Amazing People Doing Extraordinary Things!

Dear [insert first name],

Big changes are coming, and we need to be ready.

Michigan is facing significant Medicaid cuts that could result in over 700,000 people losing coverage according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. These policy changes will leave more people without access to the care they need, and many will turn to us for help.

At GBCHC, we’ve always stepped in to fill the gap. But with this looming crisis, we anticipate a sharp increase in demand beginning this summer if this legislation passes. We’ll need more appointments, more medications, more volunteers - and more resources to match.

We’ve seen what’s possible when we come together.

In March, we set out to do something big - and you made it happen. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $72,609 in honor of Dr. Burnstein’s Birthday, 41% more than our goal, and unlocked the full match from the Burnstein Family Foundation.

In April, we also celebrated our 600 volunteers who power this mission forward. In 2024 alone, they contributed over 18,000 hours of service and helped us provide more than 6,000 free health appointments, a 23% increase from 2023.

We are also especially grateful to Dr. Weitzman, who retired from his GBCHC leadership position. Please learn more about his incredible contributions and the power of our volunteer program below.

I continue to be amazed by what we accomplish together. But the road ahead requires more.

Please help us stay ready. Your support today ensures that compassionate, quality health care will be here for those who need it most.

Onwards and upwards,

Give Today

The Steady Hand Behind the Stethoscope: Honoring Dr. Raymond Weitzman

Dedicated. Knowledgeable. Approachable. Supportive. Warm. Funny. Empathetic. Compassionate.

All these words have been used to describe Dr. Weitzman, our volunteer Medical Director. During his five years of leadership, not only has he provided expert care to thousands of patients, but he has also helped shape our healthcare model grounded in dignity, compassion, and clinical excellence.

Dr. Weitzman’s own words beautifully capture the heart of his work: “Serving an underserved population and the rewards of providing excellent medical care to patients who have not received adequate care for prolonged periods has been exceptionally gratifying.”

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Weitzman’s impact has been transformative. He has cared for patients with complex, often neglected conditions like uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and heart disorders - many of which could have shortened lives without timely intervention.

Honoring Dr. Raymond Weitzman continued... Under his leadership, GBCHC has become a true lifeline: a place where patients not only receive diagnosis and treatment, but also gain access to medications and dental care they could otherwise not afford.

But Dr. Weitzman’s influence extends far beyond medicine.

“My two favorite things about the clinic are the gratefulness of the patients we provide care to and the fact that the clinic serves as a teaching institution,” he shared. This clearly shows through the profound impact he’s had on the hundreds of pre-professional students who have served under his leadership.

“Dr. Weitzman has been a fantastic mentor to me, and he’s been an even better example of the physician I’d like to be,” one medical student reflected. Others echoed similar sentiments, citing his support through medical school applications, his encouragement while learning at the clinic, and his willingness to answer questions without judgment.

His professional peers at the clinic have felt it, too.

“He’s a doctor’s doctor,” said a registered nurse who also volunteers at the clinic. “He practices medicine with the highest levels of skill and knowledge [along with] a strong sense of caring and service.”

Though he may be stepping away from his role as Medical Director, only the clinic’s second, Dr. Weitzman, will continue to serve as a volunteer physician at the clinic as he has for the last eleven years - and we couldn’t be more grateful. Dr. Zoghlin is the clinic’s third Medical Director. Expect more to come in next month’s newsletter!

Thank you, Dr. Weitzman, for your extraordinary service. You have changed thousands of lives, laid the foundation for future clinical excellence, and left a lasting imprint on everyone in the GBCHC family.

Linzie Potts

Volunteer Manager

Barbara and Michael Horowitz

The Power of Volunteers:

Transforming Care at GBCHC

Just two years ago, GBCHC relied on a dedicated group of 160 volunteers to meet the growing health needs of uninsured adults. Today, that number has nearly tripled, with more than 600 volunteers this year alone, each one lending their time, talent, and commitment to our mission.

What sets GBCHC apart is our belief that volunteers are more than just doers - they are empowered problem-solvers, collaborators, and leaders who help shape the future of compassionate care. Here are some recent examples of how they are doing just that:

The medical scribe program has expanded, flexing between 40 and 50 volunteers, led by a volunteer peer with a clear succession plan, ensuring patients are consistently supported and volunteers gain valuable leadership experience.

Volunteers have transformed the dental admissions process, increasing efficiency and providing more patients with timely cleanings and dental care.

Transforming Care at GBCHC continued...

Across the clinic, volunteers are building a collaborative learning community - improving organizational systems, leading community outreach efforts, conducting patient-centered research, and mentoring peers through MCAT and dental school prep.

This remarkable growth hasn’t happened by chance. With the support of visionary donors like the Barbara and Michael Horowitz Family, dedicated leadership from our Volunteer Manager, Linzie Potts, and a culture that fosters creativity and innovation, GBCHC’s volunteer program isn’t just expanding in size - it’s deepening in impact, leadership, and compassion.

Linzie Potts shares, “I am proud to work alongside so many influential professionals and driven pre-professional students. With their dedication and commitment, I look forward to continuing moving in the direction of a sustainable model of care through volunteerism. The future is bright for the GBCHC volunteer program and continues to be full of endless opportunities."

How can you help this work continue?

Make a gift today. Your donation enables us to expand care and further empower our volunteers. Please make your gift today.

Volunteer. We’re actively seeking dentists, pharmacists, and specialty providers like neurologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Your expertise will reduce offsite referrals and bring more care directly to our patients at the clinic, breaking down barriers to timely and accessible healthcare. Please email Linzie Potts at LPotts@GBCHC.org to learn more.

Help Spread the Word. When you share these stories of what’s happening here, you help more people discover GBCHC’s life-changing work. The more people who know, the more good we can do - together.

Shaping Smiles and Futures: Andrew Shimoon's Story

What started out as just a gap year idea became a journey that shaped a future.

Andrew Shimoon walked through our clinic doors 18 months ago, planning to volunteer just a small amount of time. Today, he's heading to Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, equipped with real-world experience and a deep understanding of compassionate patient care from his volunteer experience with GBCHC.

“I started off at the clinic with the intention of volunteering a few days a week,” Andrew recalls. “But I really enjoyed working with all the different doctors and other assistants, so I started coming in almost every day there was a dental clinic.”

It didn’t take long for both staff and patients to notice his dedication. Andrew’s enthusiasm, reliability, and leadership soon earned him a part-time position and eventually, a full-time role where he helped with the dental clinic transition and trained the next lead dental assistant.

Shaping Smiles and Futures continued..."I have been lucky enough to get a first-hand look at tough dental procedures during my time here," he explains. "I also have been given many lessons in dentistry from our students who are on rotation and doctors who have shown interest in my education."

One experience stands out, a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

"One of the most impactful moments I witnessed was when one of our doctors helped a patient who had a broken molar. This patient was a veteran who qualified for our care, and it was so nice to be able to help someone who was willing to put their life on the line for our country."

The patient, in severe pain and terrified of needles, nearly refused treatment. Andrew recalls, "Seeing our doctor calm her down so professionally and empathetically really helped remind me why I entered this field in the first place."

These are the kinds of moments your support makes possible.

As Andrew prepares for his next chapter, he reflects on the lasting impact of GBCHC, "I will really miss seeing our patients who I have gotten to know over the last year and a half. I have learned so much about them and how the clinic positively impacts their lives, and it is really meaningful to have played a small role in that."

Andrew’s story is more than a personal success - it’s your generosity in action. Every dollar donated to GBCHC builds a space where volunteers like Andrew can thrive, learn, and go on to serve countless patients throughout their careers.

"I don’t know if I would have achieved my goals without the clinic, but I do know that in my 18 months here, I have learned so much about dentistry, teamwork, and most importantly, the positive impact I can have on a community."

Thank you for making inspiring stories like Andrew’s possible!

Donate Today

Join us at the 2nd Annual Dr. Gary’s Pickleball Classic!

Monday, September 29, 2025

United Wholesale Sports Complex

867 South Blvd. E | Pontiac

Hit the courts or just join us for dinner at the Dr. Gary’s Pickleball Classic. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available for our largest fundraiser of the year: Click Here to Register.

If you or someone you know is over the age 18, uninsured, and interested in becoming a GBCHC patient, please visit us today.

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to see the incredible ways your support is changing lives.

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