Behavioral medicine is vital part of Forum’s mission

Behavioral medicine is vital part of Forum’s mission

EDITOR:

As a Forum Health employee and an avid supporter of providing first-line care for patients seen in our hospital systems, I am writing in response to much speculation in the community and on the editorial page of this publication. I feel compelled to speak out on behalf of the Behavioral Medicine Services at Forum Health Northside Medical Center.

While the Forum management and board of trustees continue to do their best to right-size the system's considerable debt by engaging potential buyers for Forum assets, those of us who are dedicated to uninterrupted provision of healthcare services are faced with the difficult task of plugging along everyday with a “business as usual” attitude.

On a personal note, that's why so many of us have dug deep and are committed “to doing” — because we believe in this hospital and the quality healthcare services it provides.

The stressors involved with working under these unenviable circumstances are great indeed and ironically, they underscore the vital need for one of our major service lines: behavioral health.

While there is some understandable confusion surrounding which healthcare service lines remain intact after the closure of Tod Children's Hospital accompanied by a previous assumption that Forum might exit the behavioral health business, I want to make clear that Northside Medical Center is absolutely committed to the continuation and growth of behavioral medicine programs and service. Currently, Northside offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services for adult, adolescent and children. In fact, it is our hope to expand our services in the near future to include gero-psychiatry (aimed at helping seniors facing behavioral health changes and issues), which is currently not offered in Mahoning County.

In a society filled with unbearable stressors, it is tantamount for healthcare providers to retain services which reach out to its arguably most fragile faction: the emotionally disturbed or challenged.

Our behavioral medicine program has never stopped serving the community. We continue to be here for our community to provide services for adult, adolescent and children on our inpatient units and outpatient as part of our Discovery House located on the Northside Campus and even our CHAMPS program in Liberty Township. There is little that is more important than helping young people who need guidance and direction as they grow into adulthood; this is a significant component to what our behavioral health programs provide.

As we continue on the journey of what will hopefully be a robust future for Northside Medical Center, we want our community to be clear: behavioral health is a priority for us because it's a necessity. So, I would like to thank all of our employees on this Labor Day as we continue to passionately and professionally serve those most in need when they need us most.

MICHAEL SEELMAN, RN

Boardman

X The writer is Vice President of Operations, Forum Health Services Co.

Mill Creek receives a lot of water from a wide area

EDITOR:

In response to last Sunday’s letter that asserted that Mill Creek MetroParks ignores the flooding issues in Boardman and Canfield, certain clarifications are necessary. Mill Creek (the stream) begins 14 miles to the south in Columbiana. In the 50,000-acre drainage area known as the Mill Creek Watershed, every drop of water that hits the ground (storm water, car washing, emptied swimming pools, etc.) and does not evaporate will flow through Mill Creek (the stream) and eventually end up in the park. The 3,000-acre park is at the very end and bottom of this 50,000-acre, fairly level watershed made up of the greater parts of Beaver, Boardman, and Canfield townships and including sections of Austintown Township, the cities of Youngstown, Canfield and Columbiana.

Until the last 20 years there was little concern about storm water and no laws requiring it to be retained. There was no prohibition about filling in or building on flood plains, which further reduces the retention of water in a natural area. I would assert the development beyond the park’s boundary and authority has had the greatest impact on the land and drainage patterns. Mill Creek Park has suffered from the ravages of the extreme volume and velocity of flood water coming into the park as the natural retention areas were lost.

I called the same writer a year ago, after an earlier letter appeared in the paper, and explained that we had started an initiative to remove blockages from Indian Run south of 224 and had successfully cleared 1.5 miles. This year we have been removing blockages along Mill Creek and are moving north from the sewage treatment plant, and will be to Rt. 224 as the weather permits. Additionally, the MetroParks has received grants to preserve over 500 acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat, floodplains, and wetlands along Mill Creek to save additional green space that serve as natural water retention areas.

The MetroParks and numerous partners, including Ohio EPA, Mahoning County Engineers, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District, Youngstown State University, the District Board of Health, Aqua Ohio, Mahoning County Sanitary District, townships and cities within the watershed have formed an Alliance known as AWARE to address storm water issues. Over the last four years a great deal of work has been done to develop a Watershed Action Plan approved by Ohio EPA. The MetroParks currently serves as the chairman of the organization.

We are the stewards of land within Mill Creek MetroParks. As the first Park District in the State of Ohio established in 1891, we do not take our responsibility lightly. Our commitment to maintaining the historical legacy and insuring its future is critical to the quality of life in this community.

SUSAN E. DICKEN

Youngstown

X The writer is Executive Director of Mill Creek MetroParks.

Men sentenced to ‘life’ for murder are up for parole

EDITOR:

You may recall this heinous crime: On June 2, 1979, Elaine Poullas, age 20, was kidnapped, robbed, raped and murdered by Charles Teague and David Jacobs in Mill Creek Park. They were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murder, with an additional 7 to 27 years for each crime committed. Unfortunately, they are up for parole next month.

On behalf of her family, we are asking the support of the community to write letters to the parole board against the release of these men.

Elaine was a lovely young woman who grew up in Campbell. She was attending YSU and worked for Red Barn Restaurant at the time of her death. She loved her family, friends, and church. She had her whole life ahead of her, but was taken from us in such a heartbreaking way. Our lives were forever changed by her inhumane execution.

Please support our family. Keep these horrible men in prison as they truly deserve to serve out their sentences: Life in prison.

Please mail your letters to the parole board before Oct. 1. The address is:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

1050 Freeway Drive North

Columbus, Ohio 43229

The prisoners in question are:

David Earl Jacobs (A156579)

Chillicothe Correctional Institution

Charles Edward Teague (A156577)

North Central Correctional Institution

CAROL DOLAN and JANET KUST

Campbell