Heart tests guide your family doc, cardiologist to appropriate treatments

INDIANAPOLIS – So what does an EKG, stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan or MRI reveal to doctors? Plenty or sometimes nothing at all.

Cardiac tests might be ordered by a family physician or cardiologist to check heart function and allow them to develop the best course of therapy for patients.

The public has the opportunity to learn what these tests mean at a Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center-sponsored seminar led by cardiologist Sree Paleru, M.D., of St. Francis Medical Group Indiana Heart Physicians.

The class, which is free to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Heart Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

To register, call 317-782-4422 or register on-line at MyHeartCare.net and click on the “education” link.

To learn more about services offered at the St. Francis Heart Center, go to http://myheartcare.net,

St. Francis Heart Center offers heart-healthy courses throughout October

INDIANAPOLIS – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.

Prevention is the key to lowering your chances of developing a cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes throughout October to improve the community’s health through education and prevention.

All of the events are open and free to the public.

Several of the Change of Heart classes will be held at the St. Francis Heart Center’s Community Center, located on the southeast corner of St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. St. Francis-Mooresville, located at 1201 Hadley Road, also will host several of the events.

All classes start at 6:30 PM. Registration is required. Call 317-782-4422 or register online by clicking on the “Education” tab at www.myheartcare .net

Exercise Tips for Your Heart

If you can’t find time to exercise or aren’t sure what the best exercise is for you, this class is for you. Discover that exercise can be healthy and fun. Learn how to set up a schedule for yourself.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Healthy Eating

Diets don’t work! Learn about healthy lifestyles in this class. Find out how much a “serving” is and how to manage a healthy weight. Discover how fats, carbohydrates and protein affect our body. Do you know how much salt, fiber and sugar are in the foods you buy? This class offers the foundation for a healthy future.

Monday, Oct. 3, Franciscan St. Francis Health—Mooresville

Wednesday, Oct. 5, Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Heart Smart Dining

Americans eat nearly half their meals away from home. How can you control what you eat when you don’t cook for yourself? Learn how to make wise menu selections and eat smart while dining out.

Wednesday, Oct. 12, Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Tuesday, Oct. 18, Franciscan St. Francis Health—Mooresville

Meatless Cooking Tips

Reverse heart disease by eating more! Adding more fiber and meatless meals to your diet is easy with new products now on the market. This class will help you with menu planning and recipes so you can incorporate more meatless meals into your daily life.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, Franciscan St. Francis Health—Mooresville

Wednesday, Oct. 26, Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Quit Smoking

Smoking is the number-one risk factor for heart disease, and we know how hard quitting tobacco can be. Making good lifestyle choices is a big part of staying healthy. Come learn from the Franciscan St. Francis Coordinator of Tobacco Cessation about options to help you begin the process of becoming smoke-free.

Monday, Oct. 10, Franciscan St. Francis Health—Mooresville

Reduce Stress

Negative stress causes changes in lifestyle and behavior, which may lead to unhealthy choices. Learn to identify the causes of stress in your life and how to improve your health.

Wednesday, Oct. 19, Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Super Shopping

With all the new and changing products on the shelves, grocery shopping can be overwhelming. Learn where to find the healthy foods and how to avoid packaging tricks commonly used to market foods. Discover how food labels make you a smarter shopper. Classes are held in the grocery sections at local Meijer stores.

Monday, Oct. 17, Meijer, 5325 E. Southport Road

Tuesday, Oct. 25, Meijer, 10509 Heartland Blvd., Camby

Franciscan St. Francis Health physicians among U.S. News ‘Top Doctors’ list

INDIANAPOLIS – More than 30 Franciscan St. Francis Health physicians have been singled out by U.S. News & World Report in the publication’s annual “Top Doctors” listing.

The Top Doctors list was compiled with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., publisher of America’s Top Doctors, among other consumer health guides. Nominations came from physicians in academic medical centers and private practices, specialty hospitals and regional hospitals.

Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team reviewed each nominee’s training, achievements and appointments, along with other credentials.

U.S. News Media Group provides a free searchable directory available at www.usnews.com/top-doctors that lists nearly 30,000 peer-nominated physicians across the country.

Franciscan St. Francis physicians and their specialties include:

Richard Beardsley (family medicine)

William Berg (interventional cardiology)

Michael Elmore (gastroenterology)

Erica Eugster (pediatric endocrinology)

Thomas Fairchild (otolaryngology)

Jack Farr II (orthopedic surgery)

Peter Garrett (radiation oncology)

Marc Gerdisch M.D. (thoracic surgery)

Charles Hughes III (plastic surgery)

Denise Johnson Miller (surgeon)

Martin Kaefer (urology)

Baron Kidd (pediatrics)

Robert Kinn M.D. (cardiac electrophysiology)

Charles Kinsella (pulmonology)

Frederick Lane (colon and rectal surgery)

G. Todd Lemmel (gastroenterology)

S. Chase Lottich (surgeon)

Jonathan Mandelbaum (surgeon)

Mary Lou Mayer (medical oncology)

David Moore, M.D.  (gynecologic cancer)

Dan Nordmann (pain management)

Jeffrey Peterson (family medicine)

David Pound (gastroenterology)

Ana Priscu (endocrinology)

Dawn Salvatore (vascular surgeon)

Juan Sanchez (pediatric endocrinology)

Bridget Sanders (colon and rectal surgery)

Richard Shea (cardiologist)

Barbara Sturm (dermatology)

James Thompson (medical oncology)

Jan Jansen (hematology)

Olaf Johansen (colon and rectal cancer)

Jeffery Pierson (orthopedic surgery)

G. Alan Von Stein M.D (obstetrics/gynecology)

U.S. News Media Group provides a free searchable directory available at www.usnews.com/top-doctors that lists nearly 30,000 peer-nominated physicians across the country.

More than 1,000 physicians are employed or have practice privileges at Franciscan St. Francis’ hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.

Nearly 170 physicians are members of St. Francis Medical Group, a multidisciplinary team practicing in 46 groups throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

‘Mammothon’ offers convenient breast cancer screenings, other services

INDIANAPOLIS – With early detection, diagnosis and treatment options, more patients are beating breast cancer. Yet, many women don’t seek annual mammography screenings for a variety of reasons.

Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis wants to make it more convenient for women. That’s why it’s sponsoring Mammothon, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7.

The event will be held at the Breast Center area near entrance 5 at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

In addition to mammograms and consultations with physicians and specialists, the hospital will provide free bone density, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings; free chair massages and skin care demonstrations by Lancóme Cosmetics; and refreshments and door prizes. Those scheduling a screening mammogram during the event will receive a free Vera Bradley® gift.

The mammograms are by appointment only and can be made by calling 855-837-8830. All major insurances are accepted.

For those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the Little Red Door Cancer Agency. Call 317-925-5595 for more information.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer occur annually in the United States. The survival rate has improved significantly because of mammogram screenings.

In addition to clinical exams, the ACS recommends that women 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep on doing so for as long as they are in good health.

Although regular mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by more than 30 percent, nearly one-third of eligible women do not get regular screenings.

To learn more about Mammothon, breast cancer and services available at St. Francis Cancer Center, go to www.mammothon.com.

Internist the first to see patients at new St. Francis Health Martinsville office

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. – Dianna L. Boyer, M.D., has established a practice at Martinsville Family & Internal Medicine with St. Francis Medical Group.

The newly established medical complex opened Sept. 19, and provides a broad range of health care options for local residents and surrounding areas.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Boyer most recently was employed by Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital, where she also served as chief of medicine, medicine section chair and the medical executive and credentials committee. Before that affiliation, she was in private practice in Martinsville.

Boyer received her undergraduate degree at Bryn Mawr College and earned her medical degree from the IU School of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine residency at IU Hospitals in Indianapolis.

To schedule an appointment with Boyer, call 349-3627.

The new medical office, located at Martinsville Shoppes at 49 Bills Blvd. near State Road 37, has 9,000-square-feet. Boyer will share the space with SFMG’s Indiana Heart Physicians, primary care physicians and nurse practitioners.

Franciscan St. Francis Health announced plans earlier this year that it would open a multipurpose medical office to better serve the needs in the Martinsville community. The hospital system also operates a full-service hospital in Mooresville.

Led by Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., nearly 170 physicians are members of St. Francis Medical Group, a multidisciplinary team practicing in 46 groups throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

Nurse appointed director of clinical informatics

INDIANAPOLIS – Charles Randolph Jr., R.N., has been appointed director of clinical informatics for Franciscan St. Francis Health.

He most recently served as project manager for the development and implementation of the Epic electronic health records at Franciscan St. Francis’ three hospitals and affiliated medical offices throughout central Indiana. This newly deployed system is being adopted by 11 other hospitals which are also members of the Franciscan Alliance.

During his tenure, Randolph has been responsible for a variety of clinical information services and technology projects and nursing management programs. He has served as manager of progressive care services at St. Francis Heart Center and other related roles.

A Speedway resident, Randolph earned a bachelor of science in nursing at Marian University and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society for Nursing Leadership.

Women’s health in the bag at St. Francis Health-sponsored ‘Girls Night Out’ event

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Spirit of Women at Franciscan St. Francis Health is hosting its fall Girls Night Out event, featuring Reneé Rongen – dubbed “the mother of motivation and combination of “Oprah, Lilli Tomlin and Mother Teresa.”

Rongen is an author, motivational speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, wife and mother who resides in Minnesota.

The event, which is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at Valle Vista Country Club, 755 E. Main St., celebrates women’s health as their “best accessory,” program leaders say.

The program offers a variety of tips and techniques for women to discover their “purse-onality” and improve their health for a long and vibrant life; and break-outs sessions and information on various women’s health services, including breast augmentation, skin care and ultrasounds and a raffle of top-line purses.

This annual event is free to the public, but reservations are required by calling 317-528-5866.

“As a Spirit of Women hospital, we are dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs,” said Michele Wood, R.N., who directs the program at Franciscan St. Francis.

Franciscan St. Francis’ Spirit of Women program touches the lives of thousands of women each year through inspiring seminars, health education, a consumer membership program, the annual Day of Dance event and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women around south-central Indiana.

For more information about the Franciscan St. Francis Spirit of Women program, visit www.StFrancisHospitals.org/women.

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St. Francis Health-based Senior Promise gears up for Fall Health Festival

INDIANAPOLIS – Senior Promise is hosting its Fall Health Festival, Friday, Oct. 14, at The Atrium, 3143 E. Thompson Road.

The annual event, which is from 9 a.m. to noon, is geared for those 50 and older, people with diabetes, caregivers and those seeking community resources for seniors and people with disabilities. There’s adequate parking at The Atrium, which is wheelchair-accessible.

The festival offers various health screenings and information on a variety of medical topics, most of which are free. A limited number of cholesterol screenings will be available and participants are asked to stop by the booth to receive a scheduled time to return for the test.

Senior Promise, a program based at Franciscan St. Francis Health, also offers free flu shots to those receiving Medicare. Those without the card will be charged $30.

Among the tests available: blood pressure, feet, oral cancer, balance assessment, vision and car fit assessment.

Launched in 1987, Senior Promise provides its 9,000-plus members a variety of meaningful services and benefits for people age 50 and older.

More information about the program is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/seniors, or call 317-782-6660.

St. Francis Health surgeon explains orthopedic procedures at Plainfield event

PLAINFIELD, Ind. – You can overcome hip and knee pain and get back to leading an active and rewarding life — and Franciscan St. Francis Health wants to show you how.

Franciscan St. Francis Health will present an arthritis and hip and knee replacement seminar at 6:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Primo West, 2353 E. Perry Road, Plainfield. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 6 p.m.

Robert A. Malinzak, M.D., will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and arthritis treatments. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery and joint replacement.

Malinzak is a surgeon with Joint Replacement Surgeons, a practice group affiliated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery at Franciscan St. Francis Health–Mooresville.

The Center has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana for joint surgery five years in a row by HealthGrades, one of the nation’s premier health care rating companies.

To register for this seminar, call toll-free at 1-877-888-1777. Or register online at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39.

More information about the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is at www.centerforhipandkneesurgery.org

And the children shall lead them: Walk and events honor memories of lost infants

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Franciscan St. Francis Health will host its 26th annual Walk to Remember Saturday, Oct. 1.

Hundreds of families from around central Indiana who have lost children through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death will come together to remember their babies in a service of music, poetry, reading of the infants' names and balloon release .

The walk begins at 11 a.m. at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Beech Grove (1600 Albany St.) and treks to nearby Sarah T. Bolton Park. Transportation is available for those unable to walk that short distance. A reception for the families will follow the day’s events.

St. Francis representatives also will be on hand to discuss ways to cope with losing a child and to explain the hospital’s Memories to Hold support group for grieving families.

For more information about Walk to Remember, call 317-528-5199.

St. Francis Health orthopedics surgeon explains procedures at Bedford, Oct. 5

BEDFORD, Ind. – You can overcome hip and knee pain and get back to leading an active and rewarding life — and Franciscan St. Francis Health wants to show you how.

Franciscan St. Francis Health will present an arthritis and hip and knee replacement seminar at 6:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Comfort Inn, 911 Constitution Ave., Bedford. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 6 p.m.

John B. Meding, M.D., will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and arthritis treatments. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery and joint replacement.

Meding is a surgeon with Joint Replacement Surgeons, a practice group affiliated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery at Franciscan St. Francis Health–Mooresville.

The Center has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana for joint surgery five years in a row by HealthGrades, one of the nation’s premier health care rating companies.

To register for this seminar, call toll-free at 1-877-888-1777. Or register online at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39.

More information about the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is at www.centerforhipandkneesurgery.org

Indianapolis breast cancer surgeon Erika Rager joins Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS – Erika L. Rager, M.D., M.P.H, has joined Breast Specialists of St. Francis Medical Group, effective Sept. 12.

She joins Denise Johnson Miller, M.D. Their office is at 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 250, on the Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis campus.

Rager most previously was an associate member of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center and assistant professor of surgery at the IU School of Medicine. She also was a collaborator for the IU Center for Health Services.

Board-certified in surgery and preventive medicine, Rager’s primary research focuses on how surgical therapies affect long-term quality of life for patients and to design and implement interventions improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.

At IU, she led efforts to achieve the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers designation; was medical director Breast Care and Research Program, was involved in Komen Tissue Bank at the Cancer Center; and served on various clinical, research and education committees.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Rager is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American College of Preventive Medicine and Society of Surgical Oncology

Rager, who has received many honors and awards during her academic career, received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from IU and earned her medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed surgical and preventive medicine residences at the University of North Carolina, where she also received a master’s degree in public health.

To learn more about Breast Specialists, go to http://sites.franciscanalliance.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=43.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 160 physicians practicing in 46 groups throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

Legal issues faced by cancer patients to be addressed at St. Francis Health forum

INDIANAPOLIS – No matter the type of cancer, people receiving a cancer diagnosis face myriad issues affecting their lives and their families.

Many legal concerns often immediately come into play: insurance coverage, employment rights, guardianship and estate planning. These issues only can add to the stress when a patient navigates cancer treatment.

The St. Francis Cancer Center will address those issues in a free forum Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis (8111 S. Emerson Ave.). The 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. seminar will be held in Section C of the hospital’s auditorium.

Discussions will be lead by Christi Anderson, estate planning attorney with local legal firm, Bingham McHale. A cancer survivor, Anderson brings her experiences as a patient and expert perspectives on legal issues.

Cancer patients, their families and caregivers, and health care professionals are invited to attend.

Registration is required. Those interested should call 317-782-7794.

To learn more about services and programs at St. Francis Cancer Center, go to http://stfrancis-indy.org/cancer.

St. Francis Cancer Center offers free prostate screenings in September

INDIANAPOLIS – Prostate cancer is the second most common form of the disease among American men, affecting one-in-six – and it’s responsible for more deaths among men than any other except lung cancer.

That’s why Franciscan St. Francis Health is offering free prostate screenings in September at two of its hospitals. The first is at the St. Francis Cancer Center (8111 S. Emerson Ave.). It will be 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19.

The second screening will take place on Monday, Sept. 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville campus (1201 Hadley Road) from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each evening.

Screenings are open to men 40 years of age or older. Participants will receive both a prostate-specific antigen blood test and digital rectal exam by urologists. Research says combining both tests improves detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Registration is required for the screenings. Call 1-877-888-1777.

To learn more about services and programs at St. Francis Cancer Center, go to http://stfrancis-indy.org/cancer.