Health care professionals discussed issues including productivity, work force shortages

MARQUETTE -- Health care professionals from across the U.P. came to Marquette Thursday to discuss the new challenges their industry faces.

Fifty participants attended the Upper Peninsula Healthcare Conference at Northern Michigan University.

The U.P. Healthcare Roundtable organized this event to address employees and managers' concerns about productivity amid workforce shortages.  One speaker's response is to work together by taking more individual responsibility for work performance.

"Manage yourself more," said Michael Cohen.  "Do the right thing when no one's looking; demonstrate your character and good work ethic and service ethic and it will change the leadership style."

Organizers say they hope participants take these leadership skills back to their workplaces and put them into action.