In this episode, Crossroads Chamber President & CEO Deanne Patina sits down with Rick Peltier, Executive Director of Franciscan Health Foundation, to discuss the foundation’s vital role in addressing healthcare accessibility and food insecurity in the community.
They explore the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Chamber, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana in supporting initiatives such as the Fresh Start Markets and mobile food distribution. These programs provide healthy, accessible food options to those in need, with a focus on long-term solutions through the foundation’s Produce RX program.
Rick also highlights the foundation’s commitment to world-class healthcare, including the upcoming Dean and Barbara White Family Cancer Center in Crown Point, made possible by a historic $30 million donation. The conversation emphasizes how collaboration, sponsorships, and community-driven solutions are making a real difference in improving health outcomes.