St. Mary Mercy Hospital seeks volunteers for new program

Livonia, Mich. (March 31, 2014) – St. Mary Mercy recently started a new program for senior patients and is looking for volunteers to help. Based on the proven success of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Yale University, the Patient Assistance Liaison (PAL) program at St. Mary Mercy was created. It implements evidence-based strategies three time a day, seven days a week as a preventative measure to reduce delirium and instances of physical and functional decline in high-risk patients 70 years and older.

During hospitalization, seniors often develop delirium and functional decline. Delirium, the sudden change in how someone thinks and acts, may occur due to a change in medication, during illness or after an operation. With proper support, delirium can be prevented and treated.

The volunteer program provides patients with a companion throughout their hospitalization to maintain cognitive and physical functioning. Volunteers will provide assistance in four areas:

· Daily Visitor Program – Uses communication techniques and socialization to prevent confusion and maintain cognitive functioning.

· Therapeutic Activities Program – Engages the patient in activities to stimulate and maintain cognitive and physical well-being.

· Mobilization Maintenance Program –Provides daily companionship during ambulation or exercise program.

· Mealtime Companionship Program – Gives patients mealtime assistance and companionship.

If you are interested in volunteering for PAL or want to more information, contact Jessica Thomas at 734-655-2474 or Jessica.Thomas@trinity-health.org.

CONTACT: Jennifer Kennedy
Director, Marketing/Public Relations
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
734.655.1593 or kennedyj@trinity-health.org 

HUNTINGTON BANK NAMED ONE OF NATION’S BEST BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL BANKS

Huntington recognized for customer satisfaction and treasury management excellence

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Huntington Bank has won eight awards of excellence for small-business and commercial middle-market banking from the financial services research firm Greenwich Associates. This is the second year in a row customers have recognized Huntington as a top bank nationally and regionally through Greenwich Associates.

This year’s awards praise Huntington’s continued commitment to overall customer satisfaction and the delivery of superior treasury management capabilities that help champion business success across the Midwest. 

“We’re grateful to our customers for recognizing Huntington in the Greenwich survey,” said Huntington Chairman, President and CEO Steve Steinour. “As we continue through the economic recovery, we’re committed to helping their businesses grow and thrive. Small and middle-market businesses are a critical part of all of our communities. Together they create the most new jobs and make our economy strong.”

Specifically, Huntington received national awards of excellence in small-business banking for distinctive quality in “Personal Banking Satisfaction,” “Treasury Management Overall Satisfaction” and “Likelihood to Recommend.” In the commercial middle-market space Huntington received national awards of excellence for distinctive quality in “Online Services,” “Treasury Management Customer Service” and “Treasury Management Accuracy of Operations.”

Regionally, Huntington stood out from its Midwest peers with awards of excellence in small-business banking for distinctive quality in “Overall Satisfaction” and “Treasury Management Overall Satisfaction.”

Only 34 middle market and 43 small business of more than 750 banks evaluated in the Greenwich Associates study received national and regional recognition. Greenwich Associates determined the results based on interviews with nearly 14,000 businesses with sales of $10 million to $500 million and more than 17,000 businesses with sales of $1 million to $10 million across the country.

Greenwich Excellence Awards Methodology

Greenwich Excellence Award winners were determined at a national level and in four geographic regions: Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.

To qualify for consideration for the national awards, each winning bank had to have a minimum of 50 clients that responded to the study. To qualify for regional awards, each winning bank had to have a minimum of 30 clients responding in the region. To qualify for mid-corporate national awards, banks had to have a minimum of 30 clients responding to the study.

Greenwich Excellence Award selection is based on top box ratings on Greenwich Associates five-point evaluation scale. The banks selected must receive a statistically significant proportion of “Excellent” ratings relative to the overall mean (at a 95 percent confidence level.).

Greenwich Associates

Established in 1972, Greenwich Associates provides unique high-quality market data and strategic consulting that helps the world’s leading investment banks, commercial banks and asset managers, make smarter business decisions.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) is a $59 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, and its affiliates provide full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state retail banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,500 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state retail banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

Chamber Provides Scholarship Opportunity for HS Seniors

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce plans to hand out four (4) $1,000 scholarships in 2014. Two awards were awarded to two adult learners in February, and the other two awards will go to a high school senior, graduating from one of the five Livonia high schools, in the spring.

Eligible high school seniors must graduate in 2014 from Livonia Franklin, Churchill, Stevenson, Clarenceville, or Ladywood High School. This scholarship will be announced at an event to be named in spring 2014.

It is the intention of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to make this scholarship program an annual venture by soliciting donations and/or using proceeds from Chamber programming. Scholarship proceeds must be used at a Livonia Chamber of Commerce member institution. 

(Those schools are: Schoolcraft College, Madonna University, Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Northwood University, ITT Technical Institute, Walsh College, Henry Ford Community College, Wayne State University, and Lawrence Technological University.) The award will be directly sent to the school of the winner’s choice upon complete student enrollment in that institution.

Applicants must complete application below and write a 500-word essay for consideration of the scholarship. No interviews are planned. The Livonia Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship Committee will review applications and essays as part of the selection process.

High school scholarship winner must utilize the award during the 2014-15 school year. Failure to use the scholarship in a timely fashion will result in forfeiture of the award.

These scholarships are open to full-time and part-time students. Financial need or discipline of study will not be factors in the selection process.

For more information, call the Livonia Chamber of Commerce at 734.427.2122, or e-mail Chamber President Dan West at dwest@livonia.org.

High School Seniors Applications Due Friday, May 16, 2014

All applications must be received by 4 p.m. on final due date.

Click Here for Scholarship Application

Walsh Business Launch Now Open

Walsh Business Launch Now Open

Aspiring entrepreneurs can take great ideas and turn them into successful businesses with guidance from experts and faculty.

TROY, Mich. – Plenty of great ideas for businesses abound in Southeast Michigan. The tricky part is building those ideas into successful businesses that feed our economy.

The recent creation of Walsh Institute’s Business Launch (www.walshcollegebusinesslaunch.org) is a program designed to do exactly that – guide rising entrepreneurs through the process of taking their great ideas to the next level: open for business.

Business Launch walks aspiring entrepreneurs through the steps needed to expand an idea into a viable business. Calling on Walsh College’s expert business professionals and faculty, Business Launch provides customized advice and real-time solutions. Combining the expertise and business support services offered by The Walsh Institute and Walsh College, along with select business advisors who are leaders in their industries, Business Launch helps give a solid understanding of small business development toward building successful companies.

“This is exactly the kind of value The Walsh Institute seeks to offer to our community,” says Tara Miceli, Director, Walsh Institute. “Our entire focus is driven by a desire to arm business people with the skills and support to bring their dreams into reality – and to guide hopeful entrepreneurs into taking their great ideas and building strong businesses that feed our economy.”

Registered users of Business Launch have free access to a variety of business resources, including articles, blogs and case studies featuring small- and family-owned business success stories. For $195 per idea, participants can fill out a questionnaire and receive fully customized feedback toward putting their idea into action.

The Walsh Institute is Walsh College’s direct connection to the business community, offering education, networking and skills enhancement with practical application. Providing professional education and certifications, customized training and entrepreneurship guidance, the Walsh Institute seeks to empower entrepreneurs and businesses of every size with the knowledge, skills and support to build business success. Learn at http://www.thewalshinstitute.com.

Founded in 1922 and celebrating over 90 years of business education, we offer 17 business and related technology degree programs at the bachelor's, and master's levels that are responsive to student, employer, and community needs. Walsh is a private, not-for-profit institution offering courses and services at locations in Troy, Novi, Clinton Township, Port Huron, and online.

Media Inquiries: Lynne Golodner, Your:People, 248-376-0406, lynne@yourppl.com

Plymouth Road Big Boy to shift to Annie’s Family Restaurant and Bake Shop

The elevated Big Boy statue that has stood on Plymouth Road near Farmington Road since 1958 will be coming down as the site will get a facelift and a new name this month.

The restaurant will open Friday morning as Annie’s Family Restaurant and Bake Shop. The owners are ending their relationship with the chain restaurant, remodeling the property, and creating an independent establishment with a revamped menu featuring Michigan products.

“Our contract with Big Boy expired and we mutually agreed to depart,” said partner Wail Bamieh. “They have quality food and reputation, but this gives us a chance to do something different.”

Bamieh has been affiliated with Big Boy restaurants since 1970. Along with partners James Morisi Sr. and James Morisi Jr., Bamieh has controlled the Livonia site for 14 years.

The trio is in the midst of projects to install a new fireplace, remodel the salad bar, and other interior renovations. New outdoor signage will be installed for Annie’s, named for memory of the wife and mother of the Morisi’s, a lady who was known for her homemade dishes.

The new restaurant will feature a familiar collection of sandwiches, home-cooked meals, and extensive breakfast offerings at reasonable prices, Bamieh said. Annie’s will add fresh seafood, Mediterranean and Polish dishes to the menu, including Jennie’s Pierogis.

Bamieh said he is excited to unveil a unique collection of homemade desserts with homemade cakes, pies and original creations featuring Guernsey’s Ice Cream. He said he hopes the changes to will keep his regular customers coming back while attracting new ones.

“We always had a good reputation for a clean restaurant, good food and good service,” Bamieh said. “I think our customers appreciate it, and we will continue that.”

He added he will maintain his 40 employees, including some veteran wait staff led by Denise Hueston, who has worked at the site for 38 years.

Livonia Chamber of Commerce President Dan West said Bamieh and his partners have thoroughly planned this transition.

“This is the second time in less than 10 years that Wail and his partners have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars enhancing this property,” West said. “He’s not slapping a new sign on an old building. The look, menu, and name will be fresh when the site reopens.”

Annies Family Restaurant and Bake Shop is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. Friday, March 7. The phone number is 734.421.4349.

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CONTACT: Wail Bamieh, partner, 734.421.4349