New Hamilton Community Health Center Grand Opening

A new location helps federally-funded, nonprofit organization continue
to provide quality health care for the underserved throughout Genesee County

(FLINT, MICHIGAN, July 30, 2009) Members from Genesee County’s residential and business community were on hand for the 10:30 a.m. news conference and ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating Hamilton Community Health Center’s newest clinic located at 3375 S. Saginaw St. This federally-funded, nonprofit organization provides comprehensive quality health care and medical needs to low income populations within Genesee County, primarily in the city of Flint.  Read The Flint Journal article.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo Hamilton Community Health Center (HCHC) opened the doors on its newest clinic on Thursday, July 30, 2009. On hand for the ribbon cutting were, from left: Bob Campbell, Communications Director for the City of Flint; Nancy Rich, HCHC's Board Chair; Rev. Berry Goodlett; Archie LeFlore, HCHC Board Member; Clarence Pierce, CEO of HCHC; State Senator Deborah Cherry; Burton Mayor Charles Smiley; Tiffany Flynn, Chief of Staff for Congressman Dale E. Kildee; Chris Hennessey, Regional Director for Senator Debbie Stabenow; and Dusty Houser, Regional Representative for Senator Carl Levin. More photos from the news conference, click here.

“Genesee County has a poverty rate of over 15%, and on top of that more than 25% of service area residents are uninsured, so Flint benefits greatly from the work done by the Hamilton Community Health Centers,” stated Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. “While our economy works to recover, the needs of those that can’t afford quality health care coverage cannot be ignored. I applaud the Hamilton Community Health Network and their centers for making sure that we minimize that from happening.”

Founded in 1982 by St. Joseph’s Hospital (now known as Genesys Health System), HCHC is a division of the Hamilton Community Health Network, Inc., which is entering its 27th year as the only federally Qualified Health Center in Genesee County.  The organization works diligently to supply medical assistance to those in need, as well as address the growing needs of the area’s homeless population. There are a total of 6 sites—three of which provide primary care that includes pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and other hospital services.

Other services include:

• Physical exams (for school, employment, sports, etc.)
• Wellness/Health screenings
• Lab Services
• Cancer screening
• X-Rays

According to the Hamilton Community Health Network, the most significant health issues among service area residents include high rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, strokes, accidents/unintentional injuries, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, influenza/pneumonia and kidney disease.  Also in these locations poor birth outcomes are prominent due to late prenatal care, and teen births.  The primary barriers to care for the target population include poverty and inaccessibility of providers willing to serve the uninsured. 

Hamilton Community Health Network is governed by a Board of Directors, with a senior management staff that includes Chief Executive Officer Clarence R. Pierce. The organization is currently staffed with over 124 full time employees.

“We are very excited about our new Burton Site. This is a milestone for Hamilton Community Health Network but more importantly, the new Burton site will allow our providers and staff to deliver quality health care services to a larger number of people in this community that need access to health care,” stated Clarence Pierce, CEO of the Hamilton Community Health Network.  “Access to quality health care for the medically underserved is a critical issue facing this community and Genesee County.  I think this new Burton site will have a positive impact on access issues facing the medically underserved and uninsured population in Genesee County.”

The other five clinics in the Flint metropolitan area:

• Main Clinic – 4001 N. Saginaw St.; Primary Care service
• North Pointe Clinic – 5710 Clio Rd.; Primary Care service
• Mt. Morris Clinic – G-7057 Clio Rd.; Primary Care service
• Behavioral Health Clinic – 420 W. 5th Ave.; Primary Care Service
• Dental North – G-5399 N. Saginaw Street