(Greensburg, IN) – Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) is redefining rural healthcare with innovative programs and community-driven initiatives. As a critical access hospital in Southeastern Indiana, DCMH is committed to addressing local health challenges through partnerships and proactive care.
Over the past three years, DCMH has worked to improve community health, guided by insights from its 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). These efforts focused on broadband access, cancer care, child care support, diabetes education, insurance access, mental health and substance use, and physical activity/nutrition/weight management. The DCMH team and community partners prioritized these initiatives, leading to meaningful improvements across the community.
Transforming Health Through Action
Broadband Access: DCMH tackled connectivity challenges by compiling a list of free internet access locations, partnering with the Greensburg/Decatur County Public Library to raise awareness, and providing Wi-Fi hotspots for on-call staff to ensure uninterrupted service.
Cancer Care: DCMH hosted events reaching over 2,300 attendees, offering 573 free cancer screenings and interactive resources like guided inflatable colon tours.
Childcare Support: Recognizing the childcare shortage, DCMH engaged in regional planning efforts, educated employees on Dependent Care FSA benefits, and streamlined enrollment access to help working families manage childcare costs.
Diabetes Education: DCMH provided 1,187 free A1c tests, developed expert-led education classes, and partnered with the Decatur County Family YMCA to promote diabetes prevention.
Insurance Access: DCMH partnered with ClaimAid for onsite Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE), Medicaid, HIP, and Marketplace enrollment, securing 2,592 approvals. Additionally, DCMH offered free Medicare counseling and 255 one-on-one Medicare Part D sessions. 1,430 individuals also received free health screenings at community events.
Mental Health and Substance Use: 1,532 staff members received specialized training, and community partnerships led to disposing of over 180 pounds of prescription medications.
Healthy Living Initiatives: DCMH mapped six local trails, launched the “Fitness in the Park” series, and led nutrition education efforts, helping participants make lasting lifestyle changes.
Committed to Community Well-Being
Beyond programs, DCMH remains deeply engaged with the community. In one year alone, the hospital participated in 72 community events, conducted 4,767 free health screenings, and reached over 6,000 individuals via community events. Employees also dedicated 5,000+ hours to volunteer service, reinforcing the hospital’s mission to serve beyond its walls.
“At DCMH, our mission is to do more than provide care—we strive to empower our community with the resources and support needed to lead healthier lives,” said Rex McKinney, President/CEO of DCMH. “By addressing key health challenges, we’re making a lasting impact on the well-being of Decatur County.”
DCMH’s commitment to accessible, innovative, and community-focused healthcare continues to make a lasting impact, demonstrating why it is a leader in rural health advancement.
To view the 2024 CHNA Impact Report, which summarizes key initiatives, actions taken to address identified health needs, partnerships, progress on priorities, outcomes, and measurable results, visit: dcmh.net/community-resources.
(Decatur County Memorial Hospital press release)
