The University of Michigan Nurse Council is not happy about the name change that the former Michigan Medicine made.
According to a news release on the Michigan Nurses Association website, the name change had disregarded the well-established brand and well earned community respect including the global recognition.
It is also said that the new name fails to reflect the broad mission of the UMHS. The name change was still legislated despite issues raised by the nurse managers, said Katie Oppenheim.
Katie Oppenheim is the chair of the U-M Professional Nurse Council, an affiliate of the Michigan Nurses Association.
She said that they feel that the action encompasses what they are all about, which is health and whoever is providing it. And that she believes that the employees provide more than medicine they provide all forms of care.
University of Michigan Nurse Council made a petition on their website opposing the name change.
Oppenheim said that the change excludes those who provide care in countless other areas outside of administering medicine.
Oppenheim added that what this is all about is that the university wanted a name that is inclusive. And that the term Michigan Medicine is exclusionary in that it doesn't enclose the whole system.
And that people are cared for by nurses, occupational and physical therapists and receive assistance from areas like clerical and environmental services.
According to the MLive News, the new name reflects on recent changes on in the organization. Which include the appointment of a single leader for both the University of Michigan Medical School and Medical Affairs for the University of Michigan.
Dr. Marschall S. Runge the University of Michigan President and also the head of UMHS made a couple of changes regarding top positions. This happened during the 2015 Board of Regents Meeting. In which includes adding two management positions and an additional duty for Runge.
Runge was also assigned to be in charge on both the medical school and hospital operations.
According to the ABC 12 News that the new name replaces the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Michigan Medical School's name will not change, but the school is a part of Michigan Medicine.
Heather Roe, the vice president of the University of Michigan Nurse Council believes the term medicine has negative connotations.
She added that people only seek medicine once you are really sick. She emphasized that UMHS's mission is broader than that.
She also said that for the University of Michigan Nurse Council they believe that they deserve a name that makes it clear that they support health comprehensively, not just through medicine but also with education, prevention,research and other professional supports including nursing.
