Franciscan Health Shines Bright in History Center’s Festival of Trees

Sister Veronica Lopez, OSF, decorates the Franciscan Health tree at

 the  Indiana History Center. The center’s Festival of Trees features 

72 different trees on display throughout the building.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan Health is bringing part of its rich past and seasonal spirit   to a special exhibit at the Indiana History Center’s Festival of Trees.

The hospital has one of 72 themed trees and it is decorated to represent the history and heritage of Franciscan Health and its storied service throughout Indiana. The 12-foot tree in the center’s Lilly Hall features ornaments depicting the San Damiano Cross and Nativity in homage to St. Francis of Assisi.

The tree also is decorated with framed photos of hospitals included in the Franciscan Health system and images of the Blessed Mother Theresia Bonzel, founder of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

As Indiana celebrates its bicentennial this year, each tree in the exhibit represents some aspect of the state’s history. The first Indiana hospital established by the Sisters opened in Lafayette in 1876. 

Internal Medicine Physician Honored with Healing Hands Award

Dr. Vyas (center) is presented with the Healing Hands Award from Dr. 

Christopher Doehring (left), vice president of medical affairs, and Dr. 

David Mandelbaum, director of medical staff engagement.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Sanjay S. Vyas, DO, has been selected as the latest recipient of the Healing Hands Award, presented quarterly by Franciscan Health.

With his family members and colleagues looking on, Dr. Vyas received the award at his office at Indiana Internal Medicine Consultants. Board-certified in family medicine, he has been in practice with that group since 2007.

Several patients nominated Dr. Viyas for the Healing Hands Award. One wrote: “Dr. Vyas has been my doctor for more than 12 years and has seen me through thick and thin. He has a great bedside manner and takes time to listen to what you are talking about. He is very compassionate to his patients’ feelings.”

Dr. Vyas earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship and family medicine residency training at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis.

A Greenwood resident, he received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Practitioners, Indiana Osteopathic Association and American College of Physician Executives.

Holiday Gatherings Offer Opportunity to Take Stock of Health

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – We’re on the cusp of the holiday season and poised for family gatherings and meals. It also provides an opportunity for families to take stock of their heart health.

Learning your family health history can help you identify your risk of developing heart and vascular disease and stroke. Knowing the risk can minimize the potential of heart attacks and conditions such as heart valve disease. And further testing may reduce such risks.

Physicians and staff at Franciscan Health offer some tips on what information family members may glean from one another during the holidays:

·        Get health information from your mother, father, sister, brother

·        If relatives have had a heart attack or stroke, how old were they? (if your father or brother were younger than 55 years old or your mother or sister were younger than 65, your risk is higher)

·        Who in the family has high cholesterol, high blood pressure?

·        Does diabetes run in the family?

·        Have your parents had surgery for heart valve disease?

·        Does any family member have peripheral arterial disease (bad circulation in the legs), aneurysms or blocked carotid arteries?  These are all signs of cardiovascular disease.

You can’t change your family, but there are other controllable risk factors to be considered, physicians say.

• Don’t smoke
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise 30 - 60 minutes, five days a week,  or simply increase your activity level
• Control blood pressure (less than 120/80)
• Control cholesterol levels
• Control blood sugar if you are diabetic

Free Skin Cancer Screenings Offered by Franciscan Health Dermatologists

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan Physician Network Central Indiana Dermatology will host free skin cancer screenings 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

The clinic is located at 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 310. To register, call (317) 782-4422

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetimes. But early detection and treatment is successful for most diagnosed with skin cancer. Caught early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 98 percent.

Beginning at age 20, the American Cancer Society recommends a skin cancer-related checkup as part of routine health examinations for men and women. Those considered to be at high risk of skin cancer are:

• Have light hair, light eye color and fair skin
• Have used tanning beds
• Have a family history of melanoma
• Had sunburns at a young age
• Have more than 50 moles
• Have had a previous skin cancer or melanoma diagnosis

Guru of Gasoline Alley Takes Pole at Senior Promise Xmas Party

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Want to know some obscure fact or gain some insight about the drivers who have turned laps at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Just ask Donald Davidson and he’ll assemble an answer faster than the best pit crew.

Davidson, Speedway historian and member of the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, will share his experiences as the featured speaker at this year’s Senior Promise Christmas Party, slated for Friday, Dec. 9 at Primo Banquet Hall and Conference Center.

The British-born Davidson spent his youth immersed in studying the history of the Indy 500. Upon his first visit to the track in 1964, he amazed race fans with his ability to recite the record of every driver who had ever competed at the 2.5-mile track. The following year, he moved to Indianapolis and became a race statistician.

The affable auto aficionado later would become the Speedway’s first full-time historian, a position he has held for more than three decades. He also is the longest-serving commentator on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network staff.

“Our annual celebration honors the birth of Christ and celebrates the holiday season,” said Mindy King, director of Franciscan Insurance Services, a component of the Franciscan Health-based Senior Promise. “We’re proud to have Mr. Davidson join us this year and share his passion for the Indy 500 and take questions from the audience.”

The annual party also includes a plated lunch to participants and the opportunity to win prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Franciscan Health Food Pantry.

Tickets are on sale now. Senior Promise members pay $20 each and guest tickets are $25. Reservations are required because of limited seating. For more information about the party or to join Senior Promise, call (317) 528-8277.

Since 1987, Senior Promise has been keeping a pledge with more than 33,000 Central Indiana seniors. The program offers a variety of benefits and events to help those ages 55 and older stay in good health and prepare for the future.

Franciscan Insurance Services has licensed agents at its facilities in Indianapolis and Mooresville, all of whom provide counseling and advice about most insurance issues. To learn more call 877-883-6457 (Indianapolis) and (317) 834-9548 (Mooresville).