GHP honors founding President/CEO, other health care leaders and advocates
For the last 15 years, Genesee Health Plan (GHP) has played an essential role in providing innovative health care coverage and services to uninsured residents of Genesee County. GHP has touched the lives of more than 70,000 people, and is now recognized across the state and beyond as a model for health care innovation and reform.
On April 11, GHP celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Flint Golf Club, where they also announced the 2016 GHP Hall of Fame Awards. Longtime health care advocate Linda Hamacher, President Emeritus of GHP’s Board of Directors and former GHP president/CEO, was honored with the 2016 Health Care Hall of Fame Visionary Leadership Award. GHP also recognized eight others as community partners, physician leaders and visionary leaders in health care, as well as seven volunteers who helped Genesee County residents and families gain access to quality health care.
“We are honored to recognize Linda’s legacy, as well as the recipients of this year’s Health Care Hall of Fame Awards for their leadership and contributions to the Genesee Health Plan, and for improving our community,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President/CEO. “Our Hall of Fame Award winners inspire us with their dedication. They have worked – and continue to work – tirelessly to improve the lives of people we serve across the county. GHP is deeply grateful for the support, leadership and commitment of our exceptional community partners, leaders and volunteers.”
2016 GHP Health Care Hall of Fame Inductee
Linda Hamacher founded Genesee Health Plan in 2001 with a vision that uninsured and underserved Genesee County residents would have the same access to medical care as people with insurance.
“GHP has touched the lives of so many people in Genesee County, and I’m very proud to have lived and worked in a community that is passionate about making health care available for everyone,” said Hamacher. “It’s rewarding to see how GHP continues to fill the gaps of health care needs in the county and to have the support of so many valuable community partners.”
While serving GHP, Hamacher played an invaluable role, securing $1.7 million in expansion grants from 2005-2007. The Health Care Services Millage was passed in November 2006 and renewed in 2012 under her leadership. Additionally, GHP membership peaked in 2014 at 27,530 members and Linda led the successful effort to transition most of these members to the Healthy Michigan Plan and the Michigan Healthcare Marketplace.
Other 2016 honorees recognized at the celebration were:
15-Year Community Partnership Award
This award honors organizations that have partnered with GHP since its inception to improve the health status of Plan members and the community as a whole.
McLaren Flint has worked with GHP since 2001 to provide quality inpatient and outpatient services to GHP members, working closely with GHP staff to reduce costs and improve patient care.
Hurley Medical Center began its partnership with GHP in 2001 by contracting with health care providers for Hurley’s medical delivery system. Hurley also worked with GHP in sharing data to help determine the cost of uncompensated inpatient care for the uninsured and developing processes to better coordinate care.
Genesys Health System and GHP continue to work together to reduce the frequency of emergency room visits. In this partnership, GHP Health Navigators contact members who have used a Genesys ER within 24 hours and connect them with additional health care resources within the community.
HealthPlus of Michigan is the third-party administrator for GHP. HealthPlus provides services to GHP including payment of medical claims, customer service, pharmacy benefit management and reporting.
Community Partnership Award
This award honors individuals and organizations that have joined GHP in an enduring partnership, working hand-in-hand to improve wellness and health education, and support quality, affordable health care for GHP members.
Crim Fitness Foundation continues to work with GHP to improve the health status of the community and educate children and families about the importance of health and wellness through Crim’s Community Education Initiative.
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has assisted GHP through its support of the Crim Fitness Foundation’s Community Education Initiative. This initiative is crucial to identifying the health status of the Genesee County community, as well as educating children and families on health and wellness.
Visionary Leadership Award
This award honors local people and organizations that have provided leadership for creative solutions to accessible, quality and affordable health care in the community.
Kay Doerr is the Chairperson of the GHP Board of Directors and is a fierce advocate for health care. Kay also is the Chairperson of Genesee County Board of Health and has played a central role in connecting Flint residents to GHP services.
Eileen Ellis is the Managing Principal of Health Management Associates. She has used her expertise in health care reimbursement, financing, Medicaid and indigent health care programs to partner in the development of all 28 county health plans in Michigan, including the GHP.
Physician Leadership Award
This award honors a physician leader who provides exemplary quality of care, serves as a patient advocate and demonstrates a commitment to strengthening health care in the community.
Dr. Lawrence Reynolds is president/CEO of Mott Children’s Health Center and currently serves on the Governor’s Flint Water Advisory Task Force. He has 33 years of experience as a pediatrician and is currently president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Genesee Health Plan is a community-initiated non-profit program designed to provide health care coverage to the uninsured residents of Genesee County. The mission of GHP is to improve the access to the health care system for low-income and indigent people by providing them with a medical “home,” and coverage for services through a managed health care system.
For more information, enrollment assistance or to schedule an appointment, call 844.232.7740 or visit GeneseeHealthPlan.org.
Sponsored Content: See our Full Ad in the Summer 2016 Issue of My City Wellness.
