Mercy Health - Toledo

Think you can tough out the heat? Think again.

A headache, dizziness, or nausea could be your body's first warning sign of a heat-related illness. Know what to watch for before temperatures soar. Read on for simple tips to stay safe this summer: https://bit.ly/442Pz5o.

With determination, support, and a little help from generous Mercy Health Foundation donors, Justin turned his dream of independence into reality — passing his driver’s test with flying colors and opening the door to new opportunities!

Justin Pfaff has Asperger’s syndrome. He has experienced expressive aphasia and mild obsessive compulsive disorder since he was five years old. Individuals with Asperger’s can lead successful, independent lives, but it takes support. Donors have supported Justin in his quest to fulfil his lifelong dream of independence through driving. Their gifts support the On the Road Again driver evaluation and training program.

“Justin has always wanted to drive,” his mother Linda says. “He can look at a car and tell you what make and model it is. But every time I took him for a driver’s evaluation, they said he wasn’t ever going to be able to.”

When Linda learned that On the Road Again is open to individuals with autism, she felt hope. Donors support a driving simulator that provided Justin with a safe driving environment. It helped him gain confidence before getting behind the wheel.

“I hope our experience will encourage others with a similar diagnosis and goals,” Linda says.

Justin enrolled in the program and also took a local driving education course. He was finally able to take his driver’s test.

“He passed with flying colors — didn’t miss any points,” Linda says. “When I received the call that he passed, I instantly had tears of happiness. It was a dream come true for him.”

Linda is grateful that donor support made this dream possible for Justin and their family.

“This will give him more employment opportunities and increase his independence,” she says. “Thank you for your support of this program!”

You can support programs that open doors in your community. Learn how by visiting https://bit.ly/44cgNWv

Mercy Health’s expansion of the Pathways HUB model into Tiffin is helping improve rural access to health care and social services for underserved residents. In Seneca County, limited health care providers, transportation challenges, housing concerns and resource gaps create significant barriers to care.

Through the Pathways HUB program, Community Health Workers (CHWs) build trusted relationships with clients and help connect them to critical resources, including prenatal and postpartum support, transportation, housing assistance, food resources and mental health services. The program’s individualized approach empowers participants to identify goals and overcome barriers to care.

The expansion into Tiffin is already helping strengthen rural health care access by improving navigation of health care systems and connecting residents to preventive and supportive services. The program aligns closely with Mercy Health — Tiffin’s Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP) and will focus on improving healthy birth outcomes and increasing access to Medicaid coverage for eligible patients.

As the HUB model continues to grow, Alysha Klaiss, CHW, will help further integrate the program into the Tiffin community while supporting healthier pregnancies, healthier births and stronger long-term community health outcomes.