NCHC Chamber Magazine, Fall 2016. by The JMetzger Group

New Castle | Henry County

Chamber Magazine Fall 2016

TWO NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS COMING IN

2017

growth HENRY COUNTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ECONOMIC

BLUE RIVER VALLEY SCHOOLS | WHITETAIL FARM

Henry County

BISON-TENNIAL

Henry County Hospital Is Now

Henry Community Health Our Passion Is Your Health Our new name better reflects the breadth and depth of our services encompassing our increasing commitment to not only take care of you when you are ill or injured, but also to take care of you and the communities we serve by providing resources and expertise to help keep you well.

1000 N. 16th St., New Castle

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Are YOU ready?

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Strong businesses constantly engage

ast summer, I had an opportunity to get revived and recharged. And I wasn’t even on vacation! I attended a professional development program for Chamber executives. Sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it was the Institute for Organizational EXECUTIVE Management, a program designed DIRECTOR to enhance individual performance, elevate professional standards, and recognize association, chamber of commerce, and other nonprofit professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of nonprofit management. It reminded me how important it is that management provide employee training. I am grateful to the New Missy Modesitt Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors because they value my continuing education. They understand that being with professional peers provides opportunity for fresh perspectives, new ideas, and rejuvenation. All of this translates to a better and stronger Chamber. Here are things I learned that might help you in your workplace.

1 | Communicate with confidence l l l

Do your homework. Speak with authority. Be assertive.

2 | Be public about purpose l l l

Put your mission statement on your website. Make it easy to apply to be on your board or to be an employee. New federal overtime guidelines mean you need to pay particular attention to your staff hours. They need to fill out time cards. It’s the law.

New Castle | Henry County

Chamber Magazine

Volume 6, Issue 2 PUBLISHER Missy Modesitt, Executive Director, New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce info@nchcchamber.com DESIGN AND EDITORIAL DIRECTION The JMetzger Group Juli Metzger | juli@thejmetzgergroup.com John Metzger | john@thejmetzgergroup.com www.thejmetzgergroup.com 765.744.4303 CONTRIBUTORS Writing: Doug Gruse, Martha Strauss Photography: Kurt Hostetler, Tim Underhill To advertise, contact The JMetzger Group: 765.744.4303 | john@thejmetzgergroup.com For subscription information, contact Missy Modesitt at 765.529.5210.

3 | Know your liability l

l l

If you’re providing alcohol at social functions, make it known your company wants to ensure everyone gets home safely. Post a sign: “If you are unable to drive, a ride home will be provide for you” Do not give alcohol away, provide a limited number of tickets or sell the alcohol. Always hire licensed bartenders. The main liability rests with the person pouring the alcohol.

4 | Strong businesses constantly engage l l

Your business should be benefiting from personal and business pages on all social media platforms. Find a way to use video. It’s the hottest platform now and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Facebook Live can capture a fun moment in your workplace.

Chamber Magazine: The voice of New Castle-Henry County Chamber businesses. It is a product of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group. These materials are the sole and exclusive property of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group, and may not be used without written consent. Copyright 2016: The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group.

5 | Remember the art of persuasion & negotiation l

Consider doing a personality assessment of your employees or management team. These assessments can be helpful in employee interactions. Practice ADD - All Devices Down or Attention Diverting Devices, when in a group setting such as a meeting.

Missy Modesitt is Executive Director of the New CastleHenry County Chamber of Commerce. 4 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

The JMetzger Group specializes in branded content, custom publishing and social media solutions. Learn more: www.thejmetzgergroup.com

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New Castle | Henry County

Chamber Magazine TABLE OF CONTENTS

Whitetail Tree Farm

BISON-TENNIAL

Henry Community Health

16 20

Blue River Valley Schools MeridianMD

CASH BONANZA

ON THE Blue River Valley Schools Supt. Eric COVER: Creviston with student Devon Guffey. 6 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

Scholarship can send important message

enry County has many talented high school students who could not make their dream of a post-secondary education a reality without the generosity of the wonderful people of our community. That’s why it is a Chamber board goal this year to raise $7,000 to support an ongoing scholarship award dedicated to those very students. So far this year, we’ve raised $2,291. We need just over $4,700 more to permanently endow the fund at the Henry County Foundation, ensuring its viability in perpetuity. A scholarship not only helps a student financially, it also sends a clear message that when you work hard to meet your goals, you can do anything you set your mind to. It is a great way show our youth that we believe in BOARD them! PRESIDENT Here’s how it works. New Castle Henry County Scholarship contributions go into what is called an “acorn fund,” a seedling, if you will, that grows into an endowment. In this case, the fund reaches endowment level at $12,500. After one year at this level, the scholarship payouts begin and continue every year. Forever. Initially, the annual payout is expected Rebecca Gonya to be $500. That amount increases as the endowment grows exponentially, and if donations are added after the endowment level is reached, the scholarship award will increase even faster. Chamber members recognize the importance of meeting this goal, and I’d like to thank everyone who graciously gave, as I have approached them one-by-one at Chamber luncheons, Chamber board meetings, and other Chamber events. I Scholarship personally witnessed time and time again what a giving contributions heart this community has. Your contributions added ● Checks payable to Henry up! Here’s how you can County Community help us raise the remaining Foundation with funds: “Chamber Scholarship” in ● Donate a portion of the memo line. your sales on a specified day. ● Drop your check off at the Chamber office at 100 The Chamber can help you S. Main St. in Downtown advertise. Just ask us how! New Castle, OR ● Donate a flat amount. ● mail your check to: ● Make a donation in HCCF P.O. Box 6006, honor of a loved one. New Castle, IN 47362. Checks should be made payable to Henry County Community Foundation with “Chamber Scholarship” in the memo line. You may drop your check off at the Chamber office or mail it to: HCCF P.O. Box 6006, New Castle, IN 47362. My term as president comes to an end in December. I would like to thank each of you for your support. It has been an honor to serve you, and I hope the work the Chamber has done in 2016 has had a positive impact on our local businesses and the community. Rebecca Gonya is president of the Board of Directors for the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.

Portraits of Hometown Banking Four generations. Unwavering commitment to Henry County.

From left: Raymond M. Maddox; brothers John R. & James B. Maddox; cousins Gary J. & John R. Maddox, Jr.; Dan Maddox, President

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Early childhood education is ‘talent pipeline strategy’

he Indiana Economic Development Association defines economic development as the facilitation of investment that leads to long-term community EDC DIRECTOR prosperity. Early childhood education and expanding pre-K programs is a longterm economic development strategy. It is a talent pipeline strategy. It is an investment in the future of Indiana. It is an investment in people. More importantly, it is an investment in Hoosier children. The majority of brain development Corey Murphy occurs by age 5. Yet, the majority of public money invested in education is targeted to older age groups. Pre-K offers a strong return on investment (ROI). The ROI is conservatively $4 for every $1 invested. The ROI is realized through reduced high-school dropout rates, improved health behaviors, reduced burden on the criminal justice system and higher individual earning potential. The current two-year state budget (2015-2017) provided funding for the On My Way Pre-K pilot initiative. It provides grants to 4-year-olds from low-income families for use at approved pre-k providers. This program is only available in five Indiana counties: Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh. Applicants are determined by a lottery system leaving thousands of children on waiting lists.

In January 2017, the Indiana General Assembly will be focused on crafting a new state budget. The expansion of pre-K funding for all 92 Indiana counties is critical. Only 4% of the state’s 85,000 four year olds have access to high quality pre-K programs. Another aspect of early childhood education is ensuring communities have high quality providers as measured by the state’s Paths to Quality initiative. The rating system focuses on four areas: health & safety, learning environments, planned curriculum and national accreditation. Providers focused on all four areas are eligible to receive a Level 4, the highest rating. Efforts are underway in Henry County to increase the number of Partners providers with a Level 3 or Level 4 should focus rating. This work is being led by the HOPE Initiative with seed funding on helping from the Henry County Community our children Foundation and others. Henry County has 13 providers receive the listed on the state database with zero best start Level 4 ratings, three Level 3 ratings, one Level 2 rating and nine Level 1 possible. ratings. Increasing quality ratings is a business growth strategy worthy of consideration. Access to high quality childcare also helps existing working parents and new residents. Public and private partners across the state, and especially in Henry County, should focus on helping our state’s children receive the best start possible. Our economic viability depends on it. For additional information on this topic, please visit www.allin4prek.org. Corey Murphy is President and CEO of the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp.

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Whitetail Tree Farm owners, Amy Brandon Miller. Fall 2016 10 | and CHAMBER MAGAZINE,

A farm

for all seasons

STORY BY DOUG GRUSE

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

very day feels like a holiday for Amy Miller.

Since purchasing Whitetail Tree Farm in April, Miller and her husband, Brandon, have worked to turn the cherished Springport farm, known across the region for its Christmas trees, into a year-round destination. “My husband has a background in farming, and our favorite time of year is Christmas, so we thought it was the perfect combination,” Miller said of the family’s decision to buy the business, which got its start as Ratliff Tree Farm. On a snowy winter day, the farm’s hilly landscape peppered with majestic pines could be the setting of a vintage Christmas card. For generations, parents have brought their children to the property to find the ideal Tannenbaum specimen. “I think it’s a whole experience to go as a family and pick a tree. My family has always done a real tree, and I think it is coming back in America as a tradition,” Miller said. Around the holidays, the business sells pre-cut trees, or families can wander the property looking for the perfect pine. The farm also offers customers the opportunity to pick the right tree in advance, starting at the end of September, and pre-tag it before the actual holiday season. “Some people don’t like searching for a tree in the freezing cold,” Miller said. “Last year at Christmas, it was rainy when we picked up our tree. It took some of the fun out of it.” The 55-acre farm is busy from late November through Christmas selling seven varieties of evergreens as well as holiday decor and festive gifts. Miller plans to keep that Whitetail Tree Farm magical feeling alive well past 8650 N 100 E the New Year. Springport, IN 47386 “We wanted to make it a 765.755.3345 year-round place where we www.whitetailtreefarm.com could create family memories that will last forever,” she said. “Parents are always looking for places to do something with their children, and it seemed like the perfect place to have family activities and share the property with other people.” Her own three children — Brandon, 19, Haley, 17 and Hannah, 8 — immediately connected with the property’s charm. By focusing on the farm’s beautiful vistas, which offer spectacular scenery in all seasons, she came up with a plan to make it an attractive destination beyond the Yule.

IF YOU GO:

Renovations made to Whitetail Tree Farm help ensure it is a year-round destination for families to enjoy.

Nature trails and a snack shop featuring drinks and sandwiches will get more people out to the site to take in the natural beauty she sees every day. “I look at it as a little slice of heaven. It is the perfect family playground,” she said. Miller has worked to grow the farm as a destination for private parties. After a recent remodel, the property’s Norway Room has almost doubled its capacity, now seating up to 100. The farm has become a romantic spot for weddings, with its refurbished banquet facility and well-landscaped grounds. “It’s one of the prettiest places I have ever been. There are so many areas on the property where you could have an outdoor wedding,” Miller said. A new massive deck also offers outdoor seating and a stage for concerts, including a recent appearance by rising country music stars Walker County during the farm’s Pumpkin Fest. The late September event turns the farm’s booming gourd crop into a public celebration, complete with live music and entertainment, games, hayrides, an Indiana Bicentennial Corn Maze, a bounce house and vendors selling food and merchandise. “It’s been a good year for pumpkins. We’ve had a lot of rain and great weather,” Miller said. But as soon as the pumpkins are carved into Jack-o-lanterns and baked into pies, Miller will be prepping for the biggest event of the year. “The trees already are looking beautiful and ready,” she said. “And I’m hoping for a white Christmas this year.” ■ CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 11

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Henry.

Bison-tennial art project celebrates Henry County and Indiana’s 200th birthday STORY BY M ARTHA S TRAUSS

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

fter spending the summer roaming around the state, a new source of local pride is on permanent display in New Castle. As part of Indiana’s 200th anniversary of statehood, a fivefoot tall fiberglass bison depicting different aspects of Henry County history was scheduled to be installed on the Art Association grounds this fall. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 13

FROM PAGE 13

The Henry County bison belongs to a statewide herd, also known as the Bison-tennial Public Art Project. The project was created by the Indiana Association of United Ways in partnership with the Indiana Bicentennial Commission to give each of Indiana’s 92 counties a visible way to highlight what makes their region special within the state. “We’re very excited about him,” said Kimberly Kilgore, executive director of the Henry County United Fund. “We took care of the logistics and getting it paid for, and the Art Association took care of making it beautiful, so it all worked out great.” The project cost, including art supplies and a display base along with the full-size bison itself, was a little over $2600. Kilgore wrote a grant that she presented to the Henry County Community Foundation. “They thought it was a great and worthy cause, and it was able to get into the spring grant cycle,” she explained, enabling the foundation to cover the entire cost. For creative help, Kilgore turned to Manny Mena, executive director of the Art Association of Henry County and local artist Steve Weidert who were both eager to take on the project. The five by eight foot bison arrived around the beginning of April as a blank white statue with a tight deadline. “The state guideline said the bison had to be painted by Memorial Day, and of course we wanted him in our parade,” said Kilgore. Coming up with the list of symbols for Henry County only took one afternoon, she said. Everything else was much more time-consuming. For the design, said Mena, “Steve would tell me what he wanted, I would put it in Photoshop for him to use as a reference, and then he’d tell me what to change.” Weidert drew all of the symbols onto the legs and back of the bison in pencil first before any paint was applied. He also designed the display base with an Indiana flag, complete with gold tassels. “The tassels are very detailed,” said Mena. “It probably took him 3

days just to do the base.” The front part of the statue was painted to resemble a traditional bison since those surfaces were not as smooth. “It’s like painting on a corrugated building, it’s just really difficult to do much detail there,” said Mena. “So we wanted it to look good and make it in time for the parade.” Weidert did most of the work, with assistance from fellow local artists Marilyn Witt, Melvin Marlow and Charlene Manifold. To guard against inclement weather, they applied the kind of outdoor paint used on murals around town. The bison was then topped off with several layers of clear acrylic coating for ultraviolet protection. After the bison made his debut in the New Castle Memorial Day Parade, Henry (as he is unofficially called) made appearances over the summer at a Main Street fundraiser, the Indiana State Fair, a back-to-school event, the Knightstown Homecoming Parade and a Torch Relay ceremony at the Henry County Courthouse. “People get excited when they see it,” said Kilgore. “It’s great for the older generation who like to remember the past, and also for our kids who don’t know about our history. It brings pride to everyone.” ■ OPPOSITE PAGE: The progression of the Henry County Bison-tennial Public Art Project. The bison belongs to a statewide herd.

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14 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

New Castle

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Provide reliable, safe and cost-competitive electrical service to enhance the lives of our members and the communities we serve. Since 1936, Henry County REMC has served our members, supported our communities and helped extend electric service throughout Henry County and surrounding counties. As a Henry County REMC member, you are an owner of this organization, its history and its future.

Learn more about YOUR cooperative and how it is helping build a better world.

800-248-8413 | www.hcremc.com CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 15

Henry Community Health Chief 16 | CHAMBER Operating OfficerMAGAZINE, Brian Ring. Fall 2016

Henry Community Health ‘We’re not just a hospital anymore.’

STORY BY M ARTHA S TRAUSS

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

or more than 85 years, Henry County Hospital has been growing and adapting in a variety of ways to serve the area’s health care needs.

As two major building projects progress this fall, the hospital recently decided to adopt a new name to better describe its health care mission: Henry Community Health. “We’re not just a hospital anymore,” said Brian Ring, chief operating officer, noting a medical group of 30-plus physicians, advanced practitioners and numerous medical specialties. “We’re focused on the community and what we can do to keep people healthy and make things better.” Two big projects currently underway to benefit the community are a surgery department renovation/ expansion and a new medical office building in Northfield Park. Both are expected to be completed by September 2017.

NEW & IMPROVED SURGERY DEPARTMENT

The surgery upgrade came about because of a need to keep up with a growing trend of same-day surgery. “Eighty percent of the people who have surgery here are outpatient,” said Mickie Hoy, director of surgical services. Thanks to laparoscopic techniques, procedures like gall bladder removal, appendectomy, hernia repair and even hysterectomies can be done same day. A growing number of orthopedic cases are also taking place for everything from sports injuries to knee arthroscopy to carpal tunnel release. “Dr. Anjan Kaushik has come into the practice, he’s a hand surgeon, and he does cases here CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Project expansion blueprints.

Projects underway include a surgery department expansion and a new medical office building.

CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 17

FROM PAGE 17

on Mondays,” said Hoy. The surgery unit is also the site of pain management injections performed by Dr. Scott Taylor. “We can do about four of those in an hour,” said Hoy. “And he has a new procedure that we’re working on getting in here to do an implant of sorts for people with chronic back pain.” “Fall is our busy season in surgery,” she continued. “People tend to have surgeries at the end of the year when summer is over and before the end-of-year deductibles go away.” Wednesday is usually the busiest day of the week, she added, when you can have nearly 40 cases in one day. To accommodate the increasing number of surgery cases, the hospital is going from 14 to 20 same-day surgery bays, from eight to 12 PACU or recovery room bays and adding one operating room for a total of five ORs. In addition, there will be a new storage room that could be converted to a sixth operating room in the future if needed, and two designated endoscopy rooms. The new same-day surgery bays, where patients come for pre- and post-op care, will also be much more private with walls and doors replacing the curtains that previously existed. The surgery remodel has also been designed to better serve the families of surgery patients. A new waiting room is now open, featuring a large monitor for families to track the progress of patients as they move from pre-op to surgery to the recovery room and back to a suite. When the patient is ready to leave, they will be able to exit via a new covered area that allows protection from the elements and easy drive-up access.

HENRY COMMUNITY HEALTH AT NORTHFIELD PARK

Groundbreaking and construction just started this fall on another project to better serve the community – a new 50,000 square foot medical office building off Highway 3 in Northfield Park just west of the YMCA. “We’ve owned this property for several years now and it provides a nice access for people in a good frontage area,” said Ring. The building will serve as a second location of New Castle Family & Internal Medicine, essentially providing a presence on both the north and south sides of town. The practice opened its first location on Forest Ridge Parkway in 1999. “We will be able to add 12 to 13 new providers to this group which will really help us meet the demands of the community by allowing people to be seen more quickly,” said Ring. The building will also be a new home for New Castle Pediatrics which is outgrowing its space at the hospital. “New Castle Pediatrics started out with three doctors – today we have eight providers in that office – four doctors and four advanced practitioners,” said Ring. Along with a licensed social worker, they will all be relocating to Northfield Park next year. “They do a great job of juggling their schedules in their current space but now we will be able to put them in a more appropriately sized space,” he added. New Castle Walk-In Care, currently located in an office annex across from the hospital, will also move to the Northfield Park building, providing more convenient access for those needing quick medical services in a highly visible location. Other services in the new building will include a pharmacy, lab draw site and classroom spaces. “Right now, we have classes for the community, but they are kind of here, there and everywhere,” said Ricci Atchison, public relations/marketing director for the hospital. “This will give us a centralized location. We’re hoping to get a portable kitchen, too, which would be great for our Healthy Eating class.” Another exciting feature of this project is that people will be able to soon take a virtual tour of the building long before it’s 18 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

Henry Community Health COO Brian Ring.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

In the transition from Henry County Hospital to Henry Community Health, the name is intended to reflect the hospital’s evolving health care mission. Here are some recently added services now offered by Henry Community Health: Pediatric hospitalists joined the hospital this year through a contract with St. Vincent Health, which had already been providing adult hospitalists, or doctors who only work in hospitals. An integration of mental health services at New Castle Family & Internal Medicine includes a social worker and a psychiatric nurse practitioner who joined the practice in August. The care coordinator program, an outreach program to help people manage medications, vaccines, proper nutrition and exercise, and other health concerns, continues to expand. Support groups for COPD and cancer have recently begun. An employer clinic in Muncie staffed by Henry Community Health started up this year in partnership with Activate Healthcare. It joins two other employer clinics in New Castle and Spiceland. completed, thanks to assistance from the architectural firm of BSA Life Structures. “Instead of a traditional groundbreaking, we thought we would do a video where you take a drawing of your building and highlight different areas like a virtual walkthrough,” said Atchison. “That should be ready sometime in November.” With all of the big changes coming in 2017, it’s also worth noting what will remain the same. Henry Community Health is still county-owned and still committed to the highest quality care. This can be seen in the 2016 awards from Healthgrades for Outstanding Patient Experience and Patient Safety Excellence. “We really have many different opportunities to keep you healthy,” said Ring, citing examples like nutritional classes, support groups and the HealthRidge Wellness Center. “So we’re excited about what we are doing and about where Henry Community Health is headed.” ■

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www.triplejplumbing.net CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 19

Education reinforces

economic development STORY BY DOUG GRUSE

As superintendent of Blue River Valley Schools, Eric Creviston is helping to build an infrastructure for the region that will be every bit as important as its roads, water supply and electrical grid. “We owe our community the best teachers, facilities, academic programming and educational culture that we can provide — both curricular and extra-curricular,” said Creviston, who took on the role of superintendent in December 2014. “The school and parents need to be on the same side, which is the side of the student. When the student comes first, then student, parents and school are all doing their jobs right.” Although school funding often becomes a politically divisive topic, Creviston, an alumnus of Blue River, wants community members to understand that public schools play a critical role in the future growth of Henry County. “The community and the schools are just parts of the same thing — the same people, the same values and traditions and common history. Both need to hold the other accountable. Parents and taxpayers should demand that they are getting the best schools that they can get, and the schools should insist that the broader community value the school and what it is investing in their students,” he said. Funding has become a serious concern for educators in the state, especially in less-populated districts. “The current political culture in Indiana is not very friendly to small rural schools. There is a preference for charter schools and a belief that schools between 3,000 and 5,000 students is the most efficient size, so it’s a challenge to keep up with all of the changes that come every year from the state legislature,” Creviston said. “Plus, our broader community is small, and enrollment is what drives funding in Indiana. We need to be the best school choice around to grow our student numbers.”

COMMUNITY MATTERS

Since taking the district lead, Creviston has made an effort to work directly with the region’s leaders to strengthen the connection between the school and the greater community. “I worked in schools in another county for over 20 years and was very pleased to have the opportunity to come back here because public service is more rewarding, and fun, when you are in a community you are deeply connected 20 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

Students like Fayth Koontz are the center of high-performance schools, says Supt. Eric Creviston.

to. I have enjoyed working with the Economic Development team and the Chamber, the Hope Initiative and 4-H,” he said. Creviston has witnessed measurable changes in the district in the last two years. “What has been very exciting has been watching the very high tempo of school improvement in our Junior Senior High School last year and now in our elementary school this year. It’s been very energizing to watch,” he said. Although graduation class sizes have remained flat, which affects funding, Creviston believes his schools are making great strides with limited budgets. “We have a very strong academic core programming in our Junior Senior High School and have been using data-driven instruction in our elementary school. We’re now using the data coach in both buildings and building a rigorous and aligned pre-school to 12th grade curriculum. In a very short time, student instruction and our academic focus will be our strongest programs,” he said. To prepare students for the increasingly digital workforce, the school must keep up-to-date with the latest technological trends, despite the high CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Q&A WITH ERIC CREVISTON Superintendent of Blue River Valley Schools

Where were you born? I was born in Muncie, about 15 miles north of Blue River, and I grew up about six miles north of Blue River. What academic degrees do you hold? BA in History and in Education, Ball State; MA in Education, Ball State; M.Ed in Administration, Anderson University. Tell us a little about your family. I am married to Melissa Creviston, We have a daughter, Sarah, who is 17, and a son, Lance, who is 15. Why did you want to return to the New Castle area? There are so many people here that I’ve known all my life. I’d rather work for them than people I don’t really know. Why is the New Castle area a good place to live? New Castle and all of Henry County are great places to be able to raise children, feel safe and keep connected to other people with the same experiences and values. Plus, I just know a lot of people here that are very long-term friends. Do you have any hobbies? I like to run and work outdoors in the yard and garden. I read a lot, and our family loves to travel. What is one unusual thing about you that most people don’t know? I lived in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall. I had a very powerful experience there, and I also was in Afghanistan for their first post-Taliban election. I’m a history guy, so it was pretty amazing. I guess, too, that it surprises people that a guy that looks like me can play the flute. Blue River Valley Schools Supt. Eric Creviston.

‘What is different today ... is that high-performing schools today are student-centered instead of teachercentered, provide differentiated instruction instead of one-size fits-all and use data to inform instruction.’ —Blue River Valley Schools Supt. Eric Creviston

FROM PAGE 20

cost of replacing aging equipment. “This year we did a full one-to-one roll-out of Google Chrome books in grades 7 through 12; rebuilt the corporation website; upgraded our bandwidth; upgraded our email; and trained our staff on Google School, Pivot, Schoology and Plato for academic applications and Aesop and Veritime to replace timecards and substitute teacher acquisition,” Creviston said. We upgraded the Microsoft Windows lab in our business classes and began moving as much of our previously paper communications to digital communications.” The superintendent credits his staff with helping the school compete with larger districts on the technological front. “I have a pretty tech-savvy staff in the Junior Senior High School, and now we’re going to start moving more and more tech applications into the upper elementary grades, again, to align learning as best we can. We have the two best technology people I’ve ever had in a school setting. My technology team, Mr. Harty and Mr. Greer, are not only very effective at maintaining our technology infrastructure but are able to present technology solutions in the language of education. They’re contribution is about 50 percent of the reason we can keep up with technology, but the staff is very current too, so it’s a great combination,” he said.

21ST CENTURY LEARNING

Creviston said the school experience is much different for today’s teens than it was when he walked the halls as a student 30 years ago. “I graduated in 1985, and it was still very much the classic American post-war model — the same as about every other school at the time; a grid of desks, a teacher up-front and a send-and-receive instructional delivery system; worksheets daily and then tests at the end of every unit; a heavy emphasis on compliance and conformity; sort and select,” he said.

22 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016

The focus has changed, according to the superintendent. “What is different today that is positive is that highperforming schools today are student-centered instead of teacher-centered, provide differentiated instruction instead of one-size-fits-all and use data to inform instruction,” he said. “Students who struggle to grow and achieve are identified and can get remediation immediately with our own locally developed, data-driven remediation model called ’T-3’ or ‘Target time’ (Teach, Test, Target), which provides re-teaching opportunities every single day.” The commitment to getting students through school to graduation starts early. “We are determined to maintain a culture of learning excellence. We monitor and track the reading level of every single student in our schools from K to 12 and then actually focus literacy instruction on those students in the ways that are customized to their needs,” he said. The district is working to make the process a natural progression from grade to grade. “We are spending this academic year on aligning our curriculum across all grades so that higher-level skills are adequately scaffolded in lower grades, and that prior learning is activated in higher grades. Some measure of all of these things were done in some schools 30 years ago, but not systemically,” Creviston said. Although teachers are often blamed for the current state of education in America, Creviston believes the educators in his district are an important part of the region’s economic development. “I think that teachers are better prepared to teach now than they were in the past. Professional development and teacher training continues throughout the year, and it is focused upon real needs, which are identified in the building’s school improvement plans,” he said. “Teacher accountability and evaluation is tough in Indiana, but it matters.” ■

Shelley Walker is a 21-year employee of Meridian Health Services.

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

Quality healthcare MeridianMD services fill a need

eridian Health Services is expanding access to health care by adding primary medical care to their current menu of services.

Meridian’s New Castle facility will focus on preventative medicine and chronic illness management.

Grounded in behavioral health, Meridian has served Henry County for four decades. A new philosophy in health has brought a greater focus on treating the body and mind for total well-being. Meridian has been a leader in this “whole-person” health concept and saw the importance of providing medical and behavioral care combined together in one facility and one treatment plan to achieve the most optimal outcomes in health. Primary medical care was added this year by welcoming Adrienne Bedford, M.D. to Meridian. “It has been very popular and patients love having the convenience of having integrated health care in what some people refer to us as their medical home,” says Dr. Bedford. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Fall 2016 | 23

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Kara Hensley and Dr. Adrienne Bedford review a chart. FROM PAGE 23

To accommodate this demand, Meridian is adding on to their current location by expanding primary medical care into a family practice office, MeridianMD, which is under construction. MeridianMD offers medical care for people of all ages including physicals, illness visits, disease management, flu shots, immunizations, smoking cessation and other services that address physical, mental and social well-being. MeridianMD is located in the Meridian Health Services building at 930 N. 14th St. Currently, the location has two examination rooms. Renovations to the east end of the building will expand the number of exam rooms to seven. Besides Dr. Bedford and Medical Assistant Kara Hensley, the practice is in the process of adding a triage nurse. Practice Manager Amanda Bowman and Shelley Walker, Operations Coordinator are also part of the MeridianMD staff. “As the practice grows, medical staff will be added as needed,” said Walker, a 21-year employee of Meridian Health Services. Walker noted that MeridianMD offers significant advantages for residents in the New Castle area. “This is a place where people can come to address all their health needs,” she said. This falls right in line with Meridian’s “whole-person” health approach: The concept is meant to be all encompassing, with an emphasis on physical, mental and social health. Bedford echoed that sentiment. “I think there’s definitely a need for this site in New Castle, which has been underserved as far as primary care is concerned. We are reaching so many people in the community who otherwise would have to drive to Muncie or neighboring cities,” she said. The facility will help serve the region’s diverse population, with a focus on preventative medicine and chronic illness management, while offering a sliding fee scale for people with or without insurance. “Our demographics are across the board. I’ve seen the full range of the population, from children to the elderly,” Bedford said. “Social health influences overall health and the health of a community. I’d like to see us become a true community center with social programs on issues like finding jobs and learning how to fill out a resume,” Bedford said. Bedford applauds Meridian Health Services for bringing positive health changes to rural Indiana. “Since I was in medical school, I always worked in community health centers,” she said. “To be on the front line of getting one going has been a dream come true. The community has been so welcoming, and I’m so proud that Meridian is reaching out to these communities and trying to make a difference.” ■

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1940s USO Party theme greeted 400 people to Cash Bonanza 2016, the largest attendance ever. Mayor Greg York and his team worked around the clock for weeks to prepare the most fitting of venues, the Armory in Downtown New Castle. Kevin Brown started the evening with an awe-inspiring trumpet solo of the National Anthem. The $5 50/50 winner walked away with more than $1,100, and the pot of $11,000 was split five ways by the following: ● Mike & Paulette Lees ● Chris & Amy Lovan ● Dan Cook ● Mike McIntosh & Mary Brumfiel, who split a ticket ● Josh Sroufe Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to our sponsors for their generous support!

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Henry Community Health Cares We Are Baby Friendly Accredited New Moms and Newborns Can Trust HCH BirthCare Center Accredited by Baby Friendly USA, Henry Community Health (formerly Henry County Hospital) is one of only 11 Indiana hospitals currently with this accreditation recognizing we provide an optimal level of care for infant breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding. Our BirthCare Center nurses encourage and support new moms with classes, follow-up telephone calls, outpatient visits and an Infant Feeding Support Group. BirthCare Center 521.1116

Pediatric Hospitalists Available 24/7 Trust the Specialized Care for Your Newborn and Hospitalized Children Parents of newborns and hospitalized children have added reassurance about their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care through our Pediatric Hospitalist service. Board Certified pediatricians working only in the hospital are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to attend high risk deliveries, care for newborns and for children admitted to the Women & Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unit. They also are available for consultation for infants and children seen in our Emergency Department.

Breast Health Navigator Your Personalized Concierge To Quickly Connect You to Services Our Imaging Breast Health Navigator assists patients diagnosed with abnormal mammograms by quickly scheduling diagnostic ultrasounds and biopsies. She answers questions, provides education and counseling and assists with scheduling appointments if breast cancer is found. Tonya Wilson, RN, Breast Health Navigator 599.3149 Breast Cancer Support Group 599.3149 Strong Brunck & Barrett Surgical Specialists 599.3555 Mammogram Assistance Program Financial Help 529.4403

Uncompromising Commitment To Excellence Highly Skilled Pregnancy and GYN Care Dr. Romel Antolin and Dr. Bruce Benninger are highly skilled, board certified obstetricians with expertise in providing care for normal and high risk pregnancies and gynecological problems including total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Stacey Murrell, WHNP-BC is passionate about educating teens on sexually transmitted disease, birth control and menstruation. Antolin & Benninger Obstetrics/Gynecology 521.1217

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