Joining forces: Beaumont, Spectrum Health took similar paths with dissimilar results
Butterworth Hospital, part of Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health, at left, and Beaumont Health, headquartered in Southfield.
Southfield-based Beaumont Health and Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health are barreling toward a merger, one that will create not only the state's largest health system but its largest employer. The two health systems have been on a similar trajectory for the past two decades — both created by mergers themselves — but with dissimilar results.
Beaumont has struggled to keep its employees happy as it launched several cost-cutting campaigns to improve margins and reinvestments. Meanwhile, Spectrum has proven to be an adept operator, gobbling up smaller systems along the way, and growing to become a dominant player on Michigan's west side.