Henry Ford Health: Building a More Connected Gynecologic Oncology Program in Southeast Michigan
Henry Ford Health’s gynecologic oncology program is entering an important period of growth and collaboration following its joint venture with Ascension of Southeast Michigan, finalized in October 2024. This partnership brings together two well-established gynecologic oncology programs with deep roots in the region, creating a more connected and comprehensive system of care for patients and caregivers across Southeast Michigan.
The legacy Henry Ford team includes four gynecologic oncologists, three advanced practice providers (APPs), and a strong multidisciplinary support staff. The legacy Ascension program adds a complementary group of gynecologic oncologists, APPs, and support personnel. Together, the combined team is focused on strengthening coordination, expanding access, and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care throughout the communities they serve.
Patients and caregivers supported by the program have access to a wide range of services designed to address both clinical and non-clinical needs. Intake assessments are completed before the first visit to ensure all essential information is gathered. Nurse navigators help patients move through the health system and coordinate timely, appropriate care. Dietitians provide nutrition guidance, while psychological oncology offers support for the emotional and mental challenges that can arise during cancer treatment. The palliative medicine team works alongside patients to clarify goals of care and connect them with resources needed to achieve them.
Henry Ford Health is also deeply engaged in quality improvement. The legacy Henry Ford team recently completed the MOQC Certification process, which included a comprehensive review of processes and outcome measures, a site visit of practice locations, and development of an action plan to bridge gaps in care. That action plan includes strengthening completion of functional status and psychosocial assessments prior to treatment, helping to make sure that patient needs are identified and addressed early in care.
Participation in MOQC plays a key role in other aspects of Health Ford Health’s quality improvement work. The opportunity to collaborate with peers across Michigan who share a commitment to improving cancer care is incredibly valuable. MOQC provides a forum for learning from one another, comparing performance, and identifying meaningful ways to enhance patient experience. The focus on quality, value, and bridging gaps in care closely aligns with Henry Ford Health’s own goals.
The MOQC measures that directly influence patient experience, safety, and treatment quality are most impactful to Henry Ford Health. Measures focused on chemotherapy safety indicators, and population‑focused assessments help identify meaningful opportunities for improvement. MOQC’s measures also help with improving care coordination, including functional status and psychosocial assessments; gaps can be identified and addressed before treatment begins.
Henry Ford Health also utilizes MOQC’s broader resources, like measure education materials, patient and caregiver tools, and quality improvement guides to further support the team’s ongoing efforts to deliver the best possible care.
As Henry Ford Health’s program evolves, the team also shares a provider transition. Dr. Alexander Paridon left the practice at the end of 2025. His contributions and dedication to patients and colleagues have been deeply valued, and the team is grateful for the impact he has made. The practice is actively recruiting to fill this role, with plans to welcome a new team member later this year.
Spotlight on University of Michigan Health West Gynecologic Oncology
The University of Michigan Health West Gynecologic Oncology practice is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care for women facing gynecologic cancers. Our main office is conveniently located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where patients can access specialized consultation, treatment planning, and ongoing oncology care close to home.
Our practice is led by Dr. Kevin Brader, our sole physician, whose many years of expertise in gynecologic oncology ensures patients receive highly specialized care tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Brader is supported by Kristin Witte, PA, who plays a key role in patient care coordination and follow-up. Our nursing team—Elizabeth Irvine, RN; Rhonda Datema, RN; and Ashley Halfman, RN—provides exceptional clinical support and patient education throughout every stage of treatment. Completing our dedicated team is Barb Wilson, MA, whose commitment and compassion help ensure a welcoming and supportive experience for every patient.
We proudly serve patients primarily from Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, and surrounding West Michigan communities, offering advanced gynecologic oncology care within a trusted, collaborative health system. Our team is committed not only to clinical excellence but also to supporting patients and families with understanding, respect, and personalized attention throughout their cancer journey.
Our practice participates in the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC) as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. By participating, we are able to benchmark our performance, learn from peer institutions, and ensure our patients benefit from best practices in gynecologic oncology.
Among the MOQC measures, we find those focused on treatment appropriateness, care coordination, and symptom management to be particularly impactful. These measures directly influence patient outcomes and quality of life, helping ensure that care decisions are timely, guideline-concordant, and patient-centered throughout the cancer journey.
MOQC also offers valuable resources that support both clinicians and caregivers, including quality improvement initiatives, educational materials, performance dashboards, and collaborative learning opportunities. These tools help our team stay informed, aligned, and proactive in addressing opportunities for improvement, ultimately strengthening the care we provide to our patients and the communities we serve.