Louise Blasius Celebrates 45 Years at McKenzie Health System

In 1976, the year Louise Blasius joined McKenzie Memorial Hospital, the Apple Computer Company and Microsoft were incorporated and Jimmy Carter defeated incumbent Gerald Ford in that year’s presidential election. Meanwhile, Blasius was beginning her storied career of service, which has included a comprehensive range of human services, grant writing and funding, and commitment to members of every generation. Presently, she serves as Director of Human Services for McKenzie Health System, but is also well-known for helping organize the Senior Citizens Fair in Sanilac County and having a presence on various committees throughout the county.

“Louise is an outstanding member of our team and a wonderful community member, who is dedicated to so many nonprofits, causes and individuals. We are so fortunate and extremely grateful for her impressive 45 years of service!” said Steve Barnett, McKenzie Health System President and CEO. “She has been so much a part of McKenzie for so long that it is hard to imagine a time when her personality was not present. We hope she continues to be part of our organization for many years to come.”

Her impressive body of work over the past four-and-a-half decades includes implementing the McKenzie Family Planning Program, a Title X funded project, in 1978; it earned a Program Recognition Award by the Michigan Department of Community Health nearly two decades later based on advocacy, impact and innovation. Blasius received a Certificate of Special Tribute by Michigan Governor James Blanchard for serving those in need with distributions of food and clothing, the Anthony V. DeVito II Memorial Award for outstanding service in geriatrics education, and both the Award of Merit and the Award of Distinction from the Michigan Association of School Boards. She also started the Thumb Area Geriatric Clinic in Sanilac and Huron counties and was featured as a “Blue Water Trading Card” by the “Times Herald” in Port Huron and honored as “Blue Water Woman of Distinction” by the Blue Water Girl Scouts for being “a great role model for young women.”

“It has been wonderful to be an integral part of a growing, community-focused organization and to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on our community’s overall health and wellness,” Blasius said. “I’m also fortunate to connect with so many amazing coworkers and community members every day.”

Blasius is licensed by the Board of Counseling as a Professional Counselor and by the Board of Social Workers Examiners as a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kalamazoo College and her master’s in Counseling from Western Michigan University.

Her extensive community involvement includes serving as president of Sanilac County Building Ties, as a member of the Sanilac County Community Foundation, president of the Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District Board of Education and the Sanilac Intermediate School District Board of Education, past president of the Sandusky Lions Club, member of the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Posse and the Michigan Trail Riders Association. When she is not working or volunteering, Blasius loves spending time with family, especially horseback riding, kayaking and family trips.