Whereas, Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month is coordinated by Planetree, a not-for-profit organization that works with more than 140 hospitals and healthcare providers across the country and around the world, including Lakeland Community Hospital Niles, Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital, Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, Medical D. Dingell VA Medical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and Battle Creek VA Medical Center, to develop and implement innovative patient-centered approaches to care; and,

Whereas, Healthcare providers in the state of Michigan are working to become more patient-centered by staying consistent with the Institute of Medicine's definition of patient-centered care, which is one of the six national aims for a high-quality healthcare system; and,

Whereas, Patient-centered care recognizes patients as essential partners in their care, empowers patients with information, promotes effective communication between patients and providers, encourages involvement of family and friends, and promotes patient safety; and,

Whereas, Hospitals and healthcare organizations are encouraged to observe Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month by empowering patients, strengthening their patient-centered practices, and publicly proclaiming to their patients and communities their commitment to patient-centered care;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2009 Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month in Michigan.  Citizens are encouraged to observe Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month by taking steps to become more active partners in their healthcare.