As the region’s only not-for-profit health system, we take our mission to heart. Parkview exists for one purpose – to improve the health of the communities we serve. Parkview LaGrange Hospital gives back to the community in the form of improved facilities, education and outreach programs, free and discounted care, volunteerism and much more.
The following are some of the ways Parkview LaGrange Hospital is reaching out to make our neighborhoods and communities healthier:
Key initiatives
Plain Church Services
Amish and Plain Church residents make up nearly 40% of the population in LaGrange County. For the members of these faith-based communities – particularly the Amish – everyday travel is by horse and buggy or bicycle; communications are face-to-face or through the use of a community-owned, centrally located phone. Recognizing the diverse circumstances of these communities, Parkview Health representatives have been working closely with members of the Plain Church community for several years, helping to identify specific needs and develop systems to address them. The most recent Parkview Health initiative is the addition of a Plain Church Coordinator position at Parkview LaGrange Hospital.
The Plain Church Coordinator serves as a single point of access for Amish, Mennonite and other Plain Church members who have questions about the healthcare services available within the Parkview Health network. Whether the question concerns the approximate cost of a procedure, the scheduling of a diagnostic test, or a billing question, the Plain Church Coordinator will assist the caller in obtaining an answer.
Health Education and Information
“Healthy View” community newsletter is mailed quarterly to all households in LaGrange County and targeted households in Middlebury and Sturgis (MI). The publication offers health information on leading topics of interest including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more, and makes readers aware of new services at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. The publication is of particular value to the Plain Church communities who do not receive information through television, radio or other technical means.
Primary Health Care Access
Parkview LaGrange Hospital partnered with the LaGrange County Council on Aging to assist with operational support for the COA’s services to seniors. The COA provides a transportation program, homemaker services, a food pantry and much more in their efforts to help seniors in LaGrange County remain independent in the homes of their choice for as long as possible. Nearly half of the trips the COA offers to seniors are to their physician for a check-up or to the hospital for a test or treatment. Homemaker services help with day-to-day tasks that, in many cases, could put the senior at risk of a fall or other injury.
Health Screening and Prevention and Disease Management
Parkview LaGrange Hospital participates in numerous health fairs and activities throughout the year offering free and low cost health screenings and information to diverse populations in our service area, including the Plain Church and Hispanic residents and seniors who reside in the county. These events provide health education, health screenings for disease prevention, and promote healthy lifestyles. The hospital also provides support groups to assist patients and families in managing disease.