FORMER UK BASKETBALL PLAYER VISITS ROTARY, NOW WORKS FOR ARC

PAUL ANDREWS REGIONAL CEO OVER BELLEFONTE…GUEST SPEAKER AT ROTARY…

By Susan Salyer

The Louisa Rotary Club #3773 District #6740 had a regular scheduled weekly meeting Thursday, May 19, 2022 12-1PM at First Baptist Church in Louisa, Kentucky.

The Louisa Rotary recited The Pledge of Allegiance, The Four-Way Test and Rotary Song. The Louisa Rotary President Patton Hart asked if there were any comments before the speaker.

Louisa Rotary Club Member and LCHS Supt. Robbie Fletcher spoke about all the activities going on at the local schools. Fletcher thanked the Louisa Rotary for their donations and support this year. He mentioned Gerard Parker, WVU (Tight ends coach) will be the Guest Speaker at LCHS Class of 2022 Graduation Friday May 20, 2022. Fletcher said “Seniors need to meet in the LCHS Music Room at 5PM and the LCHS Gymnasium doors open at 6PM and Graduation begins at 8PM.

He then spoke about awards night on May 18, 2022. Fletcher said “One Senior had 12 years of perfect attendance and 70% of the Senior Class of 2022 received awards.

Also Louisa Rotary Club Member and Sergeant at Arms, Susie Chambers, mentioned that there was “Music in the Park” on May 19 from 6-9PM at the Louisa Main Street Park downtown Louisa and that US 23 BBQ will be set up also.

Then Louisa Rotary President Pat Hart asked Louisa Rotary Member Marti Keaton Moore to introduce the Louisa Rotary Guest Speaker. Moore said Paul Andrews was named New ARC Market CEO in the North Eastern Region.

Paul Andrews brings over 30 years of behavioral health experience to the ARC team. He took his first CEO position in 2001 at a facility in Florida. Eight years later he moved back to the bluegrass to become CEO of The Brook Hospital in Louisville, where he remained until joining ARC. The name might sound familiar, Andrews also played basketball for the University of Kentucky in the mid-80s’.

Andrews told a story about Charles Barkley. Andrews said “I watched Charles Barkley open a bag of Reese Cups, maybe 30 in the bag and eat every one in the bag.” (Chuckles) Andrews said “I always wanted to play for University of Kentucky and wanted to represent the people who lived and worked here in Kentucky.”

Andrews went on to say that he never won on his own it took everyone on the team to WIN.” Andrews said “When Tim Robinson asked me to come to work for ARC (Addiction Recovery Care) I wanted to come to this region.”

Andrews also said they have a sound purchase agreement on the Old “Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and Psychiatric Hospital located on the campus with Bellefonte in Russell, Kentucky. The Hospital will have 500 beds once completed. This will be the first psychiatric hospital that ARC owns with 40 beds for psychiatric and 24 beds for chemical drug. Andrews said “It will be about 7 months before we have an “Open House.” Once open, ARC will be hiring 200-250 employees for this location. Andrews said “It was a big investment”

There are many interested from area states like Ohio and Virginia on how ARC runs, Andrews said. ARC brings in patients to their Drug Addiction Center, then puts each patient to work. They also have a department just for patients and employees.

“Some employers may be unwilling to hire patients because they have an addiction problem so ARC works with both parties,” Andrews said. “The idea that ARC takes patients residential and outpatient and helps patients to gain employment makes this job worth it.”

ARC is not limited to one drug, they cover all drug diseases and they also have a huge overdose rate.

Hart asked if there was any comments for the good of Rotary, there was mention of Voting For Noah Thompson Sunday May 22, 2022 on ABC at 8PM American Idol.

Rotary President Pat Hart adjourned Rotary.