IU Health Executive Outlines Physician Recruitment Plan

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

IU Health is aggressively recruiting primary care physicians in order to keep up with demand in Starke County. Vice President for Strategy Brian Donnelly says there are nine currently practicing here.

“By 2017, four of those nine physicians will have reached age 72. I personally am not aware of any retirements pending. I don’t know that we’ve gotten a firm date from any of these folks. That’s not up to me to decide how long doctors practice, but at least in terms of looking at reality four of the nine physicians will be late in their careers when we get to 2017. This to us looks like a shortage,” Donnelly told the Starke County Commissioners.

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IU Health Starke Hospital Offers Final Free Affordable Care Act Event

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Area residents have one final chance to get their questions about the Affordable Care Act answered before Monday’s looming deadline. IU Health Starke Hospital is hosting a free question and answer session today from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. CDT in the conference room. IU Health Exchange Navigators will be able to help people sign up for coverage or answer any questions they may have. Monday is the last day for people without insurance to sign up for coverage in order to avoid paying a penalty during next year’s tax season.

The federal government did grant a reprieve for people who have started an application on the healthcare.gov website but can’t complete it by the March 31 deadline. They will be given an extension, although the amount of time was not specified. In order to qualify, the applicant needs to check the blue box on the healthcare.gov website indicating an attempt to sign up for coverage by the March 31 deadline.

IU Health Starke and LaPorte Hospitals Announce New COO

Posted on Author WKVI

Camie Patterson
Camie Patterson
IU Health Starke and LaPorte Hospitals have a new management team member. Camie Patterson is the new chief operating officer. She worked at Self Regional Healthcare in South Carolina for nearly a decade and most recently served as the COO. Patterson also worked as the controller before moving into the senior vice president and chief financial officer roles. She also worked for 12 years as a certified public accountant. Patterson received her Master in Healthcare Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York.

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LaPorte Hospital Foundation Launches Hospice Campaign

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The annual philanthropic campaign to support quality hospice care throughout the region was recently launched by the LaPorte Hospital Foundation, encouraging those who haven’t already donated to consider giving to Indiana University Health La Porte VNA Services.

Since 1982, Hospice has provided compassionate care to individuals who are at the terminal stage of life by assisting with their physical, emotional and spiritual needs with an emphasis on pain management. Services are offered in La Porte, Porter, Starke and St. Joseph counties. Continue reading →

Visiting Restrictions Lifted at IU Health Hospitals

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
IU Health has lifted visiting restrictions at IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals.

The low number of positive influenza cases in the area and at the state level prompted the change in previous visitor restrictions.

The local facilities implemented the precautionary measures of visitor restrictions to protect patients, families and colleagues from unnecessary potential exposure to the flu virus in mid-January.

IU Health continues to encourage all visitors to use their best judgment when visiting a loved one in the hospital. If visiting someone in a hospital, make sure you are healthy. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.

Flu Prompts IU Health to Limit Visitors

Posted on Author WKVI

 

 
 

IU Health is implementing “precautionary measures of visitor restrictions” until further notice to protect patients, families and hospital staff from potential exposure to the flu virus. That means only healthy adults ages 18 and older may visit patients. This includes parents, spouses, significant others and spiritual counselors, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances. A “healthy” adult is one who is not experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, body aches, diarrhea or vomiting; and someone who has not been exposed to the flu virus in the past week. Visitors are also reminded to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often. Continue reading →

No Changes for UnitedHealthcare Patients During Talks with IU Health

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Contract negotiations between IU Health and UnitedHealthcare are continuing, but patients won’t notice any difference in the interim, according to IU Health officials. The Dec. 31 expiration of the contract between the provider and insurance company means that IU Health facilities and physicians are no longer in network for most patients covered under UnitedHealthcare health insurance. However, IU Health issued a statement saying they will treat UnitedHealthcare patients and their portion of the bill as ‘in-network’ as of Jan. 1, 2014.

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IU Health Cardiologist Has Tips to Stay Healthy While Shoveling Snow

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Though the rains this weekend may have washed away the majority of the snow, there’s bound to more snowfall headed our way, and an IU Health cardiologist has some advice for those who are responsibility for clearing the snow off of steps, porches, and driveways.

Dr. Risha Sukhija told WKVI that the most important thing is to stay warm and don’t shovel snow if cold is a trigger for any condition you may have. If you get chest pain, stop immediately, as cold can cause spasms in heart arteries.

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IU Health Offering Discounted Mammograms Stressing Early Detection

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
IU Health is offering discounted screening mammograms at a number of locations in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the entire month of October. The mammograms are offered for $95 at several locations; to schedule an appointment, contact IU Health LifePlex Imaging at (800) 654-4841, ext. 2444 or IU Health Starke Hospital at (574) 772-1177.

According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms are the most effective and valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer, and Katie Sarver, wellness outreach program manager for IU Health LaPorte, agrees.

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Number of IU Health Layoffs Increased; No Local Impact Indicated

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A letter from Dan Evans to the IU Health Team has indicated an increase in the number of anticipated layoffs as part of the corporation’s strive toward a 25 percent improvement in productivity over the next five years. Previously, Evans indicated that approximately 800 jobs would be cut at the academic health center, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, IU Health North, Saxony and Tipton hospitals, as well as System Services.

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Get Your Child’s Safety Seat Checked for Free on Wednesday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
In observation of National Child Passenger Safety Week, a free clinic to help parents determine if a child car and/or booster seat is properly installed in a vehicle is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 1340 State Road 2 West in LaPorte from 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. CT.

IU Health is sponsoring this event where certified child passenger safety technicians will be available to check the safety belt to ensure it properly protects the child in case of a crash in addition to other safety checks.

The evaluation should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

The Automotive Safety Program has technicians available at more than 120 year-round child safety seat fitting stations across the state.

IU Health to Lay Off 800 Employees

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

IU Health has announced they will be laying off approximately 800 employees by December in an effort to improve productivity and cut down on expenses. In a letter that was reportedly sent to IU Health team members from CEO Dan Evans, IU Health has significantly reduced labor costs with flexible scheduling and by not filling open positions, but those reductions have not been enough.

The letter explains that IU Health adopted a goal of improving productivity by 25 percent over the next five years because the company believes that “the future reimbursement environment, from all payers, will look much like Medicare does today,” and in order to manage “population health” well, the hospital system must invest in new technologies and advances in the face of worsening reimbursements.

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IU Health and PNC to Offer Sports Physicals

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Area student athletes in need of a physical are urged to take advantage of a partnership between IU Health Sports Medicine and the Purdue University North Central Athletics Department. They are offering $10 sports physicals on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the PNC campus. Physicals are available to any student-athlete regardless of age or school affiliation. However, athletes need to pick up the appropriate forms and materials at their school with all appropriate signatures and forms completed prior to their physical. All athletes are required to have an annual physical before taking part in sports, as is anyone who plans to participate in any preseason training. Completed forms will be turned in to the school on the evening of the physical.

Heart Cart Screenings Available Tuesday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Heart Cart will make a stop in Plymouth on Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET at IU Health Primary Care at Lifeplex.

Those wishing to be tested for abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, poor leg circulation, stroke and weight should pre-register for these screenings by calling 1-800-235-6204 ext. 2626. The screenings are provided in part by the Starke Health Fund of the IU Health Foundation.

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Dr. Wipperman Named Medical Director of IU Health Occupational Services

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
IU Health Occupational Services of Northern Indiana recently announced Dr. Vickie Wipperman will serve as medical director for the program. Wippeman assumed her new role this month, and will begin providing medical oversight to the program and help with business development and client management.

In January, IU Health Occupational Services acquired Wipperman Occupational Health, an independent occupational health clinic providing occupational health and employee wellness programs to a variety of employers in South Bend and other areas. Board-certified in occupational and environmental medicine, Wipperman boasts 30 years of experience in the healthcare field with more than two dozen of those years in occupational medicine.

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IU Health LaPorte Physician Receives National Honor for Diabetes Care

Posted on Author WKVI

Dr. Joseph Arulandu
Dr. Joseph Arulandu
A doctor at IU Health LaPorte Physicians Primary Care recently received honors from the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program for providing expert care to patients with diabetes. This announcement comes from the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the American Diabetes Association, who proclaimed Dr. Joseph Arulandu as the only physician in La Porte and Porter counties to have received this honor for three consecutive years since 2006.

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March is Colorectal Cancer Month; Free Screening Kits Available

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and IU Health is offering free colorectal cancer take-home screening kits at a variety of locations throughout Starke, Marshall, and LaPorte counties. Katie Sarver, manager of wellness outreach for IU Health Starke and LaPorte hospitals, said colorectal cancer can affect anyone, but it’s easy to detect early, allowing doctors to treat the condition effectively.

Sarver explained that the screening kit requires three consecutive bowel movements and will be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed.

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Heart Health Takes Center Stage in February

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health LaPorte Hospital and IU Health Starke Hospital are urging you to listen to your heart and educate yourself during American Heart Month.

The American Heart Association says many heart attacks occur suddenly and many of warning signs start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort lasting more than a few minutes; discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath and breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

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