Franciscan St. Francis Health throws 'baby shower’ for public

Newly expanded Indianapolis Women & Children’s Center unveiled at April 30 event

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Welcoming new lives into the world and providing a continuum of care to infants and women has long been a labor of love at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis. And that tradition will continue in years to come with the opening of its renovated Women & Children’s Center (WCC).

The $37 million construction endeavor has come to fruition, providing increased services to babies, children and mothers throughout all of Central Indiana. To that end, the hospital is inviting the public to attend the grand opening of the 100,000-square-foot facility Saturday, April 30.

Here’s what patients and visitors now find at the WCC:

·          7 triage rooms and an infusion area for newly admitted patients (2^nd floor)

·        12 expanded labor and delivery rooms (2^nd floor)

·          8 large antepartum suites with in-room refrigerators (2^nd floor)

·          2 operating room suites for caesarean procedures (2^nd floor)

·        36 postpartum suites and a nursery (3^rd floor)

·        24 private neonatal intensive care (NICU) rooms (4^th floor)

·        10  “kid-friendly” pediatric rooms  (4^th floor)

Patients also will enjoy a new wellness center offering services such as massage therapy and acupuncture. And when they step through these doors they will feel right at home in this modern lobby, with its welcoming fireplace, a café and gift shop among other amenities.

“The completion of the Center heralds a new beginning and expands our ability to serve the healthcare needs of women, infants and children and the community as a whole,” said WCC Director Lori Warner, RN. “This project was phased in over a three-year period and I thank our phenomenal staff, who continued to provide a high level of care during that time. And, I thank all of our patients and visitors who were able navigate their way through the construction.”

And that sentiment is shared likewise by Franciscan St. Francis’ president and CEO.

“We very happy to offer the latest design in healthcare and it’s important to acknowledge that it is the commitment of outstanding quality care by our staff and physicians who truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” said James Callaghan, MD. “This is evidenced by our hospital’s recent prestigious designation as an Anthem Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care.”

The April 30 grand opening begins at 11 a.m. Activities throughout the day include: health screenings and education, numerous children’s activities, “Mommy” makeovers and craft corner, healthy cooking demonstrations for kids, chair massages and aromatherapy, car seat safety information, food, games and prizes, to name but a few.

Also, the first 100 women to arrive will receive a complimentary bag of makeup samples from Garb-2-Art.

The hospital also will celebrate the 40^th Anniversary Reunion of our NICU. This brings together former patients, families and clinical staff in what promises to be an emotional reunion. Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis is the only Level III NICU unit in south-central Indiana has provided care to thousands of infants during that time.

Franciscan St. Francis Health lifts temporary flu visitation restrictions April 13

Indianapolis NICU will continue restrictions until April 29

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – As the number of flu cases has subsided, Franciscan St. Francis Health and other area hospitals will remove visitor restrictions, effective Wednesday, April 13.

Franciscan St. Francis implemented the temporary policy March 11 at its Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel hospitals and Franciscan Surgery Center at the request of the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) and the Indianapolis Coalition for Public Safety.

“That extra line of protection was needed to reduce the risk of exposing our patients, visitors and staff to this season’s flu virus,” said Chief Nursing Officer Susan McRoberts, MSN, RN. “Certainly, we appreciate the public’s cooperation and understanding during that time.”

However, Franciscan St. Francis Health will maintain temporary visitation restrictions to its neonatal intensive care unit until April 29. The restrictions include:

• Only immediate family as identified by patient and patient's designated support person.

• No visitors under 18 years of age unless they are seeking medical care or are parents of pediatric patients.
• No visitors with symptoms suggestive of influenza.

 “While flu activity is going down in Marion County, we must continue to protect ourselves and each other by doing simple things such as washing hands frequently with soap and water and covering our coughs,” said Virginia Caine, MD, MCPHD director. “It is important for anyone with the flu or flu-like symptoms to avoid visiting someone in the hospital and to stay home from work until symptoms are resolved.”

New surgical approach poses benefits, speedier recovery for melanoma patients

Dr. Juliana Meyer

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – A few months ago, Stacey Yount’s passion for running may have seemed like a long-distance proposition after being diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. But she’s getting back on her feet, thanks to an innovative surgical therapy.

Yount recently underwent videoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VIL) at Franciscan St. Francis Health. It’s a minimally invasive procedure to treat melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes in the groin area.

After being diagnosed with melanoma, the Martinsville resident met with Juliana E. Meyer, MD, melanoma surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network, and director of the Melanoma Clinic at Franciscan St. Francis Health Cancer Center.

After further assessment and consultation with her colleagues, Dr. Meyer told Yount she was a good candidate for VIL.

“For certain melanoma patients, this is an effective procedure and offers many benefits over traditional invasive surgical therapy,” said Dr. Meyer. “It reduces the risk of infection and leads to speedier recovery.”

Under videoscopic guidance, this new approach uses standard laparoscopic instruments and techniques to remove the affected lymph nodes in the groin. In most cases, patients only have to stay overnight, often less time than had they undergone an open procedure.

“Because it is performed laparoscopically, VIL has smaller, less visible scarring compared to an open procedure,” said Dr. Meyer. 

And there are other important benefits, notes Yount, who is said to be the first patient in Central Indiana to undergo the procedure.

"Mine was an aggressive melanoma, and in addition to the immediate concern of mortality, I was really worried that melanoma would forever change my quality of life,” said Yount who formerly worked in the pharmaceutical clinical trials industry. “Like most cancer patients, feeling normal again was desperately important. Running was a big part of that."

In large part, “normal” to Yount means spending more time with her husband and daughters (ages 12 and 14) at the lake and pursuing outdoor activities. And it means setting a new pace in her passion for running. She recently completed a half-marathon and grueling triathlon.

To find out if you are a candidate for a lymphadenectomy, or to schedule a skin cancer screening, please call the Franciscan St. Francis Health Cancer Center at 317-528-1420. 

Orthopedic surgeon to explain joint replacement therapies April 27

GREENCASTLE, Indiana – 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.

The Center for Hip & Knee Surgery (CHKS) will present a free seminar about joint replacement at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 27 at The Inn at DePauw & Event Center, 2 W. Seminary St. Light refreshments will be served.

John Meding, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and arthritis treatments. He’s a member of CHKS and Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana, a practice of Franciscan Physician Network.

To register, call 1-877-888-1777.

Now observing its 30^th year of service, CHKS was founded by Merrill Ritter, MD. The Center was the first dedicated joint replacement facility in Indiana and became one of the first orthopedic centers of excellence in the United States. Since then, its surgeons have performed more than 40,000 total joint replacements and has become one of the leading centers of its kind in the world.

Learn more about the CHKS at http://www.franciscanalliance.org/hospitals/mooresville/services/orthopedics/hip-and-knee-surgery/pages/default.aspx

Families sought to participate in healthy challenge at Mooresville hospital

MOORESVILLE, Indiana – Looking for ways to get you and yours healthier? Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville is offering an opportunity to help send you in that direction.

The hospital, located at 1201 Hadley Road, is hosting the Family Healthy Challenge and is seeking 10 families to participate in a day-long class on Saturday, April 23. The program is open to the first 10 families (up to two adults, three children between 6 and 12 years old) who register.

Participants will learn ways to live healthier, to fitness opportunities, cooking and nutrition and other fun challenges. The program is geared to families who have risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

The program is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held in Swisher Conference Center. A free lunch and health screenings will be provided.

For more information or to register for Family Healthy Challenge, call 317-528-8016.