Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Florence, will lead a series of events in Northern Kentucky today aimed to address several critical health care issues currently facing the region, and the Commonwealth.
Wuchner, who co-chairs the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare, and leads the regular House Health and Welfare Committee, will begin with a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee at the Northern Kentucky University Health Innovation Center.
The committee meeting will focus on an overview of the NKU Institute for Health Innovation, and innovative cancer research under exploration by Bexion Pharmaceuticals. The committee will also receive a review of St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s regional plan for mothers and babies with substance use disorder, which is a growing crisis.
“I have spent my entire career in health care and improving the lives of Kentuckians, starting right at home in Northern Kentucky where we face some serious public health issues like drug abuse,” said Wuchner. “I’m proud to host the IJC on Health and Welfare in my home community, and I look forward to addressing some very serious issues affecting our region.”
Following the Health and Welfare Committee meeting, there will be a ribbon cutting dedication for the Health Innovation Center, which received funding in the 2014 budget approved by the Kentucky General Assembly.
NKU Health Innovation Center rendering (provided)
Wuchner will join NKU President Ashish Vaidya, VP for Health Innovation and St. Elizabeth Executive Director of the Institute for Health Innovation Dr. Valerie Hardcastle, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare CEO Garren Colvin, Gov. Matt Bevin and Kentucky Health and Family Services Cabinet Secretary Adam Meier for the ribbon cutting dedication.
“In 2014, we voted to approve $97 million for the Health Innovation Center and I look forward to the dedication,” said Wuchner. “This innovative center is finding advancements in health care that will improve the lives of Kentuckians for generations.”
To end the day, Wuchner and members of the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare and Family Services will join Walgreen representatives to promote the expansion of safe medication disposal kiosks throughout the state.
Safe medication disposal kiosks, which will be available at 16 different Walgreens locations in Kentucky, will allow individuals to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions for free.
“The Walgreen kiosks will be of great help to all Kentuckians,” added Wuchner. “Many Kentuckians have medicines they no longer need and it is vital to provide safe options for disposal to prevent accidental harm.”
The agenda is as follows:
10 am – 12 pm
IJC on Health and Welfare and Family Services
NKY Health Innovation Center
NKY Campus
Highland Heights, KY 41076
12 pm – 1:30 pm
VIP Luncheon
Votruba Student Union, Room 104
NKY Campus
1:30 pm – 2 pm
Ribbon Cutting Dedication of the Health Innovation Center
Health Innovation Center Lawn
NKY Campus
2 pm
Reception and Building Tours, Health Innovation Center
2nd Floor Lobby
NKY Campus
3:30 pm
Press Conference and Public Launch:
Safe RX Medication Disposal Kiosk
Walgreens
8193 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042
Legislative Research Commission
