Linda K. East appointed to Oceana County MDHHS board after candidate presentations

HART, Mich. — The Oceana County Board of Commissioners appointed Linda K. East on Oct. 23 to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) board that provides oversight for the Oceana County Medical Care Facility.

The board voted to install East for a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028. Commissioners said both applicants demonstrated interest in oversight and resident care; the choice reflected commissioners’ calls for management accountability and attention to facility maintenance and finances.

East, who described 33 years working in medicine and management, told commissioners she favors stronger accountability for administrators, better preventative maintenance and attention to the facility’s net operating loss. She recounted a recent instance of gathering temperature readings in a memory-care wing to document boiler problems and said the board’s role is oversight rather than day-to-day operations.

Applicant Randy Neuman, a former county electrical inspector with more than three decades in emergency medical services, said his motivation stems from concern for resident care and building maintenance; he noted that the facility recently received a five-star state rating for patient care. Commissioners asked both candidates how they would address facility issues without engaging in daily management; both replied they would prioritize oversight and work through the board’s processes.

The appointment will take effect immediately; East is expected to attend MDHHS board meetings and participate in oversight tasks related to billing, nursing care standards and facility maintenance. The board did not specify additional conditions tied to the appointment.