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The community garden near Carle at The Riverfront in Danville . Photo by Jennifer Bailey
“ You don ’ t have to be a doctor to be engaged in health care and to make an impact in health care ,” Meneely said about health care careers .
A two-year associate degree in mental health , for example , could be a steppingstone to a social work career or other jobs . The partnerships help create career paths .
“ You can ’ t function as a health care facility without having those type of connections ,” he added .
Meneely said they had 600 students come through the Danville High School health care career fair last school year .
Other partnerships have been with Crosspoint Human Services and other organizations , he said , about crisis services , and obstetrics with OSF HealthCare .
Meneely said they worked with OSF on a labor and delivery coordinated plan to make sure there are enough providers to keep it open and running again .
In addition to Dr . Beth Halloran , Dr . Robert Brown has joined her in Carle obstetrics .
Meneely said they ’ re always looking for employees .
Carle ’ s community projects also include the start of a community garden near the riverfront location , and another one planned at Heavenly Square Grocery hopefully by this time next year .
Carle plans a produce distribution network with food pantries .
Carle ’ s Healthy Beginnings program includes nurse home visiting care / support for pregnant moms and their families .
Meneely said there are a lot of people “ very engaged and doing very good work ” in health care in Vermilion County . There also are a lot of people willing to volunteer and help on projects .
“ There ’ s a tremendous amount of effort and goodwill here ,” he said .
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