By: Dawn Brand Fluhler—
Muncie, IN– This year the IU Health Eastern Central Region participated in the 10th annual IU Health Days of Service. On September 7, 14 and 21, 450 IU Health team members from IU Health Ball, IU Health Blackford and IU Health Jay spent more than 1,100 collective hours working on projects.
John Disher, community outreach manager for IU Health East Central Region and Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation served as an on-site facilitator for the activities.
“The IU Health Day of Service provides the opportunity for our organization to team up with community partners to develop projects that encourage people to be physically active and practice healthy lifestyles,” Disher said. “It’s very rewarding to see our employee volunteers get engaged with activities that leave something meaningful behind, whether it’s creating new facilities or fixing and improving old ones.”
On Sept. 7, the IU Health Jay team rehabilitated an outdoor preschool playground at Jay High School and installed a GaGa Ball Pit at Redkey Elementary School. The preschool and elementary school serve more than 250 children.
In conjunction with the United Way of Delaware County Day of Action, IU Health Ball team member volunteers landscaped, painted and cleared paths at six City of Muncie parks, a Cardinal Greenways location and Head Start Preschool.
A team member from IU Health Ball is pictured. Photo provided.
IU Health Blackford team members built raised community garden beds in Hartford City, designed and painted playground blacktops and constructed a Gaga Ball Pit at Montpelier Elementary School and installed 75 motivational pavers along the Blackford Greenway trail.
IU Health Ball, Blackford and Jay team members had hand painted motivational pavers prior to their Days of Service for placement along paths.
“The Day of Service offers employees different opportunities to be involved and make a difference in our community, said IU Health Ball Director of Volunteer Services Sandra Hoover. “It is always great to see the diverse talents of our employees.”
Overall project planning and support for IU Health Days of Service locally was provided by Sandra Hoover and John Disher.
About Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital serves as a tertiary referral center and teaching hospital for East Central Indiana and part of Indiana University Health. IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and maintains 1.2 million square feet of facilities. More than 17,700 patients are admitted every year and more than 300,000 outpatient procedures are completed annually. Dr. Jeff Bird is President. Learn more at iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.
About IU Health Blackford Hospital
IU Health Blackford Hospital serves as a 15-bed critical access hospital for Hartford City, Indiana, and the surrounding communities. IU Health Blackford Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is home to a specialty clinic, outpatient surgical services, a paramedic-level ambulance service as well as an outpatient physician practice and pharmacy. Dave Hyatt is Critical Access Hospital (CAH) President in the East Central Region for Indiana University Health. Learn more at iuhealth.org/blackford.
About IU Health Jay Hospital
IU Health Jay is a 25 bed critical access hospital in Portland, Indiana. IU Health Jay Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is home to a 10 behavioral health unit, inpatient and OB care, surgical services and several medical specialties as well as several outpatient physician practices. Dave Hyatt is Critical Access Hospital (CAH) President in the East Central Region for Indiana University Health. Learn more at iuhealth.org/jay.
