Sagamore of the Wabash

Dr. Randy Stevens was honored on Thursday, December 9th, 2021, with two tremendous honors recognizing his service to the community. Senator Jon Ford presented with with the “Sagamore of the Wabash” award, the highest honor Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb can bestow. In addition, Dr. Stevens was also recognized by the Hospice of the Wabash Valley as this year's recipient of the prestigious " Chapman S. Root" Award.

Source: https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/local-news/doctor-honored-with-awards-for-community-service/

Sagamore Award: The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice. The award is highest honor, which the Governor of Indiana bestows. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among these who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to our Hoosier heritage.

About Dr. Stevens: Throughout his career, Dr. Randy Stevens has devoted himself to the health and well-being of his patients in a variety of settings. He has been integrally involved in the education of health care providers in many different disciplines. For almost forty years, Dr. Stevens has served this community through his participation and leadership with a variety of service organizations, non-profit agencies, professional associations, and medical directorships. He served his country as a soldier in the U.S. Army, including serving as a medical specialist for the Seventy-Six Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, Vietnam, from June 1971 to March 1972. He has participated in local, state and national medical associations with a focus on family medicine and substance abuse. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine (AAFP) and in Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

Following Randy’s graduation from Duke University in 1977, he worked as a Physician Assistant at Hamilton Center in Terre Haute until 1983. He left the position to enter the Indiana University School of Medicine where he earned his Medical Degree in 1987. Following graduation, he began his three year residency in Family Practice Medicine at Union Hospital. During his residency, Randy continued his work with patients at Hamilton Center. Randy joined the faculty of the Family Practice residency in July, 1990 and assumed directorship of the program from 1995 to 2003. Under his leadership, the residency was expanded from 12 to 18 physicians, and the residency program received national acclaim for its rural health focus.

Randy has been recognized for his leadership, team-building skills, openness to new ideas and concern for others. He has helped to advance performance improvement processes across disciplines and, in all situations, has advocated for patients. He is tenacious in promoting a multidisciplinary team approach for rural physicians. This team concept includes physicians, nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), psychologists, nurses and nutritionists. Additionally, he promotes working with local social service agencies and community leaders. He has been a strong proponent of the collaborative care model, embracing NPs and PAs as vital members of the care continuum.

His leadership and endorsement of NPs and PAs has expanded the health care safety net in the Wabash Valley as well as in the State of Indiana. Randy has received several awards for his work as an educator. He has been named Teacher of the Year at Union Hospital twice. In 2000, he earned the Quality of Care Award for the State of Indiana. He was the recipient of the 2001 Weinbaum Award, Union Hospital’s most prestigious award given to a member of the medical staff to recognize outstanding service and exceptional leadership.

He is considered a visionary in shaping the future of health care in underserved, rural Indiana. He has had a seat on the State of Indiana Perinatal Substance Abuse Committee since 2007. Randy has also influenced urban health care through his work for ten plus years as the Medical Director of the Union Hospital Center for Occupational Health. He has served as the Medical Director for the Vigo County Jail and the Vigo County Juvenile Center. He has continued his work with Hamilton Center and is well known for his expertise in caring for those with substance abuse problems and for educating both the public and health care professionals about substance abuse. Randy has served the St. Ann Free Medical Clinic, now the Wabash Valley Health Center, for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in helping St. Ann’s to obtain the designation of a Federally Qualified Health Center, which gives the Center governmental financial support to provide comprehensive primary and preventative care to people of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. Along with all of these roles and interests, Randy served as the Medical Director of Hospice of the Wabash Valley, as well as on the Board of Directors of Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Wabash Valley, for more than five years.

A few of the community organizations that have benefited from his participation and expertise include the Vigo County School Corporation (health advisor), Union Health Foundation, Union Health Board of Directors, Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors, Council on Domestic Abuse, and St Mary of the Woods College Board of Directors.

Dr. Stevens is supported in his many endeavors by his family; wife, Deborah L. Stevens, a family therapist and perinatal substance abuse counselor, and his children, Ann Stevens, Chad Stevens and Morgan Blake Halley, as well as five grandchildren.

Hospice of the Wabash Valley cares for people of all ages facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of their income. Its mission is to "Provide the best in home health and hospice care in the Wabash Valley... Our Passion, Our Promise, Our Privilege." For more information about Hospice of the Wabash Valley please, contact 812-234-2515 or visit its website at www.myhospicevna.org.