A few dozen community members gathered today to christen the new home of the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic during a private ceremony — deemed a “big red-letter day,” by the nonprofit’s founder Mitch Albom, on hand to cheer on the festivities. Formerly the home of Advantage Health Center, the new building at 1355 Oakman Blvd has been welcoming patients since the late spring and will allow the clinic, managed by Trinity Health, to increase access to pediatric services, ob/gyn, dermatology, and even dentistry. Tawana Nettles-Robinson, Executive Director, Detroit Market, Trinity Health, spoke on how the relocation enables the SAY Clinic to get bigger, broader and serve more people: “I’m excited. In Highland Park, we reacted to the needs of the community. Now we’re preventative; we want people to thrive and have good health.”
Originally launched in December of 2008 by SAY Detroit as the nation’s first free medical clinic devoted to homeless children and their mothers, the clinic responded to community needs by shifting reach to adult patients with limited income; for those who qualify, we provide services free of charge for uninsured or underinsured patients.
The former facility had five exam rooms, while the new facility offers ten, in addition to three new treatment rooms for dental services, a service that had not previously been offered to SAY Detroit patients. Clinic leaders project that the facility upgrade, which offers ample on-site parking, will increase patient volume by as much as 50%, enhancing access to a wide range of services, including primary care, gynecology, internal medicine, podiatry, physical therapy, dermatology, health coaching, dentistry, and nutrition. Additional services offered include an on-site pharmacy, a behavioral medicine clinic, and two outreach programs: “First Year,” for pregnant and new moms of infants, and “Wellness Wednesdays,” a senior-focused monthly support group for women.
As part of its expanding footprint in Detroit, Trinity Health has forged management partnerships with many local health clinics, including SAY Detroit in 2019. In addition to its ongoing financial support, Trinity Health brings extensive experience and expertise in overseeing the clinic’s day-to-day operations. On hand to join the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were Shannon Striebich, President and CEO, Trinity Health Michigan and Paul Hughes-Cromwick, Trinity Health Detroit Ministry Board Chair. “It’s a shining example of what a group of people can do together,” said Striebich.
“It means something to be in this space,” remarked Detroit Deputy Mayor Melia Howard.
Our address has changed and our services have grown, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to healthy communities and preventative care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
