Kaley Petersen hired as hospital foundation director

Kaley Petersen

Kaley Lynn Petersen has been appointed director of the Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation. She is already on the job and working on the hospital’s annual Benefit Ball in August and other philanthropic initiatives at the hospital.

For Petersen, this is a homecoming as well as a significant career milestone. She is a Ludington native who has been working most recently at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids in occupational therapy, treating patients as well as developing new programs to benefit patients.

In addition to her clinical expertise and familiarity with the Spectrum Health system, she has a broad background in organizational leadership, community relations and philanthropy.

She was selected from among hundreds of candidates for one of 25 positions in the Spectrum Health University Futures program, designed to develop potential leaders within the Spectrum Health system.

Her grant-writing ability attracted major funding to upgrade equipment and programs in her rehabilitation unit. She also had an integral role in a multi-disciplinary process improvement project for Spectrum Health’s Aero Med emergency transportation unit.

Petersen graduated from Mason County Central High School and earned her undergraduate and masters degrees from Grand Valley State University in psychology and occupational therapy, graduating magna cum laude.

“We have a comprehensive philanthropy program at the Ludington hospital,” Petersen said. “With exceptional support from the community, we are making a difference in people’s health and lives. I look forward to working with our donors to extend and enhance the foundation’s benefits for people throughout the region.”

Before joining Spectrum Health she served as executive director of the Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program and was a national ambassador for the National Cherry Industry. She also promoted the national platform of the Children’s Miracle Network through the Miss America organization.

“Since Bob Johnson, our first foundation leader, retired, we have been looking for just the right person to lead this important function,” said hospital president Mark Vipperman. “We have found that new leader in Kaley Petersen.

“Kaley brings with her a very diverse business and community-oriented background, in addition to her clinical experience.  She is a native of Ludington and has strong ties in our area.  In our interviews she was obviously very passionate about her hometown community and the people we serve every day.”

Petersen’s husband, Fritz Petersen, is also a Ludington native. The couple plans to move home to Ludington as soon as possible, and say they’re looking forward to living near the many family and friends they have in the area.