Although Shelby VanDerMoere is the new Coordinator of the Mobile Integrated Health Program in Putnam County, she is no stranger to the county, especially regarding its healthcare needs.
"I had the privilege of falling in love with Putnam County. I became a paramedic last June, and when I did my paramedic clinicals, I chose Putnam County. It was a toss of a coin where I would do them, and I decided to come to Putnam County. I fell in love with the county, and it felt like home. When this job came available, I felt like I was coming home. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, and it has been a really cool experience," VanDerMoere told The Putnam County Post.
While Mobile Integrated Health has existed for about seven years in Indiana, it helps meet residents' needs anywhere.
"It is a community-based program that helps connect residents with homecare providers, social services and community resources. We work alongside patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and community partners to identify barriers to care and improve access to needed services," VanDerMoere explained.
She was instrumental in starting the MIH Program in Bloomington.
VanDerMoere has been an instrumental part of the success of the program, having established the MIH Program in Bloomington.
"I had the privilege of starting Bloomington's MIH Program four years ago. When I started it, everyone said, "This is your baby and we want you to raise it." The beauty of it is you get to look at what your community needs and tailor your approach accordingly. We have some really great first responders in our community. Our first responders are responding to 911 calls and their gut feeling says someone needs more help. Their job is to address the immediate need that caused them call 911 and they will go back in service. It is my job to determine why that person needed 911 and how can we prevent that person from needing 911 in the future," she said.
Regarding a normal day, VanDerMoere said it begins by checking the call log from the night before.
"The first thing I am looking for is did anyone call 911 that is currently a patient of mine. If that happened, I need to follow-up on why and be in that person's home as soon as possible. From there, I am looking at new referrals to see how quickly someone needs to be seen. Then I go out and see patients. What is really cool is I am not in a time crunch. In a doctor's office, you may only see your doctor for 15 minutes, but here, I may be with someone for three hours. It is all about whatever time we need to spend to make sure someone is successful. I meet people at home, in the parking lot of the bank, in the emergency department at the hospital. Our goal is to meet people where they are at. Then I spend the rest of my day advocating for coordinated care," she said.
VanDerMoere said the MIH Program also assists residents with mental health and substance abuse connections, fall prevention safety plans, caregiver support and education and help people age in place.
"We are advocating and coordinating care, and that looks different every day, but I am the gap here," VanDerMoere said.
Indiana Weekly Gas Price Update shows prices falling
Overnight lane and ramp closures planned on State Road 28 in Tipton County
Affordable Hearing representatives help bring Indiana support to veterans hearing care bill
Attorney General Todd Rokita calls on Hoosiers to claim compensation for inflated generic drug prices
Governor Braun proclaims Indiana Rail Safety Week September 21-27
State unemployment rate remains below national average
