Legislative Breakfast Meeting

Thank you to all that came to the Legislative Breakfast Meeting at the Masonic Temple.

Tim D. Fritz, MD

KCMS member, Dr. Tim D. Fritz talks to the Grand Rapids Business Journal (June 14, 2010 VOL. 28, NO. 24) about "broken heart syndrome" in the article titled "Doctor investigating emotional risk on heart" (page 17).

Metro Health Hospital-Physician of the Year Award

The Kent County Medical Society would like to congratulate William J. Rozell, DO on being named Metro Health Hospital's Physician of the Year. 

Micheal D. Dickinson, MD and James F. Byrne, MD

Dr. Micheal D. Dickinson and Dr. James F. Byrne were highlighted in the Grand Rapids Business Journal (June 14, 2010 VOL. 28, NO. 24) in the article titled "Spectrum telehealth trial shows fewer readmissions for patients" (page 20).

David Baumgartner, MD

KCMS member, Dr. David Baumgartner was highlighted in the Grand Rapids Business Journal (June 1, 2010 VOL. 28, NO. 22) in the article titled "Saint Mary's creates new docs' group" (front page and continued on page 9).

Alliance for Health elects KCMS physicians for the 2010-2011 year

Alliance for Health elected John M. MacKeigan, MD as officer.  Also, named as standing committee chairs are Gregory J. Forzley, MD and Khan Nedd, MD.

Jay P. LaBine, MD, has been appointed medical director at Priority Health.

Jay P. LaBine, MD, appointed medical director at Priority Health

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - March 17, 2010) Priority Health announced today that Jay P. LaBine, M.D., has joined its staff as medical director. LaBine most recently served as chief of staff at St. Mary's Health Care in Grand Rapids.


In his new position, LaBine will work in the company's Medical Affairs department where he will be responsible for utilization management, reducing per capita costs and building provider relationships.


Prior to joining Priority Health, LaBine also served as chief of surgery and trauma director at St. Mary's Health Care. His experience as a surgeon will complement the expertise of the Priority Health medical staff, which includes pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine, geriatrics, hospice/palliative care and psychiatrics.


LaBine holds a bachelor's of science degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo. He earned his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks. He also completed a fellowship in trauma and critical care at the University of California at San Diego Medical Center in San Diego.

Joseph J. Junewick, MD

Joseph J. Junewick, MD, FACR, has been inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Radiology.

John R. Vydareny, MD

The Kent County Medical Society would like to congratulate John R. Vydareny, MD.  He received the Community Champions Award from Molina Healthcare of Michigan.

KCMS-Executive Director

After having conducted an extensive national search over several months, the Kent County Medical Society Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Patricia W. Dalton, MPA, MA has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Kent County Medical Society. 

Ms. Dalton has been serving as Interim Executive Director since June 2009. 

She holds Masters Degrees in both Public Administration and Organizational Communications from Western Michigan University.  She has served as a consultant to organizations assisting in medical office management, leadership, and development challenges. 

Ms. Dalton has previously served as the first Executive Director of the Kent County chapter of Project Access, a joint program of the Kent County Medical Society and the Kent County Osteopathic Association.