• It's a Wrap! Rialzo!

2024 Brings Exciting Changes to Meridian’s Community Outreach

After 14 years Meridian Health Services’ premier charity gala, Rialzo, that raised funds to support addiction recovery, youth mental health services, and school-based health clinics is transitioning away from a fundraising party to a broader system of community care statewide. With the nation facing a mental health crisis, Meridian sees it daily through our work the greater need for mental and physical health services and resources in communities. The tremendous growth of Meridian requires us to turn more of our focus to helping people who need us most through our behavioral clinics and medical practices in more than 40 counties across Indiana.

“Rialzo has served us well drawing attention to the causes we have served for so long,” said Meridian Health Services, CEO, Seth Warren. “We’re equally excited about what lies ahead.”

In the last decade, Meridian has grown exponentially creating a statewide footprint.

“Today, Meridian’s impact is felt in every corner of Indiana,” said Warren. “This growth means more free events giving greater access to important health services and information, especially to traditionally under-served communities.”

Meridian’s event growth strategy will include the expansion of the following initiatives:

  • Back-to-School Physical Fit Fair – Collaboration with schools throughout Indiana to provide free health care and school physicals through our School-Based Health Clinics.

 

  • Give Kids a Smile – Meridian’s free one-day only dental care event for underserved youth will now be in all Meridian Dental locations.

 

  • Flu-Lapalooza – Meridian’s free flu vaccination event hosted across the state in more than 15 of MeridianMD’s primary care office locations.

 

  • Speaker Series – Meridian’s focus on elevating critical health care trends features national speakers on topics related to mental health/addictions along with a community panel of leaders discussing local solutions – expanding to schools in 2024.

 

  • 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.

 

 

School-based health clinics and expanded youth mental health services, which benefitted from Rialzo XII last spring, remain high priorities. “Our renewed focus will help even more youth with the resources they need and provide the greatest impact on the health of our communities,” said Warren.  Providing more free healthcare services makes a stronger connection to underserved populations resulting in better long-term community health benefits.

“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 service and events.