Health and Human Services Day for Leadership Hardin County on February 15th focused on the services available in our community that help the citizens who live in this great county. County and community personnel shared their services with us throughout the day.
We started our day at Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System (LTBHS). We were able to learn about this 140-bed hospital that offers inpatient services for adolescents, adults, military, veterans and first responders. Not only did we get to hear about the services, but we were able to be more immersed in how LTBHS works to provide psychiatric care for those in crisis. One program that stood out to us is The Willows Program, run by one of our very own, is a specialized trauma program for young women, ages 8 to 17. It provides a team treatment approach focused on acknowledging the impact of past trauma and emotional concerns, while helping patients build safe and functional coping methods. Treatment includes academics with Trauma Focused workbook curriculum, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy (if possible), psychiatric care, dietary counseling, activity therapy and exercise. The girls are currently “walking across the United States,” as part of their exercise program. We also learned and discussed the drug epidemics that has heartbreakingly hit Hardin County.
Our next stop was Hardin County Government where we started with a “welcome” from Judge/Executive Ketih Taul. We then experience a recorded 911 call of a drug overdose and saw the invaluable work that is done there with the telecommunicators, who truly are the FIRST first responders. Next stop was EMS where we were met by EMS Deputy Director, Tim Carr. Here he and one of his paramedics began working on a “patient” that had experienced a drug overdose. Seeing a real simulation of this was eye-opening and was a great reminder of the life-saving work that first responders do. We then made our way to the Coroner’s office. There we got to see the work that they do and hear directly from Coroner Pat Elmore on cases he has worked with his team and the type of important services they provide to the community.
Continuing to follow this patient with a drug overdose, we headed to Baptist Health Hardin (BHH). As we made our way to the exam room in the hospital, we experienced the “patient” coding and being treated by nurses and physicians. It was high energy and an amazing scene to see as the team worked together to save a life.
To end, Deputy Coroner, Shana Norton and a BHH nurse talked abou
t the program they team up to bring to schools to teach teens about drug overdoses. It was a powerful story of a young teen who lost his life to an overdose. This story and simulation is being used to help save other lives by showing it to students throughout Hardin County schools.
This day was a great reminder of the supportive community we live in. Everyone working together to serve and help the health of our citizens across this great county is incredibly impactful. When we all work together like this, Hardin County is a team, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
