Mooresville funeral home’s Facebook ‘likes’ benefits Hospice House project

MOORESVILLE, Ind.  – End-of-life care is an emotional and deeply personal odyssey for patients and their families, who often find themselves strapped to find the desired resources needed to comfortably complete life’s journey. They will soon have a new place to turn to for the support they need at the Franciscan St. Francis Hospice House in Indianapolis.

That project has just received another boost from Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory of Mooresville. In its quest to reach 1,000 followers on its Facebook site, the funeral home will donate $1 for every “like” it registers to the Hospice House campaign from now until Valentine’s Day.

“We appreciate Carlisle Branson’s willingness to help us with our project,” said Greg Williamson, executive director for Franciscan Alliance Foundation St. Francis Health. “The Hospice House complements the exceptional hospice and palliative care services we have provided to thousands of families in south-central Indiana for more than 20 years.”

Foundation officials last fall plans to break ground on the facility later this spring. It will be located on the Franciscan St. Francis Health campus, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

To learn more about the Hospice House and to view images, click here.

Franciscan Alliance Foundation St. Francis Health is a not-for-profit, philanthropic organization established in 1995 for the purpose of raising funds in support of the programs and services provided by Franciscan St. Francis Health.

Temporary visitor restrictions announced as flu cases surge

Temporary policy goes into effect Jan. 22, other measures bolstered

INDIANAPOLIS – With the escalation of H1N1 flu-related cases being reported nationally and at hospitals and other medical offices throughout Indiana, Franciscan St. Francis Health is working closely with the Marion County Health Department and Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety.

To lower the risk of exposure to our patients, employees and visitors, Franciscan St. Francis and other Indianapolis-area hospitals will implement a temporary visitor policy and take other proactive measures at our hospitals at Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel, effective Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Visitor restriction action plan

Our action plan includes:

Tier 1 Visitor Policy (least restrictive)

·         Restricting visitation to immediate family as identified by patient and patient’s designated support person.

·         Restricting visitors under 18 years of age who are not seeking medical care or are parents of pediatric patients.

·         Restricting those with symptoms suggestive of influenza.

There have been some questions about what constitutes immediate family members. They are specifically defined as: Only parents (including those under the age of 18) and step-parents, grandparents, spouses and domestic partners, and including pastoral/spiritual care staff and the patient’s designated support person. The only exceptions to the policy are special cases, such as visiting with patients where death may be imminent.

Other measures Franciscan St. Francis Hospitals will take:

·         Display signage describing visitation policy to public.

·         Ensure that all access points are well stocked with disposable masks and hand sanitizers.

Variety of free heart health, nutrition classes on menu in February

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center is offering a full range of free classes focused on cardiovascular health and wellness throughout February.

Call 317-782-4422 or go on-line at MyHeartCare.net to register for any of the classes, which include:

What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m.

Franklin Public Library, 401 State St.

Learn what happens to the heart muscle during a heart attack, and what long-term complications can occur if treatment is delayed. Carson Turner, MD, interventional cardiologist with Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center and Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians, also will discuss signs, symptoms and risk factors for heart attacks and how to reduce your risk of having one. A free cholesterol screening will be offered prior to the presentation (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Register online.>;

What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Disease

Monday, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Clark Pleasant Branch Public Library, 530 Tracy Rd #250, New Whiteland

Have you ever been so busy taking care of the kids, running errands for your aging parents, working through lunch, that you skip doing things you planned for yourself?

Many times, women are so busy taking care of others they often forget to take care of themselves. They’ll ignore or be unaware of their risk of heart disease, even when statistics show that more women than men die from heart disease. 

Smriti Banthia, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist with Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center and Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians, will explain the signs and symptoms of heart disease and what you can do in your daily life to minimize your risk. A free cholesterol screening will be offered prior to the presentation (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Register online.>

Cooking for 2

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Franciscan St. Francis Health Auditorium, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

As we get older, our health becomes more of a priority.  After the kids leave home, it can be challenging to scale back our cooking, so dining out seems like an easy option.  In this class – presented by Kathleen Cowden, registered dietitian with Franciscan St. Francis Health you will learn how it really is cheaper and healthier to cook at home for two. Register online.>

And it's a boy! Mooresville hospital welcomes the first baby of 2014

MOORESVILLE, Ind. –The clock struck 6:05 p.m. on Jan. 1 – and Saxon became the first baby born in 2014 at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville.

Saxon weighed in at 7 pounds and 14.7 ounces, and measured 20 1/4 inches long. He is the son of Heather and Steven Spaulding of Camby.

In 2013, 263 babies were born at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville.

Families of the first New Year Day baby born at Franciscan St. Francis Health receive a large gift basket of items for the infant and mom from the hospital as well as Babies R Us.

Each time a child is born at the hospital, Brahms Lullaby chimes throughout the hospital via the public address system.

Special Delivery: New Year baby born at Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS – The clock read 12:02 a.m. and Julius Wade became the first baby born in 2014 at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis.

Julius weighed in at 7 lbs., 6 ounces and was 20 inches long.  He is the son of Tecey Smith and John Popplewell of Indianapolis.

In 2013, there were 2,404 babies born at the Indianapolis hospital. More than 44,000 infants have been delivered there since 1995, when the Women and Children’s Services program was consolidated at the 8111 S. Emerson Ave. medical campus.

Families of the first New Year Day baby born at Franciscan St. Francis Health receive gift baskets from the hospital and Babies “R” Us of items for the infant.

Each time a child is born at the hospital, Jesus Loves Me chimes throughout the hospital via the public address system.