To prospective teammates,

I’m the Medical Director for Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan. I have been a part of Sound Physicians for eight years. I’m proud of the hospitalist practice we have built and welcome interest from physicians coming out of training or desiring a career change. I want to share more about it, specifically about our people, practice, and purpose, as you consider options:

People

• We are a cohesive and well-established team of 26 physicians and 14 advanced practice providers (APPs), supported by a clinical performance nurse and hospitalist coordinator. Our operational schedule includes 11 physicians and 4 APPs during the day shift, three swing shift APPs, and two nocturnist physicians, totaling 20 providers over 24 hours. We typically manage an average daily census ranging from 200 to 230 patients.
• Our team comprises healthcare providers from various regions across Michigan and the United States and members from the Middle East and Eastern European countries.
• Committee and medical staff involvement is encouraged and expected in our group. Several team members are involved with the medical staff, various committees, and hospital partner initiatives.
• This is a tight-knit group of providers who enjoy spending time together in and out of the hospital setting. We spend time with our friends and family. If you enjoy the great outdoors, this might be your group. We enjoy hiking, skiing, cycling, sailing, and all the other great outdoor activities Northern Michigan offers. We also are spoiled with great restaurants, local festivals, and a beautiful landscape. You can live where others come to vacation.
• We proudly sponsor H1B candidates, and Sound has excellent in-house visa specialists and licensing and credentialing experts. All required filing fees for the visa are paid, and services are covered by Sound.

Practice

• We seek two nocturnists for a new dedicated transfer physician role. Receive calls for transfers of adult patients. Provide overnight admit/cross coverage for three satellite facilities and tertiary responsibility to decompress ED admissions/transfers.
• We welcome the challenge of complex cases, working in a semi-open ICU with intensivist coverage during the day and E-ICU coverage at night (our team is not expected to do procedures or run codes).
• For those who like to teach, we work with medical students, APPs, and Munson Family Practice Center residents.
• Team communication occurs via a twice-monthly team newsletter, morning huddles, and monthly/ bi-monthly team meetings. Additionally, as part of the Munson Healthcare system, our hospitalist team participates in quarterly system meetings with hospitalists from the regional and community hospitals.
• Most of us like to spend time with our families or outdoors, so a flexible schedule is available, and we cover for each other when we’re out.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, long- and short-term disability, 401k with match, paid medical malpractice and tail coverage, and annual CME allowance.

Purpose

• We put patients first. Always.
• A focus on growth and development is a key feature of Sound’s practices, where teammates can expand their careers locally and within the broader medical group.
• We’re a community-minded team and encourage our team members who want to contribute in and out of the hospital to help make our local community thrive.

More about our community: People are drawn to living in Traverse City, Michigan, for its unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a vibrant cultural scene. Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, Traverse City offers picturesque landscapes, including stunning beaches, cherry orchards, and vineyards. The town’s welcoming community, diverse local events, and thriving food and wine scene contribute to a high quality of life. Additionally, the area experiences all four seasons, providing residents with various outdoor activities throughout the year.

To learn more, please get in touch with my recruiting partner, Heidi Henry, who will put you in touch with me.

Kelsey Knaack, DO, Medical Director