Hospital foundation board expands.

LUDINGTON — The Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation board has voted to more than double its membership, adding ten community leaders as members and electing a new chairperson. The foundation board now totals 19 members.

Elected board chair for 2015-17 is Bob Budreau, who has previously headed up the foundation’s business and industry committee. He was elected and new members installed at the March 31 meeting.

“The community has been exceptionally supportive of the hospital and the foundation,” said Kaley Petersen, foundation executive director. “By expanding the board we are able to strengthen the community input into foundation decisions and add considerable diversity of expertise. We have ambitious plans for the future, including our 2015 priority for our Family Birthing Center, and these new board members will help us achieve those goals.”

New members are Lynne Cavazos, of Pentwater, Candy Fabaz, former chair of the hospital volunteers, Brandy Henderson, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; MaryLyn Leavitt, broker/community manager of Sherman Oaks Apartments; Andrew Lucero, Ludington Walmart store manager; Willie Reed, president and owner of Ludington Beverage Company, Dr. Jacob Seng, NorthStar Chiropractic & Ludington Crossfit; Scott Smith, president of Smith & Eddy Insurance; Heather Tykoski, community development director for the City of Ludington; and Jim Virden, of West Shore Bank .

Continuing as board members are Budreau, Carrie Kosla, holiday brunch chair, Terri Langerak, hospital volunteer board chair, and Ed Makowicki, co-chair of TEAM, the hospital employee organization.

Ex-officio members (with vote) continuing on the board are Larry Jongekrijg, chief financial officer (CFO)of the Spectrum Health Grand Rapids Foundation, Al Deering, chair of the hospital’s governing board, and Mark Vipperman, FACHE, hospital president. The foundation board has two ex-officio members who do not vote: Kerri Nelson, hospital CFO, and  Petersen.

“The Family Birthing Center update remains our primary focus for 2015, Petersen said, “and our annual events, such as the Benefit Ball, will concentrate on that important goal. In addition, the foundation is planning support for an OB Safe Sleep project, renovation of the hospital’s Hadley Center behavioral health unit, new equipment for the medical imaging and pharmacy departments, and our Win with Wellness and Fit Club for kids initiatives.”