Franciscan Health Rensselaer recently received the Community Impact Award from the Indiana Department of Health – State Office of Rural Health, during the fall Critical Access Hospital Convening Meeting.
The Indiana Department of Health – State Office of Rural Health present this award each year to a Critical Access Hospital that has made a significant impact in addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities in which they serve. Franciscan Health Rensselaer was awarded for its efforts in Creating an Oasis in an Obstetric Care Desert.
This marked the first time that Franciscan Health Rensselaer has received the Community Impact Award. In 2023, the hospital received the Community Partner Award along with Appleseed Childhood Education. In 2022, Jerrett Sterrett, a Franciscan Health Rensselaer employee, received the first ever Critical Access Hero Award. This is the third year that the hospital has received one of the prestigious Critical Access Hospital awards.
“We are humbled and honored to be recognized by the Indiana Department of Health and the State Office of Rural Health and equally honored to provide these services to our communities all while addressing the challenge to reduce infant and maternal mortality by providing prenatal and postnatal assistance to those most in need,” said Carlos Vasquez, chief operating officer, Franciscan Health Rensselaer and Crawfordsville.
Franciscan Health Rensselaer’s Creating an Oasis in an Obstetric Care Desert highlighted multiple programs which have been developed and guided by Tristan Kirby, director of Community Education at Franciscan Health, and Vasquez. When the Indiana Health Commissioners challenged the healthcare communities of Jasper and Newton counties to enhance prenatal care in their communities, this challenge was answered. Resources such as pregnancy education, counseling, assistance in accessing hospital and community resources, and emotional support were developed.
These programs include the Prenatal Assistance Program, Supplementary Diaper Pantry, Baby Depot, Community Baby Showers, Car Seat Clinics, Bike Helmet Clinics, and the recently implemented Project Swaddle – a home visiting program for high-risk prenatal and postpartum mothers.
“Through connection to resources, education, mental health support, and supplementary diapers, the Prenatal Assistance Program brings needed support to pregnant and postpartum women in Jasper and Newton counties,” said Kirby. “Our staff is dedicated to serving local families whether this is the first baby or the fifth baby.”
These efforts resulted in programs that are consistent and reliable to reach families in our drive to lower infant mortality, improve prenatal and postnatal care, and provide healthier starts for women and children in communities that Franciscan serves.
