Baptist Health and Abound Credit Union celebrate grand re-opening
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (April 22, 2024) – Baptist Health Medical Group held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the grand re-opening of its family medicine practice in Radcliff.
Abound Credit Union, a long-time community partner of Baptist Health Hardin, donated $1.5 million to the project to support military and community health in Radcliff. The gift, made in 2019 through Baptist Health Foundation Hardin (formerly Hardin Memorial Health Foundation), supported expansion of both physical spaces and services offered at the practice, which is located near the Wilson Gate of Fort Knox.
Congressman Brett Guthrie helped secure additional federal funding through a $300,000 Earmark grant to complete the renovations at the Radcliff practice after they had been halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The expanded Radcliff practice will allow for more primary care providers, provide additional patient services, and connect military families and all patients to community resources. In addition to traditional healthcare services offered by Baptist Health Medical Group, Abound Credit Union will offer financial resources and education to support patients’ needs.
“Because family medicine involves the entire family, we are often taking care of children, parents, and grandparents who all need our services,” said Ramona Coffie, MD, family medicine physician with the Radcliff practice. “Now with more room, we can add more providers to increase access to healthcare. This means fewer ER and urgent care visits – and family members can come on the same day to their appointments.”
“Our credit union is here to help active-duty military, veterans, and the surrounding community achieve more. From providing the everyday services hard-working Kentucky families need to reduce financial stress, to making significant investments in longer-term initiatives such as financial education and overall health, our commitment to serve is unwavering.” said Ray Springsteen, president and CEO of Abound Credit Union.
“Thanks to Abound Credit Union, Congressman Brett Guthrie and Baptist Health, we are changing the face of primary care,” said Mike Bowers, board chair of Baptist Health Foundation Hardin. “This unique clinic will be a great benefit to patients by increasing accessibility to services, expanding appointment access, and helping connect people with needed resources. When this community comes together, great things happen. I am so proud to be a part of this incredible project.”
Community partners
Abound Credit Union has a strong history of community partnership with the hospital. For several years, they have collaborated on the development and launch of Know Your Numbers, a program where the hospital’s Wellness on Wheels mobile unit offered healthcare screenings outside Abound Credit Union locations, with financial wellness checkups being offered inside. Know Your Numbers was also offered as a virtual program.
Abound Credit Union also provided funds to add a behavioral health provider and licensed clinical social worker, making the practice one of Baptist Health’s first multi-disciplinary practices in central Kentucky. The collaboration between Baptist Health and Abound Credit Union also played a role in obtaining the additional funds for the project through the support of Congressman Brett Guthrie.
Expanding the practice and services
The practice, located at 1679 N. Wilson Road, has undergone a full renovation and expansion that has nearly doubled its footprint – from 5,216 to 10,373 square feet. The space was needed to accommodate the growing number of patients seeking care in the Fort Knox and Radcliff areas. The practice has grown from serving 3,000 patients in 2019, to more than 5,000 today – a number that could continue to expand with current industry and population growth in Hardin and surrounding counties.
The new space has increased from 12 to 22 exam rooms, with one additional procedure room. The practice has expanded its phlebotomy services from one to two lab draw stations.
Both Baptist Health and Abound Credit Union recognized the need for increased accessibility to behavioral health services, and the practice is expanding its reach to meet this critical need.
In 2023, family medicine physician and Radcliff native Fedwa Lutfi, MD, joined Ramona Coffie, MD, and Thomas Loesevitz, DO, in the practice. Amanda Douglas, PA-C, began offering behavioral health services at the practice in 2022. To further support behavioral health services, licensed clinical social worker Karen Smith, will see patients full-time. The practice also offers services by three nurse practitioners – Christina Tyus, APRN; Melissa Webster, APRN; and Rennatta White, APRN. A nurse navigator will also be onsite two to three days per week to coordinate treatment plans for patients requiring complex care. Baptist Health expects to welcome a fourth physician in September.
With the expansion, the behavioral health providers and licensed clinical social worker will now have their own dedicated spaces to care for patients.
Finances and mental health
Because finances are a common stressor for individuals and families, connecting people with these resources is critical to their overall well-being. As part of Abound Credit Union’s support of this project, the credit union will offer financial education to Baptist Health staff, who can then use the information to provide guidance to patients. Abound offers classes and other financial education opportunities throughout the community and plans to provide some classes periodically inside the facility.
This broader approach to health and well-being is integral to improving overall wellness within the community. According to the 2023 Stress in AmericaTM survey published by the American Psychological Association©, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on wellness. Chronic illnesses are on the rise, and among adults ages 35 to 44, the rate of mental health diagnoses has increased from 31% in 2019, to 45% in 2023.
Financial stress or instability can severely affect mental health and wellness. The survey reflected that the biggest rise in major stressors for adults aged 18 to 34 were financial, with 75% of people in 2019 reporting money as a major stressor, compared to 82% in 2023. The economy was reported as a major stressor by 52% of people in 2019, compared to 72% in 2023.
With finances having a significant impact on our well-being, many are still embarrassed to discuss finances or seek help for financial stress. Offering people a safe and friendly space where they can seek solutions privately and without fear of judgment is the first step toward relieving financial stress that may be impacting mental health and wellness.
“We are so grateful for the support of Abound Credit Union and Congressman Guthrie. This is so valuable to the community,” said Dr. Coffie “With this expansion, we can take care of patients’ mental, social and medical needs all in one day, with providers collaborating side by side. This is the new face of healthcare.”
Baptist Health Medical Group Family Medicine offers comprehensive care over the lifespan, including well visits, disease prevention, and health maintenance. It is located at 1679 N. Wilson Road, Suite 105, in Radcliff. Operating hours are Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The practice is accepting new patients. For more information, or an appointment, call 270.272.0000.