Sara Bruns establishes family medicine practice at St. Francis

INDIANAPOLIS – Sara C. Bruns, D.O., a member of St. Francis Medical Group has joined Wanamaker Family Medicine.

She completed a residency with the St. Francis Family Medicine Residency Program last June, where she gained extensive inpatient and outpatient experience, including care for obstetrical patients.

Bruns earned her doctorate in osteopathic medicine at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, participated in a biochemistry master’s program at Indiana University and received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Hanover College.

She has volunteered at the Community Health Clinic in Chicago and the Rainbow Clinic in Elgin, Ill., providing care to homeless patients.

Bruns holds professional memberships in the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Association of Family Physicians, American Medical Women’s Association and the Indiana Osteopathic Association.

For more information or to make an appointment with Wanamaker Family Medicine, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/sfmg/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=42 , or call 317-862-6609.

Shelley Stiner establishes family medicine practice at St. Francis

INDIANAPOLIS – Shelley R. Stiner, D.O., a member of St. Francis Medical Group, has joined Madison Avenue Family Practice.

Stiner, who will also offer obstetrical services in her practice, comes to St. Francis after completing a residency with Community Health Network, where she was a recruiter for its family medicine residency program.

She earned a medical degree at the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine in Kentucky and an undergraduate degree in biology in human services at Tennessee Wesleyan College.

She holds professional memberships in the American Academy of Family Physicians, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association. She has previous memberships with the American Medical Women’s Association, Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association and the Pike County Medical Society.

Stiner continues to be active volunteer in hospitals, community groups and schools, often conducting sports physicals for Indianapolis-area students.

For more information about Madison Avenue Family Practice or to make an appointment, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=35, or call 317-888-9669.

St. Francis Weight Loss Center serves up ‘Eat for Life’ program

INDIANAPOLIS – Most of us know the importance of eating right and exercising for good health, but sometimes need a little support to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

That’s what makes the St. Francis Eat for Life Wellness Program unique. The 10-week, comprehensive weight management program teaches skills needed to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

The latest program gets under way 6 p.m., Sept. 8, with each session held Mondays at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center, 700 E. Southport Rd.

“Our program is designed by a team of physicians and registered dietitians, the program focuses on making long-tem changes in your lifestyle,” said Pam Fugate, R.N., M.S.N., M.BA., manager of the St. Francis Weight Loss Center.

Each sessions offer group discussions on a variety of topics, including: creating a plan for balanced eating, understanding food labels, changing your behaviors, maintaining motivation, dining out, determining portion sizes, menu planning, grocery shopping, exercise and nutrition facts and fiction.

“The key to success is having the right knowledge and tools – and knowing how to use them,” said Fugate. “Beyond the weekly class meetings, participants will have access to continued support and unlimited weigh-ins to help keep you on the road to lifelong success.”

There is a fee for those registering for the program. Call 317-782-7525 or visit StFrancisHospitals.org/weightloss for additional information.

Christopher Conrad establishes family medicine practice at St. Francis

INDIANAPOLIS – Christopher J. Conrad, M.D., a member of St. Francis Medical Group, has joined Southport Family Practice and Sports Medicine.

He completed a residency (2005-2008) with the Family Medicine Residency Program at St. Francis, where he served as chairman of the recruiting committee for the 2006-07 intern class of residents.

A graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine, Conrad was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and was the recipient of the Ione C. Davis Scholarship and the Woolf Medical Scholarship. He also was chosen to assist family practice physicians in delivering health care Hoosiers in rural communities.

Conrad served as an extern in the family medicine and emergency department at St. Francis. He also was assistant team physician for the Roncalli High School football team.

He holds professional memberships in the Indianapolis Medical Society and is a resident member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association.

For more information about Southport Family Practice and Sports Medicine or to schedule an appointment, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39, or call 317-888-5500.

St. Francis Hospital recognized nationally for top-quality cardiac, stroke care

IndianapoliS – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association are recognizing St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers for its performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients using the association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM program.

St. Francis Hospital through its Heart Center joins 518 other hospitals being featured in an advertisement in the July 21st “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of US News & World Report.

GWTG is a hospital based quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. The program provides three modules that address coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.

Currently, more than 1,450 hospitals use one or more GWTG modules.

“We are proud that the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have chosen the ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ issue of US News & World Report to recognize St. Francis Hospital for our achievements in their Get With The Guidelines program,” said Michael Hertel, executive director of the St. Francis Heart Center. “The program gives our professionals the tools and reports they need to effectively treat our coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke patients.”

Upon meeting each module’s criteria, hospitals are recognized if at least 85 percent of their cardiac or stroke patients are treated and discharged according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s recommendations.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s advertisement recognizes St. Francis Hospital’s commitment and success in performance achievement.

“The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize its top Get With The Guidelines participants,” said Gregg C Fonarow, M.D., national chairman, Get With The Guidelines steering committee and director, Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. “The program makes it easier for hospitals like St. Francis Hospital to provide appropriate evidence-based care and ultimately improve the quality of life and help reduce the number of deaths in these heart and stroke patients.”

To learn more about the services provided at the Heart Center at St. Francis, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1.