Don MuellerResearch has demonstrated the strong correlation that exists between academic achievement and healthy behaviors. As the chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, I have the opportunity almost every day to see firsthand the negative health care outcomes that are associated with an education system lacking in fundamental resources.
Last year, we saw more than 550 behavioral health patients in our emergency room. We served children from all socio-economic levels, of every ethnicity and type of household. Of all the children admitted for behavioral health issues, 73% were for suicidal ideations or attempted suicide. Those are our children and our grandchildren. The youngest child we treated was under 8 years old.
The proposed Hamilton County Schools budget adds support where our children spend a significant part of their week days. Counselors, social workers and special education teachers provide the essential infrastructure our community needs to intervene early and keep children productive where healthy behaviors and outcomes are built.
This school budget is also good for economic growth. Over the last four years we recruited more than 50 new pediatric physicians to Chattanooga. Questions about education and health care are always among the first questions asked by candidates we interview. “Where will my children go to school? What kind of care is available to support our family in sickness and health?”
It also is clear that many businesses are in perpetual recruitment mode in our community. We all need more skilled workers. Businesses will only choose Chattanooga if we have a readily available and healthy workforce.
In 2018, Erlanger Health System partnered with Chattanooga State Community College and Hamilton County Schools to launch the Erlanger Institute for Healthcare Innovation. In its inaugural year, 37 Howard High School freshman participated and are now on the path to become the future health care workforce. The school budget will add college and career advisers and will expand early college options, allowing more Hamilton County Students the opportunity to thrive in post-secondary life.
Unfortunately, it seems the issue of a new school budget has become political. But it should not be. I am a finance guy at heart, and know that if we make investments in our children, property values will rise, jobs will be created, and we will produce new generations of young people with better health care outcomes ready to succeed and contribute to our community.
I respectfully ask Hamilton County commissioners to vote yes for the proposed school budget. This budget is good for the health of our children, it is good for our community and future economic growth.
Don Mueller is the CEO of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.