Lactation program and services earn national recognition

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis has been awarded the IBCLC Care Award by The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) and The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). 

This award recognizes excellence demonstrated by staffing with IBCLE-certified professionals as part of the maternal-child health care team and for breastfeeding activities that demonstrate promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.

Franciscan St. Francis not only acknowledges that breast milk is the ideal food for your baby but is also committed to helping breastfeeding families get off to a good start and continue breastfeeding as long as they desire. Some of our services include:

● Certified lactation consultants and specialists on staff

● A Lactation Line (317-528-5620) for parents to call with their questions and concerns about breastfeeding

● Outpatient consultations by appointment for breastfeeding challenges

● Weekly morning and evening breastfeeding support group

● Workplace lactation support

● Sale and rental of Medela hospital-grade breast pumps

● Breastfeeding supplies available in our gift shop

● Support and guidance for mothers who are providing breast milk to their babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

● Expectant parents may register for a breastfeeding class through the Franciscan St. Francis Education Department by calling 317-528-5554

Human breast milk is critical for the health of premature babies. Premature babies who receive all human breast milk feedings have fewer infections, better cognitive development and shorter hospital stays.

That’s why Franciscan St. Francis Health has partnered with Indiana Mothers Milk Bank to provide a convenient location at its Indianapolis campus, in Classroom 1 near Entrance 5, for pre-approved donor mothers to drop off their breast milk. Franciscan St. Francis will safely store the milk and the Milk Bank will pick it up on a routine basis.

To learn more about lactation services, contact the Franciscan St. Francis Lactation Line at 317-528-5620.

St. Francis Health business expert’s book notches national accolades

INDIANAPOLIS – A book co-authored by a business process expert at Franciscan St. Francis Health has earned top praise for its promotion of operational excellence and process improvement in the health care arena.

Joseph E. Swartz, director of business transformation, and his co-author, Mark Graban, are recipients of a Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award. Their 2012 book, Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements, focuses on the principles and methods of daily continuous improvement, or “kaizen,” for health care professionals and organizations.

 Kaizen is a Japanese word that means “change for the better,” popularized mainly by international business pundit Masaaki Imai. Originating in Japan in the ashes of World War II, the kaizen philosophy is used by many health care organizations, government, banking, and a myriad of industries around the globe. Its premise is that small changes, occurring at various levels and in coordination, lead to better customer service and more efficient work.

 Healthcare Kaizen shares some of the methods used by numerous hospitals, including Franciscan St. Francis, where Swartz and others have led these efforts. Most importantly, the book covers the management mindsets and philosophies required to make Kaizen work effectively in a hospital department.

All of the examples in the book are shared by leading health care organizations, with over 200 full-color pictures and visual illustrations of Kaizen-based improvements that were initiated by chief operating officers, nurses, housekeepers, and other staff at all levels.

Franciscan St. Francis’ three hospitals adopted the kaizen approach in 2007. Tens of thousands of suggestions and changes have been implemented since that time; more than 4,000 were submitted last year alone. In those five years, kaizen has saved St. Francis’ three hospitals in excess of $4 million.

“The most important thing is that kaizen has engaged all our staff members to make improvements that are good for themselves, good for their respective departments, good for our patients and their families, good for the hospital and good for our community,” said Swartz, who had led more than 200 process improvement projects at Franciscan St. Francis.

Swartz and Graban will receive their award at the 26^th International Shingo Prize Conference in Ohio.

St. Francis Health-Mooresville executive accepts La. CEO post

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Jared L. Stark has resigned as executive director of Franciscan St. Francis Health–Mooresville, a post he has held for five years, effective June 6.

He has accepted the position of chief executive officer at University Hospital in Lafayette, La.

“This is a huge move for me and my family,” Stark said of his new appointment. “It is a wonderful opportunity in a wonderful community, and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

A native Hoosier, Stark said the move was one of the most difficult decisions he ever has made.

“The good work we have completed over the past five years at Mooresville has been as gratifying as I could imagine,” he said. “It has been my honor and privilege to work with the physicians and staff to continue the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis in serving the health care needs of such a vibrant and growing area. The people, the culture, the compassion and the camaraderie everyone has shared with me – both at our facilities and in the surrounding communities – is something I will never forget.”

Keith Jewell, chief operating officer of Franciscan St. Francis, will lead the search for Stark’s replacement.

“Jared has made many important contributions to the success of Franciscan St. Francis Health to the benefit of our hospitals, our patients, our employees and our community,” Jewell said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside him for the past five years and will miss his outstanding contributions and wise counsel.”

Jewell noted that Stark has overseen the opening of the emergency room in Mooresville, the growth of inpatient services in the community and the development of a new outpatient facility in Mooresville and of a new hospital in Carmel. He also has served on the board of the Healthier Morgan County Initiative, the Morgan County Economic Development Commission and the Barbara B. Jordan YMCA in Martinsville.

Stark received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville and his master of business administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

He is a Certified Health Care Executive and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

New family medicine residents ready for rounding at Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS -- Newly minted physicians will begin honing their skills in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Franciscan St. Francis Health on July 1.

The 36-month program launches the start of their family medicine careers. Residents practice out of the hospital’s Family Medicine Center in Indianapolis, where they see patients of all ages and incomes. They also provide care for expectant mothers and deliver babies for many of these patients at the hospital’s Indianapolis campus.

The incoming class includes Amy Hale, MD; Michael Mooney, MD; Kami Smith, MD; and Tony Zabel, MD, from the Indiana University School of Medicine. Also joining the group are Phil Blaney, MD (University of Utah); Christine Brentrup, MD (University of North Dakota); and Cecelia Capes, MD (American University of the Caribbean).

“All of these first-year residents came from our very top candidates,” said Richard Feldman, MD, family medicine residency director. “This was a great recruiting effort in a competitive environment, and we believe it will prove to be one of the finest classes in our program’s 40-year history.”

Nearly 220 physicians have completed their residencies at Franciscan St. Francis since the program began, most choosing to remain in Indiana to establish family medicine practices.

Franciscan St. Francis Health offers new stroke support group

INDIANAPOLIS -- Franciscan St. Francis Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Services have launched a new stroke support group.

The kick-off meeting is Wednesday, June 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Indianapolis campus, 2^nd Floor, Terrace Conference Room, located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (use Entrance 12).

The stroke support group will continue to meet the second Wednesday of every month and focus on educational topics geared toward stroke survivors and their support systems. Featured guest speakers will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics. At these free events, participants can gain insights from knowledgeable speakers and talk with others who are coping with the effects of stroke.

Upcoming dates and topics:

June 12: Caregiver Support-Kate Kunk, Central Indiana Council on Aging

July 10: Preventing another Stroke- Marty Cangany, RN, Franciscan St. Francis Health
 

Aug. 14: Return to Driving-Laura Noblitt, Senior Driving and Mobility Services

Sept. 11: Spousal Impoverishment and Elder Law-Dennis Frick, Senior Law Project

For more information or to join the support group mailing list for receive updates, contact Diana Hanson at 317-528-6258 or diana.hanson@franciscanalliance.org or Amy Horter at 317 528-6038 or amy.horter@franciscanalliance.org.