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

*Photos available at the end of the release and here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 5, 2024
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

Dr. Laura Carravallah 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 2024 Health Care Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 1, at the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center in Grand Blanc. Special thanks go to Huntington Bank as the official event sponsor. HAP CareSource, and Hurley Foundation were the official partner sponsors for the event.

“This year’s winners have been on the frontlines of some of Michigan’s most pressing health care challenges and made a real difference in people’s lives,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am proud that these exemplary Michiganders are being recognized for their efforts, including Lew “The Car Seat Guy” Moquin, whose work to inspect and install car seats has kept hundreds of local kids safe. All these awardees are living examples of the best of Michigan. They take action to protect their communities and move our state forward.”

This year, Dr. Laura Carravallah was inducted into the 2024 Health Care Hall of Fame for her dedication, advocacy and leadership that has helped improve access to quality healthcare and basic needs for Genesee County. During the Flint Water Crisis, Dr. Carravallah collaborated with academic organizations, GHP, and more to organize response efforts on behalf of her role on the Community and Environmental Health Committee of the Genesee County Medical Society from 2016-2020. From 2012-2023, she served on the Genesee County Board of Health, helping steer health policy to positively impact county residents. Dr. Carravallah served on the GHP Board of Directors from 2018-2023, the Physician Advisory Committee, and has advocated for the health plan throughout her career.

“I have worked with Dr. Carravallah since she was a medical student at Hurley, during residency, and since then as colleague, she has always been concerned, active, and advocated for the wellbeing of her patients and the community,” said Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, 2019 GHP Hall of Fame Inductee. “I can think of no one more deserving of this honor,” said Reynolds.

Dr. Carravallah has been a fierce and powerful advocate for GHP since the plan began. As President of the Genesee County Medical Society, she played a key role in securing physician support for the Health Care Services Millage. During the 2012 GHP Health Care Services Millage renewal, she authored numerous articles and letters, including one publication in the Flint Journal, which made a compelling case for passage of the millage, as well as supporting the millage during a news press conference. She has provided a voice for the uninsured and voiceless, uninsured in our community.

“GHP fills a big hole in the community when it comes to health care and community resources, one which the government and private insurance cannot fill,” said Dr. Carravallah. “The health plan is innovative, flexible, and ever changing to continue to fit the needs of the health care landscape, it is a treasure for the residents of Genesee County.” I am grateful and honored to be inducted into the GHP Health Care Hall of Fame,” Carravallah said.

Other award recipients 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.

• Sovita Credit Union has supported and served those who work in education and healthcare for over 90 years; have representation and are deeply involved in the Genesee County Medical Society (GCMS), as well as the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic (GCFMC). Sovita has partnered with Genesee Health Plan since 2020, as the official partner and sponsor for the Health Heritage Essay and Scholarship Contests, where local Genesee County students are encouraged to have a conversation with their family about their family health history. Sovita utilizes their community partners, including school and health care connections, to promote the contest within all of the Genesee County schools.

“Community partnership is the pillar that builds and strengthens relationships with organizations like Genesee Health Plan, Genesee Health System, Genesee Community Health Center, and more in Genesee County,” said Danis Russell, Genesee Health System CEO. “Without it, we would not be able to work together to address the needs of the community and do the valuable work we do to break down barriers in accessing vital health care, including mental health services. We are honored to continue to partner with GHP as the Award Sponsor for the Health Care Hall of Fame, but most importantly, to ensure our community members have access to obtaining health care coverage and mental health resources.”

2024 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. Below are the winners:

• Vaughn House graduated from Fenton High School this year and will be attending Michigan State University to study biochemistry before attending dental school to become an oral maxillofacial surgeon. His hope is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others by bringing integrity, compassion, and excellence into his practice.
• Ella Tupper graduated from Genesee Early College High School this year and will be attending Liberty University to study biomedical sciences as she pursues a career as an osteopathic doctor, specializing in primary care and functional medicine. Her hope is to become a doctor that truly cares for her patients by working with them to personalize their care through a blend of functional and traditional medicine.

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. Genesee Health System and Genesee Community Health Center were this year’s official award sponsor. Two recipients of the award exemplified the Mission of Genesee Health Plan; “To improve access to health care services for low income and underserved residents of Genesee County by providing a flexible array of direct services and community partnership to help individuals make informed decisions to better their health.”

• Lew Moquin “The Car Seat Guy” has been an advocate for car seat safety since 1998, volunteering his time and expertise with ensuring families across the county can safely transport their children, providing certified child passenger safety technicians (CCPSTs) at a variety of locations throughout Genesee County. Since 2017, through partnership with Mott Children’s Hospital, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD), and Genesee Health Plan, Lew, and his team of volunteer CCPSTs, have hosted monthly community car seat checks and installation at the GHP office, and Mott Community College’s Lenore Croudy Family Life Center. They have inspected more than 1,100 car seats and have provided more than 880 new car seats to low-income families in the community, through a Michigan program that enables at-risk families to receive free car seats, if needed. With his advocacy and partnership with other certified passenger safety technicians, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in March, Public Act 21 and 22 of 2024, strengthening car seat laws and requirements for children ages 2-13. Lew and his volunteers continue to be a vital part of the safety of the Genesee County community.
• Aimee Allor has worked alongside Lew Moquin ensuring families are safely transporting their children and have access to car seats since she began working at Genesee County Community Action Resource Department’s HeadStart Program in 2016. Her favorite part of the car seat inspection program is empowering families to help them advocate for themselves and the safety of their children by teaching them how to keep themselves and their family safe. From expecting moms to foster agencies, Aimee, Lew, and all of the volunteers in this project make sure that everyone they help leaves safer. Aimee is grateful for the continued partnership with Genesee Health Plan, providing a safe space for new parents and families who are lost, confused, and scared when it comes to care seat safety, handling each case with comfort and care.

Medical Leadership Award

The Medical Leadership Award honors a medical leader who provides exemplary quality of care, serves as a patient advocate, and demonstrates a commitment to strengthening health care in our community.

• Dr. Nathan Kopek was known for his compassion, warmth and dedication to his patients, colleagues, and residents. In 2007, Dr. Kopek completed post graduate training in Internal Medicine and joined Ascension Genesys as Faculty, serving as Program Director of the Osteopathic Recognition Track, and Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. He took great pride in mentoring his residents, guiding them to fulfill their aspirations and make a tangible difference in the lives of their patients and community. Dr. Kopek was deeply involved in the study and treatment of autoimmune disorders, infectious disease, and diabetes. As a devoted member of the Genesee Health Plan Board of Directors from 2012-2023 and serving on its Network Quality and Oversight Committee as Chair from 2012-2023, he provided guidance and expertise in assisting GHP leadership with formulary recommendations, health navigation and chronic disease management services that the plan provides. Dr. Kopek passed away in 2023 after a lengthy illness. We thank Dr. Kopek for his unwavering dedication and contributions to GHP, the community, and the many lives he touched throughout his career and life.

“We are fortunate to have so many incredible, caring, servant leaders in our community that come together to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to obtain health coverage, vital basic needs and resources,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “Our awards honor those who advocate for all, from the voiceless to the vulnerable, their work makes a lasting impact on the community they serve,” said Milanowski.

GHP also acknowledged and reflected on the achievements and lasting impact of those the community lost this past year, including Rep. Tim Sneller (former Community Partnership Award recipient 2018), and Pete Levine (former GHP Hall of Fame Inductee 2019). Throughout their careers, these healthcare heroes helped to ensure that Genesee County residents had access to affordable, reliable health care and vital community resources. We thank them for their service to the community.

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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 provide 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’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740.