Connersville, In. — Fayette Regional Health System has been awarded nearly $10 million in federal grant money from the Indiana State Department of Health through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Part B.* The grant will allow Fayette Regional to create an all-inclusive 4.0 detoxification unit and programs with special attention to those diagnosed with HIV.
Fayette Regional hospital and its ancillary service locations are in the very heart of the opioid epidemic in Indiana. Fayette Regional is the number one hospital (per capita) in Indiana for saving lives of overdose patients. Within the last year, Fayette County has noted a 40% increase in drug/alcohol deaths with the highest drug poisoning death rate (per capita) of any county in the state of Indiana. Rates in surrounding counties are staggering as well. Fayette Regional currently works with several local agencies to advocate for change and share resources in the fight against drug and alcohol addiction, and worked closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for the past several months.
“We’re very pleased to have been awarded this funding from the Indiana State Department of Health,” said Randy White, FRHS President and CEO. “We are grateful and cannot thank the ISDH enough for working with us to make it possible to develop a compassionate and effective program to address this community crisis.”
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration played a vital role as FSSA Secretary Jennifer Walthall, M.D., M.P.H., personally served as an advisor throughout the grant process, beginning last year during her tenure at ISDH as the state’s deputy health commissioner.
“Since meeting Dr. Walthall in the summer of 2016 when she was deputy state health commissioner, I have been absolutely impressed with her drive and determination to help all Hoosiers, both urban and rural,” White said.
“There certainly could not be a more active, responsive, and dedicated Secretary of FSSA than Dr. Walthall.”
Republican state representative from Batesville Cindy Zeimke said, ““Beginning next year, Fayette Regional Hospital’s new detoxification unit will help patients receive the treatment and support they need to manage their drug withdrawal symptoms and begin a path to recovery. With 46 new beds and additional medical staff, the hospital can now extend the same high quality and compassionate health care to more Hoosiers suffering from drug addiction. Thank you to Fayette Regional’s leadership team and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for working together to make this possible.”
