“Healthcare in Kosciusko County” was the topic of the Feb. 4, Kosciusko Leadership Academy program. Shown from left are KLA Cadet Jacki Pawski sponsored by Cardinal Services, Chad Towner, CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital; KLA Cadet Barb Garringer sponsored by Orthoworx; Rob Ryan, CEO of Bowen Center; and Mark Pepple, manager of Lutheran EMS. Photo provided by Kosciusko Leadership Academy.

News Release

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets visited the Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital Administration Classroom Tuesday, Feb. 4, where they learned about healthcare in Kosciusko County.

The presenters included Chad Towner, CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital; Rob Ryan, CEO of the Bowen Center; and Mark Pepple, manager of Lutheran EMS.

Towner gave an update on the Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. The $30 million building construction and remodeling has been completed and in the past year, LKH has acquired two new doctors. Lutheran Kosciusko has been a full-service hospital since 1976. They have also expanded surgical and robotic services. The hospital has a cardiology program, an oncology program, and is working on adding more emergency services as well as women’s services.

Ryan spoke on the history of mental health treatment in the country and state including treatment options and funding for mental health centers. Ryan started his career at the Bowen Center in 2004. The Bowen Center has become one of the largest mental health centers in the state and provides multiple services in 26 counties. It provides mental health counseling, addiction counseling, counseling for schools, counseling programs for corporations, counseling for the Department of Child Services and now general medical care, dentistry and optometry through their new health clinics.

Pepple spoke on the history and accomplishments of the Lutheran EMS system in Kosciusko County. Lutheran EMS has the largest coverage territory in Northern Indiana. Currently they have mobile integrated healthcare and responded to over 8,200 calls in 2024. They also provide CPR training to local schools, corporations, and community members and have car seat inspection services. The Warsaw Area Career Center provides students with an EMT Basic Class taught by Lutheran EMS. This is a great place to start for students that are interested in healthcare.

The next KLA session will cover planning for the future in Kosciusko County at the Warsaw Municipal Airport Tuesday, Feb. 18.