuing to increase access to specialty care locally in the communities we serve.
Will patients continue to receive the same service?
Yes. Please be assured that you will continue to receive the same high-quality care and services you have come to expect from us.
Where can I go if I have questions?
Patients or their families can continue to direct questions to their current providers. If you are looking for a provider, you can find one on our websites: UofMHealth.org, Sparrow.org or UofMHealthwest.org.
Will U-M Health physicians practice at Sparrow facilities?
University of Michigan Health doctors already practice at Sparrow in several capacities. Our pediatric joint venture has built upon the strength of the existing Sparrow care teams and brought several C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital pediatric specialists to Lansing. More recently, our plastic surgery collaborations have brought University of Michigan Health surgeons to E.W. Sparrow Hospital. A key priority moving forward will be supporting Sparrow’s existing clinical expertise and adding new doctors, including University of Michigan Health doctors, to Sparrow locations where appropriate to help meet the needs of our communities.
Is Sparrow changing its name or logo?
The Sparrow brand is known for high quality care across Mid-Michigan for over 126 years. Sparrow is also proud to use the U-M Health brand, which stands for the highest degree of quality, innovation, and research.Our leaders recognize the importance of unifying the University of Michigan Health and Sparrow branding. That said, it is important to us that we execute this brand transition in a thoughtful manner. There will be no changes today or in the near term. While we do expect to transition Sparrow to a brand aligned with University of Michigan Health, we will ensure its legacy is appropriately honored.
Why does U-M Health want to expand to the Mid-Michigan area?
For University of Michigan Health, this is an important step toward its vision of a statewide system of highly coordinated care; a vision that Sparrow shares and is excited to build toward. Together, we already collaborate to care for Mid-Michigan communities through our pediatric joint venture, Physician Health Plan, and, most recently, expanded plastic surgery services. Through this broader affiliation, patients from the Mid-Michigan region will have access to more coordinated specialty care closer to home.
Does this impact the relationship U-M Health has with MyMichigan Health and UM Health-West?
The mission of U-M Health is to advance health to serve Michigan and the world. An important part of that mission is fulfilling our responsibility to the people of Michigan to provide the right care, at the right place, at the right time. Sparrow will join our highly coordinated network, including MyMichigan and UM Health-West, as well as several unique collaborations we have in place with Trinity Health. Across all of our hospitals and collaborations, patients will have more coordinated specialty care, close to home whenever possible.
Will there be any layoffs at Sparrow as a result of this change?
There are no layoffs anticipated as part of the integration. The driving motivation is to bring the strengths of both health systems together to better care for the communities they serve. If we are able to combine some support service functions over time as part of the integration process, we will do our best to utilize existing employees and caregivers to take on the ever-expanding needs of our combined organization.
As a donor to Sparrow, will my donation stay in Mid-Michigan?
Yes. Donor support to Sparrow Health System will remain under the authority of Sparrow Foundation and will continue to be invested in providing the highest quality, compassionate health care to children and families in the Mid-Michigan region. In addition, as part of Sparrow joining U-M Health additional pledges and matching funds will be established connected to the Sparrow Capital Campaign (BuildingSparrow.org) that will accelerate some long-awaited improvements on the E.W. Sparrow Hospital campus in Lansing and across the Sparrow Mid-Michigan service area.
Does this impact Sparrow’s relationship with Michigan State University Colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and Nursing and other training programs?
Sparrow has a longstanding relationship with MSU that continues to provide vital and valued clinical services to the communities of Mid-Michigan. The pediatric care provided at University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children’s Center is a great example of Sparrow, U-M Health, and MSU physicians coming together to provide the highest quality pediatric care in Mid-Michigan. Other examples where Sparrow works closely with MSU include neurology and medical education. Both Sparrow and U-M Health value the relationship with MSU and hope to continue their affiliation with MSU and its training programs.
