K21 Health Foundation
Home > News

K21 Health Services Pavilion Officially Opened for Business

K21 Health Services Pavilion (574-372-3500)

K21 Health Services Pavilion brochure - English Click here

K21 Health Services Pavilion brochure - Spanish Click here

On Monday, March 30, 2009 the new K21 Health Services Pavilion officially opened for business, marking the beginning of a new era of health services available for the community.  The concept of this building, which could be considered aHealth Services Pavilion kind of "health services mall", has been contemplated and discussed by community leaders for many years and has finally become a reality.  A year and a half ago several non-profit service organizations made a pledge to the board of K21 Health Foundation to relocate to the Health Services Pavilion.  Many residents use more than one of the services that are now operating at the pavilion which should aid in minimizing transportation challenges.  Also, by working together, new or additional needs can be identified and pursued in the future.

The Health Services Pavilion is now home to these organizations: Good Samaritan Fund; Health Connect, Inc including B.A.B.E Boutique and Health Connect's Help Center; Heartline Pregnancy Center including TNT Daycare & Preschool Ministries; Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund; Kosciusko County Health Department's Immunization, Well Child and Prenatal Clinics; Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Inc.; Medication & Dental Assistance; and WIC - Women, Infants & Children.  Additionally, the facility can accommodate a few additional programs, services, or organizations in the future that may be a good health service fit.

The board of K21 feels an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when considering the long-term impact of this project.  "We have provided funding for many organizations and various health related needs over our 10 years, but to now provide a home for so many great organizations and programs providing health services to our community is very rewarding," shared K21 President Rich Haddad.

The K21 Health Services Pavilion is located at 1515 Provident Drive, on the north end of the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus.  The $5 million dollar project was completely funded by K21 Health Foundation and used no tax dollars.  W.J. Carey Construction, South Whitley, was the general contractor of the 30,000 square foot building and used many local companies to complete the project.   Hoch Associates from Fort Wayne served as the architect, design, and engineers on the project.
.
An open house was held this past April in which the community was able to see the building and visit the organizations which have taken up residence there.  The event brought a large demographic of people including residents of the county, community leaders, social workers and representatives from the local medical community.  This was a great success in that it informed the community of the services that are offered which are now under one roof. 

Several organizations have already seen in increase in the numbers of their clients.  This is partly due to the economy but also due to the fact that clients are finding out about other organizations which are in the pavilion that they may not have known about.  K21 Health Foundation and the tenants of the Health Services Pavilion look forward to working together to provide the best quality of services for the residents of Kosciusko County.



Diabetes Research Study


Diabetes Research Study - Update!

Through funding provided by K21, we are one year into a 2-year research grant to a team of health-care workers to studying behavioral health interventions in the treatment of diabetes. This team includes three psychologists: Kevin Roberts, Psy.D., Joe Graham, Psy.D., and Thomas Edgington, Ph.D.; the Kosciusko County Health Department; local physicians; and educators Jacqueline Lowe, R.Ph., and Angela Friend, BSN. The basic hypothesis driving the research purports that it is possible to improve the long term health outcomes of individuals diagnosed with Type II Diabetes by adding a psychological component to their treatment.

Dr. Roberts and Dr. Graham gave a progress presentation to the K21 Board which showed remarkable impact for the patients in the study.  With one year into the study, 90% of the patients receiving this level of care showed improved test scores.  Dr. Roberts also pointed out that the statistical accuracy of the testing is showing a clear impact through the study.  "Our biggest challenge is trying to get a sufficient number of referrals from the medical community, so we're working extra hard to develop those relationships with the doctors and making them aware of this ongoing study and opportunity", Dr. Graham shared.  Almost one year into the study, they have about 150 patients out of the planned 300 over the two years. 


It is the hope of the researchers that patients will see improved health related outcomes and quality of life as a result of this study. One goal of this study is to develop a new integrated care model for treating diabetes.  If successful, this new model can be utilized in Kosciusko County and elsewhere.  Possibilities of presenting results to the State of Indiana are also being pursued.


Diabetes affects 23.6 million people in the United States alone. Each year in Indiana, over $15,000 is spent per diabetes patient on health care. One challenge in treating diabetes is lifestyle change often required for people to control this potentially dangerous disease. This research study involves a comprehensive approach to treating diabetes by providing mental health services and diabetes education at the point of service. In this study, the psychological component being utilized is motivational interviewing and the Stages of Change Model.  This technique focuses on helping the participants overcome previous barriers to success in diabetes management as prescribed by their primary care physician.  It also provides encouragement and accountability for participants when they do not meet their goals. In addition, the psychologists will provide cognitive and behavioral interventions, and work to improve the patient's problem-solving and coping skills.


Health Connect's Help Center & Service Liaison

One of the barriers for people in our community when looking for the help they need is knowing what is available to them.  Often people are not aware of services in our community that can assist in their need or they don't know how to access that care.  Health Connect, Inc. has begun the Health Connect Help Center in the new K21 Health Services Pavilion.  With the centralizing of many non-profit health service offerings in one building, it made it possible to add a help center to provide direction and guidance to those with needs that are unsure if and how those needs can be met. 
Clare Krabill is the Services Liaison at the Help Center to provide that personal service and attention.  Her knowledge of services in the building and throughout the community can help people find how their needs can best be met.  In addition, Clare also is the patient advocate for two financial assistance programs that offer help to those under financial strain due to medical circumstances: The Good Samaritan Fund and the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund.
K21 Health Foundation has chosen to fund the launching of this program for the community in assisting Health Connect, Inc. provide this invaluable service to our community.
 

To contact Clare Krabill at the K21 Health Services Pavilion call 372-3500

Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fundraising Events


The dollars distributed through the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund are raised by a group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly throughout the year to plan annual events such as the Tennis Pro-am, golf tournament, gala, and auction. From 2000 to 2008, the fundraising committee has raised more than $1,000,000 for the fund.

The Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund has been in full swing for the 2009 fundraising events. The first event for the year, Idol Nite 2009 was held at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in May.  The event which raised over $20,000 was a night full of entertainment with local contestants performing music being judged by our very own Idol judges. Paula and Simon offered their characteristic critiques which received a great deal of reactions from the audience.  Julie Harvey gave a riveting testimony of her own battle with cancer and brought the house to their feet after her rendition of 'Fancy'.  The winner of Idol Nite 2009, Julie received a check for $1,000 which she generously gave back to the Cancer Care Fund.

The Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fundraising Committee held the 2009 Tennis Fundraising Tournament  on June 26 & 27 raising a significant amount to contribute to the Cancer Care fund.  

The annual Steve Dodds Charity Golf outing and the Gala were held at the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club on Sept 11th and 12th.  The weekend turned out to be a great time with beautiful weather for the golf outing and a very successful night at the Gala. The attendees at the Gala were generous with their wallets to help those in need who have been affected by cancer.

 If you are interested in participating in any of the fundraising events, please call 574.269.5188 or jstewart@k21foundation.org.