Connection Specialist Courtney Watkins noted that for many people, WellConnect is the first point of contact with Columbus Regional Health. Their most frequent request is for help with finding a primary care provider.

“We do our best to match patients with a provider who might have an area of passion that relates to the patient, such as women’s health or  sports medicine,” she said. “We also have a primary care provider who specializes in geriatrics and a pediatrician who has a passion for LGBTQ inclusive care.”

Along with helping to schedule the appointments, the Connection Specialists follow up with patients to see how their visits went.

Watkins works with a team of five Connection Specialists who are all certified SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors trained to provide unbiased, free counseling on Medicare.

The Connection Specialists are also licensed Indiana Navigators who can assist with completing federal health Insurance Marketplace applications. The team also includes a Spanish-speaking Connection Specialist to assist individuals who speak Spanish as their primary language.

WellConnect Manager Beth Dawson notes that the WellConnect program, which began in 2013, has grown and adapted to the community’s needs.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, we were the main contact for connecting people with vaccine appointments,” Dawson said. She noted that team members possess a broad knowledge of the spectrum of community healthcare services, including mental health providers, support groups, and other wellness resources.

“We want to reduce people’s anxiety about healthcare and navigating CRH,” Dawson said. She added that the team follows up with patients who are treated in the CRH Emergency Department or any other outpatient department or office without a primary care provider to help them find follow-up care and connect with a primary care provider.

The WellConnect team is easily accessible by calling 812-376-5136, and plans are underway for a new office at NexusPark (site of the former Fair Oaks Mall) in 2024. In the meantime, the team offers video and in-person appointments on an as-needed basis.

“Many people are surprised and grateful when they call and immediately connect with a team member instead of a voice recording,” Watkins said. “But that’s what we’re here for. We want to be your ‘Easy Button’ for healthcare.”