LINN  —  Osage Ambulance District Administrator Josh Krull recently announced that four employees graduated from the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program.

EMS Supervisors Carrie Hickman and Paramedic/LPN Brittany Krull completed the Community Paramedic course, and EMS Supervisor Joshua Cohen and Administrative Assistant Dana Stuecken finished the Community Health Worker program.

“We are thrilled to have these employees taking part in MIH, and I’m sure their contributions will be invaluable to the health of our community,” said Josh Krull.

Graduates virtually attended classes through Mineral Area College in Park Hills, with tuition paid for through a grant.

Krull said the goal is to expand OAD’s network of assistance while continuing to work with the Osage County Health Department and Community Health Center.

“We are not replacing home health workers,” Krull said. “We simply want to provide a service to those in need.”

A study to determine needs in the community is underway and will provide a good idea of where OAD can best help.

With MIH, these specially-trained paramedics can conduct home visits while teleconferencing with the patient’s doctor.

“They can draw blood and perform associated tasks to be the hands-on element of the exam while the doctor provides oversight and direction,” said Krull.

Another aspect of this project is assisting those with mental health issues.

“Our existing protocols allow us to transport patients only to the emergency room,” said Krull. “With an increase in behavioral health issues, unfortunately, all we can do is take them to a hospital. There is no adequate treatment, and people fall through the cracks.”

Toward that end, Krull is pursuing a grant to help with renovation and construction costs for improvements to Base 1 in Linn. He explained that the district would build clinic space to provide treatment for walk-ins or those who need help after-hours. “We are in no way trying to replace doctor’s offices or the emergency room,” said Krull. “Our goal is to provide treatment space to supplement the MIH program.”

Through MIH, Krull wants to partner with Compass Health Network, which has 24-hour intake options. “Our trained mental health workers will be able to make the decision to bypass the ER and take them to Compass, where they will get the help they need,” said Krull.

OAD is the primary ambulance service for just under 1,000 square miles in rural Missouri, providing emergency medical services in portions of Osage, Maries, and Gasconade counties. The service area does not have hospitals or urgent care facilities, which generally results in community members calling or coming by OAD’s facilities for healthcare needs, especially during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Osage Ambulance District currently partners with the Community Health Center of Central Missouri, Compass Health, Osage County Health Department, Osage County Detention Center, Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team, and Osage County Special Services.

Krull said the district has been awarded a $15,750 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, which will be used to write a grant proposal for a larger project.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to secure additional grant funding to continue sending employees through the MIH program,” said Krull. “The board has been very supportive of our participation in this program as a pioneer in the state.”

OAD is one of just 12 agencies in Missouri utilizing MIH.

Five more employees are enrolled and expect to graduate in May.