Fairbanks: The History
It was 1945. Though substance abuse was as old as alcohol itself, treatment centers were unheard of, at least in Indiana. Dr. Robert Nevitt and Mr. William Brady saw the devastating effects that alcoholism had on good men, and decided to do something about it.
It was into this scenario that the seeds of Fairbanks were planted. These men's work formed
the Indiana Home, a 12-bed men's detoxification unit. The program began in a house in
downtown Indianapolis, on North Alabama Street, and moved several places before settling
into 2054 North Delaware St.
A community-wide fundraising effort worked toward a new, larger facility in the late 1960's, that could provide services for men and women. A $250,000 grant from the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Trust Fund, along with many other donations large and small, gave birth to the new Fairbanks Hospital at 1575 Northwestern Ave. in May of 1970. Today with a wealth of programs and services that include, but go beyond the hospital facility, this non-profit organization is known simply as Fairbanks.
A Season of Firsts
Fairbanks opened as the first facility dedicated to the treatment of alcoholism in both men
and women. It was an early leader in accepting a variety of insurance and other payments, as
well as providing assistance to patients with financial need. Soon, counselors and social
workers joined the staff. In 1975, Fairbanks became one of only 25 facilities in the United
States to be accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO).
In 1976, Fairbanks' new administrator, Robert H. Wagener, and a number of new planning
committees determined a need for more services than the hospital could provide. Plans and
fund-raising began for a new, 96 bed facility to offer treatment for adolescents, treatment for
individuals addicted to drugs in addition to alcohol, and expanded family and outpatient
services. That dream was realized in 1982, when Fairbanks opened its doors at its present
location, 8102 Clearvista Parkway, Indianapolis.
Continual Growth
Further expansion in 1991 and an expansion of services that continue to this day has marked
Fairbanks journey in recent years. These milestones included the addition of:
- Intensive day treatment
- Day and evening outpatient programs
- Aftercare services
- Residential programs
- One to One EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
- Research and Training Institute
Today, Fairbanks helps men, women, and adolescents focus on recovery through its
comprehensive treatment and recovery services. It continues that assistance through its
aftercare and First Step Transitional Living programs. Fairbanks helps employers maintain
productive, healthy employees through its One to One EAP, which offers both mental health
services and addiction treatment and recovery services. Finally, Fairbanks staff members
extend their expertise in addictions throughout the Research and Training Institute, through
which they train professionals throughout the state and conduct research that will contribute
to a greater understanding of the treatment of addictions and the impact of that disease on
the community at large.
It is work that today, just like in 1945, centers on hope, offers real possibilities, and focuses
on recovery.
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