Great Lakes Bay Health Centers is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Toby Long as the new Medical Director – Primary Care, effective June 1, 2024. With his extensive experience and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Long will lead our primary care team in delivering exceptional healthcare services. Dr. Long currently serves as the Education Director for our MiDoc Family Medicine Residency Program. He has led the efforts to expand and improve the program. In July 2024, the program will expand to three residents annually.

Having been an esteemed member of Great Lakes Bay Health Centers for 12 years. Dr. Long has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, clinical expertise, and dedication to improving patient outcomes. his passion for healthcare excellence and innovation has significantly contributed to our center’s mission of providing compassionate and comprehensive care to our community.

In his new role, Dr. Long will oversee all aspects of primary care services, including leadership of the primary care department, improving quality outcomes, the health and well-being of the primary care providers, and establishing guidelines and protocols for the department. During his employment Dr. Long has demonstrated a collaborative approach and deep-rooted commitment to excellence that will drive our primary care department’s continued success and advancement.

“I am very excited to have this opportunity, stated Dr. Chapin, Chief Medical Officer, to work with a physician of Dr. Long’s caliber and his historical knowledge of the organization.”

Dr Long attended Western Michigan University as a Medallion Scholar and graduated with a BA in English Literature, followed by a Masters in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine as a part of the rural physician program.  Dr. Long has served as a faculty member at CMU’s Family Medicine Residency since 2016 and has enjoyed overseeing the MIDOC family medicine residency program since its inception. When he is not busy with GLBHC patients and paperwork, he is likely doing something with a local parish, coaching soccer, or trying to keep up with the wonderful chaos of raising six kids with his better half, Andrea.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Long on his well-deserved appointment as Medical Director – Primary Care. We are confident that He will continue to elevate the standard of care at Great Lakes Bay Health Centers and positively impact the health and well-being of our community.

About Great Lakes Bay Health Centers:

At Great Lakes Bay Health Centers we provide family medical care, pediatric care, pharmacy, women’s care, x-ray, laboratory, behavioral health care, dental care, eye care, and much more. Over the years, GLBHC has provided medical education and has collaborated with many local agencies in the public and private sectors.  Community Health Centers are not just healers, we are innovators who look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health, such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, access to nutritious food, and unemployment. We are a critical piece of health care systems and collaborate with hospitals, local and state governments, social, health and business organizations to improve health outcomes for people who are medically vulnerable.

The mission of Community Health Centers remains crucial today because access to basic care remains a challenge to over one hundred million people across the country. Many people live in remote and underserved communities where there is a shortage of providers and, in many cases, the nearest doctor or hospital can be as far as a 50-mile drive in another county. Fortunately, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers provides transportation services in some of the communities we serve but the need is in high demand and increasing this service would help with access to care and help to prevent costly emergency room visits that sometimes, are not medically necessary.

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers (GLBHC) is proud to announce the promotion of Dr. Parker Duncan to the position of Dental Director. With this appointment, Dr. Duncan will assume a new, pivotal role in helping the dental administration team lead our team of dental professionals and helping ensure the highest standards of patient care.

After developing a passion for GLBHC during his 4th year of Dental School, Dr. Duncan has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership. Throughout his tenure, he has shown a deep commitment to our clinic’s mission of providing comprehensive and compassionate dental services to our patients.

As Dental Director, Dr. Duncan will report directly to the Chief Dental Officer, oversee the Dental students, Dental Assisting Program, and assist the Chief Dental Officer in Provider growth and development work closely with our staff to uphold our clinic’s reputation for excellence. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, making him well-suited to assist the growth of the dental department and help lead our exceptional dental department into the future.

Dr. Duncan was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he received a BS degree in physics from the University of Utah prior to completing his dental education at the University of Michigan.

“I am beyond thrilled to embark on this new journey within our dental department!” says Duncan. “Dr Crowley will be greatly missed and has led us to great heights. I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to help continue his legacy, and our impact on the community and people that we serve. I look forward to collaborating and working with all the wonderful employees within our organization and helping to support our awesome dental department!”

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Parker Duncan on his well-deserved promotion to Dental Director. We look forward to his continued contributions to Great Lakes Bay Health Centers and the communities we serve.

About Great Lakes Bay Health Centers:

At Great Lakes Bay Health Centers we provide family medical care, pediatric care, pharmacy, women’s care, x-ray, laboratory, behavioral health care, dental care, eye care, and much more. Over the years, GLBHC has provided medical education and has collaborated with many local agencies in the public and private sectors. Community Health Centers are not just healers, we are innovators who look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health, such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, access to nutritious food, and unemployment. We are a critical piece of health care systems and collaborate with hospitals, local and state governments, social, health and business organizations to improve health outcomes for people who are medically vulnerable.

The mission of Community Health Centers remains crucial today because access to basic care remains a challenge to over 100 million people across the country. Many people live in remote and underserved communities where there is a shortage of providers and, in many cases, the nearest doctor or hospital can be as far as a 50-mile drive in another county. Fortunately, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers provides transportation services in some of the communities we serve but the need is in high demand and increasing this service would help with access to care and help to prevent costly emergency room visits that sometimes, are not medically necessary.

Learn more about a new community-based doula care initiative, sponsored by Great Lakes Bay Health Centers.

Angela Williams, Senior Vice President of Great Lakes Bay Health Center, discusses the importance of children getting back on track with routine vaccinations. Vaccination schedules for children aged 0-7 and 8-18 are available and parents should be diligent in ensuring their children receive the recommended vaccines. Babies and children under two are more prone to being exposed to germs, making timely vaccinations essential for protecting their immune systems. Great Lakes Bay Health Centers addresses concerns about multiple vaccines by encouraging parents to become educated before well-child visits.

Angela Williams joins us to talk about the road map to Better Health, focusing on addressing health disparities in our community. Great Lakes Bay Health Centers has received funding grants to implement new programs, including an early childhood development program. They are also opening a school-based health center at Bay City Central High School in 2024. Another major project is advancing birth equity to improve maternal health outcomes, including implementing a doula program. Great Lakes Bay Health Centers offer comprehensive medical services, pharmacy services, and vision clinics in Saginaw and Bay County.

The “Smiles are Everywhere” Mobile Dental Program held a dental floss cutting ceremony Aug. 10 for their newest team member: Mobile Dental Unit #4. Last year, the mobile dental team treated more than 4,500 school children between September and June. Our newest mobile dental unit will help expand our ability to reach even more children, helping them to get the care they need. Special thanks to community partner Delta Dental Foundation, which has helped us to provides excellent oral care to our community for many years.

GLBHC received its new Mobile Medical bus through a grant from Michigan Primary Care Association this month. The mobile medical team provides primary medical care, behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment to partner locations across the region – including shelters, outreach centers and Delta College.