Bay City Entrepreneur Wins $5,000 to Strengthen Communication and Support in Healthcare

Local expert takes first place at Business by the Bay Pitch Competition with solution to improve collaboration, reduce burnout, and enhance patient care.

BAY CITY, MI – November 18, 2025 – Dr. Malynnda Stewart, founder and CEO of Compassionate Navigation, LLC, won first place and $5,000 at the Michigan SBDC’s Business by the Bay Pitch Competition held at John Glenn High School.

Stewart’s company partners with healthcare organizations to strengthen communication, improve teamwork, and prevent the conflicts and stressors that contribute to staff burnout and patient dissatisfaction.

“Healthcare professionals face some of the most emotionally demanding communication challenges imaginable,” said Stewart. “By giving teams the tools and structure to navigate those conversations with compassion and clarity, we can improve care quality and workplace well-being.”

Compassionate Navigation offers specialized training in conflict de-escalation, communication leadership, and trauma-informed care for hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice organizations, and healthcare systems across the Tri-Cities.

The company’s goal is to support 500 local healthcare professionals by the end of 2026 through tailored trainings, conflict mediation, and communication assessments.

Addressing a Growing Challenge

Healthcare teams nationwide are working under increasing pressure. Turnover among healthcare workers averages 20.7% nationally—costing hospitals between $3.9 and $5.8 million per year. Communication challenges often underlie issues like burnout, patient dissatisfaction, and preventable errors.

“In most cases, these aren’t failures of people—they’re symptoms of systems under stress,” Stewart said. “When we build communication skills and emotional awareness into the culture of care, everyone benefits—providers, patients, and families alike.”

From Classroom to Community

Dr. Stewart brings over 20 years of experience in health communication research and teaching to her work. After being invited by hospitals to train staff in sensitive conversations, she founded Compassionate Navigation in 2024 to expand her impact beyond academia.

Since then, the company has delivered training at national conferences, partnered with regional healthcare education programs, and provided consulting and mediation services for hospitals and universities.

“This isn’t just about communication—it’s about connection,” said Stewart. “When people feel seen, heard, and supported, care improves. I’m honored that Bay County has embraced this mission.”

Investing in Bay County’s Healthcare Future

The $5,000 award will be used to expand Compassionate Navigation’s programs across the Tri-Cities region, including:

• Targeted outreach to 25+ local healthcare organizations
• Three complimentary Lunch & Learn sessions for healthcare teams
• Professional storytelling videos highlighting local impact
• Launch of the Compassionate Pathways Fund to assist under-resourced facilities

“When healthcare teams communicate better, patient outcomes improve, staff feel more supported, and our community becomes stronger,” Stewart said. “This investment allows us to demonstrate that impact right here in Bay County.”

About Business by the Bay

The Business by the Bay Pitch Competition, sponsored by Michigan SBDC and Huntington Bank, supports early-stage entrepreneurs in Bay County, Michigan. The program offers mentorship, workshops, and seed funding to accelerate local business growth.

About Compassionate Navigation, LLC

Compassionate Navigation provides communication training, conflict mediation, and patient advocacy services designed for healthcare environments. Founded by Dr. Malynnda Stewart, a communication expert and certified mediator, the company specializes in trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches to the conversations that define care. Based in Bay City, Michigan, Compassionate Navigation serves hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice organizations, and healthcare systems across the Tri-Cities region and beyond.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit www.compassionatenavigation.com or contact Dr. Stewart at [email/phone].

Supporting Data

• 20.7% healthcare worker turnover in 2023 (Statista, 2023)
• Communication breakdowns linked to $1.7 billion in malpractice costs annually (HIPAA Journal, 2025)
• 80% of serious medical errors involve miscommunication during care transitions (HIPAA Journal, 2025)
• 50% of healthcare professionals report burnout (HealthLeaders Media, 2025)