Clermont Mercy Hospital surprises LEAD Clermont class

Award winning Clermont Mercy Hospital hosted the Clermont 2020 LEAD Class 2010. Rural hospital is almost a misnomer as the facilities, treatment and staff will rival any ‘big city’ hospital.

That small, little Clermont County hospital has now grown to a state of the art facility with the patient’s health, safety and comfort foremost.

The class toured the newly renovated and expanded 16 room ICU where not only were critically ill patient’s needs considered but family needs as well including accommodations for overnight stay. Every room is open and airy with a view of the surrounding countryside.

Also toured were the emergency room, and the Wound Care Center which, when it opened several years ago, was the first in the greater Cincinnati area and the hyperbaric chamber which is also used for wound care. The original 1973 medical surgical area was recently updated with the renovations including the most current in patient care.

A walk though the 'old' wing certainly makes one appreciative and proud of our own county hospital.

The Clermont 20/20 leadership class heard from both Gayle Heintzelman, Mercy Hospital President and CEO and Senator Tom Niehaus on current health care issues. Karen Scherra, Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board updated the class on the status of funding and services for behavioral health issues.

A personal testimony by a recovering alcoholic helped the class understand the need for alcohol and drug abuse services.

Ashley Thompson from Children's Protective Services shared with us the need for foster homes for our county's less fortunate children. Clermont County is fortunate in having a Senior Services agency which provides many services for our growing population of senior citizens.

A fun Match Game helped the class members learn which county agencies provided the various types of services to our Clermont County citizens.

The day was planned and carried out by Julianne Nesbit, Assistant Clermont County Health Commissioner and Connie Taggart a retired Intervention Specialist from Felicity Franklin School.

Clermont 20/20 is currently recruiting participants for the 2011 LEAD Clermont class which will have its orientation in July and two-day retreat in August 2010.

If you are interested in the program and/or would like to receive more information, please contact Andy McCreanor, Director, Leadership Development at 753-9222 or www.clermont2020.org.