U.S. Senator Rand Paul, (R-Ky.) joined the family of the late Harriett Hord Cartmell Wednesday for the naming of Comprehend’s new Harriett Hord Cartmell Medical Building.
Comprehend’s Board of Directors announced the name of the new medical office building will be in honor of its founder, the late Harriett Hord Cartmell.
The Harriett Hord Cartmell Medical Building is a new three-story, 25,303-square-foot addition being constructed in Maysville’s East End. Cartmell was a pioneer in bringing mental health care services to the Buffalo Trace Region.
“It is only befitting to name the building after Harriett. She fought long and hard to bring mental health care to our area,” said James “Buddy” Gallenstein, board member for Comprehend.
“This is the right thing to do,” said Bobby Money, another board member.
Cartmell founded Comprehend 51 years ago. In the early 1960s, Cartmell, then president of the Maysville Planning Commission, met with local leaders to discuss the mental health needs of the Maysville community.
In the beginning, Mason, Robertson and Bracken counties were three of nine counties in the Northern Kentucky Mental Health Regional Study Council. Cartmell worked with the council to survey the mental health needs, compiled statistics and developed a blueprint for services needed. Their findings made it apparent that the three counties could not benefit from being included in the Northern Kentucky Council due to the distance clients would have to travel for services. An amendment to the Community Mental Health Services Act allowed Mason, Bracken, Robertson, Lewis and Fleming counties to become a region of their own named the Buffalo Trace Region.
In November 1966, Cartmell called a public meeting of citizens of the five counties. It was well attended and the go-ahead was given to do something to meet the area’s mental health needs.
Through the years, Comprehend has consistently adhered to Cartmell’s vision of providing the best quality care to the clients it serves, officials with the agency said.. Beginning from the early research, dedication and commitment of Cartmell, Comprehend has made significant achievements each year and now has evolved into an agency offering more than 70 programs for children and adults and 190 full/part-time staff with offices in Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, and Mason counties. Comprehend is a nonprofit organization and the state designated Community Mental Health Center for the Buffalo Trace Region.
Currently under the leadership of Dr. Pamela Vaught, Comprehend has become internationally accredited for its mental health, substance abuse, prevention and community employment programs by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CARF accreditation is acknowledgement that Comprehend strives to improve efficiency, fiscal health, and service delivery – creating a foundation for client satisfaction. It is a sign of the continuing advancement of quality of care on which our clients rely and Cartmell fought for so passionately, officials said.
“I find it an honor to be carrying on the legacy of such an inspiring lady. I am pleased the board voted to name this building in memory of Mrs. Cartmell,” said Vaught, CEO of Comprehend.
“We can’t thank you enough for this honor. Our mother worked tirelessly to advocate for those with mental health issues. She saw a need and made it her mission to help others struggling with mental health,” said daughter Rebecca Cartmell on behalf of the Cartmell family including sons Mayor David Cartmell and Holton Cartmell.
