'Mental Health Matters': Jennie Edmundson Seizes the Opportunity To Improve Care

From left, Scott Hartman, chairman of the Jennie Edmundson Foundation; Lora Cobbs, program director, behavioral health psychiatric inpatient; and psychiatrist Dr. S. Pirzada Sattar

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five U.S. adults – 51.5 million – were living with a mental illness in 2019. 

Scott Hartman, chairman of the Jennie Edmundson Foundation, believes quality care can help those suffering a mental break to improve quickly. And his passion for quality care and quick recovery runs deep. Hartman’s family was tragically impacted by the loss of his beloved son Brendan to depression in 2019.

Hartman is leading a community conversation and an effort to further enhance the environment of the Behavioral Health Unit at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital to ensure the availability of high-quality, compassionate care. 

When Hartman reflects on Brendan’s treatment, he often speaks of the environment he was in. Did it promote healing and provide ample opportunity for recovery? Was it soothing? Was it accompanied by kindness and compassion?

“The immediate environment and quality care that patients need for effective recovery are critical,” Hartman said. “Our intention is to give our patients the best possible chance at successful recovery.”

Tara Slevin, chief philanthropy officer for Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Foundation, couldn’t agree more.

“Any opportunity we have to improve the care that we give is worth taking,” she said. “We know we’re facing a rising number of mental health cases in our communities and within our hospital system – and that we’re carrying with us the history of our less-than-complete efforts to understand and treat these illnesses.”

That’s why the Jennie Edmundson Foundation is embarking on a $750,000 campaign to enhance the services and amenities of he Behavioral Health Unit at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Upon the completion of the fundraising campaign, the project will provide a family welcome area, a patient activity room and outdoor garden space, a patient dayroom, a patient education and small group space, additional patient rooms, a patient laundry area, and an improved nurse’s station.

“The opportunity exists, and we stand with Scott and the Hartman family in our desire to provide the best care in the best possible facilities,” Slevin said. “Our patients deserve that from us because mental health matters.”    

To learn how you can make a difference, please contact Slevin at (712) 396-6040. For more information about the campaign to improve behavioral health services, visit jehfoundation.org.