PRESS RELEASE: GHP honors local heroes; James W. Gaskin inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame

*Photos available at end of release, additional photos can be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Shannon Ciszek, Communications Coordinator, Genesee Health Plan, 810.232.7740, sciszek@countyhealthplans.org

Genesee Health Plan honors local health care heroes at annual awards ceremony

James W. Gaskin, CEO of United Way of Genesee County, inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame

FLINT – The Genesee Health Plan (GHP) honored local health care champions for their commitment to the Genesee County community through their advocacy, leadership and efforts ensuring that health care access and essential resources are available to Genesee County residents during the 2023 Health Care Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 3, at the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center in Grand Blanc, with special thanks to Huntington Bank as the official event sponsor. Ascension Genesys Hospital, Genesee County Medical Society, and Hamilton Community Health Network were the official partner sponsors for the event.

Congressman Dan Kildee provided opening remarks acknowledging the work of the award recipients, community organizations and members in attendance and emphasizing the importance of community partnerships working together to provide Genesee County with access to basic, essential needs and resources.

“It is an honor to be a part of recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of this year’s awardees. For our health care system to work, people must have access to affordable care. Health plans—like Genesee Health Plan—make that possible, and I am grateful for their partnership in ensuring Michiganders can get the care they need,” said Congressman Kildee. “In Congress, I am committed to delivering federal resources to organizations that prevent people in our community from having to make the impossible choice between paying their medical bills or putting a roof over their family’s head.”

This year, Jamie Gaskin was inducted into the 2023 Health Care Hall of Fame for his dedication, advocacy and leadership that has helped improve access to quality healthcare and basic needs for Genesee County since becoming CEO of the United Way of Genesee County in 2012. During the Flint Water Crisis, Jamie advocated for clean water and accurate information for Flint residents well before any state or federal declarations were made. He was instrumental in linking residents with water, filters, and other necessities by connecting the federal government with local organizations. Through his leadership, Jamie leveraged over two million dollars to provide nonprofits with personal protective equipment, vaccine education and COVID-19 resources to keep the community safe during the pandemic.

“Jamie Gaskin has been a visionary leader in our community, from ensuring Flint residents have access to healthcare and coverage to advocating for life-saving resources in moments of crisis,” said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “Jamie has dedicated years of service to the Greater Flint community, and he continues to fight for those in need. His tireless advocacy makes him a deserving recipient of this award.”

Gaskin has played a vital role in connecting Genesee County residents to GHP’s services, community resources and basic needs such as healthy food, clean water, and safe shelter. During the Flint Water Crisis, Jamie and the United Way partnered with GHP for multicultural health navigators to provide healthcare services to Genesee County residents where language and/or culture is an identified barrier in accessing needed healthcare services during and after the crisis.

“I am deeply honored to be inducted into the GHP Health Care Hall of Fame,” Gaskin said. “Basic needs are a human right, not a luxury. Through the work of United Way of Genesee County and our partnerships with community organizations like GHP, we will continue our commitment to the community to make a positive impact for those in need.”

Other award recipients include:

Volunteer Award

The Volunteer Award is given in gratitude to those who have dedicated their time and efforts in making sure those within their communities have access to quality and affordable health care and resources in Genesee County through their work with Genesee Health Plan.

• La’Trece Davis: For six years, La’Trece has worked as a Director of R.L. Jones Community Outreach Center, partnering with Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) on weekly food deliveries for over 1,200 households. During the water crisis, La’Trece volunteered at the help center, ensuring that residents had access to water by helping with weekly water distributions. She also prepared boxes of food and essential items for those displaced by the explosion on Flint’s west side in November 2021. La’Trece has worked with GHP on multiple projects, providing a trusted voice for radio and television interviews and commercials during the pandemic. La’Trece volunteered her time to educate those in our community on how to stay safe during the pandemic.

“We are so incredibly proud of La’Trece and her commitment to helping our community,” said Jones. Our work could not be done without volunteers and staff of R.L. Jones; La’Trece is so deserving of this award for her continued volunteerism in the community.”

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. Health Alliance Plan was one of this year’s official award sponsors for the event.

• Omar A. Sims: is a champion and coalition builder for healthy living and equitable access to health care for the underserved, uninformed, and underrepresented. As the Executive Community Liaison for HAP, he has partnered with Genesee Health Plan (GHP) and numerous other community organizations to ensure Genesee County residents have access to quality, affordable health care and other vital resources. During the Flint Water Crisis, Omar spearheaded a robust lead awareness and testing campaign focused on providing education for residents by developing a network of 100+ community partners in Mid-Michigan. Additionally, he has partnered extensively with GHP, participating and volunteering at multiple community outreach events that include Be Wise Immunize & Turkey Giveaway, GHP Drive-Thru Vaccine Event, Family Fun Days, and the Health Care Hall of Fame Program. During the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Omar organized and launched “Edu-Tainment” for residents receiving vaccinations, sponsored by Genesee County Health Department and Henry Ford Hospital. Omar was also instrumental with HAPs involvement in GHP’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Drive-Thru Events, focusing on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

“Genesee County is fortunate to have a community partner, Omar Sims, who is involved, and present at almost every community event, collaborating with organizations, listening to the community and connecting residents to a variety of services and resources,” said Jim Milanowski, president, and CEO of GHP. “Genesee Health Plan is honored to recognize and award Omar Sims because he is and has been a crucial part of the community.”

Visionary Leadership Award:

The Visionary Leadership Award is given in gratitude to the people and organizations that have provided leadership for creative solutions to accessible, quality, and affordable health care in Genesee County. Genesee Community Health Center and Genesee Health System were one of this year’s official award sponsors for the event.

• Yaushica Aubert: For over 24 years, Yaushica Aubert has dedicated her work to the aging population. As a visionary leader, Yaushica focuses on where gaps in services exist and leverages partnerships in the community with other organizations. As President & CEO of Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA), Yaushica has been instrumental in establishing, implementing, and growing programs that address many Social Determinants of Health. She also worked with the Genesee County Office of Senior Services to use senior millage dollars for intake, referral, and care management and increased community partnership to leverage funding/services for a comprehensive approach to meeting seniors’ needs. During the pandemic, VAAA was pivotal in helping the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) schedule seniors for their vaccinations before the COVID webpage on the GCHD website was launched. Under her leadership, VAAA created a COVID Hotline and distributed personal protective equipment and vaccinations to homebound seniors and programs serving seniors. Additionally, she developed a Telehealth program that monitors vitals for those with chronic health conditions during the pandemic that has continued to this day as well as a tablet distribution program that provides free internet for a limited time for low-income seniors to participate in programs and communicate with their loved ones to reduce social isolation. Yaushica has also been a member of the GHP Board of Directors since 2019.

“Genesee County is truly fortunate to have Yaushica Aubert as the visionary leader for older adults in our community,” said Kathryn Boles, 2021 health care hall of fame Inductee. Her experience, passion, and vision for working with older adults is evident through her many accomplishments. “I applaud and thank Yaushica for her commitment to older adults and caregivers in our community.”

2023 Health Career Scholarship Contest award winners were awarded and featured at the dinner. GHP has partnered with Sovita Credit Union for the past four years to award two Genesee County high school seniors with $1,500 scholarships. Students were asked to write an essay explaining what they have learned from their exploration of their family’s health history, career field chosen, how learning about their family health heritage impacted their chosen field and if the coronavirus pandemic impacted their field of study. Additionally, the Genesee County Medical Society (GCMS), partnered with GHP to award a third $1,500 scholarship in memory of the late Dr. Venkat Rao. Below are the winners:

• Maya Mangett graduated from Swartz Creek High School this year and will be attending Mott Community College to study nursing, specializing in orthopedics. Her hope is to help families and patients the same way that her family has been helped by those in the medical field and wants her patients to know that they are important and cared for during their time of need.
• Emmalyn Scrivener graduated from Swartz Creek High School this year and will be attending the University of Michigan-Flint to study nursing. She is currently deciding between a career as a trauma nurse or nursing in labor and delivery. Her hope is to make her patients feel comfortable during their time of illness, while also easing their trauma.
• Abigail Willyerd graduated from Swartz Creek High School this year and is the recipient of the Venkat Rao, MD Memorial Scholarship. Abigail will be attending Grand Valley State University to begin her college studies. She plans to work in the medical field, specifically with children. Her hope is to help others the way she was helped during her time of illness, showing compassion and care that her doctors showed her.