Branch County's C-19 Task Force among those honored by tri-county health agency

After two years of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Thursday morning, the Branch- Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Board of Health honored Branch County's C-19 Task Force, Hillsdale Hospital Chief Executive Officer Jeremiah Hodshire and St. Joseph County United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler for their support of public health.

"The board of health is pleased to honor the dedication of these individuals and organizations during one of the most difficult challenges facing public health in the past two years. Our communities and counties have benefited from their efforts and they are commended for their actions," said Tom Matthew, Branch County Commissioner and Board of Health Chairperson.

"The C-19 Task Force played a critical role in the Branch County response to COVID-19," said Rebecca Burns, health officer. "The group donated of their time, talents and vision to support many facets of the community's response."

The C-19 Task Force came together after the pandemic began as a community collaboration of committed volunteer service groups and agencies who chose to "take action" to support their families, friends and neighbors.

The C 19 Task Force is a partnership of Branch county service organizations. Task force

membership includes the Sunrise, Noon and Quincy Rotary Clubs, the Early Bird and

Noon Exchanges Clubs, Kiwanis, Altrusa, the United Way, the Branch County

Community Foundation and the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Its efforts raised more than $350,000 to support Branch County residents during the

pandemic.

With the donations and by volunteering at the Branch Area Food Pantry, the task force helped battle the increasing food challenges of the region's most vulnerable people

The group funded the "Fun" Face Shield Project to support students returning to in-person learning in the fall of 2020

Funds provided several iPads to support ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital's behavioral health initiative. That allowed the hospital to connect patients and families faced with COVID-19.

Its efforts supported Family Promise of Branch County to hire a qualified person to perform the health and safety duties to protect clients while in transitional housing.

The group first came together to purchase an ultra-cold freezer and data logger that allowed the agency to store and monitor the first Pfizer vaccine.

"Jeremiah Hodshire is committed to the community beyond his role as the hospital's chief executive officer," Burns said. "He brings attention to issues that impact rural critical access hospitals and rural communities throughout the country. He has given voice to the importance of access to healthcare and challenges faced by providers in rural communities."

As a trusted voice in Hillsdale County, Hodshire shared accurate information about COVID-19 and the hospital's response through regularly-scheduled Facebook Live and podcast presentations.

As important, Hodshire committed himself to exposing false information and educating the community on the facts about COVID-19.

As schools prepared to return to the classroom in the fall of 2020, Hodshire brought

together Hillsdale Hospital, Hillsdale Community Foundation, public health and school

superintendents to focus on planning, meeting needs, and addressing concerns of the county's school districts.

Hillsdale Hospital and Hillsdale Community Foundation provided funding to

ensure the schools had access to hand sanitizer, masks and other mitigation items.

In St. Joseph County, as United Way executive director, Hostetler supported the

agency's vaccination efforts since early 2021.

Hostetler and the United Way secured funding and ensured that staff and volunteers had food, snacks and beverages during the agency's large vaccination clinics, allowing BHSJ's leadership to focus on other logistical priorities. She could also be found in the community providing food boxes, safety checks and assisting area families in meeting their needs.

In July of 2021, Hostetler partnered with the St. Joseph County Health Commission's

Access to Healthcare Committee. They designed and executed a plan targeting the COVID vaccination rate. The program provided COVID vaccination, free wellness screenings, a free dinner, $25 gift cards to local businesses for participants and vaccine hesitancy training to partnering agencies and community leaders.

Hostetler partnered with Swick Media to promote the clinics with pre-event advertising and day-of-event remote broadcasts as part of the project.

"Through Ms. Hostetler's commitment to the community, the vaccination rate improved to over 50% with one dose of vaccine by Oct. 3, 2021, and more than $25,000 was spent to support local businesses," Burns said. "This partnership allowed public health the opportunity to provide outreach in rural communities and offered a media platform to share accurate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Branch County's COVID-19 Task Force honored by health agency