Featured photo: Dr. Aisha Harris with brother Ezekiel Harris
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Dr. Aisha Harris broke down in tears on Friday, January 5 as she shared what inspired her to open Harris Family Health and what is motivating her to keep expanding the clinic and her work in the community at the clinic’s one-year anniversary celebration.
“I’m trying to be informative without being emotional,” said Harris.
Harris thanked her family and friends for supporting what she jokingly called a “crazy” idea as she worked to open her clinic.
During her speech at the recent celebration, Harris mentioned her brother, Ezekiel Harris, several times. According to Dr. Harris, who described herself as an introvert, her brother has always been more of a risk-taker. She credits him for being a great source of encouragement.
Ezekiel Harris is one of several entrepreneurs in the Harris family. He currently works in real estate, with sports technology startup and in nonprofit counseling.
Dr. Harris also thanked her mother, Yvette Harris.
“She was our foundation,” said brother Ezekiel Harris.
“When we do things in life that we’re really passionate about, it’s really important to have moments of celebration,” said Harris. “I think if you keep going, going and going – then you miss those opportunities to realize your successes and thank those people who have supported you. This was an opportunity, and it was a risk, but here I am celebrating the fact that it worked out and so far, so good.”
Harris Family Health is Flint’s first primary care clinic. The membership-based clinic is located in downtown Flint, and Harris is the doctor that sees adults and children.
Last January, in 2023, Harris opened Harris Family Health as the first primary care clinic in Flint.
Attendees to the recent event could enjoy free refreshments, hear Harris talk about her passion and see the new Health Learning and Wellness Center. The new space will be dedicated to improving health literacy and addressing health disparities in the community.
Previously, Harris had a one-room office.
For the event, Harris dedicated the Health Learning and Wellness Center to it being a visual appreciation for the local artists. All the artwork on the walls of the new space was created by Black females.
One of the major pluses of having her own clinic for Harris is having more time to do outreach now.
Over the last year Harris Family Health and Dr Harris have hosted the Mindful and Motivated Youth Health Summit, shared health information with a regular health column in the Flint Courier News, been a speaker at the ReCAST Strong Summit and taken part in many more health education events and collaborations in the community.
“It’s all kind of come together. I’m still nervous regarding what’s the next phase and step of the small business (and asking) ‘will this work out.’ It’s month to month, and quarter by quarter if this is where I’m supposed to be. But I love Flint. I love taking care of the patients, and the excitement I feel, even though it’s entangled in that fear and uncertainty, it’s just so amazing to know that this is mine.”
