From left are board members and representatives of the K21 Health Services Pavilion Board: Bob Weaver, administrator of Kosciusko County Health Department; Rick Paczkowski, executive director of Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice; Deb Frank, Chief Public Health Nurse of Kosciusko County Health Department Clinic; Angie Wood, executive director of Heartline Pregnancy Center; Stephanie Kneller, Kosciusko WIC coordinator; Pam Brookshire, director of Community Services of CANI; and Daniel Moya, employee of Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition. (Photo provided)

By JENNIFER STEWART
K21 Health Services

A milestone has been reached for the K21 Health Services Pavilion. As of April 1, the entire facility is fully leased, with 100% of the tenants and programs being health-related services meeting the needs of the community.

This was a great way to celebrate the 5-year anniversary of the opening of the Pavilion. The Pavilion is owned and operated by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also has a board of director position for each tenant in the facility. This allows each organization a voice and a responsibility to see that the Pavilion remains a success for the community and people they serve.

Back on March 30, 2009, the Health Services Pavilion officially opened for business, marking the beginning of a new era of health services available for our community. The concept of this building, which could be considered a kind of “health services mall,” was conceived and contemplated through Kosciusko Leadership Academy “white papers” and discussed by community leaders for many years before finally becoming a reality.

Since many residents access more than one of the services available in the Pavilion, the ability to go to one facility and receive assistance from multiple agencies helps aid in minimizing transportation challenges. Also, the synergy created as a result of these organizations working in close proximity helps to identify and address areas of need within our community. In the past five years, these organizations which call the Pavilion home have seen a dramatic increase in the number of clients accessing their services. 

The Health Services Pavilion is home to these organizations and programs: B.A.B.E. Boutique; The Beaman Home Administration and Do.V.E Program; Community Action of Northeast Indiana; Healthy Families Kosciusko County; Help Center (including the Good Samaritan, Cancer Care, KC Riley Kids Funds); Heartline Pregnancy Center and TNT Childcare & Preschool Ministry; Kosciusko County Health Department’s Immunization, Well Child, & Prenatal Clinics; Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Inc.; Medication & Dental Assistance and Kids Smile Kosciusko; Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition; and Women, Infants & Children. Additionally, the tenants offer meeting space to other nonprofit organizations in the community to help their needs.

“As an organization located within the K21 Health Services Pavilion, Heartline has seen firsthand the successes of the project. Clients, volunteers, and employees alike feel valued when stepping into the beautifully designed and functional pavilion. The vast amount of health-related services available under one roof provide clients with a convenient and productive solution,” said Angie Wood, executive director of Heartline Pregnancy Center.

K21 Health Foundation took on this concept as a “personal mission” to bring this solution to the community. The board directors of K21 feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when considering the long-term impact of this project.  “Over the years we have provided various types of funding for many of these great organizations, but to be able to help provide a home for them that enhances their services and is easily accessible for their clients is very rewarding,” shared K21 President Rich Haddad.

The K21 Health Services Pavilion is located at 1515 Provident Dr., 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. For more information about the programs and services available in the Health Services Pavilion, call 574-372-3500.