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The Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI) has officially designated Hamilton County as an Indiana Healthy Community, recognizing its commitment to improving the health and quality of life for its residents.
This designation is a testament to a collaborative, evidence-based process that helps communities build a culture of well-being to promote economic vitality.
A coalition of key local stakeholders led by Riverview Health facilitated this achievement. The group, which includes A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, Aspire Indiana Health, Hamilton County Community Foundation, Hamilton County Health Department, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, and Invest Hamilton County, worked together to complete a comprehensive community assessment.
“Riverview Health is proud to lead this effort, which underscores our mission to improve the health and well-being of those we serve, including our local employers,” said Dustin Mikesell, Associate Vice President of Employer Partnerships at Riverview Health. “A healthy workforce is a thriving workforce, and this process ensures a prosperous county for generations to come.”
“Aspire Indiana Health is thrilled to have been a part of the process to have Hamilton County recognized as an Indiana Healthy Community,” said Dianna Huddleston, Vice President of Community Partnerships at Aspire Indiana Health. “This certification will help us continue to tell our story of partnership, which we believe brings better care to the people we serve. It will also help our community focus more clearly on the areas of health that will most impact our collective well-being.”
There is a heavy focus on healthy workplaces and employer involvement, as the initiative uses the community health conversation to drive economic vitality. Many businesses in Hamilton County have gone through the WCI’s AchieveWELL process, which helps businesses in creating a strategy intended to provide a roadmap to comprehensive and sustainable well-being efforts. Riverview Health was recently awarded its 5-star AchieveWELL designation just earlier this year.
“Hamilton County Community Foundation is proud to be among the partners who helped secure this designation for our county,” states Danielle Stiles-Polk, President of the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “This recognition affirms our shared commitment to creating a high quality of life where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.”
Hamilton County will be formally recognized at the 2025 Indiana Wellness Summit on Sept. 11 at Embassy Suites in Noblesville.
Learn more about Indiana Healthy Communities and how your community can start the recognition process by contacting Chelsie Jaramillo at cjaramillo@indianachamber.com.
