Riverview Health accelerates access to colon screenings at Drive2Detect event

By GRACE GREEN
Grace@ReadTheReporter.com

Riverview Health held its first Drive2Detect event last Saturday, May 17. The fundraiser, which brought in more than $63,000, partnered with racing driver and Checkit4Andretti Director Jarrett Andretti to raise money for colon health screenings and treatment.

“It really came out of a partnership with the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation,” Riverview Health President and CEO Dave Hyatt said. “About two years ago, Jarrett Andretti and I met, and he was really passionate about colon cancer prevention, because of his dad’s journey. So tonight, we’re celebrating their foundation and raising awareness for colon cancer.”

Hyatt said that even though colon cancer is highly preventable, access to specialists can be a challenge for some.

Hyatt

“The Riverview Health Foundation partners together to raise money for people who need screening colonoscopies, but may not have the funds or may not meet certain eligibility requirements,” Hyatt said. “We all know that colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers out there, so we want to make sure that we have access to these GI specialists.”

The event was held at Motor District Garage Condos in Westfield and featured exotic cars on display, a live auction, raffle, and celebrity meet-and-greet. The celebrities in attendance included Kristi Lee from The Bob & Tom Show, former Indiana Pacer Scot Pollard, FOX59 News Anchor Lindy Thackston, and Andretti.

One partner, Dr. Tim Imler, a Riverview Health gastroenterologist involved in the initiative, highlighted the importance of community partnerships and fundraising efforts tied to the event.

“We were able to partner with the free clinics here in Hamilton County so that their patients can be referred in to have no cost colonoscopies,” Imler added. “One of the great things that we’re doing for the event here is we’re not just looking for the screening portion of this, but anything that is found that needs aftercare is what we’re raising money for today.”

The free clinics include Trinity Free Clinic in Carmel and the Heart and Soul Free Clinic in Westfield. Imler also brought in two other gastroenterologists to partner with Drive2Detect: Dr. Matt Bohm and Dr. Sashi Sagi.

The program is expanding even more at Riverview Health’s Westfield location.

“We’re currently building an endoscopy unit on the top floor,” Imler said. “So it’s 11,000 square feet of state-of-the-art four endoscopy suites. That’s going to enable us to serve all of the county and beyond.”

Imler added that additional specialists are being recruited to keep up with an influx of patients.

“We’re recruiting more specialists every day because it’s a specialty that’s in high demand,” he said.

The effort began when Hyatt joined Riverview Health in 2022 and was made aware of long wait times for screening colonoscopies.

“Some of our doctors said, ‘Hey, we need GI physicians on staff. Because it takes six, seven months to get in for a colonoscopy screening. So I said, well, let’s get started,” Hyatt said.

According to Hyatt, the expansion was a proposal brought forward by Imler.

“This whole gastroenterology program was really his idea,” Hyatt said. “When we recruited him, he painted a picture of creating a best-in-class digestive healthcare center in Westfield.”

The Drive2Detect initiative reflects a commitment by Riverview Health and its partners to remove barriers to support and treat patients throughout their entire health journey.

“This is one where I think we’ve provided a great partnership, particularly the county hospital, where we provide care to everyone as an opportunity to say we truly can take care of everyone and make it so that there’s not a barrier for these patients to get there,” Imler said.

Imler added that the program isn’t just about initial screenings, but about ensuring patients receive complete care

“So this is not just a, ‘Hey, get something and then you’re on your own,’” Imler said. “We’re here for the whole process, because everybody should have great care and prevention for this. It’s a great win-win for everybody.”

According to Riverview Health, Drive2Detect is made possible because of support from title sponsors Unlimited Motors, Centier Bank and SIHO Insurance Services and the following sponsors: Exos, AbbVie Inc., Hancock Health, Johnson & Johnson, FUJIFILM, and Hirons.

For more information on Riverview Health and CheckIt4Andretti Foundation, visit Riverview.org and CheckIt4Andretti.org.

Reporter photos