East Jordan, MI — East Jordan Family Health Center (EJFHC) is proud to congratulate Cynthia Pepin, Behavioral Health Director, for receiving the Michigan Primary Care Association’s (MPCA) Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, dedication, and transformative contributions to the health center’s behavioral health services.

Cynthia Pepin joined EJFHC on June 25, 2018, as a Behavioral and Substance Use Disorder Counselor. At the time, the health center offered co-located mental health services and was exploring a more integrated approach to behavioral health care. Cynthia’s vision and commitment to patient care quickly became evident, making her a pivotal force in expanding and enhancing behavioral health services.

In June 2021, Cynthia’s talent and leadership were recognized as she was promoted to Director of Behavioral Health Services. Under her direction, EJFHC has made significant strides in delivering integrated, team-based care, with social workers offering timely and comprehensive services to patients.

Since Cynthia’s arrival, the health center has seen extraordinary growth in behavioral health care:

• In 2018, 282 patients accessed behavioral health services for a total of 1,272 visits.
• By 2023, the program expanded to serve 1,689 patients, resulting in 3,733 visits, including telepsychiatry options.

Cynthia has also been instrumental in fostering staff development, and guiding team members from internships to fully licensed social work positions. Her efforts have ensured that the health center’s behavioral health team remains well-equipped to meet the community’s needs.

This year, Cynthia championed efforts to secure federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This funding supports program expansion that will focus on veterans and their families, at-risk youth, and workplace wellness.

“Cynthia’s understanding of the challenges faced by patients with behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorders has been critical to improving health outcomes,” said Dan McKinnon, CEO of EJFHC. “Her innovative leadership and dedication to patient care will have a lasting impact on our health center and community.”

EJFHC is proud to announce that Cynthia has been recognized by the Michigan Primary Care Association with the Distinguished Service Award for her remarkable contributions.

At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, we believe in recognizing the exceptional commitment of our staff. Each year, we celebrate Service Awards, honoring team members who achieve milestones every 5 years.

For 2024, we’re thrilled to celebrate:

• Anna Winslow – 25 years
• Susan Stark – 20 years
• William Bice – 20 years
• Kassie Duby – 10 years
• Brenda Bartel – 5 years
• Sarah Striggow – 5 years
• Mark Valley – 5 years
• Ashley Workman – 5 years

Thank you to all honorees for your loyalty and dedication to our mission of providing outstanding care. Your contributions have made a lasting impact on our patients and community.

Congratulations Thomas F. Curtin, MD on your lifetime achievement award from NACHC. Dr. Curtin was a former Provider and Medical Director at East Jordan Family Health Center.

From NACHC:

At the 2024 Policy & Issues Forum, NACHC honored 15 leaders with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their long-term commitment, dedication, and contributions to the Community Health Center Movement.

Winners of the Lifetime Achievement Awards have made lasting contributions to strengthening the Community Health Center Movement with their vision, dedication and commitment to health equity. No words we write here can sufficiently describe their legacy of achievement, but nevertheless we wanted to honor their work.

Thomas F. Curtin, MD, Bellaire & East Jordan Family Health Centers; NACHC

Dr. Curtin started his career as a physician in the National Health Service Corps. He went on to become NACHC’s first Chief Medical Officer with a drive to build a diverse pipeline of primary care providers.  The partnership Dr. Curtin built with A.T. Still University, establishing two dental schools, a medical school and PA programs to educate and train the healers of tomorrow has made a lasting impact on the Community Health Center workforce.

“In 1978 I joined the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) and I committed to care for the underserved in America. Forty-six years of rewarding work, both morally and spiritually. It is an honor to receive this prestigious award. Though it is an individual award, it should be shared by all. Thank you for supporting me.”

Visit the NACHC website to learn more.

Other Recipients:
Dr. Bery Engebretson, Primary Health Care, Inc
Patricia Fernandez, Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center
C. Dean Germano, Shasta Community Health Center
Molly Kaser, Center for Family Health
Harvey Lawrence, BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers
Lolita Lopez, Westside Family Healthcare
Randy Runyon, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers
Arvind Shaw, Generations Family Health Center
Douglas Smith, Contentnea Health
Ludwig Spinelli, Optimus Health Care
Brian Toomey, Piedmont Health
Eva Turbiner, Zufall Health
Katherine Yacavone, Southwest Community Health Center, Inc.
Kim Wyard, Northeast Valley Health Corporation

An Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) is a Community Health Center that creates a culture of advocacy to ensure that policymakers at all levels of government commit to investing in the affordable, equitable, and innovative care that health centers provide. ACE levels recognize consistent engagement and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to making advocacy an organizational priority. ACEs actively partner with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) on federal policy issues, as well as their state Primary Care Association (PCA) on key local-level policy issues impacting health centers and their patients. There are three ACE levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each ACE designation is valid for two years.

“The ACE program recognizes and rewards Community Health Centers that demonstrate excellence in formalizing their advocacy program to make it an institutional part of health center operations. As a Silver ACE, your health center serves as an example to other organizations striving to achieve advocacy excellence. Your commitment also strengthens the Health Center Advocacy Network as a whole by enabling greater effectiveness of advocacy efforts on a national scale. Thank you for your dedication and outstanding work related to health center advocacy.” – NACHC

Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers (EJFHC) are celebrating a series of prestigious awards and recognition, solidifying their position as leaders in delivering exceptional patient care. These accolades reflect their unwavering commitment to excellence in a healthcare landscape grappling with provider shortages, a challenge EJFHC has tackled head-on through innovative care models.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these awards and recognitions,” stated Dan McKinnon, CEO at East Jordan Family Health Center. “These accolades are a testament to our team’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients. We are constantly striving to innovate and improve, and these awards motivate us to continue on this journey of excellence.”

National Recognition for Clinical Excellence:

• Health Center Quality Leaders Award: EJFHC ranks among the top 20% of all health centers nationwide for outstanding clinical quality measure (CQM) performance, reflecting their commitment to evidence-based, effective care.
• Most Overall Improvement Award, Better Outcomes Quality Improvement Contest from Nextgen Healthcare: This prestigious award honors EJFHC’s remarkable improvement in patient outcomes, achieved through their transition to a team-based model with integrated behavioral health, clinical pharmacy, and care team RNs.

National Recognition for Championing Technology and Social Determinants of Health:

• Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality Recognition: EJFHC’s dedication to leveraging technology for better care is lauded, promoting telehealth access, patient engagement, and data interoperability, all while prioritizing the collection of social determinants of health data.
• Addressing Social Risk Factors Recognition: EJFHC proactively identifies and addresses social factors impacting patient health, connecting individuals with essential enabling services to break down barriers to optimal health outcomes.

Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success:

In the face of national provider shortages, EJFHC remains dedicated to serving their communities. Their innovative team-based model fosters collaboration and expertise, ensuring quality, patient-centered care for all. These awards demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement and their belief in the power of teamwork to overcome healthcare challenges.

About East Jordan Family Health Center:

At East Jordan Family Health Center (EJFHC), we believe that quality healthcare can transform lives. As a non-profit organization serving Antrim and Charlevoix Counties, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. This ongoing commitment means creating a welcoming environment where individuals and families can access the essential medical services they need, from preventive care to chronic disease management, all without financial barriers.

At #NextGenUGM23, they awarded the Better Outcomes Quality Improvement Contest’s Most Overall Improvement Award to East Jordan Family Health Center. Their improved outcomes were due to transitioning to a team-based model of care for patients and taking a whole person approach to care, offering integrated behavioral health, integrated clinical pharmacy, and care team RNs.

Bellaire Family Health Center received the 2023 “Community Impact Award” from the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce for the new 3D Mammography available at both Bellaire and East Jordan. Thank you for the recognition as we strive to offer quality healthcare close to home.

We have been recognized nationally as a Hypertension Control Champion by the US Dept of Health and Human Services’ Million Hearts Initiative!  We are honored to have our success in helping patients control high blood pressure recognized by such a prestigious program.

You can read more at https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/partners-progress/champions/success-stories/2014-FQHC.html

In a partnership between area Lions Clubs and their District, East Jordan Family Health Center received a donation of $1,200 towards continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients in need of financial assistance. Partnering together in this donation are the East Jordan and Central Lake Lions Clubs and Lions District 11 E-2. “Thank you to all the Lions who worked together to make this happen; it will provide a significant benefit to people dealing with diabetes in both of our communities this year,” states Di LaBeau of Central Lake Lions and District 11 E-2 Diabetes Chair coordinating the donation.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the East Jordan Family Health Center strives to offer comprehensive care across chronic disease states including diabetes.  The Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers staff two Clinical Pharmacists that work in partnership with our providers to facilitate best medication usage, assist with barriers to care, and provide chronic condition management services. In 2018, the health center’s Clinical Pharmacists launched an initiative to use Continuous Glucose Monitoring to assist in care for patients with diabetes. With this data, the healthcare team is able to evaluate the effectiveness of current medication therapy, provide guidance on medication therapy going forward, and help assess the patient’s nonpharmacologic factors such as their diet and exercise.  

The placement and analysis of a continuous glucose monitor is a covered service for many patients through their insurance; however, the health center estimates about 20 out of 100 of our patients will lack insurance and the cost of the monitor is a barrier to their care.  In this case, the health center offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program to assist patients with payments. The joint donation by the Central Lake, East Jordan and District Lions will provide monitors to patients with need.

“This is an opportunity to continue to service our diabetic patients with technology normally not afforded to them. Providing quality care while eliminating barriers is essential for our community health center and has an impact on our patients’ lives,” states Rachel Krino, Marketing Director for East Jordan Family Health Center.