July 12, 2010—As part of its ongoing commitment to provide appropriate levels of medical care and services in the most effective and needed settings, Genesys announced today its plans to realign emergency care services and establish a patient care facility in downtown Flint as part of the city’s revitalization initiatives.
After a comprehensive assessment of the community’s current and future health care needs, Genesys determined a downtown Flint location for outpatient clinical services and an urgent care facility would be most advantageous for patients, the city of Flint, and Genesys.
“The development of the outpatient and urgent care facility in downtown Flint is a great example of Genesys understanding the importance of care needed for individuals in our community,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “This advancement also clearly defines that the revitalization of downtown Flint is and always has been about the growth and well-being of this community. I am pleased that the partnership between the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, Uptown Developments, the City of Flint, Genesys and the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce has resulted in this progress.”
According to Chris Palazzolo, Genesys Chief Financial Officer, factors contributing to this decision included: the shift in patient care volumes over the last few years, a change in levels of care and the type of care most needed in certain geographic areas, an aging Genesys West Flint Campus building, and an “opportunity to partner with the city of Flint in its aggressive revitalization efforts.
“Volumes in the emergency departments (ED) at the Genesys West Flint Campus and the Genesys East Flint Campus have declined steadily over the past few years, and trends have shown the majority of patients using these two EDs require a level of care that meets urgent care criteria – not emergency care,” Palazzolo explained. As a result, Genesys will close these two EDs and open urgent care centers.
One of the two urgent care facilities will be located in the yet-to-be determined site in downtown Flint, and the second will remain at the Genesys East Flint Campus in Burton.
The Emergency Department and Trauma Center at Health Park in Grand Blanc will expand, utilizing another 12 beds for emergent care. This expansion will help improve wait times and the patient care experience.
The EDs at the Genesys West Flint Campus and East Flint Campus will close November 1. The urgent care center at the East Flint Campus will open November 1. A date for the second urgent care facility opening will be announced after the downtown Flint site is chosen.
“Genesys is looking forward to working closely with the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Developments, and the City of Flint on this initiative, while bringing the most appropriate level of care to those who need it most,” Palazzolo announced.