By Claire P. Corr
Labor Community Liaison
Sparrow Health System
Greetings from Sparrow. I am thrilled to have been asked to write an article for the Lansing Labor News and to continue with a quarterly update. Thank you to Harold Foster and his team for recognizing the importance of supporting our hometown hospital and the position of the Labor Community Liaison at Sparrow.
As most of you know, Sparrow recently opened the doors to the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center (HHCC) across from the main hospital. The cancer center is a world-class treatment center in the fight against cancer and providing individualized treatment plans, housing medical and surgical oncologists in one location. It is home to the region’s only cancer genetics counselor, and reciprocates the transfer of information and input directly from Mayo Clinic oncologists and surgeons.
The HHCC will elevate the level of care provided to over 70,000 patients per year with 40 infusion pods, three linear accelerators to provide the most precise radiation treatment to date, additional space for clinical trials, genetic counseling, social workers, palliative care specialists, and dieticians.
Inside the lobby there are two retail stores: Front Room Underfashions and Another Look Hair Institute, to assist in the sense of normalcy for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Hopefully none of you will need the services of the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center but take comfort in knowing you no longer need to seek treatment outside of mid-Michigan!
One of the highlights of my job at Sparrow is to help care for the families of union members who find themselves as a patient in the hospital (or vice versa). I provide food and parking vouchers along with assurance that you have someone in your corner to help navigate the health system. Being in the hospital can be a frightening experience, but always know I am a phone call away.
It will be exciting to see what Sparrow’s next big endeavor will be for the Health System. The Eastern High School project is coming along and a new urgent care clinic will be built inside the parking deck attached to the HHCC on Michigan Avenue.
Built with union labor
An important note, all the projects and remodels have been performed by Trade Unionists since I have been a Sparrow Caregiver; including but not limited to plumbers/pipefitters, electricians, carpenters, sheet metal, laborers, and painters.
Sparrow prides itself on the relationship with labor unions and has a deep appreciation for the attention to detail and the care that goes into every pipe that is welded to every containment room built for safety.
It is because of this relationship that Sparrow hired a Labor Community Relations Specialist.  Over a five-year period, Sparrow has invested more than $285 million in construction and information technology projects.
Sparrow’s mission is to put the needs of their patients first to provide quality, compassionate care to everyone, every time.
Until next time, I will continue to update the UAW members about Sparrow initiatives at the CAP meetings. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns.
I am available to speak or have a presence at your union meetings, your retiree meetings, conferences, and events. I am here to serve the union membership!
My contact information is: Claire.corr@sparrow.org or call my office phone: 517-364-3468.