Local health care heroes honored at GHP Health Care Hall of Fame Awards

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 14, 2025
Shannon Ciszek, Communications Coordinator

Genesee Health Plan, 810.232.7740, sciszek@countyhealthplans.org

Local health care heroes, community partners honored at Genesee Health Plan Health Care Hall of Fame Ceremony

Dr. Raymond Gist inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame

FLINT – The Genesee Health Plan (GHP) honored local health care champions and key partners 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 2025 Health Care Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 7, at the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center in Grand Blanc. Special thanks go to Huntington Bank as the official event sponsor. Genesee Health System, Genesee Community Health Center, and HAP CareSource were the official award sponsors for the event. Hamilton Community Health Network and Hurley Foundation were the official partner sponsors for the event.

“Genesee Health Plan continues to positively impact communities and is needed now more than ever to ensure community members continue to have access to health care,” said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. “I’m appreciative of your contributions and those of your community partners. Thank you for your service, and congratulations to the award recipients.”

This year, Dr. Raymond Gist was inducted into the 2025 Health Care Hall of Fame for his leadership, vision and advocacy for oral health access and community water fluoridation which has made a significant impact on the work of GHP and its ability to develop programs to address the oral health needs of the Genesee County community.

From 2010-2011, he became the American Dental Association’s (ADA) first African American president. Gist served on the GHP Board of Directors from 2016-2024, the Physician Advisory Committee and Adult Oral Health Coalition-both focus on providing health services to residents without access to care and helping them find a dental and medical home. Dr. Gist has served as president of both the Michigan Dental Association and the Genesee District Dental Society. He has been recognized for his dedicated advocacy in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, receiving the John G. Nolen Meritorious Award, the highest honor from the Michigan Dental Association. His additional accolades include the GHP Medical Leadership Award, the Volunteer Recognition Award, and Distinguished Service Awards from both the Genesee District Dental Society and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

“With the ongoing challenges we continue to face, I remain committed to patient care and advocacy, despite my official retirement,” stated Dr. Raymond Gist. “It is essential that we persist in our efforts to improve access to oral health care and support water fluoridation—our mission is not yet complete. I am truly honored to be inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame and extend my sincere congratulations to all this evening’s honorees; please continue your outstanding contributions,” Dr. Gist said.

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. HAP CareSource was one of this year’s official award sponsors.

• Barb Smith, FISH Inc. of Grand Blanc. For nearly 50 years, Barb Smith has been a fixture in the Grand Blanc community; feeding and providing other necessities for those facing tough times through her volunteerism, love for helping others and her work at FISH, Inc. of Grand Blanc. FISH Inc. has been helping community members since 1974 and is comprised solely of volunteers, like Barb, dedicated to expressing love and concern for fellow neighbors and students. Recently, Barb and FISH, Inc. partnered with GHP to allow a GHP Community Health Worker to be onsite during the pantry’s food distribution. Barb had wanted a GHP worker onsite for years, and through grant funding from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, this has become a reality. The Community Health Worker assists those who come for food in connecting them with other needed resources in the community. Barb has been a fierce advocate of GHP, crediting the health plan with saving her life. She has actively supported the passage of the Health Care Services Millage which directly funds the services that GHP provides. Barb has participated in community presentations, discussions, and a WNEM TV 5 News Interview alongside GHP President and CEO, Jim Milanowski, telling her story about how GHP helped her establish a medical home, get treatment, and become healthier. Because of GHP, Barb was able to recover from her illness and return to what she loves, volunteering. She is a shining example of selflessness and what the true heart of volunteering is all about.

“At HAP CareSource, we support those dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of people in our service areas,” said Jasmine Johnson, HAP CareSource Community Outreach Representative. “Tonight’s awardees have shown genuine commitment and expertise in advancing the well-being of Genesee Health Plan members and the local community. We are proud to partner with and recognize these health care leaders,” added Johnson.

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.

• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Michigan State University (MSU) has been a vital community partner, particularly through the groundbreaking efforts of the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM) Flint campus and its Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. MSU’s long-standing presence in Flint, educating physicians since 1971, laid the foundation for a truly visionary approach to community-driven public health. Since 2018, MSU has collaborated with Genesee Health Plan (GHP) to provide research support, deliver health care services, and share health-related information with community members. This partnership has played an essential role in enhancing GHP’s initiatives and expanding their impact within the community through various collaborative projects. The Flint Center for Health Equity Solutions (FCHES) Community Consortium, spearheaded by Michigan State University, was established in 2018 to engage community members and partner organizations in discussions related to health disparities within the community, with particular attention to circumstances following the Flint Water Crisis. Jim Milanowski, GHP and Drs. Kent Key and Heatherlun Uphold served as Consortium Co-chairs. Additionally, the partnership has created opportunities to bring trusted, credible messengers to the community. On March 26, 2023, GHP, alongside Dr. Kaitlin Liroff and Dr. Jennifer Edwards-Johnson, participated in a health segment on NBC 25 focused on adult and adolescent vaccinations, with particular emphasis on HPV and the significance of immunization. That same year, the MSU Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health “Difference Makers Award” was presented to Jim Milanowski, President & CEO of GHP, in recognition of GHP’s contributions to advancing community health and increasing access to high-quality, affordable care.

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.

• Danis Russell has over 50 years’ experience in behavioral health as a clinician, supervisor, and executive and has been the Chief Executive Officer of Genesee Health System (GHS) since 1999. Danis is no stranger to Genesee Health Plan (GHP). Since 2006, he has been involved in visualizing access to mental health services in Genesee County and partnering with GHP on how to provide outpatient mental health counseling and psychiatric services to community members who did not meet the GHS criteria of severely and persistently mentally ill. In 2007, GHP added limited mental health counseling service benefits with an annual grant from GHS (then known as Genesee County Community Mental Health). Although the plan covered medicines like antidepressants, lack of outpatient mental health therapy was considered a gap in coverage and care. This partnership was so unique that it was a featured presentation at a Medicaid conference. Jim Milanowski, GHP President and, CEO and Danis have continued to discuss mental health access and funding in our community throughout the years. When the Medicaid expansion in 2014 decreased the amount of general fund dollars for GHS, GHP agreed to give GHS funding to help cover the growing need in Genesee County for mental health counseling. Knowing that more mental health funding was needed, Danis envisioned a mental health millage like the Health Care Services Millage that the voters of Genesee County first approved in 2006 which supports the coverage that GHP provides. Jim was able to share with Danis lessons learned from previous campaigns he was involved in, and on May 4, 2021, the GHS Mental Health Millage passed at 54.79% approval. Genesee County is the sixth county in Michigan to provide millage support for mental health services. Danis has been a leader in shaping access to mental health services in Genesee County, fulfilling a vision for increased access.

“The healthcare sector is currently facing significant challenges, and the coming years are expected to be particularly demanding. However, thanks to the dedication of organizations such as Genesee Health Plan, Genesee Health System, and those represented here today, we remain confident in our ability to navigate these difficulties,” said Danis Russell, Genesee Health System CEO and Visionary Leadership Award Recipient. “We are guided by a clear understanding of our purpose and commitment, and we will continue to ensure that individuals seeking our care receive the support they need.”

2025 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:

• Priscilla Johnson-Bashor graduated from Fenton High School and will be attending Michigan State University to study nursing as she pursues a career as a nurse anesthetist, specializing in anesthesia and pain relief. In her essay, Priscilla wrote “As a nurse, I will treat not only bodies but also people. I know that sometimes, what a patient needs most isn’t just medicine; it’s reassurance, patience, and someone who genuinely cares about their well-being. I will dedicate my career to carrying that impact forward. I know that nursing isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about treating people. I will never stop fighting to give every individual the care they deserve.”
• Emersyn Sprague graduated from Fenton High School and will be attending Saginaw Valley State University to study nursing as she pursues a career in Pediatric ICU and NICU nursing. In her essay, Emersyn wrote “I am excited to continue my journey toward becoming a nurse and am fully committed to making a difference in healthcare. Nursing combines my passion for science and medicine with my desire to help others, and I look forward to growing, learning, and contributing to the well-being of future patients. I hope to make an impact in the nursing field by contributing to both patient care and the development of more compassionate healthcare systems.”

“Recognizing individuals who make significant contributions to the community is essential,” said Jim Milanowski, President and CEO of GHP, reflecting on the dinner. “It is not uncommon for such efforts to go unnoticed; it is important not only to acknowledge these individuals but also to inform others within the community about their work and the resources available.”

GHP also acknowledged and reflected on the achievements and lasting impact of those the community lost this past year, including Archie Bailey (former Community Partnership Award recipient 2013), Floyd Clack, Pastor Dwayne Clemons and Anita Henderson (former GHP Community Health Worker). 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.