La Porte and Starke Hospitals will now be governed by a single ownership structure.
In an amicable agreement made on Wednesday, August 15th, Indiana University Health sold its remaining 20 percent minority interest in the joint venture, according to a press release from the hospitals’ Regional Manager of Community Relations Stacey Kellog. Continue reading
A potential use for a vacant Hamlet building was discussed during last week’s town council meeting. “I wanted to talk to you guys about the old IU Health doctor’s office next to the gas station,” said local business owner George Filip. “Would that be a problem making that a gentlemen’s club?”
Knox Elementary School will be able to expand this year’s Kindergarten Countdown, thanks to some help from the local community. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker told the school board Monday that the program typically helps students with no preschool experience adjust to kindergarten. Continue reading
The CEO of Starke Hospital says the new owners of the local facility would prefer to construct a new building on the existing site at the intersection of South Heaton Street and Culver Road. The county owns the land and the building, but Tennessee-based Community Health Systems now owns 80-percent of the hospital. IU Health has retained 20-percent ownership, and a subsidy of CHS is running the day-to-day operations. The name change to simply “Starke Hospital” reflects the shift, and a new branding symbol is in the works. Continue reading
IU Health Starke Hospital is nearing the completion of an affiliation transaction with Community Health Systems.
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During the month of November, health officials are working to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. As part of that effort, IU Health’s Mobile Health Clinic will be visiting businesses around Starke and LaPorte counties to give residents some tips on how to quit smoking. Continue reading
The walking trail at the North Judson Town Park has five new outdoor exercise equipment stations, thanks to IU Health associates. Continue reading
Indiana University Health President and CEO Daniel F. Evans, Jr. is retiring. He is relinquishing his role as president but will continue to serve as CEO of the statewide health system until May 1, 2016. IU Health Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis M. Murphy will be promoted to president of the organization, effective immediately. He will take over as CEO in May when Evans retires and will continue to serve as COO until a successor is named. Continue reading
Most people in the area are aware of the fact that LifePlex has fitness equipment, aquatic activities and personal training, but did you know that IU Health also bases some helpful health services out of the establishment? IU Health offers urgent care, imaging and a diagnostic center right in LifePlex. Continue reading
If you are currently between primary care physicians or need to receive medical attention for any reason there is a local facility available to you. Lisa Jones with IU Health shared the details with WKVI, “We have urgent care in the LifePlex building and we do feel like its a secret that not many know about. It’s not very far from the folks here in Knox and this area, it takes about 20 minutes.” Continue reading
An exchange of ideas has led to the development of ideas for what could be a new hospital in Knox.
A committee of about 12 individuals, consisting of staff from IU Health Starke and their architects, has been putting their thoughts to paper for a future hospital. The committee presented their ideas on Friday to gathered staff.
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IU Health Starke Hospital will be putting plans on display for what they hope will one day be a new hospital.
On Friday, the culmination of work that’s been going on this week will be showcased at the hospital for the public to view. Officials with the hospital have been busy putting together a mock-up of a proposed new building, this week.
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“Countdown to Kindergarten” is a camp that Knox Community Elementary School offers to students at risk of falling behind or those with little to no pre-school experience. KCES is able to offer this program thanks to a grant from IU Health.
IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals continues to work through an affiliation phase with Community Health Systems.
The announcement was made in March of this year, but before any agreements can be finalized, due diligence must first be completed. Work to verify information about the hospital group by Community Health systems has been going on for several months.
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Moderation is key.
That’s the advice IU Health Starke Hospital’s new Dietician Jana Hileman says is important for success in lifestyle changes. The hospital’s dietician is responsible for oversight of which foods patients at the hospital can consume during their stay.
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The enrollment deadline for the Healthcare Marketplace is coming up, and IU Health says they continue to provide resources for individuals.
The deadline for enrollment is February 15th. There are dozens of plans available to Hoosiers on the marketplace.
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The Kindergarten Countdown program held at the Knox Elementary School in June was a success this year.
Twenty children received an early education before they enter Kindergarten this fall. Students who attend preschool often obtain better scores on tests, have better social skills and are more understanding of routines than those who do not attend a preschool program.
IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals have a new vice president of finance. Michigan City native Kevin Higdon brings more than 30 years of healthcare finance experience to the job. His resume includes positions at Hyde Park Hospital, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Elkhart Genral Healthcare System and Thorek Memorial Hospital.
Higdon will work closely with other members of the IU Health executive team, boards of directors and physicians to develop and fulfill key finance and growth strategies outlined in the strategic plan for the hospitals.
Higdon graduated from Michigan City Elston High School, where he won the IHSAA’s Charles F. Maas Mental Attitude Award 1976-77. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Indiana University and an Associate of Arts from Southwestern Michigan College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
IU Health LaPorte Physicians recently added two new nurse practitioners.
Maureen Panares and Alissa Whittaker are seeing patients in several northern Indiana communities. Nurse practitioners have extensive training and work under the direction of a physician. Maureen Panares, DNP, is an Advanced Practice Nurse with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Family and Community Health from Rush University. She sees patients at the Sagamore location in LaPorte.
Whittaker recently received a Master of Science in nursing from Indiana University South Bend. She sees patients in Plymouth at Lifeplex and in Walkerton.
IU Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County are teaming up once again to host an annual health fair. This year’s event will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. Central at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh says it grew out of the Governor’s Council on Aging in Indianapolis and the thought that they could share the same type of educational information with more people by teaming up with the hospital and offering a local event. This is the 13th year of the partnership.
Haugh says May is an ideal time for the health fair, as it is Older Americans Month. She adds it’s open to all ages, including children. This year a free children’s coloring area will be set up to keep youngsters occupied while their parents or other caregivers browse the booths and take part in the various screenings. Continue reading
