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Vanderburgh County health department signs podiatry MOU for mobile clinic, approves Nexstar special to relaunch overdose review panel
Summary
The county approved a two-year memorandum with Ascension Saint Vincent for volunteer podiatric care through the health department’s mobile clinic and approved a media sponsorship with Nexstar to promote local health programs and restart an overdose death review panel.
Vanderburgh County commissioners on March 11 approved a two-year memorandum of understanding with Ascension Saint Vincent to provide podiatric care for people experiencing homelessness using the county health department’s mobile clinic and approved a separate media sponsorship to publicize local health initiatives and restart an overdose death review panel.
The MOU, described by staff as a two-year agreement, permits Ascension Saint Vincent to provide volunteer podiatric services while each party retains responsibility for its own costs; county staff said no additional county funding was required for the agreement.
The board also approved a media campaign sponsorship agreement with Nexstar Media Inc. that will allow the health department to sponsor a one-hour special broadcast locally twice in March. Health staff and commissioners said the special is intended to promote county programs and kick off the effort to reconstitute an overdose death review panel, which will collect hospital and other data to inform prevention work.
Why it matters: county leaders said restarting the overdose review panel is a priority for understanding overdose deaths and coordinating prevention across providers. Commissioners were told that the sponsorship will be funded from existing Health First Indiana allocations in the department’s budget; staff said the panel’s work requires relatively modest funds, primarily to convene stakeholders and collect data.
Other health-related action: commissioners approved a Burdette Park contract with Lamar Advertising for four billboards at a total cost of $4,300 to promote park opening and season passes. Burdette Park Director Zach Waltham said the purchase would come from the park’s general fund marketing line.
Ending: The health department and parks director will proceed with the Ascension arrangement, local broadcasts and the billboard contract; the overdose review panel will be reconvened and staff will coordinate information-sharing with hospitals and partner agencies.
