Shelterhouse Midland names honorary chair for spring fundraiser

“The eight-day program is a community-wide event aimed at empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence by collectively raising $100,000 for Shelterhouse’s emergency shelter, counseling program, SANE program, and other services provided to survivors in their time of need, and cultivating healthy relationships over shared meals at participating establishments,” Executive Director Denise Berry explains. “We are beyond grateful that Dr. Watson has signed on as our honoree chair this year, and the timing feels perfect.”

Dr. Watson used to serve on Shelterhouse’s Board of Directors and helped Shelterhouse launch its Sexual Assault Nurse Examination Program. Dr. Watson will be present at a ribbon cutting for the new SANE room at Shelterhouse on April 20.

“For many women, Shelterhouse provides the means necessary to take the first steps towards creating a new chapter in a healthy, self-sufficient life,” Dr. Watson said. “To be part of that story and serve as honorary chair for a unique event such as this that builds the agency’s awareness and what it provides is a great privilege.”

Community members and tourists are encouraged to meet up with friends for coffee, dine out, or order take-out during the restaurant week.

“As a physician for many years prior to my roles in health care administration, I saw first-hand the benefits that Shelterhouse offered my own patients in need. We are fortunate to have this level of support available in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The funds raised from this event will only strengthen what Shelterhouse can already do and that is tremendous opportunity to which we all can play a part.”

While serving with MyMichigan Health, Dr. Watson’s career has included roles as chief quality and patient safety officer for MyMichigan Health, as well as chief of staff, vice president of medical affairs, and board member of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. She is on the MHA Physicians in Healthcare Leadership Council serving as chair in 2021-2022. Prior to joining the administrative staff for MyMichigan in 2013, Dr. Watson cared for thousands of women as a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist at the Medical Center in Midland. Before this, she was an active staff member at Saginaw General Hospital from 1988 to 1996.

Dr. Watson is active in her community and currently serves on the Strosacker Family Foundation Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance/THRIVE Safety Taskforce, Midland 100 Women’s Club, as well as serves as medical director for the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program for the hospital. She has also volunteered her leadership to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women event and the Midland Public Schools Sex Advisory Council. In addition, she is an author of several textbook chapters and co-author of a book. She has also received numerous accolades, including the Midland Business Alliance Athena Award, and, most recently, the 2020 YWCA Woman of the Year in Healthcare Award. Dr. Watson is married with two grown children.

“Dr. Watson has been at the forefront at providing critical services to survivors of sexual assault in their most vulnerable moments,” Berry said. “Her commitment to the health of our community is clear in both her words and her actions. We could not be more honored to have her serving as our chair.”

For more information about Shelterhouse Midland Restaurant Week visit midlandrestaurantweek.com or @MidlandRestaurantWeek on Facebook and Instagram.

For anyone who has experienced domestic violence or sexual assault, help can be found by calling 877-216-6383 or texting 989-200-5122.