Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Capacity Expansion Project

About Us

About Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital 

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital (SMH) is an independent, state-of-the-art Critical Access Hospital serving Michigan’s Central Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1950 and relocated to a modern facility in 2013, SMH is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care rooted in compassion, respect, and community trust. A Rural Health Clinic is attached to the hospital to enhance care coordination and patient access. 

SMH serves a broad, rural region that includes Schoolcraft, Delta, Luce, Alger, Mackinac, and surrounding counties—an area of more than 100,000 residents. Annually, SMH provides care to nearly 12,000 unique individuals, with patient visits increasing steadily as access to specialty and advanced services expands. 

Hospital services include a 24/7 physician-staffed Emergency Room; Cardio-Pulmonary Care; Rehabilitation Services; Medical Imaging; Laboratory Services; Sleep Laboratory; Ambulatory Care Unit, Infusion Suites, Home Care and Hospice departments. The Specialty Clinic offers patients in the Upper Peninsula access to leading specialists in the areas of Cardiology, Wound Care, Oncology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Audiology and more. Surgical services include Orthopedics, Podiatry, ENT, Urology, General Surgery, and Ophthalmology, supported by two of the largest operating rooms in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Rural Health Clinic offers family medicine and same day appointments to patients in both Manistique and Naubinway, MI. 

Over the past several years, SMH has expanded access to advanced CT imaging, nuclear medicine, specialty care, and rehabilitation services. Additional investments include a family practice clinic in Naubinway and a downtown behavioral health clinic to address growing mental health needs across the region. 

As the largest employer in Schoolcraft County with nearly 400 employees, SMH plays a vital role in regional economic stability, supporting nearly 175 new jobs since opening its current facility. 


Project Description & Plan Documents

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Capacity Expansion 

The purpose of this request is to provide capital funding for Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital; an independent, rural, county-owned Critical Access Hospital in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The hospital is nearing capacity in key areas such as Emergency Room services and Swing-Bed availability which are necessary to surgical and trauma cases and to provide post-acute care once a patient stabilizes. Currently these areas are operating at or near capacity and are increasing constrained by space, infrastructure, and workflow limitations are creating pressure on tertiary systems which do not always have a bed available for treatment.

The funding will be used to increase capacity for patient care locally and will ease pressure on regional tertiary hospitals to accommodate the increased patient volumes which Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is experiencing.

Planned Emergency Room improvements include expansion to six treatment rooms, expanded waiting capacity, and an ambulance canopy for safer patient transfers during inclement winter weather. The proposed project includes expanded inpatient capacity and a new eight-bed Swing Bed Unit to support growth in surgical volumes and post-acute care.

The expected outcome is to address disparities in health outcomes faced by residents in the region through increased access to quality surgical and emergent care, increased access to swing bed care, and to increase healthy outcomes in the Upper Peninsula region of Michigan.


Letters of Support 

Board of Directors

Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners 


Investing In Our Community


Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in the News

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital raises $42K for CBC

Nicolet’s $100,000 donation supports Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s Phase 2 expansion – Pioneer Tribune

How does a community’s generosity turn celebration into care_ – Pioneer Tribune

New SMH program meets needs of veteran patients – Pioneer Tribune

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital honored with National 5-Star Rating – Pioneer Tribune

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to Expand In-Network Infusion Services Locally – Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital to begin expansion of Manistique campus _ Local News _ myupnow.com

SMH invests in new equipment – Pioneer Tribune

SMH recognizes Impact of Patient and Family Engagement Team – Pioneer Tribune

Read what Patients have to say about Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Everyone in the ambulatory care/outpatient surgery were great!! They all made me feel very comfortable and did a great job!!! thank you to the whole outpatient staff and Doctor Rayner..I would recommend Schoolcraft or patient to anyone in need of surgery

Reviewer: Jeremy Sitkoski

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Logo

5 out of 5 stars

The care that was provided by The nurses (Cindy, Felicia Ruth) and staff was exceptional. The entire staff was very friendly and made you feel welcome. We received a call from Felicia the next day to check on my husband to check his pain level and do a follow up. The surgery area from check in to check out was well organized, clean, and up to date. Thank you to all of you for what you do so well and everything beyond your normal duties.

Reviewer: Maureen DesChamps

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Logo

5 out of 5 stars

Roxanne Mannisto
16 hours ago
Very nice facility, greeter was very friendly and helpful locating my destination. Everyone we very nice!
Scott D
18 hours ago
In my 70 years of experience, with numerous encounters in every aspect of health care, Dr. Niemela is by far the best. The treatment I received from him and his staff was excellent. The entire staff at Schoolcraft are at the top!
Steve Lane
5 days ago
Excellent visit, listened to comments. Very attentive
sheila Marks
6 days ago
Ddr vick heled me when i was having a tough time post op. Very calm demeanor was helpful with my recovery
Linda White
1 week ago
Arleen Peterson
2 weeks ago
Steve Rogers
2 weeks ago
Cheryl Ozanich
2 weeks ago
I had a procedure with Dr. Bambach on March 24, 2026. The Doctor and all staff were kind, professional and efficient. A very satisfactory experience.
Alan Barr
2 weeks ago
Excellent experience! Dr. Niemela and his nurse were professional and personable. My procedure went by quickly and was pain-free. If your feet need attention he’s the guy!
Jason Hubble
3 weeks ago
Very professional and made things easy to understand.
Belinda Clark
3 weeks ago
Jake Nedeau
3 weeks ago
Gene Olsen
3 weeks ago
Douglas Smith
3 weeks ago
Very pleasant and easy to talk to.
Jill Endsley
3 weeks ago
Absolutely wonderful Dr. great with my son
Jenny Rose Price
4 weeks ago
I had several other surgeries and dr bambach did them. He's kind and caring and he's very intuitive. I believe and I know he takes care of the person who he operates on.

Dr. John Neimela

He is awsome. He gets me in asap and he knows his stuff. I appreciate him a lot.
Barb Miles
4 weeks ago
I give him a 5 star he is a wonderful person and a very good Dr
Anne Kindall
1 month ago
I like Jen she never seems like she in a rush an ask questions.
Hank Weber
1 month ago
Joel Beckman
1 month ago
Sally Linton
1 month ago
She listened. Made a plan. Gave me confidence in her ability to help.
Nancy Seegert
1 month ago
Very thorough, explained what needed to be done.
Jomay Bomber
1 month ago
Ronald Rosie
1 month ago
Sandy Zelenka
1 month ago
Dr Joan listens and looks into any medical problems that arise quickly.
Very caring Dr.❣️
Bob Bourdeau
1 month ago
Dr Rayner Great guy wouldn't go anywhere else
Chelsea Dennis
2 months ago
Randal Hatinger
2 months ago
Dr Vix is the best! Great caring, compassionate personality. He doesn’t treat my husband with demensia any different than he does me. A great asset to our emergency room at Schoolcraft!
Ashlyn
2 months ago
He was super nice, very gentle and was very helpful. Definitely made me understand more of what was going on for sure.
Charles Hagen
2 months ago
Went in for my annual. I like joan, she actually listens to the patient. She gets her information and then acts on it accordingly. Great bedside manner. Also accommodating to my issues with hearing. In one visit we established a level of trust. Not easy to do with me. So she's a good source for medical care.
Lois Robbert
2 months ago
Such a friendly hospital‼️😊
Pamela Lee
2 months ago
Douglas Dyke
2 months ago
Bethany Davis
2 months ago
Michelle Clark
2 months ago
Jen was fantastic. She explained everything, answered every question we had and explained it in terms in which we could understand. She was down to earth and it was an amazing experience for it being what it was. They got us in fast and she didn't hurry us through and treat us like a number.
Gail Staley
2 months ago
Dr. Vix was so thorough and took such good care of me. I ended up in the ED with severe abdominal pain and he ordered imaging, determined the diagnosis and started treatment right away. I was well taken care of & everything was conveyed to my husband and I with understanding and guidance. I’m feeling so much better already.
Lena Sutton
2 months ago
Everyone very helpful, polite, friendly, the Dr very attentive and listened to my concerns. So nice not to have to travel far away for everyday procedures.
Bob Kleinbrook
2 months ago
ste creeden
2 months ago
Norma_Rae
2 months ago
Andrew Becker
2 months ago
I went in for emergency hernia surgery, the nurses, ER doctor, surgical nurses were extremely professional with amazing personalities, the general surgeon was highly professional and canceled all of his afternoon meetings in order to get me into surgery and not have me waiting in pain, also explained everything in a way I understood and all the risks with zero doubt! Highly highly highly recommend this hospital! Thank you for making my experience awesome!
Jeffrey Bomber
2 months ago
Kelly King
2 months ago
Dr Niemela and staff are great. They got me right in and took care of issue I was having. Thank You.
Marlene Porter
2 months ago
Very patient
Gwen Foor
2 months ago
Dr Rayner was thorough, kind, humorous and explained EVERYTHING he did before he did it. He is very skilled. I would recommend him highly!
Mary Taylor
2 months ago
Denisha Campbell
2 months ago
Wish you can show this to all the workers there. 😊💕
I wish this hospital were much closer to me in the Iron Mountain area. The nurses, surgeons, doctors—especially Dr. Paul Kemmeter and his entire team—were absolutely outstanding. Every interaction was handled with professionalism, compassion, and genuine care. They were some of the most heartwarming and comforting medical professionals I have encountered in my 34 years. The level of support and reassurance they provided truly made a difference in my experience. But one thing for sure 🥹😂 If I am fortunate enough to have my first child in the future, I would sincerely hope it could be at this hospital.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review. We can definitely share this with our employees. We have an amazing surgical crew and team at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital. We do not deliver babies at our hospital but appreciate the sentiment that you received outstanding care.