Mahaska Health Announces Collaboration With Southern Iowa Mental Health Center, Iowa Home Care And Caregivers Home Health
Mahaska Health announced its collaboration with three regional organizations to provide behavioral health and home health services on Mahaska’s campus and surrounding communities.
Mahaska has selected Southern Iowa Mental Health Center (SIMHC) to continue behavioral health services and Caregivers of Iowa as well as Iowa Home Care to continue home health care services to Oskaloosa and the surrounding communities.
“Keeping comprehensive services in our community is important to our mission,” said Kevin DeRonde, CEO of Mahaska Health. “Behavioral health services will continue to be offered on our campus. Partnering with local, patient-centered organizations that have focused areas of expertise in behavioral health and home health will improve our ability work together to serve our patients and their families."
The transition to SIMHC offers a proven and sustainable model for behavioral health care that will offer a smooth transition for the residents of Mahaska County. SIMHC will also work with the Oskaloosa Community School District and the Mahaska County Jail to continue behavioral health services.
“We are excited to begin our collaboration with Mahaska Health and continue to provide exceptional behavioral health services to the residents of Mahaska County,” said Christina Schark, Executive Director of SIMHC.
Caregivers of Iowa and Iowa Home Care currently serve patients in Mahaska County as well as throughout southeastern Iowa.
“I have been impressed with the quality of home health services and the professionalism of the staff at Mahaska Health. We look forward to working closely with Mahaska Health to continue to meet the ongoing home health needs in the area,” said Ed Schulte, PhD, CEO of Caregivers of Iowa.
Tina Coleman, Chief Clinical Officer of Iowa Home Care states “Iowa Home Care is looking forward to continuing to serve the patients of Mahaska County and is honored to have the opportunity to work closely with the leadership of Mahaska Health during this transition period”.
Mahaska Health is currently working with all three organizations to transition care in the next several months for all patients currently receiving behavioral health and home health services.
“Healthcare is becoming increasingly challenging with lower reimbursement and increasing regulatory demands. Diligent stewardship is now more critical for long-term sustainability,” said DeRonde. “These collaborations strengthen our ability to provide quality healthcare to this community now and well into the future”.
Source: Mahaska Health