Healthy Communities
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 involving Columbus Regional Hospital, schools, businesses, local government, churches, and others working together to address identified health needs
Healthy Communities Initiative is proud to be a two-time national finalist for the Foster G. McGaw Prize, one of the healthcare field's most prestigious honors for excellence in community service. Financial support for the Healthy Communities Initiative is made possible through generous gifts of individuals, businesses, churches, and donations to Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation.
Guiding Principles
- Collaboration
- Community Ownership
- Inclusive / Broad Based
- Benchmark & Measure Outcomes
- Long Term Commitment
- Continuous Learning
- Positive Motivation
Action Teams
The Healthy Communities Initiative is working to make a difference in the health of Bartholomew County through the work of our action teams. 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.
Healthy Communities Council
The Healthy Communities Council is the governing body of the Initiative, and consists of the following members:
- Julie Abedian, Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, co-chair
- Mayor Fred Armstrong, City of Columbus
- David Barker, S.I.H.O.
- Matt Barker, Columbus East High School
- Jim Bickel, Columbus Regional Hospital
- John M. Burnett, Columbus Education Coalition
- Margie Campbell, APRN, Columbus Regional Hospital
- Steve Champion, MD, Emergency Physicians Inc. of Columbus
- Rob Craig, First Presbyterian Church
- Phillip Deardorff, Ph.D., Flat Rock Hawcreek Schools
- Dr. Sheryl Elston
- Gary Felslen, Ph.D. IUPUC
- 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
- Elizabeth Morris, Healthy Communities Initiative
- Brian Niedbalski, Doctors Park Family Medicine
- Peter Oren, Columbus North High School
- Doug Otto, United Way
- Sue Paris, Bartholomew County Council
- Bob Pitman, Senior Center Services
- John Quick, Ph.D., Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
- David Rau, MD, Rau Family Medicine, co-chair
- John Sawin, DDS
- Bob Siegmann, Centerstone
- Tom Sonderman, MD, Columbus Regional Hospital
- Sherry Stark, Heritage Fund
- Rich Stenner, Multi-County Health Network, co-chair
- Marwan Wafa, Ph.D., IUPUC
- Keith Weedman, Volunteers in Medicine
- Chuck Wells, The Republic
- Gwen Wiggins, NAACP
- Chuck Wilt, Parks and Recreation