Site Search:
|
 |
|
Healthy Communities - History
The Healthy Communities Initiative began in 1994 with the goal of improving the health and quality of life of all residents of Bartholomew County. A collaborative effort from its inception, Healthy Communities has grown to reflect the entire spectrum of the community. Healthy Communities is a two-time national finalist for the Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. The driving force behind these groups is a commitment to a vision of Bartholomew County as a healthy community where each member is valued and shares in the responsibility of making a difference.
|
|
The Healthy Communities Council is the governing body of the Initiative, and consists of the following members:
- Alex Abedian, Columbus North High School
- Julie Abedian, Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, co-chair
- Mayor Fred Armstrong, City of Columbus
- David Barker, S.I.H.O.
- Vickie Bateman, Volunteer Action Center
- Jim Bickel, Columbus Regional Hospital
- John M. Burnett, Irwin Financial, co-chair
- Margie Campbell, APRN, Columbus Regional Hospital
- Steve Champion, MD, Emergency Physicians Inc. of Columbus
- Phillip Deardorff, Ph.D., Flat Rock Hawcreek Schools
- Dr. Sheryl Elston, Edinburgh/Trafalgar Family Health Center
- John Foster, White River Broadcasting
- Jacqueline Franz, community member
- Sherman Franz, MD, community member
- Richard Gold, community member
- Steve Heimann, Bartholomew Circuit Court
- Jack B. Hess, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
- Laura Hurt, Columbus Regional Hospital
- Dick Johnson, Johnson Ventures
- Clayton Miller, Columbus East High School
- Elizabeth Morris, Healthy Communities Initiative
- Brian Niedbalski, Doctors Park Family Medicine
- Doug Otto, United Way
- Bob Pitman, Senior Center Services
- John Quick, Ph.D., Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
- David Rau, MD, Rau Family Medicine
- John Sawin, DDS
- Tom Sonderman, MD, Columbus Regional Hospital
- Sherry Stark, Heritage Fund
- Rich Stenner, Multi-County Health Network
- Keith Weedman, Volunteers in Medicine
- Chuck Wells, The Republic
- Gwen Wiggins, NAACP
- Bob Williams, Centerstone Behavioral Health Systems
- Chuck Wilt, Parks and Recreation
|
|
There currently are eight action teams comprised of community volunteers addressing identified health needs of the community.
To improve the health and quality of life of individuals with illnesses by providing better access to prescription drugs.
The Bartholomew County Medication Assistance program is housed at Aging and Community Services in the United Way Center. The phone number is (812) 372-6918, extension 213. The program is staffed from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Wednesday by program coordinator, Jan Bruner, R.N. and Chris Grunden, LPN. Jan and Chris can help people apply for the indigent drug programs offered by most major pharmaceutical companies. Appointments are required. When you call, Jan and Chris can help determine eligibility based on your family finances and your prescriptions.
This program also provides immediate assistance for prescription medications to eligible Bartholomew County residents. Prescription assistance previously offered by Love Chapel, the Columbus Township Trustee, German Township Trustee, Harrison Township Trustee, and the Sandcreek Township Trustee is now available from Jan and Chris. A partnership with Kroger Pharmacy has allowed us to serve up to 25% more clients with the same funding. Users of the program have been very happy with the service they receive. Jan and Chris' nursing background often is very useful as they help people receive the most appropriate care. The Bartholomew County Medication Assistance program was a finalist for the American Hospital Association's 2005 NOVA award. Congratulations to staff and volunteers for this prestigious recognition.
Volunteers are welcome and can work on computer data entry, filing records, or other general office assistance. Contact Beth Morris at bmorris@crh.org if you are interested in becoming a program volunteer.
|
|
|
Fred Barkes, Partner
|
Tim Jarnagin, Partner
|
|
Jan Bruner, Staff
|
Jan Jines, Partner
|
|
Diane Cantrell, Partner
|
Elizabeth Kestler, Partner
|
|
Dave Dwyer, Partner
|
Sean McAlister, Chair
|
|
Chris Grunden, Staff
|
Elizabeth Morris
|
|
Rebekah Harrison
|
Lois Revell, Partner
|
|
Tom Janke
|
Cheri Wildridge
|
|
Ursula Williams
|
Sharon Wright
|
|
Chris West, Partner
|
|
|
|
To engage the entire community so that parents in Bartholomew County are supported by another caring parent, working together to promote healthy relationships between parents and children.
|
Action Team Members:
|
|
| Carol Dingledy |
Jim Holland |
|
Erin Hawkins
|
Bill Lentz |
|
Janice Bullman
|
Marabeth Levett |
| Anita Burton |
Shelley McAlister |
| Margie Campbell |
Beth Morris |
| Kristy Carmichael |
Karen Nissen |
| Ben Gilmore, M.D. |
Audrey Tyree |
| Rebekah Harrison |
|
|
|
Domestic Violence Action Team Members
To create a comprehensive system of domestic violence prevention, response, and support that will reach across legal, medical, social, law enforcement and human service organizations.
The Action Team is chaired by Sarah Cannon. New members willing to work to improve community coordination of domestic violence response are always welcome. Contact Beth Morris at 376-5452 or bmorris@crh.org.
To improve public health by promoting and supporting breastfeeding through education, outreach and collaboration.
Breastfeeding Support
CRH Lactation Consultants
2400 17th Street
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 375-3545
Indiana Family Helpline
Assistance before, during or after pregnancy. Available to providers and consumers. Call the HelpLine: 1-800-433-0746
Indiana Perinatal Network (IPN)
1991 E. 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 924-0825
La Leche League
2317 Sycamore Street
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 372-9095
WIC (Women Infants Children)
1971 State Street
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 379-1557
Click Here to view a list of Breastfeeding Coalition Members
Click Here to download the "Breastfeeding Friendly Business" Application
Project for the Health of Spanish-Speaking People. To create a safe environment that includes removing language and cultural barriers so that every Bartholomew County resident is known and cared for by a primary healthcare provider, has access to health education and self-care, and is assisted to integrate into the health community.
Healthy Lifestyles Action Team
To increase the appropriate utilization of professional health care services through self-care education and support.
Tobacco Awareness Action Team
To reduce the use of tobacco products in Bartholomew County.
To remove barriers so that every Bartholomew County resident is known and cared for by a primary healthcare provider, working together to increase the use of appropriate self care.
Volunteers in Medicine is a free healthcare clinic for Bartholomew County residents who meet income guidelines and have no health insurance. There are approximately 6,000 to 8,000 residents who qualify for the clinic's services.
Click here to view a video about VIM that aired on Inside Indiana Business.
We welcome those who need - to come without fear,
And we invite those who serve - to come without pride,
So that their meeting may bring Healing and hope to both.
- Acute primary care (such as ear infections and strep throat)
- Annual physicals and sports physicals
- Chronic care management (such as high blood pressure)
- Specialty clinics
- Self care resources
- Lifestyle / educational programs
- A resident of Bartholomew County
- No health insurance (services, including medications, cannot be provided for Medicaid and Medicare recipients).
- Have a household income at or below 50% of the Bartholomew County median income (adjusted to family size). Proof of income will be required, and eligibility will be determined by clinic staff.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays - 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Hispanic services with translation and interpretation: Mondays - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The clinic operates most efficiently on an appointment basis. This allows clinic staff to schedule patients with the most appropriate provider, based on need. However, the clinic is making every effort to schedule one "walk-in" shift per week to accommodate patients with more immediate needs. Call (812) 376-9750 during clinic hours for scheduling questions.
The average cost of operating the clinic is $1,000 per day. Financial support is essential for the clinic's success. Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation is the primary fundraiser for Volunteers in Medicine. Contributions may be made in two ways:
- A gift to the Foundation's endowment to ensure long-term financial support for the clinic.
- A designated gift to the Volunteers in Medicine Fund.
"We are new to the area and have never experienced kindness and caring such as your staff has shown. Thank you very much." - Volunteers in Medicine patient.
|
|
|
|
|
