“Healthcare in Kosciusko County” was the topic of the Feb. 6 Kosciusko Leadership Academy session. Shown from left are Mark Pepple, manager of Lutheran EMS; Lynn Mergen, CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital; Rob Ryan, CEO of the Bowen Center; KLA cadet Nichole Fifer sponsored by Kosciusko REMC and KLA cadet Audrey Hampshire sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College. Photo provided by Kosciusko Leadership Academy.

News Release

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets visited the Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital Administration Classroom Tuesday, Feb. 6, where they learned about healthcare in Kosciusko County.

The presenters included Lynn Mergen, CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital; Rob Ryan, CEO of the Bowen Center; and Mark Pepple, manager of Lutheran EMS.

Mergen gave an update on the Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. The building construction and remodeling will be completed in five months. In the past year, LKH has provided $112,457,000 in total community investment. Lutheran Kosciusko has been a full-service hospital since 1976. They have also expanded surgical services plus more robotic services. The hospital has a cardiology program, an oncology program, and is working on adding more emergency services as well as women’s services. Challenges facing LKH include recruiting for physicians and employees.

Ryan spoke on the history of mental health treatment in the country and state including treatment options and funding for mental health centers. Ryan started his career at the Bowen Center in 2004. The Bowen Center has become one of the largest mental health centers in the state and provides multiple services in 26 counties. It provides mental health counseling, addiction counseling, counseling for schools, counseling programs for corporations, counseling for the Department of Child Services and more.

Pepple spoke on the history and accomplishments of the Lutheran EMS system in Kosciusko County. Lutheran EMS has the largest coverage territory in Northern Indiana. Currently it has mobile integrated healthcare and had over 7,700 calls in 2023. It also provides CPR training to local schools, corporations, and community members and have car seat inspection services. The Warsaw Area Career Center provides students with an EMT Basic Class taught by Lutheran EMS.

The next KLA session will cover planning for the future in Kosciusko County at the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Feb. 20.