|
|
| History Of Health Delivery, Inc. |
|---|
Back in 1969 when the County Health Department in Saginaw, Michigan, received a $75,000 grant to provide health care for farmworkers, a young Hispanic registered nurse volunteered his service. Little did David Gamez know that summer's experience of providing care to under-served populations would become a lifelong passion, nor that the migrant health program would develop into a non-profit organization reaching so many.
Today, Health Delivery, Inc.s (HDI) two dental centers and seven year-round medical centers and seasonal migrant clinics provide services to over 45,000 patients a year in Arenac, Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Ionia, Lapeer, Macomb, Montcalm, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, and Washtenaw Counties.
A staff of over 300 provide family practice services; pediatric services; internal medicine services; immunizations; pharmacy services; preventative health care; family planning services; obstetrics and gynecology services; certified midwifery services; infertility services; ultrasonography; lab services; x-rays; mammograms; the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program; maternal and infant support services; mental health counseling; emergency/acute care; HIV/AIDS counseling and testing; preventative and emergency dental care; and dental x-rays at times that are convenient for the patients, and in languages the patients can understand.
Health Delivery, Inc. also provides mobile medical and dental services. Two dental buses travel to schools all over the state of Michigan. Not only are children, both insured and uninsured, provided with dental care procedures at little or no cost to parents, they are also taught how to take care of their teeth. The goal is to develop healthy life-long habits. "Its a fantastic opportunity to reach a population of our kids that have never even seen a dentist and a great help to our busy parents," said Kimberly Prime, Principal, Washington Elementary School.
While each year of HDIs existence has been monumental as it has expanded its services to more effectively provide high quality, comprehensive health care, last year was extra special.
In 2003, HDI celebrated its 35th anniversary and opened its latest health care facility. The David R. Gamez Community Health Center, which houses both clinical and administrative offices, is located in a 79-year-old historic building in downtown Saginaw. When asked what he is most proud of in HDI's 35-year history, Gamez refers to the establishment of a premier non-profit health care organization that epitomizes servant leadership. "We are affecting the health and well being of so many community residents," he said.
Over the years, HDI has collaborated with many local agencies in the public and private sectors. For example, its ability to recruit physicians through Synergy Medical Alliance, Inc. (formerly Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals) has been extremely rewarding. Gamez would like to collaborate with other agencies in the future - such as health departments, other providers, and hospitals - to better serve populations in other rural areas. He also foresees expanding the Bayside Health Center in Bay City, the Imlay City Center, and the mobile dental program.
"We have dedicated employees and a great provider network," said Gamez. "They are an integral part of the work HDI is able to accomplish and have made its success a reality."
Health Delivery, Inc. is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations, and receives partial funding through the Department of Health and Human Services.
|
|
|
|
