New CEO Charts Future for Hospitality House

Salina Bishop Aims to Elevate Organization’s Role in the Healthcare Sector

Press Release – March 17, 2025

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI)—Salina Bishop has dedicated her few months as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan (RMHCWM) to establishing a new vision for the region’s largest hospitality house. Formerly the organization’s lead fundraiser, Bishop took over in January following Ellen Carpenter’s retirement.

Her vision focuses on three key areas:

A Seat at the Healthcare Table

Positioning the nonprofit as a crucial player within the healthcare delivery system.

Changing the Narrative

RMHCWM is more than just a place to stay.

Providing Radical Hospitality

Removing barriers for families so they can concentrate on what matters most: their child’s health.

With her vision established, Bishop is now committed to sharing her ideas with key audiences to educate and, in some cases, reshape perceptions surrounding the 35-year-old nonprofit organization.

“Grand Rapids is rapidly becoming a national healthcare destination, which means more people travel from greater distances to be with loved ones in the hospital. This also increases the need for our services,” said Salina Bishop. “Ronald McDonald House is not just a place to stay; it is an essential component of the support system. The hospital takes care of the patient while we care for the family. We must ensure our resources can keep up with this growth, so we aim to seek more support.”

In 2024, RMHCWM completed a $2.5 million project that expanded the house with eight new family suites. The facility now boasts 25 bedrooms with private baths; two suites are equipped for isolation, and three are handicapped accessible. Despite this expansion, the house often reaches full capacity. Officials estimate they’ve had to turn away nearly 5,000 families due to lack of availability.

“Case managers and social workers call us daily, urgently looking for a place for their patients family. This is a side of our business that the public doesn’t see, but we face it daily,” adds Bishop. “More people staying longer. That’s an issue we need to address together as a community. I’m hopeful that we can demonstrate to the community why we need to receive greater resources to meet the demand.”

One of Bishop’s strategies for elevating the organization’s voice is strengthening relationships with local health systems.

“We are an essential part of the healthcare ecosystem, ensuring families have a place to stay, meals to eat, reliable transportation, and many other services that impact a family during a child’s critical care stay in the hospital,” said Bishop. “My goal is to find new ways to partner with the health systems and form tighter working relationships.”

Grand Rapids’ healthcare landscape is at a pivotal moment. With groundbreaking developments such as Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health on the horizon, the pediatric healthcare landscape is rapidly expanding.

“We love what Mary Free Bed and Pine Rest are doing to elevate the standard of care for children by providing specialized services that cater to their physical and mental health needs. We have enjoyed partnering with both on our Family Room offerings (in hospital hospitality rooms provided by RMHCWM). However, this growth also presents new challenges for accommodating more guests,” Bishop notes.

This specific challenge is where Bishop will focus her ‘changing the narrative’ vision.

“Comprehensive care goes beyond medical treatment; it includes housing, transportation, emotional support, and financial assistance. We can anticipate and address these needs by engaging in open dialogue and collaborative planning. My goal is to help the organization partner with the health systems in new ways so we transition from reactive to proactive solutions.”

Bishop acknowledges that her vision might seem pointed at the health systems, but that is not her intention. She feels a sense of urgency in getting everyone on board.

“I’m excited to work more closely with local healthcare leaders and support organizations to ensure Grand Rapids remains a place where families receive top-quality care and services. Our community thrives when we come together, share our expertise, and tackle challenges as a team. By collaborating, we can find smart, innovative solutions that make a real difference for those who need it most.” The region’s ability to bring public and private sectors together to solve a problem gives Bishop hope for her organization’s ability to face the challenges ahead.

“We need to bring together the best of both the public and private sectors. The public sector can help with funding, policies, and infrastructure, while private businesses can bring innovation, efficiency, and strong operations,” Bishop explains. “By working toward shared goals and pooling our resources, we can strengthen current support systems and build new ones—making sure no family is left without help when they need it most.”

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