Category: Health Centers in the News

MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Board of Directors of Hackley Community Care (HCC) is pleased to announce the appointment Michael Weessies as HCC’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 16. Mr. Weessies will step into the role of HCC’s retiring CEO Linda Juarez Garzelloni, who has served as organizations CEO for thirty years and leaves an extensive legacy to the community of Muskegon.

Mr. Weessies holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelors Degree in Health Systems from Ferris State University. He completed a fellowship in health care administration with the Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C.

During his tenure with Hackley/Mercy Health, Michael reorganized urgent care operations in Grand Rapids, reducing operational investment while also serving on the Trinity Health committee to select a national partner (Premier Health) for the urgent care service line. He then supported the transition of operations to Premier Health in September 2021. He also leveraged the relationship with Shape Corporation to open a COVID-19 vaccination site providing over 35,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to Muskegon and Ottawa County residents during the pandemic.

Mr. Weessies has had an exemplary career at Hackley/Mercy Health and has held the titles of Occupational Health Coordinator, Director of Workplace Health, Director of Workplace Health & DME. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to HCC, inclusive of 27 years of healthcare experience with Hackley Health/Mercy Health, most recently serving as the Vice President of Business Health Solutions. Additionally, he has served on several local boards including Mercy Life Counseling, Access Health Muskegon, and Reeths Puffer Board of Education. He currently serves on the board for Pioneer Resources and the Employers Association of West Michigan.

HCC has worked directly with Michael over the years and most recently he was the Mercy Health point person as HCC worked with Mercy Health to transition the former Mercy ER to our Clinton NowCare site at 1550 Clinton Street. Hackley Community Care will continue to provide excellent medical, dental, OB/GYN, School Based healthcare, and mental Health services throughout Muskegon County. “I am excited to continue the 30-year legacy of Hackley Community Care while serving with their 285 dedicated, mission based colleagues”, said Mr. Weessies.

–Hackley Community Care Communications

LANSING–As the Director of Community Health Initiatives at Packard Health, Rebecca Fleming plays a vital role in protecting and improving the lives of vulnerable and underserved populations in Washtenaw County through culturally competent means. Rebecca focuses on providing patient outreach, chronic disease management, care coordination, and health promotion.

In addition to overseeing the Community Health Workers and Outreach Nurses, she is a site supervisor for the MPCA HealthCorps AmeriCorps program. The MPCA HealthCorps AmeriCorps program helps connect low income and medically underserved populations to primary health care through patient engagement activities. The goal of the program is to increase access to health care services through preventive care and chronic disease management, assisting Medicaid members in maximizing their health plan benefits, and addressing social determinants of health by eliminating barriers to care.

“We are so fortunate to have been chosen as a host site,” said Rebecca, who has been selected Michigan’s AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of the Month. “Our AmeriCorps volunteers have brought such passion and commitment to the Packard team and our community. We’re super grateful and excited to continue this fantastic partnership!”

Rebecca exhibits many qualities that make her an exceptional site supervisor. She meets weekly with AmeriCorps members to exchange insights, gain clarity, and find solutions to any volunteer requests and needs. These meetings are her way to serve her team, which is exemplary through her actions. She also offers positive feedback and helps AmeriCorps members feel like valued members of the healthcare team at Packard Health. Rebecca aims to improve lives and strengthen communities in Washtenaw County through her work.

“Rebecca is my inspiration to pursue a dual master’s in Public Health with a concentration in health education and social work, focusing on Integrated Health with Medically Underserved Populations,” stated AmeriCorps member Wolfgang Bahr. “Overall, Rebecca has been at the forefront of Packard’s initiatives of helping people tackle the most significant barriers preventing them from receiving equitable healthcare. She has helped lead the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging in intensive vaccine outreach alongside local partners. Her passion for the community has ignited my ambition to pursue a career in community change.”

Learn more about the MPCA HealthCorps AmeriCorps program and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.

–Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

CENTER LINE–MyCare Health Center, a Macomb County-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is pleased to continue their partnership with the Macomb County Food Bank to offer a no cost food pantry at their two locations in Macomb County. Food will be available monthly at their Mount Clemens and Center Line locations on alternating months.

MyCare hosted its first food pantry in August 2021 in Mount Clemens during National Health Center Week. It was so well received that both organizations felt it would be beneficial to the community to continue offering the food pantry, but to alternate between two of  MyCare’s locations. Throughout the rest of the year, two pantries were held in Mount Clemens and two in Center Line. In total, over 180 people we served between both locations. Dates have been scheduled for 2022 with the first distribution event on Tuesday, January 25 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 18 Market Street, Mount Clemens. The pantry is open to the public, regardless if they are a Macomb County resident. Some items participants can expect to receive are frozen meats, cheese, butter, rice, cereal, milk, bread, and boxes of shelf sustainable food items. Cooler totes will be available while supplies last.

In response to the partnership with MyCare, Ann Wagner from the Macomb County Food Bank stated, “The collaboration between the Macomb County Food Program and MyCare Health Centers is a win-win for our residents. We are grateful for this like-minded partnership, allowing the Food Program to widen its reach, providing relief to even more residents in need.”

“Based on last year’s success, we felt it was important to continue our partnership with the Macomb County Food Bank,” said Karen Wood, CEO of MyCare Health Center. “Serving the community through collaborating with fellow Macomb County organizations is something we strive to do to better serve our community at large.”

For a complete list of distribution dates, locations, and times, please visit the MyCare Health Center website at: www.mycarehealthcenter.org.

–Erika DeLange, MyCare Community Engagement Manager (photo provided)

PONTIAC–The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has chosen Dr. Nikhil Hemady, MD, FAAFP, as a recipient of the 2022 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award. Hemady, the director of the family medicine residency program at Pontiac General Hospital, is one of just eight physicians nationwide to receive the honor.

“I was pleasantly surprised and honored by the recognition,” Hemady said. “These are the formative years for these residents. This is where you can truly mold them into being outstanding family physicians.”

The Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award honors program directors who find innovative ways to teach residents and to provide quality health care while remaining connected to the initial impulse to care for others in this environment.

“These esteemed honorees personify the resolution of the GME community to provide quality, equitable health care and education,” said ACGME President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Nasca, MD, MACP. “Now more than ever, it is important to recognize those who serve, and those who work every day to ensure the American public that physician education is in the most capable of hands.”

Dr. Hemady and his fellow award winners will be featured in the Awards Hall during the ACGME’s Annual Education Conference, which will be held virtually on March 30-April 1, 2022. The ACGME Awards honor the best in graduate medical education.

Having served as the family medicine residency program director at Pontiac General Hospital for the past 14 years, Hemady is also the Chief Medical Officer for Honor Community Health, which works in conjunction with PGH’s family medicine rotation. Dr. Hemady has been in practice for more than 20 years.

“Dr. Hemady has the rare ability to be both a gifted teacher and a health care leader that leads from the heart,” said Honor Community Health CEO Deb Brinson. “The next generation of physicians, our patients and the community Honor serves are far better off because of his commitment to high quality care, innovations in the delivery of health care, commitment and passion to teaching along with his genuine compassion to serving others.”

–Honor Community Health Marketing & Communications

LANSING–InterCare Family Health Network hosted a successful blood lead testing event on Saturday, Nov. 20, for City of Benton Harbor residents.

Although blood lead tests cannot reveal if a person was exposed to lead in the past, testing is particularly important for young children and pregnant persons because exposure to lead early in life has been shown to cause problems with learning, behavior, hearing and growth. For individuals who have elevated blood lead levels, the goals are to identify the source of lead, stop the lead exposure and to talk with their doctor to discuss any other tests or follow-up that might be needed.

Children less than 6 years old with an elevated blood lead level are offered nurse case management through the Berrien County Health Department, which includes a home visit with a registered nurse.

In addition, in an effort to provide city residents with additional access to safe, clean drinking water, InterCare purchased and had bottled water available for test participants. Staff also provided COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as well as flu shots during the event.

Blood lead testing for children also was being offered through the WIC program and the Berrien County Health Department.

Free bottled water continues to be provided by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local, paid residents as City of Benton Harbor residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula.

To arrange water delivery to homebound or residents without transportation in the city of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Phones that cannot contact 211 should contact 844-875-9211.

The five-day bottled water pickup continues this week:

Monday, Nov. 22

• Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Self-service)
• Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, noon – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 23

• Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, noon – 2 p.m.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church, 214 E. Britain Avenue, 4 – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 24

• Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, 3 – 6 p.m., (Water loaded into vehicles by volunteers)
• Brotherhood of All Nations, 1286 Monroe Street, 4 – 6 p.m.

The ongoing response in Benton Harbor includes the city, Berrien County Health Department, local community organizations, MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This action is part of an accelerated, across-the-board effort to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water while the city replaces all lead service lines.

Additional dates and locations for bottled water pick up will be added to make sure community needs are met. Information will be posted on  Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe.

To ensure the continued success of bottled water distribution locations in Benton Harbor and to recognize the city residents who have been stepping up to donate their time and talent, the State of Michigan has partnered with local agencies to pay city residents who work at state-supported bottled water distribution sites. Individuals who want to serve as community ambassadors to help distribute water should connect with an established distribution site. Individuals or groups who want to serve as unpaid volunteers can sign up  on the United Way’s online platform .

MDHHS is engaging in a long-term effort to eliminate lead action level exceedances, educate communities on the effects of lead in drinking water, and remove lead service lines. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the  replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months and the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has provided just under $20 million to Benton Harbor to speed up their service line replacement timeline.

There is no cost to City of Benton Harbor residents for lead service line replacement. To assist with assuring the work can be completed as soon as possible, residents are encouraged to complete the  Water Service Line Replacement Agreement  available online. Contractors cannot begin work on any property without property owner authorization. Completed forms can be returned to Abonmarche, 95 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or emailed to  [email protected].

These efforts also include recently approved funds to remove lead from homes in the city. Families living in Benton Harbor can apply for this service by filling out and mailing in an application that is available online.  Residents also can call 866-691-5323 to obtain information.

For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

–MDHHS Office of Public Information

BALDWIN – Having providers that are compassionate patient advocates is essential to helping Family Health Care (FHC) achieve its mission. That’s why FHC is pleased to announce the additions of Marisa Gariglio, Family Nurse Practitioner, to its Big Rapids Health Center and Alexander Warnsholz, Physician Assistant, to its Baldwin Health Center.

Marisa has worked as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner in rural health care settings over the last 10 years. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ferris State University and her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner at Oakland University.

“Being at Family Health Care is a great opportunity to meet the needs of patients and the community,” said Marisa. “I look forward to being a part of the future growth of the Big Rapids Health Center while building relationships with coworkers, patients, and the community.”

Alexander completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Michigan Technological University and his Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies at South College in Knoxville, TN. Since 2016, Alexander has provided outpatient care as a Physician Assistant to residents in Mason, Manistee, and the surrounding counties.

“I am excited to be part of the patient-centered medical team providing care to encompass all of the community’s needs,” said Alexander. “I feel FHC’s mission and my practice goals align very well. I am delighted to be granted this opportunity to join the team in Baldwin.”

Patients can schedule appointments with Marisa and Alexander for various medical concerns, including annual physicals, sick visits, chronic disease management, minor procedures, and acute care visits. Along with medical services, FHC strives to provide quality, affordable access to behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology services.

Marisa provides medical care services at FHC’s Big Rapids Health Center located at 730 Water Tower Road in Big Rapids. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 527-7150.

Alexander provides medical care at FHC’s Baldwin Health Center located at 1615 Michigan Avenue in Baldwin. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 745-4624.

For more information on Family Health Care, visit familyhealthcare.org.

–Travis Kroll, Family Health Care External Relations

LANSING–The Michigan Primary Care Association and ACCESS announced on Wednesday a new development in their effort to lead affordable healthcare enrollment for vulnerable populations across Michigan.

This year, in addition to offering free healthcare enrollment services, ACCESS – along with MPCA and 10 other partner organizations – will help ensure that healthcare navigator services are expanded throughout the entire state, to reach uninsured and underinsured Michiganders in all 83 counties. Services will include outreach, education and enrollment efforts, with an aim to reach underserved communities and minority populations including MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) Michiganders. The goal is to enroll and re-enroll over 42,000 Michiganders, statewide, in health insurance coverage.

“Health centers have long been on the frontline of equitable access to healthcare, and this initiative is a natural fit with that mission,” Anne Scott, MPCA health center operations officer, said. “Michigan health centers are ready to serve their communities across the state with health care coverage enrollment services.”

 MPCA’s navigator project partner listings: Alcona Health Center, Family Health Care, Center for Family Health, Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, Hamilton Community Health Network, InterCare Community Health Network, Isabella Citizens for Health, Inc., Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc., Thunder Bay Community Health Service and Traverse Health Clinic.

ABOUT ACCESS’ HEALTHCARE NAVITAGOR SERVICES
Since its first Navigator award during 2014, ACCESS has enrolled or re-enrolled 43,000 Michiganders in health insurance. During the 2020-2021 program year, more than 7,000 individuals were assisted. This includes assisting more than 2,453 with Health Insurance Exchange applications, more than 2,545 with Healthy Michigan Medicaid Plan applications and providing over 2,000 clients with education, case management or re-enrollment.

ABOUT ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to empowerment, ACCESS is the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the U.S., with a 50-year history of nonprofit excellence. Guided by our vision of a just and equitable society, with the full participation of Arab Americans, we empower communities in Southeast Michigan to improve their economic, social and cultural well-being through an extensive network of health, education, employment and social services programming. Our mission extends nationally through our highly esteemed institutions—the Arab American National Museum (AANM), the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) and The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC)—which are focused on making an impact through advocacy, the arts and philanthropy. For more information, visit https://www.accesscommunity.org.

ABOUT MPCA
MPCA is the voice of 39 community health centers and four Native American health service providers that provide primary and preventive health care to more than 715,000 patients in rural and urban communities across Michigan. We advocate to influence and advance health policy in Lansing and Washington, D.C., foster collaboration among health centers and with external partners, and support health centers in the continuous pursuit of high-quality, patient-centered services. Learn more by downloadingour MPCA fact sheet!

ANN ARBOR–Packard Health has been a touchstone in Washtenaw County since 1973, offering health care services on a sliding scale to anyone who needs them. But the organization had long outgrown its original space at 3174 Packard Rd., in Ann Arbor.

“The space crunch became really acute in the two years before COVID hit,” says Dr. Ray Rion, Packard Health’s executive director. “We had people literally working in closets. The conference room became the workspace for five or six staff. The building was constructed in the ’70s. Things have changed a lot since then.”

Now, thanks to an $8 million capital campaign launched in 2018, the health center has moved its main office to 2650 Carpenter Rd. in Pittsfield Township. Formerly the site of a AAA branch, Packard Health purchased the building in 2019, just before the pandemic hit. Construction to transform the space from an open layout into one that includes exam rooms and private offices began in early 2021, and the new location opened its doors to patients in August.

The new site has allowed Packard Health to expand its services. In addition to space for primary care, there’s now an on-site lab so that patients can give blood draws right in the office, as well as space for a potential pharmacy. And there is more room for behavioral health and addiction treatment — the need for which has skyrocketed during the pandemic, says Rion.

In 2015, Packard Health became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

“It really stabilized our operating performance, and it enabled us to fundraise around expansion and capital projects,” Rion says.

FQHCs can provide dental care, notes Rion, which is something Packard Health will consider down the road as well.

Part of the capital campaign includes a nearly $3 million real estate gift from Dick and Norma Sarns — a building on Venture Drive in Ann Arbor that now serves as Packard Health’s administrative headquarters. The next phase of the organization’s expansion will involve adding behavioral health and primary health care services at that site. In the future, Rion hopes to offer wellness services too, like nutritional support and exercise programs.

Rion stresses that Washtenaw County is “extremely lucky” to have two excellent health systems, but that many people still “fall through the cracks” when it comes to health care.

“It may be economic, or it may be that they don’t have insurance. It may be that they are struggling with a constellation of social and medical factors that make it difficult for them to access services in a more standard practice,” says Rion.

In Rion’s words, the mission of Packard Health has always been “trying to meet people where they are.”

“To me the crux is serving people who don’t fit in well with health systems, or get good services through health systems,” he says. “That’s really what our place in the community is.”

–Jeanne Hodesh, Ann Arbor-based freelance writer for ConcentrateMedia

CENTER LINE — MyCare Health Center, a Macomb County based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is excited to welcome David Macon, DO, to their practitioner family. Dr. Macon is a board certified Family Medicine physician who is committed to serving those living in southeast Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his family medicine residency within the Henry Ford Health System. Dr. Macon sees patients at all ages and enjoys working collaboratively with them to meet their health care goals.

Karen Wood, MyCare’s chief executive officer, stated, “We are pleased to have Dr. Macon join our team! He will be a wonderful addition to our MyCare family.”

As a FQHC and first responder, MyCare provides high quality primary and preventative health care to all regardless of their ability to pay. MyCare currently operates clinics in Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, and Center Line. The integrated services include; routine medical care for adults, children and infants; dentistry, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), behavioral health, laboratory services, women’s health services along with other supportive services aimed to improve the health and wellness of the community. To help prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, clinics continue to encourage patients to call ahead if they feel they are symptomatic. If it is determined that a patient presents COVID-19 symptoms and requires testing, the patient would be tested in the clinic before their appointment.

MyCare continues to offer COVID-19 rapid and PCR (send off) testing at their Center Line and Mount Clemens clinics by appointment. Appointments are also being scheduled for individuals seeking a vaccine. MyCare offers the Moderna vaccine currently approved for all individuals 18 years and older. Two doses are required 28 days apart.

Dr. Macon has begun seeing new and existing patients at the MyCare Health Center clinic in Center Line located at 6900 E. 10 Mile Road. To make an appointment, please call 586-756-7777.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number H80CS26572 from the Public Health Service ACT, Title III, Section 330 for $1,878,869.00 total with 69% financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

–Erika DeLange, MyCare Health Center