The GBCHC Story

The Past

In 1997, after working 20 years as a cardiologist, Dr. Gary Burnstein began providing care for patients at a homeless shelter in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Burnstein passed away in 2003, but friends, family, and community members honored his dream of providing care to the uninsured by establishing the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC).

Dr. Burnstein's dream of providing free medical care for those in need began in a closet at the shelter, and grew into a small rented facility in Pontiac.

The Present

Today the clinic continues to provide free medical and dental care to the low-income uninsured, and homeless of Oakland county. The vast majority of our patients are the working poor, and providing them access to primary care and preventative medicines means keeping them in their jobs. With more than 3000 office visits in 2014, the clinic is currently stretched to capacity.

Even with the recent changes from the Affordable Care Act we enroll new patients every day.

Each month our volunteer team sees over 250 patients, fills 700 prescriptions, and performs over 50 dental procedures. The clinic has four examination rooms, two dental examination rooms with x-ray capabilities, and a pharmacy. All services are free of charge.

The Future

In honor of another great man, the Robert S. Peterson Family Foundation has generously donated the funds to purchase a much needed larger facility. The clinic will go from a cramped 1,500 square foot facility to a 5,400 square foot area. The conversion of this new building from a car parts distribution center to a public health facility will require great effort from everyone connected to the clinic.

The new space will allow the clinic to expand its role in the community. We will be able to treat more patients from a wider geographic area, and are excited to expand our patient services to offer additional preventative care, as well as classes on nutrition and food preparation. Our commitment is, as always, to provide quality care in a compassionate environment with dignity and respect.

Our continual success is only possible through the generous support of dedicated volunteers, medical and dental professionals, pharmacists, pre-professional students, and monetary donations from grants, foundations, fundraisers, and individual donors.