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

Letter to the Editor – Patient Testimonial – April 15th, 2026

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

marvin germain
20 hours ago
Like the visit toDr. nemala , very good with patient. Knows his field well
Tracy Reinhardt
4 days ago
Leonard Martin
4 days ago
Scott Calkins
1 week ago
Great personality. Explains your health care while conducting your appointment.
Kay Polmatier
1 week ago
Angie LaLonde
1 week ago
Dorothy Jenerou
2 weeks ago
Corrinna Collins
2 weeks ago
Bill Nord
2 weeks ago
Excellent service and fantastic staff
Deb Tufnell
2 weeks ago
Deb TUFNELL
2 weeks ago
Al Wood
2 weeks ago
Joyce Lindquist
2 weeks ago
Staff friendly knows there stuff. Dr Madjar listens and explains things to you. Takes his time.
Excellent Dr, thoughow very concerning and caring
Carolyn Peterson
3 weeks ago
Gary Fader
3 weeks ago
Olivia Mcspadden
4 weeks ago
Duane Kinnart
4 weeks ago
It was a great experience, beautiful hospital. Thank you.👍😉
Jaycee Rivard
4 weeks ago
Dale Rademacher
4 weeks ago
Kay Hawes
4 weeks ago
A P
4 weeks ago
Dr. Bambach answered any questions I had just prior to the procedure.
John Zentner
4 weeks ago
Excellent care great personality
Cindy Henry
1 month ago
Tracey Marino
1 month ago
Dr. Neimela is absolutely one of the best podiatrist in the state of Michigan. I can’t say enough good things about him, and how fortunate the community is to have such an excellent physician and surgeon. He is competent, compassionate, attentive, pays attention listens to your concerns has a wonderful stash. He runs a very tight ship and does an awesome job.
They saw me right on time and Dr Joan was excellent in helping me
Amy Hutchinson
1 month ago
He is the type of doctor that is very thorough with his answers and ask additional questions to understand the full story. I appreciate that.
Sara Gouin
1 month ago
Dr. Rayner was Amazing with me and my son. Professional and genuine!
Steve Abrams
1 month ago
Bob Crumb
1 month ago
Wheaty Wiethoff
1 month ago
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Cyndi Darling
1 month ago
Joan at the Naubinway Rural Clinic is always professional and compassionate. She takes time to understand your issue, asks questions and explains medical issues in straightforward easy to understand way. I admire her dedication.
Wina Garries
1 month ago
Amy
1 month ago
Debra Kleinbrook
1 month ago
Listens, Explains, Pleasant, On time
Bob Kleinbrook
1 month ago
Darcy Hollister
1 month ago
Pete Baker
2 months ago
jonny doe
2 months ago
Joseph Harlow
2 months ago
A very professional visit and a nice man