GBCHC Historical Timeline

1997

Dr. Gary Burnstein begins providing basic medical care to clients out of a closet at a homeless shelter in Pontiac. The shelter had sent hundreds of letters to area physicians requesting healthcare services for the homeless who frequented the shelter. Dr. Burnstein was the only one who responded.

2002

Dr. Burnstein envisions a clinic that serves low-income uninsured adults and organizes a small group of volunteers to incorporate the free clinic under the name of Wolfe-Seiferheld Memorial Clinic. In April 2002 he receives the IRS tax-exempt designation. Al services are to be provided by medical and nursing volunteers at no cost to patients. Dr. Burnstein leads by example as our original volunteer, and his model of care continues at the clinic today.

2003

After a brief illness, Dr. Burnstein passes away in September of 2003. The shelter where Dr. Burnstein volunteered names the medical exam room in their building The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic in his memory. Dr. Michael Yerkey Provides care in Dr. Burnstein’s place.

2004

Acknowledging the value and importance of the free medical services Dr. Burnstein had initiated, the leadership of the Kensington Community Church in Pontiac approach Dr. Burnstein’s wife, Dana Burnstein and her adult children, Ian Burnstein and Lori Burnstein Taylor to continue with Dr. Burnstein’s plan.

2004

Kensington Church raises $500,000 and provides materials and labor to repurpose space in the old Pontiac Rescue Mission on University Dr. in Pontiac, creating the free clinic that Dr. Burnstein imagined.  In October the clinic opens its doors to provide expanded healthcare services for the homeless.

Dana assumed the position of the clinic’s, CEO. She volunteered her time. Her children help with the endeavor.  Dana said, “We pulled together to support the clinic’s work. It was a labor of love.”

2005

The clinic is officially renamed Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC). Dr. Kathy Pitus provides medical services for the next four years.

A fire causes the Clinic to relocate temporarily to Grace Gospel Fellowship Church. The Clinic reopens after restoration is completed in December of 2005.

2006

Brian Harris is hired as the first Executive Director. Dana Burnstein continues to be involved in the growth and expansion of the clinic, and Ian Burnstein and Lori Burnstein Taylor join the Board of Directors. The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic makes services available to all uninsured residents of Oakland County.

2008

Pam Haratsis is hired as Executive Director.

2010

Pam Haratsis and the Board of Directors launch the clinic's premier fundraising event, Esteemed Women of Michigan. Dana Burnstein in among the class of honorees.

2011

Dr. Justin Brox begins volunteering at the Clinic and becomes Director of Clinic Operations.

2012

Dana Burnstein asks local businessman and philanthropist Robert S. Peterson for help to secure a building that will offer more clinic space for medical and dental care. With critical support from the Peterson Family Foundation, Pam Haratsis and Justin Brox find and purchase the abandoned Pontiac Branch of the Detroit Ball Bearing Co. of Michigan, at 45580 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac.

2013

The Board of Directors raises 1 million dollars securing 100% of the funding needed to transform the vacant factory into a state of the art healthcare center. During renovations services continue at the University Drive location.

2014

Renovations to the building begin. The building is named the Robert S. Peterson Building.

2015

On February 14th the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic opens, offering 7,000 square feet of space, three dental operatories, seven medical examination rooms, a full-service pharmacy, and education/community room. Services are made available to all uninsured, low-income Michigan residents ages 18-64.

2015

Pam Haratsis resigns to move out of state and Justin Brox is named CEO. Dana Burnstein, Ian Burnstein and Lori Burnstein Taylor remain on the board of directors. After serving in leadership roles for more than 10 years, Dana is named Emeritus Chief Executive Officer.

2016

Ian Burnstein elected Chair of the Board of Directors.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic shut-down temporarily closes dental operations and moves most medical appointments to telemedicine. Thanks to dedicated staff and nurse volunteers, patients are contacted and care continues.

2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Clinic experiences a year of growth. Thanks to support from the Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Delta Dental Foundation, and the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, two dental operatories are added (for a total of five). Partnerships with the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, and the hygienist program at Oakland Community College, increases the Clinic’s capacity to serve more patients. A three year grant is also secured to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and education.

2021

GBCHC was honored to receive the American Nurses Association-Michigan (ANA-MI) 2020 Innovation Award in recognition of GBCHC’s nursing team for their innovative approach to improving nursing and patient outcomes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured left to right front row, Valerie Stern, R.N., Deborah Teasdle, R.N., and Andrea Hammond, R.N. Back row left to right, Dr. Justin Brox, CEO, GBCHC, Barbara Hesse, R.N., Ernest Grant, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, ANA President.

2022

Medical, dental and pharmacy are exceeding pre-pandemic numbers of patients served. The building is once again renovated to accommodate the addition of five offices for behavioral health, administrative and support services.