July 26, 2024 • 27 mins
How do free and charitable medical clinics manage to provide essential healthcare services to millions of Americans with little to no federal or state funding? Join us on this episode of Make the Leap as we uncover the invaluable role these clinics play in our healthcare system. With special guest Mary Lewis, CEO of the Gary Bernstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac, Michigan, we challenge misconceptions and explore the real stories behind those who rely on these crucial services. Mary shares her personal journey from struggling college student to leading a clinic that offers everything from primary care to specialized services.
You'll gain a deeper understanding of the often-overlooked challenges faced by high-risk populations, even those with Medicaid and Medicare coverage. We delve into the comprehensive care model adopted by Mary’s clinic, designed to minimize the need for patients to take multiple days off work. By fostering community support and relying on volunteers, the clinic sustains its mission to serve the underserved. Moreover, we discuss how Ross students can get involved through internships and volunteer opportunities, contributing to a collective effort to address healthcare disparities. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on healthcare access, advocacy, and the power of community-driven solutions.
We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea.
Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to Make the Leap, a podcast focused on the
many economic hurdles facingcollege students, lower income
individuals and those strivingto move up the social ladder.
I'm Brad Constant, here withGeorge Graeb and Kristen Beale.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
George, what is our topic for today?
All right, thank you, brad.
Our topic for today is the rolethat America's free and
charitable medical clinics playwithin our community.
I think most Americans knowthat we have multiple healthcare
systems in this country andwhat system you have access to
usually depends on how muchmoney you have or your
employment benefits.
(00:54):
I don't know if many peoplewould disagree that many of our
high-risk population continuesto struggle, even after the
introduction of the AmericanAffordable Act back almost over
10 years ago.
Over 29 million people almost8% of the US population access
cares at different kind ofclinics, whether it is a
federally funded clinic, stateclinic or private clinics that
(01:18):
depend almost entirely oncontributions and donations from
the community that they serve,on contributions and donations
from the community that theyserve.
Millions of Americans continueto fall through the cracks.
I view the free medical clinicsit's like the net below the net
, as many Americans struggle tofile healthcare where they need
it, when they need it, in thelocations that they need it.
Even with the perception thatnow we have Medicaid and
(01:40):
Medicare coverage for themajority of the population,
charitable clinics receive nofederal or minimal federal or
state funding.
They survive purely ondonations.
They serve over 2 millionpeople per year and 1,400
clinics across the United Statesof America.
The misconception obviouslycontinues to be that if you need
health care, if you needmedical care coverage, you can
(02:02):
get it.
And that's not always the case,and this is part of the
conversation today, conversationthat relevant to a lot of our
students that struggle to findcare, find it timely, find it in
the services that they need andsometimes in the locations and
the communities that they livein.
So we will spend time talkingthrough this, talking about
opportunities for Ross studentsto help, for Ross as an
(02:24):
institution to help.
But before we jump into it, Iwill toss it back to Kristen to
introduce our guest today.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
We are so lucky today to be joined by Mary Lewis,
who's the CEO of the GaryBernstein Clinic in Pontiac,
Michigan.
Mary is a Ross grad, graduatingwith honors from Ross's medical
assistant program.
Her time as a medical assistanthas seen her working in
pediatrics, pediatric surgery,cardiology and more.
(02:52):
She obtained her bachelor'sdegree in 2018 and grew her
career from medical assistant toclinical team manager to
practice manager on her way toher current role as CEO.
Mary, thanks so much forjoining us today.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Thank you so much, kristen, george Brad.
It is so exciting to be here.
First of all, I love Ross.
Ross completely changed my lifeand even to like talk about it
now it still brings tears to myeyes.
I have so much emotion behindit.
So thank you for theopportunity.
More importantly, thank you forengaging in this great
(03:30):
conversation around healthcareaccess and advocacy and equity.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
So, mary, before we get into the nitty gritty, talk
about your journey.
Right now, ross has about 3,700students.
Many of them probably havewalked in your shoes or are
walking in your shoes right now.
I think your message is notgoing to only be uplifting, but
it's going to be meaningful interms of direction and in terms
of what's possible.
But maybe start with your ownpersonal journey, both on the
(03:57):
career side and on the personalside.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
I come from a long line of health care providers.
My mother was a nurse, mygrandmother was a caregiver.
My great-grandmother, mary, whoI'm named after, was an
indigenous healer, so healthcareis in my blood.
My mother, like I, knew thathealthcare was the only career
for me.
Right?
(04:19):
My brother, my sister and I, weknew that there was no other
option for us other than healthcare.
My mother wanted us all to bemedical doctors, right, and so
we all went to college.
I get to college my first yearand I hate it.
If I can be 100 percent honestwith you, I hated every bit of
(04:44):
college.
It was not a good fit for me.
And so I remember going homeafter my freshman year, having
that conversation with my motherthat, yeah, college isn't for
me.
And growing up, especially inan African-American home,
education was it right, you goto school, you get an education
(05:07):
and you do great things.
And I told my mom it wasn't agood fit for me.
And she says, well, you havetwo choices you can go back to
college or you can work.
Those are your only options.
And it's like, okay, collegeisn't the option, because I
don't want to go back.
And I'm 19, right?
(05:29):
Who's going to hire a19-year-old fresh out of college
, kind of, you know, failing.
And a girlfriend of mine said,hey, I'm enrolling in this
medical assistant program atRoss.
And she says I want you to dothis class with me, I want you
to go through this program withme.
Okay, and I'm telling you, likethe pressure to go into
(05:53):
healthcare and this idea that Ihad failed college, I had failed
my mother, I had failed thislineage of great women before me
, I don't want to say I washopeless, but it kind of felt
hopeless.
Right, I go to Ross and I'mtelling you it changed my life.
(06:15):
And I remember being inspiredand excited about healthcare,
probably for the first time,like I was happy about
healthcare, I was excited to bepursuing this career and I'm
telling you it has been one heckof a ride ever since.
(06:37):
And so, george, when I reachedout to you and I was like I just
want to say thanks, because Iam who I am today, I am where I
am today, truly because of theeducation that I received from
Ross.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So, on this, on this podcast we take, we talk so much
about getting the opportunityright, not not only getting a
chance, but also having theresources and and the support to
take advantage of of thatopportunity.
And many of our students, Ithink, who are going to listen
to this, are going to ask well,how did you get to where you are
right now?
So Ross maybe gave you thatfirst opening, so to speak, open
(07:14):
the door.
Maybe talk a little bit aboutwhat did you do with this
opportunity after you left, ross?
Speaker 4 (07:20):
I am a lifelong learner and I will say I think
it's two things.
It's one finding a great mentorand seizing opportunity Right.
So I have been really fortunateto have great people in my life
who saw things in me, even whenI didn't see them in myself, to
(07:41):
say you're better than that,you can do this.
Have you thought about right?
So I've been very fortunate inthat regard.
But seizing every opportunityopens up so much to you.
I can't tell you the number oftimes I was presented with oh,
the nurse doesn't want to dothis, was presented with oh, the
(08:02):
nurse doesn't want to do this.
So are you interested?
Absolutely, I think.
The best example I can give Iwas working at Advanced Cardiac
Healthcare and they were lookingfor someone to run their
telecumidant clinic and they hadone nurse who had already kind
(08:23):
of she had been doing it, hadbeen doing it and no one else
wanted to step up and I was likeI'll try it.
So I attended this online classand became an anticoagulation
practitioner and I telemanaged a215 patient Coumadin clinic the
first in May to do that.
And the more I found, the morethat I was willing to seize
(08:45):
those opportunities andunderstand that presenting as a
continual learner.
It opens the doors for you andI have to be completely honest.
When I obtained my bachelor'sdegree in 2018, that was 30
years after I had graduated fromhigh school.
(09:06):
But during that time, I manageda 215 patient Coumadin Clinic.
I was the clinical team managerfor a residency program.
I became practice director of a$15 million building.
I became the director ofemployee training at the same
(09:28):
organization all without havinga degree.
But I was hungry.
I was relentless in learningand growing and seizing
opportunities.
Every student listening to myvoice medical assisting, farm
tech, dental assisting that's astepping stone right.
(09:49):
I am proof that thepossibilities are endless if you
pursue them, and I encourageyou to pursue them.
There's a lot of untappedpotential inside of each of us
and sometimes it just takessomeone unlocking it.
So consider yourselves unlockedtoday to pursue greatness.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
So, but maybe maybe back to the unlocking and the
mentor part.
You know many of our students.
Their first thing sometimes isto get a job that pays them
money, so they can pay theirbills, they can get their head
above water.
You talked about mentoring andI've always believed in my own
career that the reason I am hereis because I was very lucky to
(10:25):
work for some people who'veinvested a lot of time, a lot of
effort in me, and I thinkyou're telling a little bit of a
similar story that somebodybelieved in you along the way,
somebody invested time andeffort into your career.
Can you maybe give some ideafor our students why it's
important that you findsomewhere that believes in you,
(10:47):
versus just sometimes chasingthe money or chasing the
position and identifying thatultimately, working for the
right people is just asimportant as a salary that you
make.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Oh, absolutely.
I have a saying I prefer peaceover a paycheck any day right,
we spend more time at our jobsthan we do with our families,
and so to be somewhere where youare celebrated and not
tolerated is so key.
More importantly, I reallybelieve that everyone has a
(11:22):
place right, their sweet spot,and it's so important to find
that place right, where you cangrow, you can develop, you can
ask questions and you areencouraged to be more today than
tomorrow than you were today.
Learned in my career and evenstarting out early in my career
(11:46):
if I can't say yes to themission and the vision of the
organization, I don't take thejob because that's not my place.
I need to be able to say yes, Ineed to be able to get up in
(12:09):
the morning and I know that kindof sounds new agey and it's not
Because when you are in yourplace, that's your place of
success, and that didn't happenovernight, and so I'm not saying
for the students that this isgoing to happen overnight, but
you have to be diligent and youhave to be intentional.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Mary, I'm so glad and proud to be connected with you
through Ross and what you do atthe Gary Bernstein Clinic.
Can you the GBC?
We're a free clinic.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
That means we don't accept insurance of any kind.
We are not a third partyinsurance provider, we're not a
Medicaid provider.
Every single service that ourpatients receive, 100% free.
I like to say no stringsattached because, most you know
right, we've heard that, oh,that's too good to be true, we
really are.
And there are no stringsattached because, most you know
right, we've heard that, oh,that's too good to be true, we
really are.
And there are no stringsattached.
(13:17):
You have to be uninsured orunderinsured, you must be a
Michigan resident and you mustlive at or below 250 percent of
the federal poverty level.
If you meet those eligibilityrequirements, we are your place,
and so we provide pharmacyservices, medical services.
That includes primary care, butwe also have 12 specialty
(13:40):
clinics as well ophthalmologyand optometry, as well as a full
service pharmacy.
And again, it's at no cost toMichigan residents and we serve.
Although our clinic is inPontiac, michigan, we actually
service all 83 counties ofMichigan.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
How do you do that?
How does the word get out?
How do people know where tofind you?
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Word of mouth.
I'm telling you, I feel we'rethe best kept secret.
That kind of everyone knowsabout Really word of mouth.
Kind of everyone knows aboutReally word of mouth.
Oftentimes, when we think freeclinic, this is a full circle
(14:25):
moment for me actually leadingthe Bernstein Clinic, because I
utilized a community healthclinic growing up.
But there's this negative ideaof what a free clinic looks like
right, it's a hole in the wall,it smells bad, the people are
rude.
That's not the case at all.
We actually have a 7,700 squarefoot building that is
(14:45):
magnificent.
It looks like a traditionalmedical office and our patients
are treated with respect anddignity and they receive
exceptional care here.
And I think that's thedifference that we service a
population that's used toreceiving standard of care is
(15:07):
really the bottom level ofhealth care from my perspective.
Right, and people deserveexceptional care.
Dr Bernstein I'm the founder ofthe clinic.
He believed that everyone hashas the right to great health
care, regardless of theirability to pay for it, and I
(15:27):
wholeheartedly, like in my gut,believe that and that resonates
with me.
So, yeah, that's the clinic.
It's an amazing place.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
So we talked a little bit about the misconception,
about it's a hole in the wall,but I think maybe sometimes
there's a misconception.
Who actually goes there, right?
So you've got all theseoverlapping Medicaid, medicare,
obamacare, whatever AmericanAffordable Care Act and you've
got the federally funded clinicsand then you've got these
(15:57):
charitable clinics and as I waspreparing for the podcast, I
realized that millions of theworking poor go to free clinics
and middle-class Americans go tofree clinics, depending on the
poverty guideline that you'velisted, at least for me, I would
not have thought of that.
I thought you know, if you havemoney in the US, you'll tend to
go to somewhere a privatemedical office or if you have a
(16:20):
job and your employer providesbenefits, you go where your
benefits take you, but many donot.
Many employers do not providebenefits and they leave their
people hanging out there tryingto find care, and those people
tend to be the most at risk.
Those are going to be the mostvulnerable in our communities.
So do you think there is amisconception?
Who actually uses free clinics?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
There is.
I am so glad you're bringingthis up.
There's absolutely amisconception.
Oftentimes people think thatthe individuals that utilize a
free clinic are poor.
They are shiftless.
If I can just be very honest,they don't want to work.
It's their fault 42% of ourpatient population.
They're employed.
(17:01):
And I'll take it a step further.
They actually have twopart-time jobs that don't offer
insurance benefits, and so,let's say, someone that makes
$60,000 a year, between two jobs, they have a family.
Oftentimes our patients arecaring for one or two additional
people, like aging relatives orsomething like that.
(17:24):
So they make too much toqualify for Medicaid and they
can't afford the deductible thatranges from $7,000 to $10,000
for a marketplace insurance.
So where do they go?
What do they do?
Traditionally, they would go tothe ED to establish primary
(17:44):
care, but we know that that'snot the purpose of the ED the
emergency department and so atthe Bernstein Clinic, we're
taking care of those folks, andso here we are to make sure that
they have and I love what yousaid earlier, george access to
the care that they need whenthey need it, in a way that's
(18:06):
meaningful to them.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
The other piece that's surprising is how much
services you provide.
These clinics really are, insome instances, like a one-stop
shop.
You're able to provide multipleservices.
Can you maybe take two minutesand talk through all the
different clinics that you havewithin the Gary Bernstein Clinic
?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Yeah, and that's intentional.
So we have primary care.
Of course, we have dental.
Within dental, we do everythingthat you would see in a
traditional dental office.
So dentures, bridges,restorative care, hygiene
services.
In our medical clinic, again, inaddition to primary, we have
gynecology, urology, cardiology,ophthalmology, optometry,
(18:51):
podiatry, urology, and I couldgo on and on.
We have an onsite lab and, again, a full service pharmacy, and
it's intentional.
When I need to take a day offbecause I need to go to the
doctor, I sign a PTO slip andI'm essentially paid for not
being at work that day.
Right, that is not the case forour patient.
(19:12):
When they miss a day of work,it's food on the table, it's
something for their kids, it'srent.
So I want our patient to beable to come to the clinic to
see Dr Weitzman for theirdiabetes management, see Dr Gold
the same day for their diabeticfoot check, see Dr Jacques the
(19:33):
same day for their diabetic eyeexam, get their labs drawn and
leave the clinic with a 90-daysupply of medication.
My goal in the next two yearsis to completely integrate care
in such a way that a patient canmiss one day of work and hit
every single service that theyneed within one day, because we
(19:53):
have to look at our patient froma holistic perspective.
So it's very intentional thatwe have all of these services
under one roof to tear downthose barriers and really create
access.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Is that common across all free clinics?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
and really create access.
Is that common across all freeclinics?
Yeah, that's the goal for allfree clinics but due to funding
and other things, it's notalways easy to accomplish that.
We're just very fortunate tohave great donors and great
community partners who believein what we're doing and want to
come alongside, and we also havegreat volunteers, Another thing
that makes the free clinicmodel really unique.
(20:31):
Specifically here at the GaryBernstein Clinic, we have 10
paid employees and over 400active volunteers.
So all of my doctors, my nurses, my dentist, my pharmacist,
medical assistants, dentalassistants they are all
volunteers and they do the workof the clinic.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
So that leads right into my question.
How does the clinic continue tobe successful for almost 20
years?
What is the clinic's biggestarea of need?
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Volunteers.
We want to expand.
We are at capacity with thevolunteers that we have, but
there's more opportunity forgrowth, and so we're always
looking for volunteers that lovepeople, love healthcare and
want to change the community.
So, doctors, nurses alike, youdon't have to have medical
(21:25):
experience to be a volunteerhere.
We need people to make phonecalls, we need people to confirm
appointments, stuff, envelopes.
So if you have a heart ofservice, this is a great place
to volunteer.
So, volunteers although we have400 active volunteers, we need
more.
And then we need funds.
(21:45):
We are a nonprofit and so wereally rely on philanthropic
giving and grants to make thisthing called the Gary Bernstein
Clinic work and I will saythat's true for many of the free
clinics across the country, andso funding is always huge.
We are really intentional aboutthe things that we pursue.
(22:07):
So, although most federalgrants aren't available to free
clinics, we want to be able tocontinue to deliver care our way
.
The doctor needs to spend 10minutes with a patient Great.
They need to spend an hour witha patient Great.
And not have that pressure ofreimbursement and revenue and
(22:30):
generation and all those things,even though revenue generation
is a part of it.
But yeah, and then we're alwayslooking for great partners to
come alongside of us, right?
We can't do this work alone.
I believe this model is reallythe answer to the global health
care crises, and we can't do italone, and we need partners to
(22:51):
join in the work with us.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
I was curious if you could share some of those key
partners that you talk about,that walk along with you and
help you fulfill your mission.
I think that would be inspiring, too, to many of our students.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Absolutely.
The Michigan Department ofHealth and Human Services, delta
Dental Foundation, the MichiganDental Association, oakland
University, william BeaumontSchool of Medicine, applebaum
School of Pharmacy, blue Cross,blue Shield, university of
Michigan, corwell Health, andthen we just have a host of
private foundations andphilanthropists that walk
(23:31):
alongside of us.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
My last question is how can our Ross students
connect with the clinic?
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Internships, we are here.
So I knew right away that Iwanted to make a connection with
Ross and provide students withthe same opportunity that I've
had in my career, and sobecoming an externship or
internship site is somethingthat we're currently working on,
(23:57):
and so if you are interested incommunity medicine specifically
, or you have students thatshould be exposed to community
medicine, we're here and we wantto support those academic
desires, things like educationalworkshops and volunteering and
we do a lot of things in thesummer, like around health fairs
(24:20):
, partnering with us, coming onand saying, hey, I have a free
weekend, what do you have comingup?
Speaker 2 (24:25):
That type of thing, yeah, one of the things we offer
in our benefit is volunteertime off, paid time off so our
staff can come and volunteer atthe clinic and get paid from
Ross for being there.
So I think there's ampleopportunities for us to find
ways, both volunteering,student-wise externship,
(24:46):
internship, financial support.
I think there's multipleavenues we can take, but I think
from my end of it, I think thebiggest piece where our students
benefit is that message of hopethat you're able to help people
.
You're in the lifting up peoplebusiness.
You really are trying to dowhat you can in Pontiac Michigan
(25:07):
to impact that community in apositive way when so much of our
lives are centered aroundourselves and what we need to do
for ourselves.
So I am going to give you thelast word, but you have my
commitment that we will findevery way possible to help and
to partner with you.
Mary, I think you have anamazing story and I'm incredibly
(25:28):
thankful for all the work thatyou do.
But I will give you the lastword here as we wrap up.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Thank you.
The Bernstein Clinic is anamazing place.
So, as students, if you findyourself without insurance, if
you need a place where you canreceive quality medical care,
this is your place, for studentsalso.
I really want.
I hope that you're walking awayfeeling hopeful about who you
(25:59):
are, about the decision, and I'mgetting choked up, sorry about
the decision that you've made topursue a career in healthcare.
I can't really see myself doinganything else, and so be
encouraged that you're on theright track.
Be encouraged that you aregoing to have the opportunity to
(26:20):
really help so many peopleAgain, whether you're a dental
assistant, a medical assistant,a nurse, whatever that looks
like for you.
Also know that there's moreinside of you than what you
think, what people have said toyou.
There's so much more inside ofyou, and I just encourage each
of you to pursue it passionately, pursue it, run it down.
(26:44):
Sorry, and so be great.
Those are my final words Begreat, do great things and make
a difference.
Thank you so much for thisopportunity and I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
No worries.
Thank you so listening to Makethe Leap.
Be sure to visit our site,rosspodcastcom or the podcast
platform of your choice tolisten to past episodes as well
as subscribe, so you never missa future episode.
We hope you join us two weeksfrom now for our next episode,
no Place to Call Home.
A broken foster care systemsends more kids to prison than
(27:33):
college.
See you then.
Welcome to Make the Leap, a podcast focused on the
many economic hurdles facingcollege students, lower income
individuals and those strivingto move up the social ladder.
I'm Brad Constant, here withGeorge Graeb and Kristen Beale.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
George, what is our topic for today?
All right, thank you, brad.
Our topic for today is the rolethat America's free and
charitable medical clinics playwithin our community.
I think most Americans knowthat we have multiple healthcare
systems in this country andwhat system you have access to
usually depends on how muchmoney you have or your
employment benefits.
(00:54):
I don't know if many peoplewould disagree that many of our
high-risk population continuesto struggle, even after the
introduction of the AmericanAffordable Act back almost over
10 years ago.
Over 29 million people almost8% of the US population access
cares at different kind ofclinics, whether it is a
federally funded clinic, stateclinic or private clinics that
(01:18):
depend almost entirely oncontributions and donations from
the community that they serve,on contributions and donations
from the community that theyserve.
Millions of Americans continueto fall through the cracks.
I view the free medical clinicsit's like the net below the net
, as many Americans struggle tofile healthcare where they need
it, when they need it, in thelocations that they need it.
Even with the perception thatnow we have Medicaid and
(01:40):
Medicare coverage for themajority of the population,
charitable clinics receive nofederal or minimal federal or
state funding.
They survive purely ondonations.
They serve over 2 millionpeople per year and 1,400
clinics across the United Statesof America.
The misconception obviouslycontinues to be that if you need
health care, if you needmedical care coverage, you can
(02:02):
get it.
And that's not always the case,and this is part of the
conversation today, conversationthat relevant to a lot of our
students that struggle to findcare, find it timely, find it in
the services that they need andsometimes in the locations and
the communities that they livein.
So we will spend time talkingthrough this, talking about
opportunities for Ross studentsto help, for Ross as an
(02:24):
institution to help.
But before we jump into it, Iwill toss it back to Kristen to
introduce our guest today.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
We are so lucky today to be joined by Mary Lewis,
who's the CEO of the GaryBernstein Clinic in Pontiac,
Michigan.
Mary is a Ross grad, graduatingwith honors from Ross's medical
assistant program.
Her time as a medical assistanthas seen her working in
pediatrics, pediatric surgery,cardiology and more.
(02:52):
She obtained her bachelor'sdegree in 2018 and grew her
career from medical assistant toclinical team manager to
practice manager on her way toher current role as CEO.
Mary, thanks so much forjoining us today.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Thank you so much, kristen, george Brad.
It is so exciting to be here.
First of all, I love Ross.
Ross completely changed my lifeand even to like talk about it
now it still brings tears to myeyes.
I have so much emotion behindit.
So thank you for theopportunity.
More importantly, thank you forengaging in this great
(03:30):
conversation around healthcareaccess and advocacy and equity.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
So, mary, before we get into the nitty gritty, talk
about your journey.
Right now, ross has about 3,700students.
Many of them probably havewalked in your shoes or are
walking in your shoes right now.
I think your message is notgoing to only be uplifting, but
it's going to be meaningful interms of direction and in terms
of what's possible.
But maybe start with your ownpersonal journey, both on the
(03:57):
career side and on the personalside.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
I come from a long line of health care providers.
My mother was a nurse, mygrandmother was a caregiver.
My great-grandmother, mary, whoI'm named after, was an
indigenous healer, so healthcareis in my blood.
My mother, like I, knew thathealthcare was the only career
for me.
Right?
(04:19):
My brother, my sister and I, weknew that there was no other
option for us other than healthcare.
My mother wanted us all to bemedical doctors, right, and so
we all went to college.
I get to college my first yearand I hate it.
If I can be 100 percent honestwith you, I hated every bit of
(04:44):
college.
It was not a good fit for me.
And so I remember going homeafter my freshman year, having
that conversation with my motherthat, yeah, college isn't for
me.
And growing up, especially inan African-American home,
education was it right, you goto school, you get an education
(05:07):
and you do great things.
And I told my mom it wasn't agood fit for me.
And she says, well, you havetwo choices you can go back to
college or you can work.
Those are your only options.
And it's like, okay, collegeisn't the option, because I
don't want to go back.
And I'm 19, right?
(05:29):
Who's going to hire a19-year-old fresh out of college
, kind of, you know, failing.
And a girlfriend of mine said,hey, I'm enrolling in this
medical assistant program atRoss.
And she says I want you to dothis class with me, I want you
to go through this program withme.
Okay, and I'm telling you, likethe pressure to go into
(05:53):
healthcare and this idea that Ihad failed college, I had failed
my mother, I had failed thislineage of great women before me
, I don't want to say I washopeless, but it kind of felt
hopeless.
Right, I go to Ross and I'mtelling you it changed my life.
(06:15):
And I remember being inspiredand excited about healthcare,
probably for the first time,like I was happy about
healthcare, I was excited to bepursuing this career and I'm
telling you it has been one heckof a ride ever since.
(06:37):
And so, george, when I reachedout to you and I was like I just
want to say thanks, because Iam who I am today, I am where I
am today, truly because of theeducation that I received from
Ross.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So, on this, on this podcast we take, we talk so much
about getting the opportunityright, not not only getting a
chance, but also having theresources and and the support to
take advantage of of thatopportunity.
And many of our students, Ithink, who are going to listen
to this, are going to ask well,how did you get to where you are
right now?
So Ross maybe gave you thatfirst opening, so to speak, open
(07:14):
the door.
Maybe talk a little bit aboutwhat did you do with this
opportunity after you left, ross?
Speaker 4 (07:20):
I am a lifelong learner and I will say I think
it's two things.
It's one finding a great mentorand seizing opportunity Right.
So I have been really fortunateto have great people in my life
who saw things in me, even whenI didn't see them in myself, to
(07:41):
say you're better than that,you can do this.
Have you thought about right?
So I've been very fortunate inthat regard.
But seizing every opportunityopens up so much to you.
I can't tell you the number oftimes I was presented with oh,
the nurse doesn't want to dothis, was presented with oh, the
(08:02):
nurse doesn't want to do this.
So are you interested?
Absolutely, I think.
The best example I can give Iwas working at Advanced Cardiac
Healthcare and they were lookingfor someone to run their
telecumidant clinic and they hadone nurse who had already kind
(08:23):
of she had been doing it, hadbeen doing it and no one else
wanted to step up and I was likeI'll try it.
So I attended this online classand became an anticoagulation
practitioner and I telemanaged a215 patient Coumadin clinic the
first in May to do that.
And the more I found, the morethat I was willing to seize
(08:45):
those opportunities andunderstand that presenting as a
continual learner.
It opens the doors for you andI have to be completely honest.
When I obtained my bachelor'sdegree in 2018, that was 30
years after I had graduated fromhigh school.
(09:06):
But during that time, I manageda 215 patient Coumadin Clinic.
I was the clinical team managerfor a residency program.
I became practice director of a$15 million building.
I became the director ofemployee training at the same
(09:28):
organization all without havinga degree.
But I was hungry.
I was relentless in learningand growing and seizing
opportunities.
Every student listening to myvoice medical assisting, farm
tech, dental assisting that's astepping stone right.
(09:49):
I am proof that thepossibilities are endless if you
pursue them, and I encourageyou to pursue them.
There's a lot of untappedpotential inside of each of us
and sometimes it just takessomeone unlocking it.
So consider yourselves unlockedtoday to pursue greatness.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
So, but maybe maybe back to the unlocking and the
mentor part.
You know many of our students.
Their first thing sometimes isto get a job that pays them
money, so they can pay theirbills, they can get their head
above water.
You talked about mentoring andI've always believed in my own
career that the reason I am hereis because I was very lucky to
(10:25):
work for some people who'veinvested a lot of time, a lot of
effort in me, and I thinkyou're telling a little bit of a
similar story that somebodybelieved in you along the way,
somebody invested time andeffort into your career.
Can you maybe give some ideafor our students why it's
important that you findsomewhere that believes in you,
(10:47):
versus just sometimes chasingthe money or chasing the
position and identifying thatultimately, working for the
right people is just asimportant as a salary that you
make.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Oh, absolutely.
I have a saying I prefer peaceover a paycheck any day right,
we spend more time at our jobsthan we do with our families,
and so to be somewhere where youare celebrated and not
tolerated is so key.
More importantly, I reallybelieve that everyone has a
(11:22):
place right, their sweet spot,and it's so important to find
that place right, where you cangrow, you can develop, you can
ask questions and you areencouraged to be more today than
tomorrow than you were today.
Learned in my career and evenstarting out early in my career
(11:46):
if I can't say yes to themission and the vision of the
organization, I don't take thejob because that's not my place.
I need to be able to say yes, Ineed to be able to get up in
(12:09):
the morning and I know that kindof sounds new agey and it's not
Because when you are in yourplace, that's your place of
success, and that didn't happenovernight, and so I'm not saying
for the students that this isgoing to happen overnight, but
you have to be diligent and youhave to be intentional.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Mary, I'm so glad and proud to be connected with you
through Ross and what you do atthe Gary Bernstein Clinic.
Can you the GBC?
We're a free clinic.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
That means we don't accept insurance of any kind.
We are not a third partyinsurance provider, we're not a
Medicaid provider.
Every single service that ourpatients receive, 100% free.
I like to say no stringsattached because, most you know
right, we've heard that, oh,that's too good to be true, we
really are.
And there are no stringsattached because, most you know
right, we've heard that, oh,that's too good to be true, we
really are.
And there are no stringsattached.
(13:17):
You have to be uninsured orunderinsured, you must be a
Michigan resident and you mustlive at or below 250 percent of
the federal poverty level.
If you meet those eligibilityrequirements, we are your place,
and so we provide pharmacyservices, medical services.
That includes primary care, butwe also have 12 specialty
(13:40):
clinics as well ophthalmologyand optometry, as well as a full
service pharmacy.
And again, it's at no cost toMichigan residents and we serve.
Although our clinic is inPontiac, michigan, we actually
service all 83 counties ofMichigan.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
How do you do that?
How does the word get out?
How do people know where tofind you?
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Word of mouth.
I'm telling you, I feel we'rethe best kept secret.
That kind of everyone knowsabout Really word of mouth.
Kind of everyone knows aboutReally word of mouth.
Oftentimes, when we think freeclinic, this is a full circle
(14:25):
moment for me actually leadingthe Bernstein Clinic, because I
utilized a community healthclinic growing up.
But there's this negative ideaof what a free clinic looks like
right, it's a hole in the wall,it smells bad, the people are
rude.
That's not the case at all.
We actually have a 7,700 squarefoot building that is
(14:45):
magnificent.
It looks like a traditionalmedical office and our patients
are treated with respect anddignity and they receive
exceptional care here.
And I think that's thedifference that we service a
population that's used toreceiving standard of care is
(15:07):
really the bottom level ofhealth care from my perspective.
Right, and people deserveexceptional care.
Dr Bernstein I'm the founder ofthe clinic.
He believed that everyone hashas the right to great health
care, regardless of theirability to pay for it, and I
(15:27):
wholeheartedly, like in my gut,believe that and that resonates
with me.
So, yeah, that's the clinic.
It's an amazing place.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
So we talked a little bit about the misconception,
about it's a hole in the wall,but I think maybe sometimes
there's a misconception.
Who actually goes there, right?
So you've got all theseoverlapping Medicaid, medicare,
obamacare, whatever AmericanAffordable Care Act and you've
got the federally funded clinicsand then you've got these
(15:57):
charitable clinics and as I waspreparing for the podcast, I
realized that millions of theworking poor go to free clinics
and middle-class Americans go tofree clinics, depending on the
poverty guideline that you'velisted, at least for me, I would
not have thought of that.
I thought you know, if you havemoney in the US, you'll tend to
go to somewhere a privatemedical office or if you have a
(16:20):
job and your employer providesbenefits, you go where your
benefits take you, but many donot.
Many employers do not providebenefits and they leave their
people hanging out there tryingto find care, and those people
tend to be the most at risk.
Those are going to be the mostvulnerable in our communities.
So do you think there is amisconception?
Who actually uses free clinics?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
There is.
I am so glad you're bringingthis up.
There's absolutely amisconception.
Oftentimes people think thatthe individuals that utilize a
free clinic are poor.
They are shiftless.
If I can just be very honest,they don't want to work.
It's their fault 42% of ourpatient population.
They're employed.
(17:01):
And I'll take it a step further.
They actually have twopart-time jobs that don't offer
insurance benefits, and so,let's say, someone that makes
$60,000 a year, between two jobs, they have a family.
Oftentimes our patients arecaring for one or two additional
people, like aging relatives orsomething like that.
(17:24):
So they make too much toqualify for Medicaid and they
can't afford the deductible thatranges from $7,000 to $10,000
for a marketplace insurance.
So where do they go?
What do they do?
Traditionally, they would go tothe ED to establish primary
(17:44):
care, but we know that that'snot the purpose of the ED the
emergency department and so atthe Bernstein Clinic, we're
taking care of those folks, andso here we are to make sure that
they have and I love what yousaid earlier, george access to
the care that they need whenthey need it, in a way that's
(18:06):
meaningful to them.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
The other piece that's surprising is how much
services you provide.
These clinics really are, insome instances, like a one-stop
shop.
You're able to provide multipleservices.
Can you maybe take two minutesand talk through all the
different clinics that you havewithin the Gary Bernstein Clinic
?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Yeah, and that's intentional.
So we have primary care.
Of course, we have dental.
Within dental, we do everythingthat you would see in a
traditional dental office.
So dentures, bridges,restorative care, hygiene
services.
In our medical clinic, again, inaddition to primary, we have
gynecology, urology, cardiology,ophthalmology, optometry,
(18:51):
podiatry, urology, and I couldgo on and on.
We have an onsite lab and, again, a full service pharmacy, and
it's intentional.
When I need to take a day offbecause I need to go to the
doctor, I sign a PTO slip andI'm essentially paid for not
being at work that day.
Right, that is not the case forour patient.
(19:12):
When they miss a day of work,it's food on the table, it's
something for their kids, it'srent.
So I want our patient to beable to come to the clinic to
see Dr Weitzman for theirdiabetes management, see Dr Gold
the same day for their diabeticfoot check, see Dr Jacques the
(19:33):
same day for their diabetic eyeexam, get their labs drawn and
leave the clinic with a 90-daysupply of medication.
My goal in the next two yearsis to completely integrate care
in such a way that a patient canmiss one day of work and hit
every single service that theyneed within one day, because we
(19:53):
have to look at our patient froma holistic perspective.
So it's very intentional thatwe have all of these services
under one roof to tear downthose barriers and really create
access.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Is that common across all free clinics?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
and really create access.
Is that common across all freeclinics?
Yeah, that's the goal for allfree clinics but due to funding
and other things, it's notalways easy to accomplish that.
We're just very fortunate tohave great donors and great
community partners who believein what we're doing and want to
come alongside, and we also havegreat volunteers, Another thing
that makes the free clinicmodel really unique.
(20:31):
Specifically here at the GaryBernstein Clinic, we have 10
paid employees and over 400active volunteers.
So all of my doctors, my nurses, my dentist, my pharmacist,
medical assistants, dentalassistants they are all
volunteers and they do the workof the clinic.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
So that leads right into my question.
How does the clinic continue tobe successful for almost 20
years?
What is the clinic's biggestarea of need?
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Volunteers.
We want to expand.
We are at capacity with thevolunteers that we have, but
there's more opportunity forgrowth, and so we're always
looking for volunteers that lovepeople, love healthcare and
want to change the community.
So, doctors, nurses alike, youdon't have to have medical
(21:25):
experience to be a volunteerhere.
We need people to make phonecalls, we need people to confirm
appointments, stuff, envelopes.
So if you have a heart ofservice, this is a great place
to volunteer.
So, volunteers although we have400 active volunteers, we need
more.
And then we need funds.
(21:45):
We are a nonprofit and so wereally rely on philanthropic
giving and grants to make thisthing called the Gary Bernstein
Clinic work and I will saythat's true for many of the free
clinics across the country, andso funding is always huge.
We are really intentional aboutthe things that we pursue.
(22:07):
So, although most federalgrants aren't available to free
clinics, we want to be able tocontinue to deliver care our way
.
The doctor needs to spend 10minutes with a patient Great.
They need to spend an hour witha patient Great.
And not have that pressure ofreimbursement and revenue and
(22:30):
generation and all those things,even though revenue generation
is a part of it.
But yeah, and then we're alwayslooking for great partners to
come alongside of us, right?
We can't do this work alone.
I believe this model is reallythe answer to the global health
care crises, and we can't do italone, and we need partners to
(22:51):
join in the work with us.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
I was curious if you could share some of those key
partners that you talk about,that walk along with you and
help you fulfill your mission.
I think that would be inspiring, too, to many of our students.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Absolutely.
The Michigan Department ofHealth and Human Services, delta
Dental Foundation, the MichiganDental Association, oakland
University, william BeaumontSchool of Medicine, applebaum
School of Pharmacy, blue Cross,blue Shield, university of
Michigan, corwell Health, andthen we just have a host of
private foundations andphilanthropists that walk
(23:31):
alongside of us.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
My last question is how can our Ross students
connect with the clinic?
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Internships, we are here.
So I knew right away that Iwanted to make a connection with
Ross and provide students withthe same opportunity that I've
had in my career, and sobecoming an externship or
internship site is somethingthat we're currently working on,
(23:57):
and so if you are interested incommunity medicine specifically
, or you have students thatshould be exposed to community
medicine, we're here and we wantto support those academic
desires, things like educationalworkshops and volunteering and
we do a lot of things in thesummer, like around health fairs
(24:20):
, partnering with us, coming onand saying, hey, I have a free
weekend, what do you have comingup?
Speaker 2 (24:25):
That type of thing, yeah, one of the things we offer
in our benefit is volunteertime off, paid time off so our
staff can come and volunteer atthe clinic and get paid from
Ross for being there.
So I think there's ampleopportunities for us to find
ways, both volunteering,student-wise externship,
(24:46):
internship, financial support.
I think there's multipleavenues we can take, but I think
from my end of it, I think thebiggest piece where our students
benefit is that message of hopethat you're able to help people
.
You're in the lifting up peoplebusiness.
You really are trying to dowhat you can in Pontiac Michigan
(25:07):
to impact that community in apositive way when so much of our
lives are centered aroundourselves and what we need to do
for ourselves.
So I am going to give you thelast word, but you have my
commitment that we will findevery way possible to help and
to partner with you.
Mary, I think you have anamazing story and I'm incredibly
(25:28):
thankful for all the work thatyou do.
But I will give you the lastword here as we wrap up.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Thank you.
The Bernstein Clinic is anamazing place.
So, as students, if you findyourself without insurance, if
you need a place where you canreceive quality medical care,
this is your place, for studentsalso.
I really want.
I hope that you're walking awayfeeling hopeful about who you
(25:59):
are, about the decision, and I'mgetting choked up, sorry about
the decision that you've made topursue a career in healthcare.
I can't really see myself doinganything else, and so be
encouraged that you're on theright track.
Be encouraged that you aregoing to have the opportunity to
(26:20):
really help so many peopleAgain, whether you're a dental
assistant, a medical assistant,a nurse, whatever that looks
like for you.
Also know that there's moreinside of you than what you
think, what people have said toyou.
There's so much more inside ofyou, and I just encourage each
of you to pursue it passionately, pursue it, run it down.
(26:44):
Sorry, and so be great.
Those are my final words Begreat, do great things and make
a difference.
Thank you so much for thisopportunity and I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
No worries.
Thank you so listening to Makethe Leap.
Be sure to visit our site,rosspodcastcom or the podcast
platform of your choice tolisten to past episodes as well
as subscribe, so you never missa future episode.
We hope you join us two weeksfrom now for our next episode,
no Place to Call Home.
A broken foster care systemsends more kids to prison than
(27:33):
college.
See you then.
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