McKenzie Health System
- Program Representative Interviewed: Billi Jo Hennika, COO
- Location: Sandusky, Michigan
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Program Overview: McKenzie Health
System, established in 1967, delivers a range of healthcare services across rural Sanilac
County, Michigan. Its Critical
Access Hospital
(CAH) launched Michigan's first Oxy-Free Emergency Department in response to the nation's opioid
crisis. Recognizing the need for expanded substance use services, McKenzie conducted a community
needs assessment to identify gaps in care. Today, in partnership with Henry Ford Brighton Center for
Recovery (formerly Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery), McKenzie operates a comprehensive
Substance
Abuse Recovery Program to provide essential support to the community.
The Substance Abuse Recovery Program is led by practitioners trained by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, as well as case managers, therapists, and dietitians. Patients receive individualized medication treatment plans and access to individual, group, and family therapy through in-person and teletherapy sessions. Registered dietitians also offer nutrition education and consultations to address substance use-related deficiencies. For patients needing a higher level of care, McKenzie provides referrals to specialized detox and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.