News Center

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Physician establishes new practice at Plainfield Family Medicine

INDIANAPOLIS – Charles David Hodges Jr., M.D., a member of St. Francis Medical Group, has joined Plainfield Family Medicine.

He comes to St. Francis from Family Practice and Immediate Care of Zionsville and had been affiliated with Witham Memorial Hospital since 1998. Hodges also was associated with St. Vincent’s Village Family Physicians (1993-98), and Family Practice of MetroHealth (1992-93).

Hodges is board-certified in family practice and geriatrics and is a licensed marital family therapist.

He received a bachelor’s degree in history at Indiana University and his medical degree from the IU School of Medicine. He also has earned graduate degrees in counseling from Liberty University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Hodges was an intern at IU Hospital and completed a residency in family practice at St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove.

Hodges joins Laura A. Johnson, M.D., at Plainfield Family Medicine.

Plainfield Family Medicine is located 315 Dan Jones Road, Suite 100 in the
St. Francis-Plainfield Health Center, near the corner of U.S. 40 and Dan Jones Road.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Nurse navigator will guide lung cancer patients through treatment

INDIANAPOLIS – Cheryl Streeval, R.N., has been appointed as nurse navigator for the Lung Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

She will assist lung cancer patients and their families in coordinating diagnostic appointments and physician visits, help them manage their symptoms, provide education, make patients aware of clinical trial availability and very importantly, easing patient anxiety.

Streeval joins two other nurses at St. Francis who are designated as navigators to help patients with colorectal and head and neck cancers.

Streeval comes to her new position from University of Cincinnati Physicians, where she was an oncology research nurse. She oversaw pharmaceutical clinical trials and worked closely with patients to schedule treatments, scans and labs. She previously worked at Oncology/Hematology Care of Cincinnati as an oncology infusion nurse.

A resident of Columbus, Ind., Streeval earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing.

The St. Francis Lung Cancer Center is a multidisciplinary group of physician specialists experienced in and dedicated to the prevention and treatment of lung cancers.

The physicians of the Lung Cancer Center meet regularly to review and discuss treatment plans, examine new developments in clinical and basic science that could be beneficial to patients, adhere to evidence-based guidelines and protocols for patient care, and seek to enroll patients in the latest clinical research protocols.

More information about St. Francis Cancer Care Services is at
http://stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.

Friday, April 25, 2008

St. Francis, Safe Kids fair take aim at summer safety for youngsters

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville and Safe Kids Morgan County are sponsoring “Have a Safe Kids Summer,” Saturday, May 3.

The event, which is free to the public, is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will be in the Family Medical Pavilion parking lot at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Rd.

Trained safety staff from St. Francis and Safe Kids Morgan County will be on hand to provide car-seat safety inspections. Organizers also will measure youngsters attending the event for free bike helmets and life vests

For more information, call Toni Galyan at 834-5817
.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

New radiation therapy offers more effective, precise targeting of cancers

INDIANAPOLIS – Radiation therapy at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is being delivered in a revolutionary way, providing physicians with more options and flexibility to precisely treat cancerous tissue.

It’s called TomoTherapy®, and it uses thousands of radiation beamlets delivered continuously 360 degrees around the patient.

Designed and built in the Midwest, the TomoTherapy unit at St. Francis is the first in use in central Indiana. Tomo means “slice” and since cancer is diagnosed looking at every angle, treatment can be given precisely to every slice with the help of computer assisted tomography (CT) scans generated by the TomoTherapy machine.

"St. Francis has recognized the need to provide the most precise treatment planning and delivery capabilities,” said Peter Garrett, M.D., medical director of oncology at St. Francis. "In patients we have treated to date, our expectations have been exceeded in the amount of healthy tissue that we can spare and by the quickness of the treatments, leading to a more convenient experience for the patients.”

Patients are treated with a helical mode of delivery (360 degrees of continuous treatment) which results in maximum dose delivered to the cancer site while sparing normal structures.

Patients are scanned before each treatment to confirm accuracy and then are targeted similar to a CT scan. The initial scan takes about five minutes and treatments, which are painless, begin immediately after the scan.

During a patient’s six-to-eight weeks of treatment, many physical changes can occur. Tumors shrink, organs move in the body and patients can gain or lose weight. This means initial treatment plans may be changed during therapy.

To accommodate these physical changes TomoTherapy uses an adaptive planning system. Since the TomoTherapy planning system is part of the overall unit, adjustments can be made to the original plan during the overall course of therapy, ensuring radiation delivery to the cancer immediately.

TomoTherapy is a complete package of treatment planning software, quality assurance tools, image acquisition and treatment delivery. Since all the data is in one system and not transferred between multiple systems, there is less risk of error.

Types of cancers ideally treated with TomoTherapy are prostate, head and neck and the central nervous system and all cranial tumors. All have critical normal tissues that are necessary to avoid yet require high doses of radiation for adequate treatment.”

The first patient treated with TomoTherapy was in 2003. More than 100 units are now being installed worldwide, according to TomoTherapy officials

More information about the Cancer Care Services program at St. Francis is at
http://stfrancishospitals.org/cancer and at http://stfranciscancercare360.org. To learn more about TomoTherapy, go to www.tomotherapy.com.

‘Heart Matters’ when it comes to women and their health; program open to public

INDIANAPOLIS – With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s clear the life of a mother is anything but a holiday: Taking care of kids, running errands, working straight through the day and skipping lunch. Women often are so busy taking care of others they forget to care for themselves, perhaps ignoring or being unaware of signs of their risk of heart disease.

That’s why the St. Francis Heart Center is offering "Heart Matters: What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Disease." The program, which is free to the public, is 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8.

Cardiologist Babu Doddapaneni, M.D., of the Indiana Heart Physicians is the featured presenter. He will discuss risk factors and heart disease, how women’s symptoms for a heart attack differ from men’s, less-invasive surgical procedures that benefit women, blood pressure and cholesterol, and how diet, weight and physical activity are important in preventing heart disease.

The program is at the Heart Center’s community center on the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis campus, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

The program is free; registration is requested. To register online go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38 or call (317) 782-4422.

More information about the St. Francis Heart Center is at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

St. Francis Hospital nurses recognized for professional excellence

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Several nurses were recognized for service and leadership in their respective fields at the annual St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers Excellence in Nursing ceremony.

The recent ceremony and banquet was first of several events planned throughout the year honoring the service of St. Francis’ 1,400 nurses.

The award categories, recipients and their service areas:

Clinical: Jerry Stancombe (Joint and Spine Center-Beech Grove) and Connie Seigman-Jones (Hospice-Indianapolis)
Community Service: Judy Jones (cardiac rehabilitation-Indianapolis) and Toni Galyan (obstetrics, Mooresville)
Preceptor/Mentor: Crystal Poole (Center for Geriatric Medicine-Beech Grove) and Dolores Grah (critical care unit-Indianapolis)
Nursing Quality: Kim Devine (Center for Geriatric Medicine-Beech Grove) and Becky Kohl (Pain Management Clinic)
Professional Development: Robin Standeford (obstetrics-Mooresville) and Lora Meyer (Pain Management Clinic)

Each nurse received a cash stipend for educational seminars and a plaque.

The ceremony also recognized the 2008 Richard E. Fry, M.D., Memorial Nursing Scholarships, program funded by the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation. The recipients were Jamie Perry (obstetrics-Indianapolis) and Carrie Webb (inpatient admitting-Beech Grove.

One activity that focuses on nurses’ role in helping tend to patients’ spiritual needs is the “Blessing of Hands.” This special service, which symbolizes the hands-on aspect of healing, will be offered on all St. Francis nursing units.

Public areas and cafeterias at all three St. Francis hospitals also will be the sites of ice cream socials and photographic displays celebrating nurses and their achievements and promoting the profession.

Hospice program seeks willing servers during National Volunteer Week

INDIANAPOLIS – It has been said the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in serving others – and many are finding themselves by serving the dying and their families through the St. Francis Hospice program.

With National Volunteer Week (April 27-May 3) approaching, the program seeks people for various roles and positions, including office assistants, people trained in bereavement to assist with phone calls and support groups and to make visits to patients’ homes and extended care facilities. Musicians, hair stylists and volunteers with other skills also are needed.

“National Volunteer Week gives people the opportunity to be shining examples,” said Glenda Dennison, volunteer coordinator. “Hospice volunteers encourage those they serve and inspire others to serve.

All St. Francis Hospice volunteers complete an orientation program provided by staff and have the opportunity to meet other volunteers and to shadow a member of our team to patients’ homes.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and willing to commit to four hours a week for six months. They must complete a hospital volunteer application process and attend orientation.

To learn more about the hospice volunteer program, contact Glenda Dennison at 317-859-2874, or
Glenda.dennison@ssfhs.org.

More information about St. Francis Hospice is at
www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Photos from Mooresville blessing and dedication

Images from the St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville blessing and dedication on April 16 are available for media download and use.

Members of the media are authorized to use these images by giving credit of "Photo courtesy of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers." To download a high-resolution image, click on the individual photo.



If you have questions or require a larger image, please contact Joe Stuteville. If you require photos of the Mooresville campus, click here.

Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, addresses the crowd during the dedication of a $42 million expansion of the Mooresville campus on April 16.





Entertainment was provided by the Mooresville High School Madrigals.











Ryan Goodwin, representing the Mooresville Town Council, reads a proclamation during the blessing and dedication ceremony April 16.











Monsignor Joseph F. Schaedel, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and Father John Mannion, (not pictured) director of Spiritual Care at St. Francis, blessed the expanded facility with holy water.



Sister Jane Marie Klein (left, foreground) and Sister Mediatrix Nies cut the ribbon to officially open St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville’s largest expansion in its history. Sister Jane Marie is chairperson of the Sisters of St. Francis, Inc., Board of Trustees. Sister Mediatrix, visiting from Germany, is general superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Looking on are Ryan Goodwin (second from left), representing the Mooresville Town Council, and several St. Francis officials.


Members of the business community, hospital employees and leadership of Sisters of St. Francis Health Services facilities and corporate offices attended the St. Francis-Mooresville blessing and dedication April 16. The $42 million expansion - which includes new orthopaedic and adult medical-surgical inpatient units, an Intensive Care Unit, six new operating rooms, a new laboratory and new main lobby gallery - is the largest in the hospital's history.

Sister Mediatrix Nies, general superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, shares a story with colleagues during a tour of the hospital.

It's a grand, ol' -- organ donors flag

St. Francis observes National Donate Life Month

INDIANAPOLIS -- All three St. Francis hospitals are now flying the Donate Life Flag at each location in support of National Donate Life Month, as proclaimed by President GeorgeBush.

April is set aside to increase awareness about organ donation and to honor organ, tissue, and eye donors. The donors' flag will be flown for two days every time the hospital has an organ, tissue, or eye donor.

A donor designation day has been set aside for each campus with the goal of signing up individuals to become organ, tissue and eye donors.

Thursday, April 17th: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM - Beech Grove: 1600 Albany St.


Saturday, April 19th: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Mooresville: 1201 Hadley Rd.

Thursday, April 24th: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM - Indianapolis: 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

The Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO) will be involved in these special days by providing volunteers to assist the St. Francis Donor Council members in this project. Donor family members and organs recipients will be on hand at each location to help sign-up new donors and answer any questions.

The waiting list continues to grow. Currently there are 98,177 individuals nationally and 921 in Indiana alone who are waiting for a life-saving transplant.

To learn more about donation or to register to become a donor, people are encouraged to go to
www.donatelifeindiana.org

IOPO was founded in 1987 and is currently celebrating 20 years as a nonprofit health service dedicated to serving the citizens of Indiana by providing a link between people awaiting a transplant and potential donors. IOPO is based in Indianapolis and has regional offices in Ft. Wayne and Evansville.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville unveils its largest-ever campus expansion

New inpatient building is project’s highlight; Emergency Department prepares for fall opening

MOORESVILLE, IND. – Those who travel State Road 67 have noticed a significant change to the appearance of St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville over the past two years. The hospital, originally known as a renowned specialty hospital is completing its transition to a full-service community hospital with its largest-ever campus expansion. The new space will be open to patients on Monday, April 21.

As part of the $42 million expansion, the hospital adds a 34-bed orthopaedic inpatient unit, a 26-bed adult medical-surgical inpatient unit, an eight-bed Intensive Care Unit, six new operating rooms, a new laboratory and an on-site office for Indiana Heart Physicians for expanded cardiac services.

The hospital’s now larger main lobby gallery also features a coffee bar and gift shop. In total, the hospital has grown from 258,000 square feet to nearly 400,000 square feet during this expansion.

"Although St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville has been in a growth mode for the past several years, the completion of this stage of construction is the most significant to our patients because it will greatly enhance both health care services offered and the patient’s hospital experience," said Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. "And what’s exciting is there are more enhancements to come.

"The expansion is the continuation of an eight-year investment in this hospital to address the health care needs of the growing northern Morgan, Hendricks and southwestern Marion counties," Brody added. "Our goal with this expansion is to offer the best health care available right in this community, so the large number of area residents who have been leaving Morgan County to receive medical services get the care they need close to home."

Enhancing the inpatient experience with modern private rooms
The new orthopaedic and adult inpatient nursing units offer private patient rooms, modern conveniences and the latest technology for patients and the medical team.

"Patients deserve and expect modern and peaceful environments during their hospital stay," said Keith Jewell, senior vice president and chief operating officer, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. "Our new private patient rooms were designed with both patients and their family members in mind, as we know that the support of loved ones is critical during the recovery process."

Each inpatient room is equipped with two flat-screen televisions, a sofa that converts to a bed for an overnight guest, a desk and wireless Internet connectivity. Additionally, careful consideration was given to the views from patient rooms, and two large rooftop gardens are visible from many of the rooms to help promote a healing environment.

Physicians and medical staff have access to wireless communication technology and bedside charting for improved caregiver communication and efficiency. Patient care stations are located outside patient rooms in addition to centralized nursing stations, enabling physicians and nurses to perform their responsibilities closer to the patient.

The hospital’s current inpatient units will be converted into a convent for the Sisters of St. Francis. The building that formerly housed the hospital’s operating rooms will be demolished this summer to create additional parking for the new medical office building that is under construction.

Offering the latest surgical technology
Six new surgery suites offer the latest in surgical technology, including a high-tech video and photography system in every operating room. The system is used for viewing X-rays during surgery; printing or copying photos to a CD, flash drive or to patients’ charts for later reference; and for teaching demonstrations and information-sharing with other physicians.

Additionally, the operating rooms are equipped with laminar airflow and ultraviolet light technology for sterilization, which is critical in preventing infection.

Planning continues for hospital’s future Emergency Department
A major piece of the hospital’s expansion is the development of an Emergency Department, scheduled to open in October 2008. St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville continues to recruit the full complement of physicians, specialists and nurses required to staff the future full-service Emergency Department.

‘We realize community members are eagerly awaiting the opening of our Emergency Department later this year," Jewell said. "Residents who live in northern Morgan County currently have to travel more than 15 miles to receive emergency services. When St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville’s Emergency Department opens later this year, it will provide community members high-quality emergency care close to home, as well as peace of mind."

The hospital continues to offer high-quality urgent care services through PromptMed, which treated almost 20,000 patients in 2007.

Hosting a grand opening celebration for community members
On Saturday, April 19, community residents are invited to St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, located at 1201 Hadley Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a sneak preview community health event. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new facility before it officially opens to patients and participate in nearly a dozen health screenings and demonstrations. The event will be held in the new main lobby gallery and inpatient building. The event is free and open to the public. Shuttle service is available.

###

Mooresville images

Members of the media are authorized to use these images by giving credit of "Photo courtesy of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers." To download a high-resolution image, click on the individual photo.

If you have questions or require a larger image, please contact Joe Stuteville.

St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville has completed a $42 million expansion, the largest in the hospital’s history. The new inpatient building opens to patients on Monday, April 21. This expansion adds services and facilities, plus specially trained nurses, therapists and hospitalists, enabling St. Francis to provide highly acute tertiary services close to home.





The new private patient rooms offer modern conveniences, such as two flat-screen televisions – one for the patient and one for guests – a sofa bed for an overnight guest, a desk and wireless Internet connectivity; the latest medical technology, including bedside charting; plus scenic views.







The nearly 140,000 square foot expansion at St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville includes new orthopaedic and adult medical-surgical inpatient units, an Intensive Care Unit, six new operating rooms, a new laboratory and new main lobby gallery.







Six new surgery suites at St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville offer the latest in surgical technology, including a high-tech video and photography system in every operating room, and laminar airflow and ultraviolet light technology for sterilization, which is critical in preventing infection.








There is a nice view from the second floor waiting area. This spring, St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville will begin landscaping two rooftop gardens, which will be visible from some patient rooms. Scenic views are shown to promote healing.






Starting Monday, April 21, patients and visitors will enter St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville’s new main entrance. The main lobby gallery includes a new gift shop and coffee bar.

Monday, April 14, 2008

St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville marks hospital’s largest expansion with a blessing, dedication and ribbon-cutting

What: Before St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville officially opens its doors to the largest-ever expansion of the hospital campus, it will host a blessing, dedication and ribbon-cutting event for invited guests.

As part of the $42 million expansion, the hospital adds a 34-bed orthopaedic inpatient unit, a 26-bed adult medical-surgical inpatient unit, an eight-bed Intensive Care Unit, six new operating rooms, a new laboratory and an on-site office for Indiana Heart Physicians for expanded cardiac services, all opening to patients April 21. The hospital’s now larger main lobby gallery also offers a new coffee bar and gift shop. In total, the hospital has grown from 258,000 square feet to nearly 400,000 square feet during this expansion.

When: Blessing, dedication and ribbon-cutting event2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16

Where: St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville
New Main Lobby Gallery
1201 Hadley Road, Mooresville, Ind.

Who: Blessing, dedication and ribbon-cutting run-of-show

2:30 p.m.: Welcome – Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

Opening Prayer – Sister Marlene Shapley, O.S.F., vice president of mission services, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

Fulfilling Our Health Care Mission – Sister Jane Marie Klein, O.S.F., chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.

Expanding the Community’s View of Health Care – Keith Jewell, senior vice president and chief operating officer, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

2:45 p.m.: Town of Mooresville Proclamation Presentation – Ryan Goodwin, Mooresville Town Council

2:50 p.m.: Blessing and Dedication – Rev. Monsignor Joseph F. Schaedel, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Archdiocese of Indianapolis; and Father John Mannion, Spiritual Care Service, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

3:10 p.m.: Ribbon Cutting – (All attendees to participate)

3:20 p.m.: Closing prayer and closing remarks

3:25 p.m.: Refreshments and tours of the new facility

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Center Grove students prep for rounds at St. Francis Hospital


INDIANAPOLIS – A select group of high-school students at Center Grove High School will get a front-row seat to the many career opportunities in health care through a St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers program.

About 100 students will visit the hospital for a daylong slate of activities and presentations at St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove, Friday, April 18.

“What makes the program unique is students get to see first-hand that health care encompasses more than physicians and nurses,” said coordinator James W. Dix III, manager of organizational development and training. “Even though these two professions are integral parts of a hospital’s operation, this introduction to the world of health care demonstrates there are myriad other opportunities in the industry.”

Students will visit specialists in various areas, including respiratory therapy, radiology, surgery, physical therapy and the emergency department’s ambulance and clinical sections.

A St. Francis physician and nurse will brief students on their work and job trends and top administrators will explain their role in hospital operations

This marks the 10th year St. Francis has offered the program to Indianapolis-area schools.

“The field trip acquaints my anatomy and physiology students to the health occupations field in a typical hospital setting,” said CGHS teacher Judy Lines. “Often they make valuable contacts while visiting there, and then they are able to go back on week-ends or in the summer to shadow a professional for a period of time.”

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Nurse selected as manager at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville

INDIANAPOLIS – Pamela L. Sherman, R.N., has been appointed quality manager at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville.

She most recently served as vice president of clinical services and chief nursing officer at Mindgent Healthcare Services of Indianapolis. Sherman previously served as vice president of patient care services at Barix Clinic of Indiana, chief nurse executive at Clarian West Medical Center, clinical manager at Community Hospital-East and held various nursing positions at the Women’s Hospital of Indianapolis and the Indiana University Medical Center.

Sherman received an associate’s degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and marketing from Marshall University. She earned a master’s in health administration at the University of St. Francis and currently is enrolled in a master’s level nursing program at the IU School of Nursing.

A Greenwood, Ind., resident, Sherman has held several leadership positions in nursing and academic organizations.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Patients reap dividends from American Cancer Society’s ‘Investor’ program


INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has been recognized as a Five Star Investor in the fight against cancer by the American Cancer Society (ACS), Great Lakes Division, Inc.

The award comes by way of the society’s Workplace Solutions program, which recognizes work sites and employers who are active in fighting cancer on multiple fronts through the ACS programs and services.

“The Cancer Program at St. Francis extremely pleased to be presented with these awards from the American Cancer Society,” said Kent Brumbaugh, executive director of oncology services. “We value our partnership with the ACS and our combined efforts to provide the best education, treatment and support for cancer patients throughout our area.”

To earn recognition as a Five Star Investor, work sites must participate in a variety of ACS initiatives: receiving
the American Cancer Society monthly electronic newsletter Because We Care; forming a team for our signature breast cancer event, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; forming a team to raise funds and participate in Relay For Life;
providing its employees a smoke-free work environment; and providing sponsorship dollars in support of American Cancer Society programs.

“St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is a leader in the fight against today’s number one health concern,” said Tanya Husain, American Cancer Society executive director. “By investing their time and energy into fighting cancer, we will save more lives and see fewer cases of this disease that takes so much from so many.”

St. Francis also received the Five Star Community Investor award, which recognizes hospitals combating cancer in the community by providing a link to http://www.cancer.org/; offering low or no-cost cancer screenings and smoking cessation programs to the public; being a provider of screenings through the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program; and hosting “Look Good, Feel Better” classes for women being treated for cancer.

More information about St. Francis Cancer Care Services is at http://stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.

For more information on Workplace Solutions, please contact your local American Cancer Society office or 1-800-ACS-2345.

Friday, April 4, 2008

St. Francis surgeon explains heart murmurs at Greenwood library

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Have you or a family member been diagnosed with a heart murmur? Are you unsure about what that means?

At an upcoming “Ask the Doc” program sponsored by the St. Francis Heart Center on Monday, April 14, cardiothoracic surgeon Marc Gerdisch, M.D., will explain why it is important to understand why heart valves may cause murmurs and when it’s time to seek treatment. Gerdisch is the medical director of Cardiac Surgery Associates in Indianapolis.

Heart murmurs are caused by valves inside the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes, people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. But if the problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected.

Surgery, including heart valve repairs and valve replacement, can correct the condition and prevent heart failure.

The free, hour-long program starts at 6:30 p.m. at the White River Public Library 1664 Library Blvd., Greenwood.

To register, call 317-782-4422.

St. Francis Hospital shines spotlight of appreciation on its nurses


INDIANAPOLIS – Nurses. They’re the heartbeat of hospitals and clinics – often the ones patients have the most interaction with when undergoing treatment.

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers will honor its nurses and the myriad services they perform in events planned throughout the year. The activities, organized by the Nursing Services Recognition Steering Committee, get under way in mid-April and during National Nurses Week, May 5-10.

“Nursing is more than a career” said Chief Nursing Officer Susan McRoberts. “For us, it is a ministry, and we’re proud so many have answered the call by choosing St. Francis as their professional home.”

St. Francis has about 1,400 nurses working in patient care and specialty care at its three hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.

On Thursday, April 17, St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville will host a recognition dinner awards ceremony. Ten nurses will be honored based on the criteria of clinical service, quality improvement, mentoring, professional development and community service. They will receive a cash stipend to be used for educational seminars and a plaque.

The event also will announce the 2008 Richard E. Fry Scholarships for nursing education, a program funded by the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation.

“We want to honor the men and women who, every day, make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families,” said Anita Trackwell, clinical services director at the Mooresville hospital. “Their commitment to their patients is the foundation for the excellent care we provide at our hospital. These nurses deserve our encouragement and support, and we believe there is no greater gift we can give than a simple thank-you for their many contributions and hard work.”

One activity that focuses on nurses’ role in helping tend to patients’ spiritual needs is the “Blessing of Hands.” This special service, which symbolizes the hands-on aspect of healing, will be offered on all St. Francis nursing units.

Public areas and cafeterias at all three St. Francis hospitals also will be the sites of ice cream socials and photographic displays celebrating nurses and their achievements and promoting the profession.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville expands community’s view of health care

Campus expansion sneak preview includes community health event

What: Before St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville officially opens the doors to the hospital campus’ largest-ever expansion, community members are invited to a sneak preview community health event.

There is much to see inside the new, expansive inpatient building, including modern and private patient rooms and the most advanced surgery suite technology. As a fun community health activity, guests will be given a pedometer when they arrive and will be asked to report back their number of steps taken during the event. The event also includes a coloring page prize drawing for children, healthy snacks, giveaways, and various health screenings, presentations and activities, including:
· Cholesterol
· Blood pressure
· Height, weight and body mass index (BMI)
· Bone density testing
· Lymphoedema screening
· Proper hand washing
· Tai Chi demonstration
· Online St. Francis Hospital employment application
· Information on various other St. Francis services and programs

When: Saturday, April 19, 2008
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: New Main Lobby Gallery
St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road

Cost: Free and open to the public; no reservation required

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Nationally known expert on tap for Heart Center talk, April 9

INDIANAPOLIS – One of the nations’s leading experts on lifestyle modification and cardiovascular disease is the featured speaker of the Change of Heart program, sponsored by the St. Francis Heart Center.

Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D., director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., will discuss the effective ways people can incorporate exercise into their daily lives. He’s the co-author of Take a Load Off Your Heart and host of a national public television special bearing the same title.
Franklin, who earned a doctoral degree in physiology from Pennsylvania State University, will give his presentation at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, at the St. Francis Heart Center’s Community Center, located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Entrance No. 1.
To register for the class, call 317-782-4422.
The Change of Heart class series is designed to teach heart-healthy habits and lifestyle changes. Class series are offered in the spring and fall and limited class selections in the summer.

A career in caring

Youngsters from North Madison Elementary School in Camby, were given a behind-the-scenes look at the myriad career opportunities in health care at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville. The March 27 event, organized by RN Cheryl Howard, brought together several staff members from the hospital who set up learning stations for the kids. The students spent time listening and learning about specific health and medical topics and participated in hands-on demonstrations.
Photos by Dena Allen

HEART SMART: Jason Kaufmann watches as a student participates in a CPR demonstration using an AED kit.

















FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Students gathered around Peggy Eineman’s station to hear about the significance of diet and nutrition in their daily lives.















BONE BUDDIES: One station offered a different kind of volunteer. These kids enjoyed introducing themselves to a new friend from the physical therapy department.
















CUTTING EDGE: David Wortman demonstrated what goes on behind closed doors in surgery. The sixth graders learned how to dress and scrub for procedures and the tools used by surgeons.