2019 GHP Health Care Hall of Fame Awards Dinner

Peter Levine and local health care champions honored at Genesee Health Plan awards dinner *Photos at end of article*

Health Care Hall of Fame Awards recognize health care professionals and community leaders for commitment to the overall 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 2019 Health Care Hall of Fame Awards on Friday, April 12 at the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center in Grand Blanc.

Peter “Pete” Levine, Executive Director of the Genesee County Medical Society (GCMS), was recognized as the 2019 Health Care Hall of Fame Inductee for his commitment to GHP and the community through work accomplished with the Genesee County Medical Society during the water crisis. 

“Pete Levine has worked tirelessly with the GCMS physicians in response to the Flint Water Crisis by researching and analyzing significant impacts on public health and safety. In doing so, the GCMS was able to publicly advise the community on how to reduce health risks based on exposure to the contaminated water. We are blessed to have many outstanding health care leaders in Genesee County, including Pete Levine and all of the award recipients this year who are committed to improving the overall health of our community,” said Dr. Laura Carravallah, Program Director, Meds-Peds Residency Program, MSU College of Human Medicine and Board Member of both the Genesee Health Plan and Genesee County Medical Society, who presented Levine with the honor.

“Pete Levine is a true example of an unsung hero. Our Health Care Hall of Fame Inductees are honored for their selfless service to our community and for the work they do behind the scenes every day that helps improve the health and wellbeing of each resident in Genesee County,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “Pete has dedicated his entire career to advocating for quality health care and improving overall community health and is a true connector in the medical community. We are honored to induct him into the GHP Health Care Hall of Fame.”

“I love being part of a community that’s willing to help the underserved,” Levine said. “The Genesee Health Plan is a reflection of our community’s commitment to making sure people have access to quality health care.”

GHP also recognized an organization for its community partnership and an individual for their visionary leadership and commitment to the overall health of Genesee County and partnership with Genesee Health Plan. Additionally, GHP honored local hospitals, chambers of commerce and several individuals who volunteered their time and talent during the Health Care Services Millage effort last November with the Friends of Genesee Health Plan Champion Award:

• Ascension Genesys Hospital
• Hurley Medical Center
• McLaren Flint
• Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
• Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce
• Pastor Anthony Artis
• Lila Bjaland
• Dennis Cramer
• Health Alliance Plan
• Peggy Kahn
• Terri Price
• Barb Smith
• Coreena Storms
• Estephanie Ward

Other award recipients honored 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. Motherly Intercession is the recipient of the 2019 Community Partnership Award.

• Motherly Intercession was founded in 1999 by Mrs. Shirley Cochran. She began with a passion for seeing children united with their mothers during Christmas, even though they were in the County Jail. Motherly Intercession is now open to serving any of Genesee County’s children whose parents are incarcerated. Motherly Intercession is committed to serving children and cultivating a stronger community by preventing the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. In 2016, Motherly Intercession partnered with the Genesee Health Plan to increase access to health care for incarcerated mothers and/or fathers, their children and other family members.

Visionary Leadership Award
The Visionary Leadership Award honors local people and organizations that have provided leadership for creative solutions to accessible, quality and affordable health care. The late Nicholas T. Evans is the recipient of the 2019 Visionary Leadership Award.

• Nicholas T. Evans “Nick” was known for bringing his tremendous energy, optimism, passion and sense of humor to his work. He was the Vice President of Business & Fund Development of Ascension Genesys Hospital for over 14 years. During his time, he worked with the Veteran’s Administration (VA) in areas including Veterans Choice integration, planning for a proposed veteran’s retirement home adjacent to the Ascension Genesys Campus, presumptive illness programs and integration with the federal and state VA agencies.

Genesee Health Plan posthumously awarded Nick with the Visionary Leadership Award for his work to ensure the men and women who bravely served in the United States Armed Forces have access to quality health care. Nick worked with the Genesee Health Plan to develop a community-based veteran navigation program, which has been named the “EVANS Project” (Empowering Veterans of America with Navigation Services) to honor Nick’s legacy.  The program, is designed to empower veterans with health navigation services and connect them with benefits within the Veterans Administration (VA) and the community, including Genesee Health Plan’s dental program and providing a Patient Centered Medical Home for those who need one.

“We are honored Nick Evans is being recognized by the Genesee Health Plan for his dedication, compassion and commitment to increasing access to health care in our community,” said Chris Palazzolo, President and CEO of Ascension Genesys Hospital. “Nick was deeply passionate about expanding access to health care services for veterans across Genesee County. His work touched the lives of many people in our community.”

GHP also partnered with Delta Dental Foundation of Michigan to co-sponsor this year’s Health Heritage Essay and Scholarship Contests. The contests each included an additional requirement to explain how one’s oral health impacts their overall health. Teachers in both categories who had the most students in their class submit an essay into the contest were also recognized. Below are the winners:

Middle School Essay Contest Winners

• First Place: Kole Hogan, St. Pius X Catholic School
• Second Place: Alex Rinoldo, St. Pius X Catholic School
• TEACHER: Rhonda Irish, St. Pius X Catholic School

High School Essay Contest Winners

• First Place: Omar Naguib, Grand Blanc High School
• Second Place: Saani Jackson, Genesee STEM Academy
• TEACHER: Simone Walker, Genesee STEM Academy

Oral Health Career Scholarship Winners

• Max Slezak, a senior at Davison High School, is the first-place winner of the 2019 Oral Health Career Scholarship and will use his $1,500 scholarship to attend Michigan State University’s Predental Program this fall.
• Sean Jorrey, a senior at LakeVille Memorial High School, is the second-place winner of the 2019 Oral Health Career Scholarship and will use his $1,000 scholarship to attend Oakland University’s Predental Program this fall.

2019 Health Care Hall of Fame Inductee, Peter Levine

2019 Community Partnership Recipient, Motherly Intercession

2019 Visionary Leadership Recipient, the late Nicholas “Nick” T. Evans. Pictured are his wife, Kimberly Evans and two daughters, Camryn and Madison

Recipients of the Friends of Genesee Health Plan Champion Award.

2019 1st Place Oral Health Career Scholarship Recipient, Max Slezak, pictured with Commissioner David Martin, Sherika Finklea, Jim Milanowski and Delta Dental Foundation of Michigan.

Commissioner David Martin, Bobby Pestronk and Omar Sims