Saint Joseph Mercy Health System partners with Bill Proctor to promote community health
January 16, 2019
For Immediate Release
Contact:|
Bobby Maldonado
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
248-858-6662
Bobby.Maldonado@stjoeshealth.org
January 17, 2019
CANTON, Mich. (Jan. 17, 2019) – Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has partnered with Bill Proctor, former WXYZ-TV investigative reporter, to help educate people about the benefits of healthy living and inspire them to become proactive in their health. Through this new partnership, Proctor will promote healthier living through participation in speaking engagements and other community events organized by the health system.
"As a long-time broadcaster in metro Detroit, Bill is in a unique position to positively influence the health choices of others," said Shannon Striebich, president of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland hospital. "Having had medical challenges of his own over the years, Bill will use his personal experiences to engage and inspire others to become proactive in their health."
Throughout his journalism career, which began in the 1970's, Proctor has been a reporter, sportscaster and anchorman both in television and radio. He is best known for his investigative journalism covering city government and the criminal justice system. Proctor retired from WXYZ-TV in Detroit in May 2013.
Now 70 years old, Proctor has been treated for a series of chronic diseases throughout his life, including diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Following a heart attack at age 56, he committed himself to living healthier. He embraced a healthy diet, began exercising regularly and lost 35 pounds.
"You have to live a few decades and survive a few health scares to really appreciate life," said Proctor. "I thank Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and my team of doctors for saving my life and for encouraging me to change my ways. Given this new platform as a community health advocate, I look forward to sharing my personal journey with people and hope that I can encourage them just as St. Joe's has encouraged me."
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About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 15,300 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $2 billion and returns about $115 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs. SJMHS is a member of Trinity Health, a leading Catholic health care system based in Livonia, Mich. Trinity Health operates in 22 states, employs about 133,000 colleagues, has annual operating revenues of $17.6 billion and assets of about $24.7 billion. Additionally, the organization returns almost $1.1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.stjoeshealth.org.