University of Michigan Health - Sparrow Ionia Hospital

Location Description

Sparrow Ionia Hospital, an affiliate of Sparrow Health System, is a 25-bed critical access hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  Sparrow Ionia Hospital is the only hospital in Ionia County (population of 60,000) and located between Lansing and Grand Rapids, off the 1-96 corridor.  A full range of clinical services, including many innovative programs generally found only in large urban hospitals are available to everyone in this rural community.    The Emergency Department is staffed with Emergency Medicine, Board Certified physicians, the same group that staffs the Emergency Department at Sparrow in Lansing. 

Sparrow Hospital was ranked among the 150 best hospitals in the country by Newsweek magazine.  Nationally recognized for patient safety by receiving an “A” grade by Leapfrog. Sparrow Hospital has also earned the nation’s most prestigious honor for nursing achievement and excellence: Magnet Designation. Considered the “gold standard” for nursing care in hospitals, Magnet status is held by only about six percent of American Hospitals.   

We build our community by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and pioneering tech, like next-generation radiation oncology and robotic surgery systems, and a new outpatient surgery center. With the launch of the state-of-the-art Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, Sparrow secured our reputation as the most comprehensive provider of cancer care in Mid-Michigan. At this flagship oncology center, patients like you can access top-of-the-line biomedical technology, renowned cancer experts and pioneering clinical trials. The Sparrow Heart and Vascular program includes the Sparrow Heart and Vascular Center, a 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with dedicated inpatient units exclusively focused on various levels and types of cardiac care, and the Sparrow Thoracic Cardiovascular Institute, which provides outpatient heart and vascular services across mid-Michigan and Sparrow Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery for patients needing open heart, vascular and thoracic surgeries. 

Sparrow is a major teaching hospital, helping to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals and leaders.  Every year, through 38 residency programs established in partnership with Michigan State University’s Colleges of Human and Osteopathic Medicine, the committed clinicians at SHS help train approximately 210 residents.  Through a joint venture between Michigan Medicine and Sparrow Hospital, the University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children’s Center offers the most comprehensive range of specialty services to our pediatric patients and their families in Mid-Michigan.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

In support of a diverse workforce, Sparrow encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women.  Sparrow is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Community Description

The City of Ionia is situated along the Grand River, midway between Lansing and Grand Rapids, it is within easy access of interstate transportation (I-96) and state highways (m-66, M-21).  Both Kent County International Airport and Lansing Metropolitan Airport are a short drive away.   

Living in Ionia County is to live with traditional values – a great place to raise a family and enjoy the quiet pace, punctuated with hometown celebrations and plenty of opportunity for recreation and entertainment as well. Local theater, movies, music, golf, tennis, horse trails, canoeing, fishing, sledding, cross-country ski trails, great parks, and more…so much to do and so little time!

 Service clubs, youth organizations and churches all take an active leadership role in their community. Healthcare providers are extremely involved in making life better for everyone. With the support of the Ionia County Economic Alliance the business and industrial entities in the area are driven to help develop jobs and economic growth. The Public Safety and governmental sectors are dedicated to service and progress.  Ionia County residents are offered first-class educational resources for learners of all ages. The Ionia Educational Center in Ionia offers a blend of high school courses, college credits, and vocational training.  All these different segments work together to make the Ionia County, with a population of over 60,000, a great place to live and work.

 Ionia County is proud of its rich cultural identity, providing residents with year-round entertainment.  Community theaters, antique markets, Harvest Festivals, and Christmas Parades are just a few of the ways residents take advantage of all Ionia County has to offer. The 48 acre Ionia Fairgrounds is host to a variety of attractions throughout the year including, concerts, auto shows, conventions, and the perhaps the most popular, the Ionia Free Fair. Over 500,000 people flock to enjoy internationally known performers, horse and tractor pulls, stock car races, agricultural and home arts exhibits, commercial displays, and mouth-watering food!