News

MADISON, Ind. – The King's Daughters' Hospital Foundation, in partnership with ENVISION Jefferson County, is pleased to announce that Carri Dirksen has accepted the role of Healthy Communities Initiative Coordinator. Dirksen has resided in Jefferson County for more than 20 years, brings a wealth of experience to the position, and has worked closely with King Daughters' Heath on its Community Needs Assessments for the past decade.

"I believe everyone in Jefferson County wants a healthier community for ourselves and for our children," Dirksen said. "I'm looking forward to working together with our county's health providers, government leaders, schools, local corporations and businesses, churches and others on addressing the identified health needs of our community."

The Community Health Initiative is a section in the Envision Jefferson County program. The initiative targets the most relevant health needs of Jefferson County, as revealed through the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). In her role as coordinator, Dirksen will help establish the Jefferson County Healthy Communities Initiative. The coordinator will receive financial support from the King's Daughters' Hospital Foundation, along with resource support from the KDH Wellness Program and Envision Healthy Communities.

"The Healthy Communities Initiative is one of the top priorities in the ENVISION Jefferson County plan," said Valecia Crisafulli, implementation coordinator for ENVISION. "Having Carri on board is the most important step in moving this project forward — for the benefit of the entire community."

Initially, the coordinator will operate under a 12-month (one-year) contract, managing all activities and documents relating to the Healthy Communities Initiative in Jefferson County, Indiana.

"One of our goals is to seek additional funding so the program can continue to flourish and grow beyond the first year," said Nadja Boone, Director of Marketing, Community Relations, and Development at King's Daughters' Health. "We're excited that Carri has agreed to bring her talents and expertise to the position. Working together, we can make a positive impact on the overall health of our community."

Established in 2005, the King's Daughters' Hospital Foundation assists the Hospital in its mission to improve the health of local communities by raising awareness of localized health needs and by supporting innovative solutions to these needs.

ENVISION Jefferson County is a community-driven action plan that points the way forward for our community toward an even brighter and more vibrant future. The 6 priority initiatives and 29 projects outlined in this plan were developed through numerous public meetings, focused discussions with other stakeholders, and the commitment of a diverse community steering group. The plan recognizes the complexity of the issues facing the county. It proposes action-based solutions that build on cooperation and leadership and forge new partnerships necessary for the realization of the community's goals.