Hamilton Women’s Clinic story 5 corrected by Mark Rummel
There is one place where the polite phrase “Ladies First” always comes true — at the Hamilton Community Health Network (HCHN) Women’s Clinic.
Since opening in the fall of 2018, the Women’s Clinic offers a “one-stop shop” for proper women’s health needs, as well as their entire family. Dr. Erica Marsh, who specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics & Gynecology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, knew the need of women in the area and worked with HCHN leaders, including Dr. Michael Giacalone, to get the Women’s Clinic open.
Dr. Marsh, along with Dr. Margaret Punch and Dr. Lindsay Admon, see patients on a monthly basis at Hamilton’s Main clinic on Saginaw Street in Flint. “Our hope is for women to have access to services that they might otherwise have to drive to Ann Arbor to get,” Dr. Punch says.
Women have access to quality treatment for any reasons, ranging from abnormal pap smears to irregular periods, fibroids, chronic pain and more. At Hamilton, Drs. Punch and Admon focus on benign GYN services. People are never turned away, regardless of ability to pay, as HCHN is a Federally Qualified Health Center to serve everyone. A sliding fee scale based on income can be used if the patient has no health insurance or limited coverage, so every woman can get quality gynecology care here in Flint.
The GYN clinic is part of the Hamilton medical system. Female patients see their Hamilton primary care provider for regular wellness checks and pap tests. If their provider notices abnormal results, they may refer the patient to meet with Drs. Punch or Admon at Hamilton.
The Women’s Clinic also serves ladies who are seeking advice about contraceptives or who have abdominal pain, which may be related to uterine issues.
“The best thing a woman can do for herself is to take care of her health,” Drs. Punch and Admon say. “Take a moment out of your busy schedule and make sure you are well,” they advise. That means women should keep up with their appointments, screenings, treatments — and do everything possible to keep their medical provider in the loop.
“It’s important to get things checked out if you think something is wrong,” Dr. Admon says. “Women are embarrassed about different female health problems, but we’re here for you.
“Ask questions — and get those answers.”
Drs. Punch and Admon are faculty members and physicians with Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. They see patients at Hamilton’s Main Clinic every third Friday of the month.
Anyone who has concerns about their gynecological health should make an appointment with a Hamilton provider, either as a repeat or new patient, the doctors advise.
HCHN also provides a breast care clinic to treat women who are at high risk, as well as those with benign and malignant breast disease. For details on Hamilton Women’s Health Clinics, call 810- 406-4246.
