Great Lakes Bay Health Centers

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers: Community Health Care in Michigan

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers (GLBHC) is a community health center operating under the federal Health Center Program and participating in the 340B drug pricing program. Its work is organized around a network of locations and mobile units that provide medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services, as well as social and support programs.

Medical and Specialty Services

The care portfolio includes routine care, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology with midwifery care, maternal and infant health, family planning, alternative pain management, specialized immunology, and inpatient care. Substance use disorder treatment, child and adolescent therapy and psychiatry, and specialized care for migrant farmworkers are also offered.

In the area of prevention and diagnosis, the center provides lab testing and screening, X-rays, mammography, phlebotomy, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and hepatitis C screening and treatment, as well as HIV services.

Dental, Vision, and Community Programs

Dental and vision care are part of the regular offerings, with dedicated mobile units for both disciplines. The center also manages nutrition programs, WIC (Women, Infant and Children), Head Start, physicals and dental evaluations, and community food assistance. It has its own pharmacy and offers transportation services and insurance assistance, including enrollment and support from community health workers.

Network of Locations and Mobile Care

GLBHC operates a network of fixed locations and mobile units. Fixed locations include Administration, Bay City, South Bayside, Belding, Bridgeport, Davenport, David R. Gamez, Hearth Home, Imlay City, Midland Integrated Care, Saginaw Integrated Care, Shiawassee Integrated Care, Thumb Area, Janes Street, Old Town, Roosevelt S. Ruffin, Shiawassee, Thumb Area Tri-cap, Warren Avenue, and Women's Care – Bay City. Mobile units include Migrant, Mobile Medical, Mobile Dental 1, 2, and 3, and Mobile Vision.

The center also provides behavioral health services in school settings, with a presence at Bridgeport High School, Bay City Central High School, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy, Saginaw United High School, Thompson Middle School, and Washington Elementary.

Education, Patients, and Community Engagement

The organization carries out medical education activities, residency, and a dental assistant training program. For patients, it offers a patient portal, medical record requests, new patient forms, consent and privacy information, and guidance on how to become a new patient.

The entity presents itself as a health center for everyone and shares patient stories, annual reports, and its status as an FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center). It accepts donations, community event requests, and offers employment opportunities.

Funding and Legal Status

The site states that it is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b and a deemed employee of the Public Health Service under 42 U.S.C. 233 (g) (n). The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided funding for the website: the grant covered 88% of total costs, in the amount of $7,161,610. The entity declares itself an equal opportunity provider and employer.