For many residents of Berrien County, better health and compassionate care have long been the quiet legacy of two men whose names may be more familiar to hospital staff than patients—but whose impact on the region’s health care is both broad and deeply personal.
Twin brothers Dr. Loren Hamel and Dr. Lowell Hamel have spent their entire adult lives not only practicing medicine in southwest Michigan but helping shape the systems and culture behind it. Now retired from their leadership posts at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health Lakeland), the Hamels were recently honored in a documentary by PBS Michiana WNIT titled “Legends of Michiana: Loren and Lowell Hamel”. The hour-long tribute, which aired May 29 and June 1, tells the story of two doctors whose careers intertwined with the lives of thousands—and whose approach to medicine was rooted in humility, faith, and servant leadership.
From the exam room to the boardroom, the Hamels have been fixtures in Berrien County’s medical landscape for decades. After graduating from Andrews Academy, Andrews University, and Loma Linda University School of Medicine (in a brisk three years), the twin brothers could have taken their talents anywhere. But they chose to return home, joining what was then Lakeland Health, and investing their professional lives into the wellness of the communities that raised them.
Dr. Loren Hamel eventually rose to become President of Lakeland Health, while Dr. Lowell Hamel took on key executive roles of his own. Both remained committed to patient care even as their leadership responsibilities grew. Their shared belief in putting people before policies helped foster a culture of kindness at Lakeland—later Corewell Health—that extended from the emergency room to the executive suite.
Many in the local medical community recall initiatives like Loren’s “Bring Your Heart to Work” campaign, which sought to humanize healthcare by encouraging compassion in every interaction. Others remember acts of quiet generosity, like when Lowell donated his own unused PTO pay to help a grieving employee afford funeral costs for her mother.
Their leadership didn’t just shape policy—it changed people.
Both men also endured personal trials alongside their community. When Lowell faced a near-death battle with COVID-19, the outpouring of prayer and support from across the region illustrated just how deeply the Hamels had embedded themselves in the hearts of the people they served.
The documentary is filled with personal reflections from family, colleagues, and local leaders—including retired Pioneer Memorial Church Pastor Dwight Nelson, who recalled the overwhelming communal response to Lowell’s illness: “That unifying prayer for saving the life of Dr. Lowell—I have never seen this community pray over anything more.”
Today, both men are officially retired, but remain active in their own way—continuing their lifelong brotherly rivalry in woodworking and John Deere projects. Three generations of the Hamel family still live in Berrien County, a testament to their ongoing connection to the place they’ve always called home.
While their names may not be etched into public monuments, the legacy of Doctors Loren and Lowell Hamel is felt in the lives they touched, the healthcare system they helped shape, and the healthier community they leave behind.
As Lowell humbly put it: “A legend doesn’t mean famous. A legend, for me, means that people know you’re dedicated to what you’re doing. They understand and trust what you’re doing.”
Residents interested in viewing the documentary can watch the full episode of “Legends of Michiana: Loren and Lowell Hamel” on the PBS Michiana WNIT website.
