‘Canary in the Coal Mine’ author will speak at IUE

A Hoosier doctor and author with a connection to Wayne County will share his insights about serving residents who face barriers to healthcare.

All are invited to the events taking place Monday, March 25, at Indiana University East’s Whitewater Hall.

Dr. William Cooke has raised national attention about the challenges communities face in providing care and addressing socioeconomic factors related to addiction and illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis C in his book, “Canary in the Coal Mine: Reinvesting in the Health and Wellness of America.” 

Eighty free copies of the book are available at IU East’s library in Hayes Hall while supplies last.  

Cooke was the sole physician in Austin, Indiana, when in 2015, the rural southern community became “ground zero” of the worst opioid crisis and drug-fueled HIV outbreak in U.S. history.

Cooke will give a presentation from 10-11 a.m. and then answer questions from 11-11:30 a.m. about his experiences in Scott County.

In January 2023, Richmond’s Well Care Community Health acquired Foundations Family Medicine that Cooke leads in Austin and Henryville. 

The relationship was several years in the making. In 2017, Well Care CEO Eric Coulter contacted Cooke to learn from his experience and to have him provide an in-service to Well Care staff about HIV and substance use.

Coulter and Cooke stayed in touch to share ideas, and in 2022, they focused on the acquisition to improve quality of life in both counties. The two organizations share expertise and resources such as technology, combined electronic medical records and administrative staff. 

After the merger, Foundations falls under Well Care’s Federally Qualified Health Center designation, which provides greater access to grant funding, enhanced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, reduced pricing, and National Health Service Corps health care providers.

“The one number that determines health outcomes more than any other number, including blood pressure, BMI, A1C and lipid count, is a person’s ZIP code,” Cooke said in the news release about the merger. “Individuals in some ZIP codes, particularly small, rural communities, face barriers to transportation, housing, education and healthcare, among others. I want people born in all ZIP codes to receive the same health, wellness and opportunities for prosperity.”

Resource fair, testing

A recovery and resilience resource fair featuring community providers will run from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., also at Whitewater Hall.

Participants scheduled to attend include American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Anthem, Aspire Indiana Health, Bridges for Life, Centerstone,  Centerstone Recovery Transitional program, Choices Coordinated Care Solutions, Connection Cafe — Fayette County, Cross Road Christian Recovery Center for Women, Firefly Children & Family Alliance and Wayne County Family Resource Center, IU East Counseling Center, Merdian Health Services, Natco Community Empowerment Center, Neighborhood Health Center (Richmond, Liberty, Connersville), Preble County Pride, AmeriCorps, Purdue University Extension — Wayne County, Recovery Rocks Club, Reid Health Community Benefit,  Reid Health Outpatient Behavioral Health, Richmond Fire Department Mobile Integrated Health, Volunteers of America Indiana/Ohio, Wayne County Health Department, Well Care Community Health and the producer of “The Addict’s Wake,” a documentary shown on PBS about Brown County, Indiana.

Wayne County Health Department and the Public Health AmeriCorps program will provide HIV and hepatitis C testing between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Center for Health Promotion at IU East’s Hayes Hall.

For more information, visit https://iue.libguides.com/community-resilience/Canary or call 765-973-8311.