LAFAYETTE – Indiana University Health Arnett announced at a news conference Wednesday, July 11 at Greater Lafayette Commerce, that it is the 10th organization to become a partner in Intersection Connection.

Intersection Connection is a collaboration for youth development, higher education, financial literacy, and health and wellness services on the Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette campus.

As part of that, IU Health Arnett will sign a long-term lease agreement and open a medical care facility of up to 20,000 square feet on the Ivy Tech campus, in a new building to be constructed by the Lafayette Family YMCA. The building will also house Junior Achievement of Greater Lafayette and a drop-off childcare center for Ivy Tech students.

  “Opening an IU Health Arnett facility in this building will meet the needs we have identified for locating primary care services around the greater Lafayette region,” said Al Gatmaitan, chief executive officer of Indiana University Health Arnett.

While specific practitioners and services are yet to be decided for the location, Gatmaitan said, “It likely will be a combination of newly recruited physicians, existing physicians and other healthcare providers.”

Other possible services include a medical weight loss center; physical and occupational therapy; sports medicine services; and cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, he said. “These would maximize use of the Y facilities and costly investments without duplicating space and expenses.”

Joseph Seaman, president and chief executive officer of Greater Lafayette Commerce, an Intersection Connection partner, said, “This is planned, cooperative growth that combines the resources of Intersection Connection partners.”

Paul Cramer, executive director of the Lafayette Family YMCA, said, “This new partnership with IU Health Arnett will allow us to reach more people in the community. We will be able to improve the wellbeing of area residents through fitness education and supportive services, as well as through joint programs that are being developed.”

Ivy Tech Chancellor David Bathe tallied the steps that brought Intersection Connection to the day’s announcement. “First we create a vision. Then we bring the people and organizations together to make it happen. Then we realize tangible goals,” he said.

“That’s all coming together on the Ivy Tech Community College campus, which is already home to union apprenticeship training, a joint branch of the Tippecanoe County Public Library and programs with the YMCA,” Bathe said.

“Ivy Tech recognizes collaborations as the future, and Intersection Connection is at the top of the list.”

Neither a construction timeline nor building specifics have yet been finalized.

The building will be constructed on part of a 21-acre site recently acquired by Ivy Tech Foundation. The property is adjacent to Ivy Tech’s Lafayette campus and currently occupied by Point East Mobile Home Park.

“A new level of services, cooperation and opportunity is rising on the south side of Lafayette, and Ivy Tech is proud to be a major player,” Bathe said.

Fellow prospective building tenant Kelly Kitchel, regional manager for Junior Achievement of Greater Lafayette, also hailed the news.

“Junior Achievement is eagerly anticipating construction and launch of our BizTown and Finance Park in the new facility, and we welcome IU Health Arnett as another partner and resident in the facility.”

IU Health Arnett also plans to develop health and quality-of-life programming with other Intersection Connection partners. “We have already formed a task force to identify key metrics we will use to develop our programming,” Gatmaitan said. 

Since Intersection Connection began in 2007, the collaboration has launched a number of programs and joint activities, Seaman said. “These range from intramural sports, an Ivy Tech/YMCA project, to a commitment from State Farm for new Junior Achievement programs and this summer’s community gardens program involving youth.”

“I do believe our community is a model for creating partnerships across many sectors that collectively achieve what none of these organizations can or should do alone,” Seaman said. “We’re pooling resources, talents and gifts to create incredible and unique opportunities for health, education, income and social responsibility for our residents.”