Source: The News-Enterprise
Over the next decade, Fort Knox Federal Credit Union will contribute $1.5 million to support military and community health in Radcliff.
Ray Springsteen, president and CEO of the credit union, announced the 10-year financial commitment and partnership Wednesday during the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon. Made through the Hardin Memorial Health Foundation, the contribution helps expand services at HMH Medical Group Radcliff Family Medicine clinic near the Wilson Gate of Fort Knox.
The expanded clinic allows HMH to add primary care providers, provide additional patient services and connect military families and all patients to community resources, a news release said. It also offers financial services and education with everything housed in one clinic.
According to the 2018 Stress in America survey published by the American Psychological Association, 81 percent of young adults and 64 percent of adults overall identified money as a common stressor. In Kentucky, financial literacy continues to be a key challenge with the state ranked 45th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in WalletHub’s 2019 study, the release said.
Blending financial knowledge and health care in a single facility is seen as a holistic approach to wellness.
Dr. Tom Hustead, medical director of HMH Medical Group and a retired U.S. Army colonel, said in the news release the $1.5 million gift helps HMH deliver the latest in health care innovation.
“This first-of-its-kind clinic will offer high-touch, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care that addresses not only physical health, but also mental, social and spiritual health. The timing for this expansion is perfect too, as transitions on post created the need for more providers nearby,” Hustead said. “We will even have community space inside the clinic for educational organizations and others to use.”
Reba Watson, chairwoman of the credit union’s board, said 10 military veterans founded the institution in 1950 to make a difference in the communities they serve.
“This investment in military and community health right outside the Fort Knox military post aligns with the credit union’s seven-decade focus of improving the lives of fellow Kentuckians,” she said.
Watson, who has been on the board for more than 30 years, said at the chamber luncheon she thinks this is “one of the best investments” they’ve ever made for the military – active and veterans – and people in the community.
“Financial health leads to good health and physical health also influences financial decisions, so the board decided that this was one of the best things that we could do for our military and our community. And we are proud of that,” she said.
Joe Prather, chairman of the HMH Foundation, said his board is excited about this project and first seven-figure corporate gift.
“Fort Knox Federal Credit Union’s willingness to partner with HMH to do something unique and help fund the work and research on holistic patient care is an outstanding example of how corporate citizens can tackle big issues and make a big impact,” he said in the release.
At the luncheon, Prather said, “This is just another step in the right direction.”
