Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health News

Sigma Medical Group announces new nurse practitioner at Monticello Medical Center

2012-02-06T11:12:00.001-05:00

Sandy Bushman, NP

Sandy Bushman, a nurse practitioner, has joined Sigma Medical Group and Monticello Medical Center.

Bushman received her nursing degree from Indiana University-Kokomo and Indiana Wesleyan, and also her master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau.

Bushman offers family care from birth to geriatrics for acute and chronic conditions. Bushman is currently accepting new patients. Her office is located at 826 N. 6th St. in Monticello. To schedule an appointment, please call Monticello Medical Center at (574) 583-3333.

Sigma Medical Group, a Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health partner, is a multi-specialty physician group with offices throughout mid-Central Indiana. For a complete list of doctors, visit SigmaMedicalGroup.org.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces organizational appointment

2012-02-01T13:14:00.001-05:00

Len Dedic

Len Dedic has been appointed executive director of the Franciscan Physician Network, Western Indiana Region.

Dedic has more than 20 years of physician practice management experience at Resurrection Health in Chicago, which is one of the largest integrated delivery networks in the Illinois. He recently served as vice president of medical network at Resurrection. Dedic has expertise in physician recruitment, medical practice development, brand positioning, revenue growth and driving operational excellence. He is also skilled in business development, market enhancement and site expansion.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health and Kathryn Weil Center for Education announce Heart Month activities

2012-01-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health and the Kathryn Weil Center for Education announce several Heart Month activities during February for residents of the Greater Lafayette community to participate in.

Dr. Barry Karas, Sigma Medical Group cardiologist,

‘How Do I Know If I Have A Heart Problem?’ – Tuesday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dr. Barry Karas, a cardiologist with Sigma Medical Group, will discuss how different heart related conditions present, warning signs and when it’s time for a “tune up” during the Feb. 2 “Lunch and Learn” program called “How Do I Know If I Have A Heart Problem?”
Lunch is available for $6 for Spirit of Women members and $7 for non-members at 11:30 a.m. with the free educational program starting at noon. The program will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Seating is limited; reservations are required and must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 31. To register or for more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
Go Red Day – Friday, Feb. 3: Celebrate National Go Red Day by wearing red in support of living a heart-healthy life. Also, Heartland Gifts, Heartland Gifts, Too and the St. Elizabeth Central gift shop will have 25% off all red items and other marked items for all visitors to the shops.
Zumba classes begin Tuesday, Feb. 7: The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host Zumba, beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Classes will be offered twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays in February. Cost is $4 per class or $30 for the month. The Tuesday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 10 classes are introductory and free to all participants those two days.
The class is taught by Elena Bowser, a certified Zumba instructor since May 2010. Classes are suitable for all levels of physical activity, including postpartum moms.
Classes will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will be on the following dates: Tuesday, Feb. 7; Friday, Feb. 10; Tuesday, Feb. 14; Friday, Feb. 17; Tuesday, Feb. 21; Friday, Feb. 24; and Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Cholesterol screenings – Thursday, Feb. 9: The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings for $35; $31.50 for Spirit of Women members. The screening includes checking total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Registration is required and can be made by calling the center at (765) 449-5133.
‘Transition Your Kitchen into Heart-smart Dining’ – Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m.: Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Food and Nutrition Services will present “Transition Your Kitchen into Heart-smart Dining” in the Heartland Café at St. Elizabeth East. The café is accessible through the North Entrance at St. Elizabeth East, 1701 S. Creasy Lane in Lafayette.
Turn up the heat in February, by joining Executive Chef Chris Watson and Registered Dietitian Anna Busenburg, R.D., for an evening of fun. Learn what foods score high when it comes to heart health and why you should be stocking them in your kitchen. Also learn culinary techniques to use when cooking these foods to make them flavorful while keeping their health benefits.
This event is free, but registration is required and can be made by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
Day of Dance – Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tippecanoe Mall: Bring your friends and family to dance, learn simple ways to stay healthy, enjoy music, participate in health screenings and view a fashion show by Macy's. This event is free and registration is not required. Health fair and displays begin at 10 a.m.; dancing starts at noon.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education releases February community events

2012-01-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

‘How Do I Know If I Have A Heart Problem?’ is February ‘Lunch and Learn’ topic

Dr. Barry Karas, a cardiologist with Sigma Medical Group, will discuss how different heart related conditions present, warning signs and when it’s time for a “tune up” during the Feb. 2 “Lunch and Learn” program called “How Do I Know If I Have A Heart Problem?”

“Lunch and Learn” is a monthly program offered by the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. This session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Lunch is available for $6 for Spirit of Women members and $7 for non-members at 11:30 a.m., with the free educational program starting at noon. The program will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.
Seating is limited and reservations are required; reservations must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 31. To register or for more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

‘New Baby Day Camp’ for siblings set for Feb. 4

A new addition to the family affects everyone, especially the new baby’s older brother or sister. New Baby Day Camp, a program from the Spirit of Women, is a specific class for siblings. Open to children ages 3 to 9, this class assists in preparing the “expectant” sibling for the arrival of a new family member, the changes that might occur and how to discuss feelings regarding the new baby.

Seated around a “campfire,” children will listen to a story about what it means to be a big brother or big sister, discuss ways to help with their new sibling and have hands-on practice to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Children will have the opportunity to create a keepsake certificate announcing their new status as a big brother or big sister.

Information about visiting mom and the new baby at the hospital will be included. Children will receive a souvenir backpack with birth announcements and other items to prepare them to visit their new sibling in the hospital. At least one parent is expected to attend; however, both are welcome.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health are members of Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

The program is set for 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Cost is $15, additional siblings are $5 each.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education to host SHARE support group

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host the SHARE support groups for parents who have experienced the loss of an infant. The group meets at the center at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. The next group meets Feb. 7.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette. For more information, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education to host Zumba

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host Zumba, beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Classes will be offered twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays in February. Cost is $4 per class or $30 for the month. The Tuesday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 10 classes are introductory and free to all participants those two days.

Classes will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will be on the following dates:

Tuesday, Feb. 7
Friday, Feb. 10
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Friday, Feb. 17
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Friday, Feb. 24
Tuesday, Feb. 28
Monday, March 1.

The class is taught by Elena Bowser, a certified Zumba instructor since May 2010. Classes are suitable for all levels of physical activity, including postpartum moms. Classes will be offered in March and April as well.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

Registration is not required, but it is preferred. For more information, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Cholesterol screenings scheduled at Kathryn Weil Center for Education

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings by appointment on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the center. The price is $35 and registration is required; a special price of $31.50 for Spirit of Women members is available. The screening checks total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Fasting is recommended, as it provides more accurate results, but not required. You are encouraged to drink water prior to your test; black coffee and black tea are also acceptable. A staff member will discuss your individual results.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette. For more information or to schedule your screening, call the center at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

‘Transition Your Kitchen into Heart-smart Dining’ set for Feb. 15

Turn up the heat in February by joining Executive Chef Chris Watson and Registered Dietitian Anna Busenburg, R.D., for an evening of fun. Learn what foods score high when it comes to heart health and why you should be stocking them in your kitchen. Also learn culinary techniques to use when cooking these foods to make them flavorful while keeping their health benefits.

“Transition Your Kitchen into Heart-smart Dining” will be held in the Heartland Café at St. Elizabeth East. The café is accessible through the North Entrance at St. Elizabeth East, 1701 S. Creasy Lane in Lafayette.

This event is free, but registration is required and can be made by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Car seat clinic set for Feb. 18

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host a car seat clinic from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 18. To participate in the clinics, families must make an appointment by calling the center at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health offering tours of St. Elizabeth East Women’s Center

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health will offer tours of the St. Elizabeth East Women’s Center for expectant parents during February.

Participants in the tour will need to meet at the Heartland Perks coffee shop in the 3900 Building, located at 3900 St. Francis Way on the campus of St. Elizabeth East.

Tour dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 15: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 16: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 20: 6 to 7:30 pm
Wednesday, Feb. 22: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 28: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 29: 9:30 to 11 a.m.

To register for the tour, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education offering community safety and parent education classes

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is offering community safety and parent education classes in February. Courses include:

Expectant parent education classes (in classrooms or online), including Preparation for Childbirth, breastfeeding courses, newborn care, infant first aid and infant CPR
Public and health care provider CPR
CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator)
First aid classes
Tours of the Women’s Center at St. Elizabeth East.

Sigma Medical Group adds nurse practitioner

2012-01-09T14:07:00.001-05:00

Cathy Bowlin, MSN, GNP-BC

Sigma Medical Group welcomes a new nurse practitioner, Cathy Bowlin, to their Mulberry practice. She will begin seeing patients on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. Cathy sees patients of all ages, but specializes in the care of older patients. She is board certified in Gerontology. She also sees patients with occupational health issues.

Bowlin graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana.

Bowlin is currently accepting new patients. Her office is located at 510 West Jackson St., Mulberry. To schedule an appointment, please call (765) 296-5591.

Sigma Medical Group, a Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health partner, is a multi-specialty physician group with offices throughout Greater Lafayette. For a complete list of doctors, visit SigmaMedicalGroup.org.

St. Elizabeth Hospice offering grief support meetings

2012-01-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

St. Elizabeth Hospice will offer two 10-week grief support groups. The group is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions will be facilitated by Nancy Eberhard, M.Div., hospice bereavement coordinator.

The evening group meets weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospice office, located in the lower level of the Bill Long Building, 1415 Salem St. in Lafayette. The group starts on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.

A morning session will be held weekly on Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in a private conference room at MCL Cafeteria, 521 Sagamore Parkway West in West Lafayette. The group starts on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.

Some aspects of participating in a grief support group include:

Giving information about the grieving process so people understand the changes that are happening;
Providing a safe place to share the grieving experience; and
Sharing ideas on how to handle daily concerns and changes that come with grief.

Materials include a workbook and Understanding Your Grief, Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Cost for the book is $10. Participants may return the book at the end of the final session for a full refund.

Registration is required and can be made by calling Nancy Eberhard at (765) 423-6732.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health welcomes new audiologist

2012-01-03T14:55:00.002-05:00

Judy Marquess-Lara, Au.D.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – in partnership with Whisper Hearing Centers – welcomes Judy Marquess-Lara, Au.D. to the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Audiology Department.

Dr. Marquess-Lara received her doctorate in audiology from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Ariz. and her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Dr. Marquess-Lara brings with her 12 years of experience from a wide variety of clinical settings, including private practice and hospitals.

Services offered by Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Audiology Department include hearing testing for all ages, tinnitus evaluations, hearing aid fittings and hearing conservation. Dizziness and balance testing is offered by Dr. Marquess-Lara and the vestibular rehabilitation team in outpatient Physical Therapy.

Dr. Marquess-Lara is currently accepting new patients. Her office is located at 1501 Hartford St., Lafayette, on the St. Elizabeth Central campus. To schedule an appointment, please call (765) 423-6855.

St. Elizabeth School of Nursing celebrates December graduation

2011-12-27T10:37:00.000-05:00

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing celebrated its December commencement ceremony on Dec. 16 in the St. Francis Chapel at St. Elizabeth Central, 1501 Hartford St. in Lafayette.

The mid-year ceremony included the conferring of diplomas to the class of December 2011. The members of the class of December 2011 include: Mary Allen, Sister Chijiago Andrea Iheme (bachelor of science in nursing degree from Saint Joseph’s College), Natasha Nicole Juniper, Christina Marie Pearson, Nina Gabrielle Pescetto, Allison Diane Watson and Alison Johanna Worden.

Patty Lunsford, a medical librarian at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health, was the keynote speaker. Lunsford has served as a medical librarian at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health since 1989.

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing – Saint Joseph’s College Cooperative Nursing Program offers a seamless integrated diploma and bachelor of science in nursing curriculum in nursing that prepares graduates to become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

After passing the national licensing examination, St. Elizabeth School of Nursing graduates may practice as registered nurses.

For more information on the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, please call (765) 423-6400 or visit www.steson.org.

Franciscan Alliance selected to participate in Medicare Accountable Care Organization

2011-12-19T16:04:00.000-05:00

Health system is first in Indiana and among few nationally to participate in program

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan Alliance today (Dec. 19) announced it has been selected to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model, a transformative new initiative sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center.

The Franciscan Alliance ACO is the first and only Pioneer ACO in Indiana and among the first in the country to partner with Medicare as an ACO. Initially, this partnership includes Franciscan St. Francis Health (which operates hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville) and other affiliated hospitals and physician groups.

“More than 22,000 Medicare patients in Indianapolis and central Indiana will be served initially by our ACO,” said Jennifer Westfall, Franciscan Alliance ACO executive director. “From an industry perspective, the ACO model encourages organizations such as hospitals, physician practices, and other healthcare providers to collaborate closely, thus bringing down the overall costs of medical care.”

Franciscan Alliance will work with CMS to provide area Medicare beneficiaries with higher quality care, while reducing growth in Medicare expenditures, through improved care coordination.

The Pioneer ACO Model is designed to encourage the development of patient-centered, team-based care, with health-care providers delivering coordinated, high-quality care for their patients. Franciscan Alliance ACO was chosen specifically by Medicare for the Pioneer Program.

“These Pioneer ACOs represent our nation’s leaders in health systems innovation, providing highly coordinated care for patients at lower costs,” said Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator of CMS. “Franciscan Alliance has demonstrated significant experience in providing high quality, coordinated care, and we are excited to partner with them.”

Under the Pioneer ACO Model, CMS will provide incentives for participating health care providers who form an organization to coordinate care for patients. Providers who band together through this model will be required to meet quality standards based upon, among other measures, patient outcomes and care coordination among the provider team.

CMS will use robust quality measures and other criteria to reward ACOs for providing beneficiaries with a positive patient experience and better health outcomes, while also rewarding Franciscan Alliance for reducing growth in Medicare expenditures for the same patient population.

Unlike a managed care plan, Medicare beneficiaries will not be locked into a restricted panel of providers. The Pioneer ACO Model is not a health plan or managed care plan. Under the Pioneer ACO Model, beneficiaries seeing doctors participating in an ACO will maintain the ability to see any doctor or healthcare provider, as well as the full benefits associated with traditional Medicare, but with the added benefit of a more coordinated care experience.

Today’s announcement was the culmination of a competitive selection process that began in May 2011 with the national release of a Request for Applications from CMS. Franciscan Alliance was selected based on its demonstrated capabilities to offer high quality, coordinated care.

With 14 hospitals in Indiana and Illinois, Franciscan Alliance provides care for more than 2.9 million outpatient visits and more than 100,000 inpatient discharges every year with the most effective medical treatments and innovative technology.

Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest, employs 18,200 co-workers and has more than 3,300 affiliated physicians – both primary care and specialists – serving nearly 4 million people in the system’s service areas.

To learn more about Franciscan Alliance and Franciscan St. Francis Health, go to www.franciscanalliance.org and www.stfrancishospitals.org.

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About the Pioneer ACO

The Pioneer ACO Model is one of a number of initiatives developed by the new Innovation Center. The Innovation Center was created by the Affordable Care Act to test new models of health care delivery and payment. For more information about the Pioneer ACO Model, visit the Pioneer ACO website at www.innovations.cms.gov/areas-of-focus/seamless-and-coordinated-care-models/pioneer-aco/. The Pioneer ACO Model is one of several initiatives underway at CMS designed to encourage the formation of ACOs. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/aco. For more information about the Innovation Center, visit innovations.cms.gov.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary awards annual scholarship

2011-12-12T09:10:00.005-05:00

Tamara "Tammy" King, scholarship recipient

During the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary’s annual membership meeting, outgoing Auxiliary President Donna Brown announced Tamara “Tammy” King as the recipient of the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary scholarship.

Established in 2008, funding for the scholarship came from the Washburn Health Careers Fund, which was created in honor of Mary B. Washburn, a long-time volunteer of the St. Elizabeth Auxiliary, as well as other sources and activities. Criteria for the scholarship include being a student at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing within one calendar year of graduation, maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrating financial need.

King is currently pursuing a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, with an expected graduation date of May 2012.

King is a member and secretary of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) and continues to work diligently at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. She works for Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health as a patient care intern for the Resource Team. Her future plans include working as a nurse in the medical/surgical area or emergency room. She would like to also specialize in wound care.

King has lived in the Crawfordsville area for most of her life. She is married to her husband, Doug, and they have two children, Sara and Mackenzie.

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing – Saint Joseph’s College Cooperative Nursing Program offers a seamless integrated diploma and bachelor of science in nursing curriculum in nursing that prepares graduates to become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

After passing the national licensing examination, St. Elizabeth School of Nursing graduates may practice as registered nurses.

For more information on the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, please call (765) 423-6400 or visit www.steson.org.

For more information on the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary or volunteering, please call Karie Shepherd, Volunteer Services, at (765) 502-4249 or apply online at www.ste.org/volunteer.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary elects officers for 2012

2011-12-12T09:08:00.002-05:00

The Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary held its annual membership meeting on Dec. 6. During the meeting the following officers were elected:

2012 Auxiliary officers, identified left to right: Joyce Dost, Karen Jordan, Delores "Dee" Levy, Ramesh Chhabra, Ellen Reppert, James Moore and Eldon Hood.

Joyce Dost, President: Dost volunteers at the gift shops at St. Elizabeth East and St. Elizabeth Central. She has also served as a member-at-large on the Auxiliary Board.
Karen Jordan, Vice President: Jordan volunteers at the gift shops at St. Elizabeth East.
Ellen Reppert, Treasurer: Reppert volunteers at the gift shops at St. Elizabeth East and also volunteers at Guest Services.
Delores “Dee” Levy, Recording Secretary: Levy volunteers in the surgery waiting room and gift shops at St. Elizabeth East.
Ramesh Chhabra, Corresponding Secretary: Chhabra volunteers at the gift shops at St. Elizabeth East and also volunteers at Guest Services.
Eldon Hood, Red Coats co-chair: Hood has served as a Red Coat for 19 years delivering items for Pharmacy. He has served as Red Coats co-chair for several years.
James Moore, Red Coats co-chair: Moore has volunteered as a Red Coat in Pharmacy, Cardiopulmonary, flower cart and pediatric tours. He has served as Red Coats co-chair for several years.

For more information on the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Auxiliary or how to join, please call Karie Shepherd, Volunteer Services coordinator, at (765) 502-4248 or e-mail karie.shepherd@franciscanalliance.org. To apply online, please visit www.ste.org/volunteer.

Premier Healthcare for Women joins Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health

2011-11-25T10:03:00.001-05:00

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is pleased to announce the recent addition of Premier Healthcare for Women to its group of physician practices. Premier Healthcare for Women employs three OB/GYN physicians – Renee Knutson, M.D.; Jeffrey Penman, M.D.; Scott Sinnott, M.D.; a nurse practitioner, Julie Langston; and 11 additional staff. Premier provides medical services designed for women. Their practice specializes in obstetrics, gynecology, infertility and endocrinology as well as gynecologic surgical procedures. “We want to stress to our patients that the change will be seamless. We will continue to offer our patients the same range of services and insurance coverage,” said Renee Knutson, M.D.

“We are excited about this partnership. The Premier physicians and staff have a great reputation of offering exceptional medical care to the women in our community,” said Terry Wilson, president and CEO of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health. “Their practice is a great addition to our two existing OB/GYN practices – Woman’s Clinic and Lafayette OB/GYN.” Combine, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN and Premier are the area’s largest and most experienced group of OB/GYN physicians. Combine they have 13 physicians, 5 nurse practitioners and more than 216 years of experience.

Premier Healthcare for Women is located at 3774 Bayley Drive, Suite B, Lafayette – adjacent to the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East campus. The location and phone number will remain the same.

About Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health
Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is a member of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 14 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health includes Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East and Lafayette Central, as well as Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Sigma Medical Group in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Monticello, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN, Premier Healthcare for Women in Lafayette and Athens Medical Group in Crawfordsville. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Community Health Accreditation Program, the College of American Pathologists, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Its Orthopedic Services program was the recipient of the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, which also received 5 Star ratings for its overall orthopedic services, joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement surgery, spine surgery, and back and neck (spinal fusion) surgery. For more information, please visit FranciscanStE.org and FranciscanAlliance.org.

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Kathryn Weil Center for Education announces December programs

2011-11-21T09:54:00.000-05:00

‘No One Wants the Blues for Christmas’ is December ‘Lunch and Learn’ topic
Nicky Smith, an employee assistance counselor for the Employee Assistance Program, will discuss ways to improve your outlook, give you tips on finding the positive side of situations, and help you learn to decrease your stress and enjoy your holidays during the Dec. 1 “Lunch and Learn” program called “No One Wants the Blues for Christmas.”

“Lunch and Learn” is a monthly program offered by the Kathryn Weil Center for Education – this session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Lunch is available for $6 for Spirit of Women members and $7 for non-members at 11:30 a.m. with the free educational program starting at noon. The program will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

Seating is limited and reservations are required; reservations must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 29. To register or for more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Car seat clinics set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 10
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host a car seat clinic from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. To participate in the clinics, families must make an appointment. To make an appointment, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Cholesterol screenings scheduled at Kathryn Weil Center for Education
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings by appointment on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the center. The price is $35 and registration is required; a special price of $31.50 for Spirit of Women members is available. The screening includes checking total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Fasting is recommended as it provides more accurate results, but not required. You are encouraged to drink water prior to your test; black coffee and black tea are also acceptable. A staff member will discuss your individual results.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette. For more information or to schedule your screening, call the center at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health offering tours of St. Elizabeth East Women’s Center
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health will offer tours of the St. Elizabeth East Women’s Center for expectant parents during December.

Participants in the tour will need to meet at the Heartland Perks coffee shop in the 3900 Building, located at 3900 St. Francis Way on the campus of St. Elizabeth East.

Tour dates and times are as follows:

Monday, Dec. 5: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 8: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20: 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Special family tours designed to include siblings and grandparents are offered the second Saturday of each month. The December tour is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. To register for the tour, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

‘New Baby Day Camp’ for siblings set for Dec. 10
A new addition to the family affects everyone, especially the new baby’s older brother or sister. New Baby Day Camp, a program from the Spirit of Women, is a specific class for siblings. Open to children ages 3 to 9, this class assists in preparing the “expectant” sibling for the arrival of a new family member, the changes that might occur and how to discuss feelings regarding the new baby.

Seated around a “campfire,” children will listen to a story about what it means to be a big brother or big sister, discuss ways to help with their new sibling and have hands-on practice to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Children will have the opportunity to create a keepsake certificate announcing their new status as a big brother or big sister.

Information about visiting mom and the new baby at the hospital will be included. Children will receive a souvenir backpack with birth announcements and other items to prepare them to visit their new sibling in the hospital. At least one parent is expected to attend; however, both are welcome.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health are members of Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

The program is set for 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Cost is $15, with additional siblings $5 each.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education offering community safety and parent education classes

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is offering community safety and parent education classes in December. Courses include:

Expectant parent education classes (in classrooms or online), including Preparation for Childbirth, breastfeeding courses, newborn care, infant first aid and infant CPR
Public and health care provider CPR
CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator)
First aid classes
Tours of the Women’s Center at St. Elizabeth East.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.

For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133 or visit www.ste.org/kwce.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health.

About the Kathryn Weil Center and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is the community education department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is a member of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 14 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health includes Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East and Lafayette Central, as well as Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Sigma Medical Group in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Monticello, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN in Lafayette and Athens Medical Group in Crawfordsville. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Community Health Accreditation Program, the College of American Pathologists, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Its Orthopedic Services program was the recipient of the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, which also received 5 Star ratings for its overall orthopedic services, joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement surgery, spine surgery, and back and neck (spinal fusion) surgery. For more information, please visit FranciscanStE.org and FranciscanAlliance.org.

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Gastroenterologist to join Sigma Medical Group

2011-11-18T09:52:00.000-05:00

Howard M. Hack, M.D.

Howard M. Hack, M.D. has joined Sigma Medical Group. He is a board certified gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive disorders.

Dr. Hack received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo and completed his residency at Barnes Hospital also in St. Louis. He is fellowship trained in gastroenterology. He completed his fellowship training at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.

Dr. Hack has been in practice since 1994. He has an interest in colon cancer screenings and implementing cutting edge procedures. He has extensive experience with colonoscopy, endoscopy, as well as small bowel capsule endoscopy. He is also incorporating digital pathology which allows for faster and more accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Hack continues to teach other physicians and remains on the adjunct clinical faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Hack is currently accepting new patients starting Nov. 21, 2011. His office is located at 3218 Daugherty Drive, Suite 140, Lafayette. To schedule an appointment, please call (765) 775-2825.

Sigma Medical Group, a Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health partner, is a multi-specialty physician group with offices throughout Greater Lafayette. For a complete list of doctors, visit SigmaMedicalGroup.org.

St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Alumni Association announces annual Outstanding Alumni Award winner

2011-11-16T17:05:00.001-05:00

(left to right) Deacon John Jezierski, head of the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Dr. Suzanne K. Marnocha, and her husband, Dr. Mark Marnocha.

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Alumni Association presented their annual Outstanding Alumni Award to Suzanne K. Marnocha, R.N., Ph.D. at this year’s annual gathering on Oct. 29, 2011.

Marnocha, a member of the Class of 1976, resides in Hortonville, Wisc. and is an associate professor currently serving as associate dean and director of the undergraduate program in the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Marnocha also arranges international collaboration with nursing programs and assists with a nursing conference in India. Her published work includes innovative use of humanities at the bedside, issues for spouses of deployed veterans and the coping processes of wives of patients who have a CABG surgery (coronary artery bypass). She has also worked with students to explore issues regarding menopause and homeless individuals.

Previous recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Award include:

2003: Helen Wortman, Class of 1947.
2004: Thelma Neal, Class of 1955.
2006: Judith Gudeman, Class of 1954.
2007: Jean Eberhard, Class of 1952.
2008: Eleanor Kay Mirich, Class of 1958.
2009: Marsha Clarke, Class of 1996.
2010: Dorothy Ball, Class of 1952 and Marsella Smith, Class of 1960

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing was established in 1897 and is the only hospital-based school of nursing remaining in Indiana. For more information on the school, please visit www.steson.org.

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About the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health

The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing is a department of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health. The St. Elizabeth School of Nursing was established in 1897 and is a three-year diploma school of nursing. It is the only hospital-based school of nursing in Indiana. A bachelor’s degree in nursing option is available in conjunction with Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is a member of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 14 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health includes Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East and Lafayette Central, as well as Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Sigma Medical Group in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Monticello, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN in Lafayette and Athens Medical Group in Crawfordsville. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Community Health Accreditation Program, the College of American Pathologists, and is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Its Orthopedic Services program was the recipient of the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, which also received 5 Star ratings for its overall orthopedic services, joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement surgery, spine surgery, and back and neck (spinal fusion) surgery. For more information, please visit FranciscanStE.org and FranciscanAlliance.org.

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Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces organizational appointments

2011-11-11T14:52:00.001-05:00

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces the following organizational appointments:

David Reisman, CNMT, ARRT(N)

David Reisman, CNMT, ARRT(N) has been appointed operations manager for Radiology.

As operations manager, he will be responsible for clinical operations in the department and serve as assistant to the radiation safety officer and maintain all licenses for radiology operations at Francsican St. Elizabeth Health’s Lafayette East, Lafayette Central, Monticello and Sigma Medical Group offices and campuses.

Reisman graduated from Ball State University with a degree in nuclear medicine technology in 1996. He joined Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health in 1996.

Connie Bohling, CRA, CIIP

Connie Bohling, CRA, CIIP has been appointed manager of Radiology Informatics.

She will oversee of ongoing daily operations of systems including the Radiology Information System (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Voice Recognition (VR) and integrate these systems with the hospital information system in all Western Indiana Radiology locations.

With more than 30 years of experience, Bohling has previously served as radiology manager at St. John’s Health System/St. Vincent Health in Anderson, PACS/RIS manager also at St. Vincent Health in Anderson, director of Imaging Services at Howard Regional Health System in Kokomo and, most recently, imaging informatics analyst at Howard Regional Health System.

Bohling received her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Standish, Maine, and attended Ball Memorial School of Radiologic Technology. Additionally, she is a certified radiology administrator and an imaging informatics professional and also holds American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) advanced certifications in CT, mammography and quality management

Karen Bullard, R.N.

Karen Bullard, R.N. has been appointed director of Cardiovascular Services.

As director, she will be responsible for Inpatient Cardiac Care Unit, Cardiovascular Testing, Heart Catheterization Lab and Cardiac Rehab.

Bullard graduated from Purdue University North Central in 1989 with an associate’s degree in nursing. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s of science degree in nursing at Purdue Calumet. She is certified as a critical care registered nurse.

Bullard joined the staff at Home Hospital in 1990. She worked in the Intensive Care Unit as a staff nurse and patient care coordinator until 1999. She accepted responsibilities as the department director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit and the Monitor Station at St. Elizabeth in 2002.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces employee elections, certifications and appointments

2011-11-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

Carlos Vasquez

Vasquez elected president-elect of AHRA
Carlos Vasquez, division director of Radiology Services for Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health in Lafayette, has been chosen as president-elect of the Association for Medical Imaging Management. Vasquez was installed as president-elect during their 2011 convention on Aug. 17, 2011. He will serve a three-year term.

Vasquez has been a member of AHRA since September 1994. His contributions to the association and its membership have been numerous, including serving on the AHRA Board of Directors (2005-present) and Annual Meeting Design Teams (2003, 2004), volunteering as a host for the Partners in Learning program (2006-2009), acting as the AHRA liaison to HPN (2007-present), hosting regional meetings (2009), volunteering for the AHRA mentor program (2011) and conducting a peer-review for Human Resource Management in Radiology (2008).

Vasquez has been a speaker at annual meetings, spring and fall conferences and has written articles for Link and Radiology Management. In 2010, he received the Outstanding Article Award, and in 2002, was recognized by his peers with the Amersham Award for Excellence.

Jody Mathew, R.N., MSN

Mathew receives health care ethics certification
Jody Mathew, R.N., MSN, clinical director of Nurse Practice, recently completed the one-year Catholic certification program with distinction in health care ethics run by the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC).

The program was developed at the request of bishops and administrators of health care facilities to provide a credible and systematic formation so that dioceses, hospitals and ethics committees would have well-qualified advisors who are able to apply Catholic moral tradition to challenging contemporary issues in health care.

The part-time, year-long program combines a theoretical component with a practically oriented component based on case studies. The web-based learning program includes face to face meetings, learning modules, weekly assignments, teleconferences and online discussion groups.

Objectives include:

Articulating the Catholic Church’s understanding of the inherent dignity of the human person as the objective basis for the church’s moral tradition in health care.
Applying the Catholic Church’s moral teachings as expressed in the ERDs (Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services)
Identifying resources available to health care workers and others involved in the health care ministry which provide guidance for the resolution of bioethical issues.

Amy Bryan, R.N., M.S., ANP-BC

Bryan joins Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Palliative Care
Amy Bryan, R.N., M.S., ANP-BC, adult nurse practitioner, has recently joined the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Palliative Care Department.

Bryan has worked as a hospitalist nurse, medical/surgical, radiology and ICU nurse in the Greater Lafayette area since 2002.

Bryan completed her master’s of science in nursing at Purdue University and is currently board certified as an adult nurse practitioner. Her research project at Purdue centered around end-of-life care for individuals with end-stage renal disease. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Karie Shepherd

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces new volunteer services coordinator
Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health announces the appointment of Karie Shepherd as coordinator of Volunteer Services, effective Oct. 31, 2011. She will oversee volunteers at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s two hospitals in Lafayette, as well as outpatient buildings and offices.

Shepherd received her bachelor of science in organizational leadership and supervision with a concentration in human resources and health services from Purdue University. Previously, she has worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Bermuda and an IT consulting company in Chicago.

For more information on volunteering at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health, please call (765) 502-4249.

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About Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health
Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is a member of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 14 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health includes Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East and Lafayette Central, as well as Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Sigma Medical Group in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Monticello, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN in Lafayette and Athens Medical Group in Crawfordsville. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Community Health Accreditation Program, the College of American Pathologists, and is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Its Orthopedic Services program was the recipient of the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, which also received 5 Star ratings for its overall orthopedic services, joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement surgery, spine surgery, and back and neck (spinal fusion) surgery. For more information, please visit FranciscanStE.org and FranciscanAlliance.org.

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Karas joins Sigma Medical Group

2011-11-02T09:01:00.001-04:00

Barry J. Karas, Pharm.D, M.D.

Adel M. Yaacoub, M.D. of Sigma Cardiovascular Disease is pleased to announce Barry J. Karas, Pharm.D., M.D. has joined his practice. Dr. Karas received his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. and completed his residency and fellowship training at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass.

He is board certified in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. Dr. Karas is currently accepting new patients. His office is located at 3900 St. Francis Way, Suite 200, Lafayette – on the St. Elizabeth East campus. To schedule an appointment, please call (765) 775-2800.

The Sigma Medical Group, a Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health partner, is a multi-specialty physician group with offices throughout Greater Lafayette. For a complete list of doctors, visit SigmaMedicalGroup.org

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville Laboratory receives accreditation from the College of American Pathologists

2011-11-01T10:55:00.000-04:00

The Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville Laboratory has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

The Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville Laboratory is one of nearly 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the proceeding two years. CAP inspectors also examine staff qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

About the College of American Pathologists

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a medical society that serves more than 17,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.

More than 7,000 laboratories are accredited by the CAP, and approximately 23,000 laboratories are enrolled in the College’s proficiency testing programs.

About Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville
Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville is a 103-bed hospital with both inpatient and outpatient services. Celebrating more than 100 years of service to the community, we provide dedicated outpatient women’s services, a fully-staffed emergency department, extensive radiology, therapy services, orthopedics, cancer care and geriatric behavioral health. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville also owns Athens Medical Group.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville earns ACR accreditation in two areas

2011-11-01T10:51:00.000-04:00

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) and in nuclear medicine as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR practice guidelines and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab programs receive recertification by AACVPR

2011-10-28T08:52:00.000-04:00

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab programs have received recertification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g. heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, etc.) and pulmonary problems (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD, respiratory symptoms, etc.) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab rehabilitation programs participated in the one month application process which requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. The AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR National Certification Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

Certified AACVPR programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab rehabilitation programs are located at the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette Central campus, 1501 Hartford St. in Lafayette. For more information on the programs, please call (765) 423-6533.

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About AACVPR

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

About Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is a member of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 14 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health includes Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East and Lafayette Central, as well as Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Sigma Medical Group in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Monticello, Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN in Lafayette and Athens Medical Group in Crawfordsville. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Community Health Accreditation Program, the College of American Pathologists, and is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Its Orthopedic Services program was the recipient of the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, which also received 5 Star ratings for its overall orthopedic services, joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement surgery, spine surgery, and back and neck (spinal fusion) surgery. For more information, please visit FranciscanStE.org and FranciscanAlliance.org.

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Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Diabetes Center, Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Spirit of Women team together for the second annual Diabetes Day event, ‘Can You Control the Ups and Downs of Blood Sugar?’

2011-10-20T09:21:00.000-04:00

The Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Diabetes Center, the Kathryn Weil Center for Education and the Spirit of Women will host its second annual Diabetes Day event from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 5 in the Heartland Café, just inside the North Entrance of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East campus, 1701 S. Creasy Lane in Lafayette. This year’s event is themed “Can You Control the Ups and Downs of Blood Sugar?”

The schedule for the second annual Diabetes Day is as follows:

8:30 – 10 a.m.: various vendors with diabetes information will be available
9:30 a.m.: “Balancing Blood Sugar” presented by James Poulos, M.D., medical director of the Diabetes Center;
10 a.m.: “The Ins and Outs of Exercise: Diabetes and Your Heart” presented by Dave Charters, R.N., M.A., FAACVPR, director of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab;
10:30 a.m.: “Managing Your Medicine” presented by Allyson Howard, Pharm.D., a pharmacist with Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health;
11 a.m.: “Facts and Myths of Diabetes” presented by the Allison Stetler, R.D. CDE;
11:30 a.m. Cooking demonstration with the staff of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Food and Nutrition Services.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health are members of the Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged and can be made by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Breast Center hosting ‘Grab the Girls and Go’ from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21

2011-10-14T15:45:00.002-04:00

The Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Breast Center will offer extended hours on Friday, Oct. 21 as a way to encourage women to get a mammogram.

The event, “Grab the Girls and Go” will be from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 and will provide extended hours for mammograms, as well as light refreshments, free information and a variety of other activities at the center.

In addition to screening mammograms (additional registration will be required on site), women may get information on bra fittings by The Bra Lady. Express manicures from Christina and Company’s Education Center and makeup consultations by Merle Norman of Crawfordsville will be available as well as many other activities and resources. Light refreshments will be served. This event will be held at the St. Elizabeth Breast Center at Unity Healthcare, 1345 Unity Place, Suite 220 in Lafayette.

This event has a limited amount of openings for mammograms that evening. If the schedule becomes full for mammograms, other appointments will be available and scheduled for the first Saturday of the month on Nov. 5 and Dec. 3 at the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Screening Mammography Center, located in the 3920 Building at 3920 St. Francis Way on the campus of St. Elizabeth East. Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, even if you have your mammogram scheduled at another time. Cost for the mammograms is based on insurance or self-pay; the other activities are free.

Registration is required and will be done through the Kathryn Weil Center for Education and can be made by calling (765) 449-5133. A representative from Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health’s Central Scheduling will contact the participant at a later time to confirm the appointment and also gather registration information for billing information on the mammogram.

Radiologists will be on site to answer general questions but will not be reading mammograms that evening.

St. Elizabeth Hospice offering grief support meetings

2011-09-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

St. Elizabeth Hospice will offer two 11-week grief support groups. The group is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions will be facilitated by Nancy Eberhard, M.Div., hospice bereavement coordinator.

The evening group meets weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospice office, located in the lower level of the Bill Long Building, 1415 Salem St. in Lafayette. The group starts on Monday, Sept. 26.

A morning session will be held weekly on Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in a private conference room at MCL Cafeteria, 521 Sagamore Parkway West in West Lafayette. The group starts on Friday, Sept. 30.

Some aspects of participating in a grief support group include:

Giving information about the grief process so that people understand the changes that are happening;
Providing a safe place to share the grief experience; and
Sharing ideas on how to handle daily concerns and changes that come with grief.

Materials include a workbook and Understanding Your Grief, Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Cost for the book is $12. Participants may return the book at the end of the final session for a full refund.

Registration is required and can be made by calling Nancy Eberhard at (765) 423-6732.

Duke Smyster Chili Blast Open to provide four AEDs to community organizations, presentation set for Sept. 2; Mayor Roswarski to attend defibrillator awards

2011-09-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

For immediate release: Sept. 1, 2011

Contact: Karen Wlodarski, president

Chili Blast Charities, Inc.

(843) 696-2892 or karen-w@msn.com

Mayor Tony Roswarski will participate in the kickoff of the fifth annual Duke Smyser Chili Blast Open, a charity golf tournament and chili dinner which awards AEDs (cardiac defibrillators) to area non-profit organizations. The event will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Ravines Golf Club in West Lafayette.

Chili Blast Charities Inc. and the Kathryn Weil Center for Education will present AEDs to groups including the Washington Township Fire Department, Jessie’s Kids Foundation, the Indiana Veterans Home and Bauer Family Resources.

Since its inception, funds raised at the Chili Blast Open have been used toward placement of AEDs at 17 non-profit organizations in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties. For further information, visit www.chiliblast.org.