Community-voted awards recognize Emerald Harring, LMSW and Sam Dyste, PA-C

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to celebrate two providers who have been named 2026 Red Hot Best winners by Traverse Magazine/MyNorth.

Sam Dyste, PA-C was recognized as Red Hot Best Primary Care Provider, and Emerald Harring, LMSW was recognized as Red Hot Best Therapist, Counselor in the Charlevoix & The Chain of Lakes region.

The Red Hot Best awards are voted on by readers and highlight the people, places, and businesses that help make Northern Michigan such a special place to live and work. This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from the community our health centers are honored to serve.

Sam Dyste, PA-C is part of the Bellaire Family Health Center Primary Care team, providing primary care to patients through preventive visits, ongoing care, and support for long-term health needs. Primary care is often the first step in helping patients stay well, manage chronic conditions, and connect with the right care at the right time.

Emerald Harring, LMSW is part of the Bellaire Family Health Center Behavioral Health team. Through integrated behavioral health services, Emerald helps support patients’ emotional and mental well-being as part of whole-person care.

“At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, we know that strong relationships are at the heart of good care. We are proud to see Emerald and Sam recognized by the community for the compassion, dedication, and professionalism they bring to their work every day.”

The health centers extend a heartfelt congratulations to Emerald and Sam and thank the community for recognizing the important role local providers play in supporting the health and well-being of Northern Michigan.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to introduce new American flag retirement boxes at both our Bellaire and East Jordan locations as part of our continued commitment to supporting veterans and strengthening community partnerships throughout Northern Michigan.

The custom metal boxes were designed and built by advanced welding students in the Career Tech program at East Jordan Middle/High School under the leadership of welding instructor Dave Muladore.

Students Konyr Lewin, Mason Shiers, and Jonny Cosier led the project, applying their technical welding skills in a meaningful real-world setting rooted in service, patriotism, and community impact. Toby Prevo Residential Services also assisted with painting and finishing the boxes.

The completed flag retirement boxes are located in the entryways of both Health Center locations and provide community members with a respectful and accessible way to retire worn or damaged American flags in accordance with proper flag etiquette.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers will work alongside community partners including local Girl Scout troops, the American Legion, Veterans Affairs offices, and the Antrim County Veterans group to ensure retired flags are handled and disposed of respectfully.

This initiative also supports the Health Centers’ growing Veteran SALUTE programming and ongoing efforts to better serve veterans through both Primary Care and Behavioral Health services.

The ECRI SALUTE initiative focuses on helping healthcare organizations better understand and respond to the unique physical and mental health needs veterans may face, including service-related injuries, toxic exposures, and mental health concerns.

“This project brought together two important areas of growth within our Behavioral Health programming, veterans and youth,” said Cynthia Pepin, Behavioral Health Director at Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers. “It created an opportunity for students to use their talents in service to veterans and our community while also helping raise awareness about the importance of accessible veteran support services locally.”

Each student involved in the project brought unique goals and experiences to the work:

• Mason Shiers plans to continue his welding education and pursue advanced certifications.
• Jonny Cosier regularly applies welding skills through work on his family’s farm.
• Konyr Lewin values welding as a practical skill that promotes independence and self-sufficiency.

Expanding Veteran Behavioral Health Services

As part of the Health Centers’ growing Veteran SALUTE initiative, Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers continue expanding support services for veterans throughout Northern Michigan.

Behavioral Health services are available to veterans regardless of whether they are established primary care patients of the Health Center, helping reduce barriers to accessing care locally. Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers also accept TRICARE insurance.

The initiative focuses on improving awareness, access, and support for veterans facing service-related physical and mental health challenges while strengthening partnerships throughout the community.

We are grateful to East Jordan Public Schools, Dave Muladore, Toby Prevo Residential Services, our student welders, and all participating veteran organizations for helping bring this project to life.

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to celebrate Hailey and Ivy on their graduation from Northern Michigan University, where they each earned a master’s degree in social work.

Their journey reflects the success of the Health Centers’ “Grow Our Own” initiative, which supports students and interns as they transition into meaningful careers within our organization. Through this program, Hailey and Ivy have gained hands-on experience, built strong relationships with patients and staff, and developed the skills needed to serve our community.

Hailey has been serving as a case manager and will now expand her role as a behavioral health counselor. In this position, she will continue supporting patients with mental health and substance use-related needs, helping them navigate care and improve their overall well-being.

Ivy will take on a key role in community outreach through the Rural Health Transformation Grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Her work will focus on strengthening community connections and expanding access to care in rural areas. In addition, Ivy will serve as an integrated behavioral health counselor when needed.

“We are incredibly proud of Hailey and Ivy and the dedication they’ve shown to their education and our patients,” said [insert quote if desired]. “Their growth is a powerful example of how investing in people strengthens the care we provide.”

Please join us in congratulating Hailey and Ivy on this achievement. Their commitment to social work and community well-being will continue to make a meaningful impact across Antrim and Charlevoix counties.

During Social Work Month, the Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers are proud to recognize our Integrated Behavioral Health Team.

Their work reflects the message on their shirts: Advocate • Support • Empower.

Our behavioral health professionals work alongside primary care providers to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our patients. Through counseling, care coordination, and connection to community resources, they help ensure patients receive compassionate, whole-person care.

As our behavioral health program continues to grow, we remain committed to providing integrated care that supports the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

From State Senator John Damoose’s Office:

“Caring for the Community…
East Jordan – Thank you to the entire team and board of the East Jordan Family Health Center for giving me such a thorough tour yesterday, and especially for highlighting the critical challenges we have maintaining effective and affordable health care for our residents in Northern Michigan. These meetings are extremely important to helping me provide the best representation possible as the legislature considers critical issues like expanding 340B drug coverage, launching innovative behavioral health initiatives, and so many other programs designed to help rural healthcare facilities.

I appreciate your whole team and am impressed by the incredible facilities you have built and the level of care you provide regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Your work is important to our whole region!”

Improving Access: New Wheelchair Scales Now Available 

At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, we are always looking for ways to make care more accessible, safe, and comfortable for every patient. We are pleased to share that we now offer digital wheelchair scales at our health centers. 

These specialized scales allow patients who use wheelchairs or have difficulty standing to be weighed without leaving their chair. This improves safety, accuracy, and comfort during visits, especially for patients managing chronic conditions or undergoing ongoing treatments. 

Why this matters for your care: 

• Reduces fall risk and physical strain 

• Provides accurate weight measurements, which are essential for medications and treatment decisions 

• Supports dignity and comfort during your visit 

• Accommodates higher weight capacities when needed 

The scales feature a wide, low-profile platform with easy access, a clear digital display, and advanced technology that ensures precise readings. Built-in features allow care teams to subtract wheelchair weight and calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) when needed. 

This update is one more way we are working to provide inclusive, whole person care close to home. 

If you have questions or need assistance during your visit, please let a member of your care team know, we’re here to help.