In 2007, Genesys Health System revised their strategic plan, broadening the definition of health care to include community wellness and access to fresh, locally-grown food. “We started to look at how we could utilize our 500 acres to benefit the community from an economic and wellness perspective,” explains Nick Evans, Vice President of Business Development for Ascension Mid-Michigan, administrative lead on the donation of three acres of land for use as a Farm Development Center on the Genesys Health Park Campus. “We are not an island here – anyone in the community we serve can come here and find something to participate in.”
Several barriers, or at least what he was told were going to be barriers, were thrown in Chris Wilson’s way as he fought to realize his dream of playing in the National Football League.
The New McCree Theatre is a vibrant piece of the Flint local arts scene, with shows running from October through May. Performances express African American Culture and history, and programs offer arts education for Flint area youth. Executive Director Charles H. Winfrey, 74, has been with The New McCree since its inception in 2004., “Theatre was something that I fell into,” Winfrey recalls, “but having fell, I fell in love.” When he took the position around 13 years ago, he had not yet experienced the impactful energy that emanates from the McCree stage. He remembers, “even during rehearsals, the energy was something else – and I just got hooked.”
Chrysa Curran-Cronley has been making dresses since she was nine years old. At first, they were hand-stitched ensembles for her Barbie doll, then her own clothing. For the past four years, she has made one-of-a-kind creations out of her Downtown Flint studio. Now, she is a My City Magazine City’s Choice Award-winner for Favorite Dressmaker – an honor she was both surprised and grateful to receive.
Local Beecher High School graduate, William Toll, who received his first guitar from his parents at age 14, laughs about his former ‘‘big hair days” and how he used to play in a classic rock and 80s punk band called “Toll,” right after graduation. Thirty years later, his first guitar now hangs alongside 30 more in his custom-designed recording studio.
In 2009, the Wayne County Prosecutor made a horrifying discovery: 11,341 untested “rape kits” were found in a Detroit Police Department storage facility. The shocking quantity of sexual assault cases was combined with the harsh reality of an inadequate system to process them, making it necessary to find a way to address the problem with real, workable change. But, so far, only one Michigan county has come up with a way to reduce the chance of victims falling through the cracks. One county in the nation has found a way to build bridges of support, linking resources for victims through collaboration between the YWCA Victim Advocates, local government agencies, along with hospitals, to focus on the survivor’s well-being – and that one county is Genesee.
It’s fruity, festive and perfect for summer sipping! Made with red wine and sweetened naturally with fresh fruit, this cocktail delivers a powerful punch of antioxidants.
On March 27, the Genesee Health Plan (GHP) honored healthcare heroes, leaders and advocates during the Health Care Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held at the Flint Golf Club. The GHP Hall of Fame Awards is designed to showcase community efforts among GHP and local partners to help people get healthcare, from connecting patients to the right treatment and service to enrolling people in health coverage.
Lasers have played a critical role in treating the eye for over 50 years. Less than three years after lasers were first developed in 1960, they were described as a therapy for the eye. From that initial description, lasers have proven effective at treating numerous eye diseases including diabetes, macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, sickle cell, retinopathy of prematurity, radiation retinopathy, retinal tears, glaucoma and eye cancers. Initial laser therapies involved hundreds to thousands of individually placed points on the eye that could result in scarring, pain and reduced vision. Recently, there have been significant advances in laser therapies that treat the eye with less side effects, less pain, less scarring, and more rapid results.
In early May, the Detroit River made national news when a 9-pound, 10-ounce Atlantic salmon was caught just south of the Ambassador Bridge. It was believed that the salmon traveled at least 85 miles before it was caught, and the closest Atlantic salmon fishery is 350 miles north in St. Marys River! This news sent waves of excitement throughout the fishing community and served as a great kick-off to the summer fishing season.
