GHP: Doctor Lawrence Reynolds and local health care champions honored at Genesee Health Plan awards dinner

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: Wednesday, May 16, 2018  

Shannon Ciszek, Communications Coordinator
Genesee Health Plan
Phone: 810.232.7740
Email: sciszek@countyhealthplans.org

Dr. Lawrence Reynolds and local health care champions honored at Genesee Health Plan awards dinner

GHP Health Care Hall of Fame Awards recognize health professionals and community leaders for commitment to health of Genesee County residents

FLINT – The Genesee Health Plan (GHP) honored local health care champions for their commitment to increasing access to health care coverage in Genesee County during the 2018 Health Care Hall of Fame Awards on Friday, May 11 at the Genesys Banquet Center in Grand Blanc. Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, pediatrician and former President/CEO of Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint, was recognized as the 2018 Health Care Hall of Fame Inductee.  U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee was among those in attendance and shared opening remarks highlighting the important work Genesee Health Plan does in the community to increase access to quality and affordable health care coverage.

“I was honored to join the Genesee Health Plan in honoring Dr. Lawrence Reynolds as this year’s Health Care Hall of Fame inductee. Throughout the water crisis, Dr. Reynolds has worked tirelessly to help Flint families get safe drinking water and health services they need. We are blessed to have many outstanding health care leaders in Genesee County, including Dr. Reynolds and this year’s Genesee Health Plan Hall of Fame award recipients, who are all committed to improving the overall health of our community,” said Congressman Kildee.

“Dr. Reynolds is a true example of the Genesee Health Plan’s mission and has played a vital role in the development and success of GHP for nearly two decades. We are grateful for Dr. Reynold’s leadership in our community and for giving the medical community and thousands of Flint residents a voice during the water crisis,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “On behalf of the Genesee Health Plan, we are honored to induct Dr. Reynolds into the GHP Hall of Fame, as well as celebrate the amazing health care champions in our community. We are fortunate to have so many health care professionals and community leaders who continue to support GHP and the overall health of Genesee County.”

Dr. Reynolds has practiced pediatric medicine in Flint since 1990 and has worked tirelessly to support GHP since its inception in 2001. In 2003, he received the Emerson Award for Volunteer Leadership from the Greater Flint Health Coalition for his work with Pharmacist Joe Leonard, HealthPlus staff and others to launch GHP. While Medical Director of the Hamilton Family Health Center and a board member of the Genesee County Medical Society, Dr. Reynolds worked with the GHP Pharmacy, Therapeutics and Utilization committees. Since his retirement as President/CEO of Mott Children’s Health Center in 2016, he has continued working with Genesee County residents, colleagues and Dr. Pamela Pugh, the Mayor’s Health Adviser for the City of Flint, to ensure residents have access to safe drinking water. In addition, he has been a leader in developing and supporting the work of the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Child Health Access Program and the Flint (Lead Exposure) Registry. Dr. Reynolds is a board member and past president of the Genesee County Medical Society.

“The Genesee Health Plan is essential to supporting the overall health of Genesee County residents and offers coverage for preventative health care services that ensure people can live healthy and happy lives,” Dr. Reynolds said. “It is a privilege to be a part of Genesee Health Plan’s success in the community and to help find innovative ways to ensure all Genesee County residents can get enrolled in coverage that meets their unique health needs.”

GHP recognized other community leaders, health care professionals and volunteers for their commitment to GHP’s mission and for ensuring Genesee County residents have access to  health care coverage. The GHP Hall of Fame Awards showcase efforts among GHP and local partners to help increase access to health care, from enrolling Genesee County residents in health care coverage to connecting members with preventative care services.

Other community leaders and partners recognized include:

Community Partnership Award

The Community Partnership Award honors an individual or organization that joined GHP in an enduring partnership, worked hand-in-hand to improve wellness and health education, or supported quality, affordable health care for GHP members. State Rep. Tim Sneller is the recipient of the 2018 Community Partnership Award.

• State Rep. Tim Sneller is serving his first term in the Michigan House and represents the 50^th House District which includes the cities of Grand Blanc and Burton as well as Grand Blanc and Mundy townships. Rep. Sneller is a longtime GHP supporter, volunteering on GHP’s 2006 and 2012 millage campaigns. Rep. Sneller has partnered with GHP in various capacities, including hosting a Health Insurance Enrollment Forum with Milanowski and staff, volunteering for the GHP Drive-Thru Immunization event, and having Milanowski at his district coffee hours as a special guest to discuss the importance of health care access and the vital services that GHP provides. At the local level, Rep. Sneller serves on the Greater Flint Health Coalition Board of Directors and is an active member of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce and the Burton Chamber of Commerce.

Physician Leadership Award

The Physician Leadership Award honors a leading physician or an organization that provides outstanding  care, serves as a patient advocate and demonstrates a commitment to strengthening health care in the community. Dr. Raymond Gist and Dr. Tracy Dantzler are recipients of the 2018 Physician Leadership Award.

• Dr. Raymond Gist is a longtime advocate for good oral health and increasing access to dental services in Genesee County. He currently serves on the Board of the Genesee Health Plan. He also serves on GHP’s Oral Health Coalition and the Physician’s Advisory Committee, both of which focus on providing health services to residents without access to care and helping them find a dental and medical home. Dr. Gist, a general dentist in Flint, was the first African American president of the American Dental Association, serving as president-elect in 2009 and 2010 and president in 2010 and 2011. Dr. Gist is a former president of the Michigan Dental Association and the Genesee District Dental Society.
• Dr. Traci Dantzler is a champion for good oral health in Genesee County and across the state of Michigan. Dr. Dantzler is an active member of the GHP Adult Oral Health Coalition, a collaborative that meets regularly to address the oral health needs of the uninsured and newly insured in Genesee County. As a Flint native, Dr. Dantzler is dedicated to bridging the gap between the community and access to oral health services. She has worked on local, state and national levels to help Flint residents affected by the Flint Water Crisis. Dr. Dantzler is past president of the Genesee District Dental Society, serving on its board of directors for the past eight years. She currently works in practice with Dr. Raymond Gist and is a member of the American Dental and Michigan Dental Associations.

Volunteer Award
The Volunteer Award honors an outstanding community member for going above and beyond to serve GHP and increase access to quality health care in the community. Jennifer Szumowicz is the recipient of the 2018 Volunteer Award.

• Jennifer Szumowicz has been involved with GHP since its creation in 2001. At that time, Szumowicz was Director of Pharmacy Operations at HealthPlus and helped develop and implement GHP’s pharmacy formulary, which details the types of medications that can be prescribed to GHP members. Additionally, she served as a member of GHP’s Network Quality and Oversight Committee (NQOC). Szumowicz is currently the Director of Specialty Pharmacy at CareSource in Dayton, Ohio, and continues to volunteer with GHP on managing its pharmacy benefit.

GHP also recognized the winners of its annual Health Heritage Essay Contest and the 2018 Health Care Career Scholarship. Below are the winners:

Grades 7-9 Essay Contest Winners

• First Place: Devon Clausell, Jr. 9^th Grade, Genesee STEM Academy
• Second Place: Akiyah Williams, 9^th Grade, Genesee STEM Academy

Grades 10-12 Essay Contest Winners

• First Place: Takyia Howard-Jackson, 11^th Grade, Northwestern High School
• Second Place: Anthony Seymour, 11^th Grade, Northwestern High School

Health Care Career Scholarship Winner

• Lauren Wissing, a senior at Lake Fenton High School, is the recipient of the 2018 Health Care Career Scholarship and will use her $500 scholarship to attend Genesys Health System’s emergency medical technician (EMT) training program this fall.

###

Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched in 2001 to fulfill its vision by providing health care coverage and life-saving services to the uninsured residents of Genesee County. The plan has provided more than 90,000 county residents with doctor visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, X-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. GHP is still here, working hard to make it easier for Genesee County residents to get health care coverage. Many individuals do not know when they’re going to need health care coverage, and Genesee Health Plan is there to help them when they need it most. Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740 to schedule an appointment.