From Muncie Journal:
MUNCIE, IN – After 14 years Meridian Health Services’ premier charity gala, Rialzo, has come to an end, but not before creating a path to make a broader impact on the communities Meridian serves.
“Rialzo has served us well drawing attention to the causes we have supported for so long,” said Seth Warren, President and CEO of Meridian Health Services. “We are equally excited about what lies ahead.”
Over the years, Rialzo has supported addiction recovery, youth mental health services, and school-based health clinics, but is now transitioning away from a fundraising gala party to a broader system of community care statewide. The nation is facing a mental health crisis and with it, a greater need for mental and physical health services and resources is statewide. Meridian sees this daily in the care provided in over 40 counties across Indiana.
“Today, Meridian’s impact is felt in every corner of the state,” said Warren. “We have the responsibility as one of the leading providers of integrated health services in Indiana to offer more free events that give greater access to important health services and information, especially to those in traditionally under-served communities.”
Meridian plans to expand the following free, missioned based events:
- Back-to-School Physical Fit Fair – A collaboration with schools throughout Indiana to provide free health care and school physicals through Meridian’s School-Based Health Clinics.
- Give Kids a Smile – Meridian’s free one-day only event providing free dental exams to children in need at all Meridian Dental locations.
- Flu-Lapalooza – Meridian’s free flu vaccination event hosted across the state in more than 15 Meridian MD – Family Medical Care locations throughout the state.
- Speaker Series – Meridian’s focus on elevating critical healthcare trends features national speakers on topics related to mental health/addictions along with a community panel of leaders discussing local solutions. This event typically held in a public format in Muncie, Lafayette, and Richmond, will now be expanding to include schools to help youth receive messages of hope and healing.
- City Fit – Meridian’s annual event in Richmond offering a free Color Run 5k, fitness classes, health fair, Kid’s Zone, and more to help community members live a healthier, happier life.
“Our renewed focus will help even more people, especially our youth, receive the resources they need and provide the greatest impact on the health of our communities,” said Warren.
“Whole-person health” means working every day to give greater access to more people in more communities and expanding the spectrum of care. The embedded services in schools, advanced free health screenings, vaccinations, and its growing presence across the state, sets the stage for Meridian’s next decade of services and events leading way to the organization’s 50th anniversary in 2026.
Learn more about Meridian and the exciting changes ahead at https://rialzo.meridianhs.org/ and follow along on Facebook.
