IU Health Starke Hospital Staff Praised for Turning Around Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI
Thor Thordarson

The President and CEO of the LaPorte Regional Health System visited with the administrative team and Community Hospital Board at IU Health Starke Hospital this week. Thor Thordarson praised the leadership team for turning around the hospital that he said was losing money before they arrived.

“I came down here to congratulate the board and the leadership team for doing a fabulous job over the last several years, and really turning this hospital around from losing millions of dollars a year a few years ago to having a healthy operating margin in 2011,” stated Thordarson. “I know it’s been difficult here for the last few years so it’s very nice to see the fruits of all those very difficult decisions came out and good quality health care and financial results happen.”

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IU Health Starke Hospital Working Group Discusses Capital Needs

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health Starke Hospital
The working group selected to discuss the sale of I.U. Health Starke Hospital to I.U. Health LaPorte met recently. Representing Starke County on the committee are Commission President Dan Bridegroom, Council President Mark Smith, and Councilmen David Pearman, Marvin McLaughlin, and Tony Radkiewicz. Hospital Community Board members Ben Bennett, Dr. Walter Fritz, and Sandy Hansen are also on the committee.

I.U. Health LaPorte is the lessee of the local facility, and according to David Hiatt, who explained the offer to local officials in October, five to seven million dollars in capital needs are required at the hospital.

“We have significant needs that must be addressed now before we start planning for the long-term facility, or what is going to happen long-term,” said Hiatt.

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IU Health Starke Hospital to Give up Hospital Fund if Sale is Complete

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital

Starke County officials were approached about the sale of IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health LaPorte Hospital this week.

One point that hospital spokesman, David Hiatt, pointed out to the commissioners and council members was that IU Health LaPorte Hospital, if successful in purchasing the local hospital, would have no interest in receiving the Save the Hospital Fund that has grown over the years to almost $5 million. The fund, that captures lease payments, was originally set up when Principal leased then-Starke Memorial.

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Short Term Capital Needs to be Addressed by IU Health Starke Hospital, County Officials

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital

There’s more today on the proposed sale of IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. It was reported that the offer to purchase the hospital is for $1.00. Money-wise, there’s more to the offer.

Hospital spokesperson, David Hiatt, mentioned that Starke County is already on the hook for approximately $7.4 million that IU Health LaPorte Hospital inherited with the signing of the lease in 2006. If they decided to not renew the lease in 2016, the county would be responsible for that much money. If the hospital were to be sold to IU Health LaPorte Hospital, that money would be waived.

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IU Health LaPorte Hospital Earns Quality Respiratory Care Recognition

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital again earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition with a national program aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of respiratory care services available in hospitals.

About 700 hospitals, or approximately 15% of hospitals nationwide, received the award. IU Health LaPorte Hospital has received the award consecutively since 2007.

Dr. Sukhija Encourages Heart Cart Exams for Heart Health

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Rishi Sukhija

Heart diseases are at an epidemic stage in the United States and I.U. Health-LaPorte and Starke Hospitals are providing early screenings for a number of related ailments.

Cardiologist, Dr. Rishi Sukhija, talked with Ted Hayes recently about Heart disease at I.U. Health-Starke Hospital and in the course of the conversation, discussed the importance of arranging for a Heart Cart exam. The Heart Cart will be at I.U. Health-Starke on Saturday, March 19th from 8:00-11:00 a.m. CT.

“We’ll do several tests for cardiovascular risk assessment and diagnosis where we can detect heart and vascular disease early and by doing so, we can slow down the progression of same at an earlier stage.”

Dr. Sukhija said that we need to watch our diets.

“To prevent cardiovascular disease, we have to cut down saturated fats in our diet and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.”

A Heart Cart exam is by appointment only. Call (219) 326-2626 to schedule an exam. The cost is only $100 for the testing. It would cost over $1000 if you had the tests done individually.