Celebrating National Public Health Week

April 3-9, 2017 was National Public Health Week and we believe it’s important to recognize the healthcare professionals and organizations in our community that are making a positive impact.

Here in Genesee County, we are fortunate to have a strong network of community healthcare professionals and organizations that are working tirelessly to increase access to quality healthcare so residents can live longer, healthier and happier lives. One of those organizations making a positive difference in our community is the Hamilton Community Health Network, which celebrated its 35^th year of providing comprehensive, quality healthcare on Monday, April 3.

“Public health organizations like the Hamilton Community Health Network do amazing work in our community by providing a medical home to people who have had difficulty in the past accessing quality health care,” said GHP President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Milanowski. “By providing not only primary care services, but also specialty care, dental, vision and prescription medication, Hamilton is a one-stop place to get one’s health care.”

Hamilton is a Federally Qualified Health Center and is part of a national network of primary care centers (Section 330E) aimed at improving health services for inner city populations. These centers provide comprehensive care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Hamilton puts patients first, by utilizing its caring staff who is trained and certified in the management of chronic and acute disease, oral health management, health promotion and disease prevention as well as healthcare enrollment assistance.

“Hamilton Community Health Network was established 35 years ago during the same week that’s known today as National Public Health Week,” said Hamilton’s Chief Executive Officer Clarence Pierce. “Hamilton was created to fill a gap back in 1982 when the old Flint General Hospital was closed, which served African Americans who didn’t have a place to go for healthcare services.”

Pierce explained that when Flint General Hospital closed its doors, two nuns worked together to establish Hamilton Community Health Network. They originally opened Hamilton Community Health Network on Hamilton Avenue in Flint, which is now home to New Paths. “Knowing that we have come from the basement of the original facility on Hamilton Avenue to a full network of six clinics with numerous healthcare services including specialty care, and now being one of two teaching clinics in Michigan is phenomenal,” said Pierce.

“Working with GHP has been a great partnership. We have the same goals in mind, which is to educate and enroll individuals into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Expanded Medicaid Program,” said Pierce. “We consider GHP one of our primary partners because we work with the same population in Genesee County. They provide a health benefit for individuals who are in the middle and do not qualify for insurance plans offered through the ACA marketplace. They are also working on a great initiative to provide dental services to low-income populations, including seniors and veterans.”

For more information on Hamilton Community Health Network, their clinics and a complete list of site locations please call (810) 406-4912 or visit their website at www.hamiltonchn.org.