Helping patients get ready for winter and flu season

The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC) provides provided more than 3,000 medical and dental appointments last year by utilizing a network of nearly 150 volunteer medical and dental providers and pharmacists. In Southeast Michigan, the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic is positioned to care for the most vulnerable and often overlooked members of the community without access to healthcare. Detroit struggles with an underserved community, however it is important to recognize that 58% of our fellow citizens residing in the suburban communities in the tri-county areas of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties live at or below the poverty line.

GBCHC is a privately funded clinic that relies on grants and donations to keep its doors open to patients. “We rely on people in the community to see ways that they can help make it better,” says Justin Brox, GBCHC’s Executive Director. “That vision is what allows us to achieve GBCHC’s mission to improve the health of our community.

Helping their patients get ready for winter and flu season and staying healthy is just what the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic has scheduled when the clinic holds three more Food Distribution and Health Fairs on October 18, November 15 and December 20.

Health Fair participants receive 30lbs of groceries the third Thursday of the month 8:45am – 10:15am. Walk-ins are welcome after 9am or contact 248-309-3752 ext.234 to reserve food. Health screenings and Flu Shots are provided free, to low-income people, underinsured, and uninsured residents of Michigan who are 19-64 years of age. People coming for a health screening will receive the following: complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel, blood pressure, blood glucose, evaluation & provision of specialty care needs, explore alternative therapies needs, and needed prescriptions prescribed. For patients wanting additional services provided by the clinic go to the website and fill out the patient in-take form, make an appointment and bring the forms and proper tax information to appointment.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the flu shot and the most vulnerable need to be aware this is nothing to be overlooked, reminds Brox. The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic reminds it patients if you're on the fence about a flu shot, here are five arguments to twist your arm.

1. You are vulnerable.

People 65 and older are at higher risk of flu-related complications, but the flu can knock young, healthy people off their feet, too. It does every year.

2. Getting a flu shot is your civic duty.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have caught the flu virus are contagious one day before they start to feel sick and for up to seven days after. Getting the flu shot will help protect your family, friends and co-workers.

3. You can still get the flu, but you won't be as sick.

After last winter's severe season, some people are skeptical. They say: "I got the flu shot, but I still caught the flu." In fact, the 2017-18 season was the deadliest in more than 40 years. And yes, it's true that the vaccine does not offer complete protection. The CDC estimates that flu vaccination reduces the risk of the virus by about 40 to 60 percent.

4. You cannot get flu from the flu vaccine.

It's still a common misperception: the idea that you can get the flu from the flu shot. This incorrect.

For more information Contact: the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (248) 309-3752 or www.garyburnsteinclinic.org, located at 45580 Woodward Avenue, Pontiac, MI 48341.

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History of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic: In 1997, after working for 2O years as a cardiologist, Dr. Gary Burnstein began providing care for patients from a homeless shelter in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Burnstein passed away in 2003, but friends, family, and community members honored his dream of providing care to the uninsured by establishing the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC). Today, the clinic remains committed to meeting the healthcare needs of low-income, underinsured*, and uninsured residents of Michigan. The clinic continues to provide top-quality healthcare to vulnerable community members at absolutely no cost to them, while ensuring that treatment is received in a caring, compassionate, and dignified atmosphere. *Website provides guidelines.