April event heralds hospital’s century-long health care ministry in Central Indiana

Spotlight on Franciscan St. Francis Health’s past with a focus on the future

INDIANAPOLIS -- Step back in time to 1914. Henry Ford introduces the assembly line for the Model T. Charlie Chaplin debuts as “The Tramp” in film. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated, thus sparking World War I and Babe Ruth plays his first professional baseball game with the Baltimore Orioles.

Back home again in Indiana, René Thomas wins the 4th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race and blisters the track with a record-setting lap of 82.4 mph and Mayor Joseph Bell establishes the police force’s first vice squad.

And in fledgling Beech Grove on Indianapolis’ south side, St. Francis Hospital begins accepting patients at is new medical facility, complete with 75 beds, operating rooms and an emergency room. It was the fulfillment of a vision orchestrated by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

Franciscan St. Francis Health is celebrating its centennial in 2014 and will officially kick off a series of activities beginning  Thursday, April 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“Step Back in Time” will offer friends of Franciscan St. Francis Health a preview of its centennial celebration gala at the JW Marriott on Saturday, Sept. 27. The April 10 event will provide the special 100 guests an evening of hospital history and refreshments; actresses dressed in 1914-era clothing, who will mingle with guests; Fred Astaire dance instructors demonstrating their fleet-footed moves to Big Band music; and the opportunity to preview silent auction items that will be featured at the gala.

Guest also will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a free two-year lease on a Fiat 500 Pop from Tom O’Brien FIAT of Greenwood. The winner of the Fiat will be announced during the gala in September.

Honorary Co-Chairs of the Franciscan St. Francis Centennial Celebration Gala on Sept. 27 are The Most Rev. Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Indianapolis, and Eli Lilly CEO John Lechleiter and his wife Sarah.

While history drives this event, the future of the hospital’s outreach to the greater community also takes a front seat. Proceeds will be designated to the Hospice House project. 

Groundbreaking for this free-standing facility, located on the Indianapolis hospital campus, is scheduled for June 12 with completion by year’s end.

When complete, the facility will serve as many as 600 Central Indiana families annually. It includes a 16-suite facility (with additional shell space for future expansion); bright gathering areas, kitchen and dining areas; garden-like landscaping and a chapel for meditation and worship; and unlimited visitation from loved ones and family members, including family pets.

To learn more about Hospice House and see images, click HERE.

Franciscan St. Francis will have other activities throughout the year to celebrate “A Century of Inspiring Health.” A video is being produced to recount the hospital’s growth at the former Beech Grove hospital and its campuses at Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel and a “history wall” is being developed for public display. 

Franciscan VNS selects new director of quality, support services

INDIANAPOLIS – Rhonda Deluise, RN, has been appointed director of Quality and Support Services at Franciscan Visiting Nurse Service. She was a manager in that same area the last five years.

Before joining Franciscan VNS, she was vice president of patient care services for Howard Regional Health System and held various nursing positions at other medical facilities in Kokomo.

Deluise received her associate and bachelor degrees in nursing from Indiana University.

Long-time nurse selected obstetrics nurse navigator

INDIANAPOLIS – Erin Neu, RN, has been appointed obstetrics nurse navigator for Women and Children’s Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

She will work with expectant mothers and personalize their pregnancy and delivery experiences and direct them to resources needed before and after the birth of their children. Additionally, she will coordinate with the hospital’s Maternal Child Services unit to develop community awareness and involvement with the OB Nurse Navigator program.

Neu, who has been affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis Health for 15 years, most recently worked in the postpartum and newborn nursery units. She also served in labor and delivery and maternal child home health units.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Indianapolis.

Click HERE to learn more about Women and Children’s Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

Franciscan St. Francis ER physician assumes new role for Morgan Co. EMS

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Robert Austgen, MD, has been appointed medical director of the Morgan County Emergency Medical Services for Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville.

In accordance with Indiana EMS regulations, ambulance services are required to have medical oversight by a physician. Austgen, representatives from ambulance services, EMS education and hospital staff will continue to develop patient care protocols, training programs, and quality improvement processes.

Austgen’s oversight includes the fire departments in A&A Township, Brown Township, Morgantown, Paragon and Stilesville.

A member of Emergency Physicians of Indianapolis since 2012, he is part of a medical group that staffs the emergency departments at Franciscan St. Francis’ Mooresville and Indianapolis campuses.

“The hospital is part of the community, and partnering with the emergency responders is a natural extension of the hospital. They know the needs of their area and we are glad to help them provide the best patient care possible,” Austgen said. 

Franciscan St. Francis Health hosts National Healthcare Decisions Day events at its hospitals

INDIANAPOLIS – Who do you want to speak for you and make health-care decisions when you are unable to do so?

Advance health-care directives instructions are given by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.

That’s why Franciscan St. Francis Health is helping lead and coordinate efforts to educate the public about the importance of having advance health-care directives.

Information booths will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at Franciscan St. Francis-Carmel (12188-B N. Meridian St., main lobby); Wednesday, April 16, at Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis (8111 S. Emerson Ave., cafeteria) and Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville (1201 Hadley Road, main lobby).

An information station will also be hosted at the Greenwood Park Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16 at the Rejuvenation Station in front of Sears. Hospital clinical experts, social workers and chaplains will be on hand to answer questions.

The events coincide with the National Health Care Decisions Day, designed to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning.

Click here to learn more about advance directives and related issues.