St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville lauded by state for hepatitis B procedures

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Cherished Beginnings, the obstetrical and newborn unit at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, has been recognized by the Indiana State Department of Health for its efforts to eliminate perinatal hepatitis B transmission from mothers to their infants.

The unit earned the Gold Level Award by achieving a 100 percent hepatitis B vaccine birth-dose administration rate. To qualify for the award, Cherished Beginnings was required to have standing orders and written policies outlining steps medical staff take from the time of patients’ admission until their discharge.

Additionally, the hospital was cited for having detailed standing orders and policies born to hepatitis B mothers.

Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus that can attack and seriously damage the liver and can be fatal. The virus can be transmitted from mothers to infants during birthing. An effective vaccine is administered to babies after their delivery.

Cherished Beginnings provides obstetrical and newborn care to women and their babies. The unit provides care to low- and moderate-risk women with a level 2 special care nursery. For more information about the unit, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Index.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1.

Heart Center offers free heart-healthy courses throughout May

NDIANAPOLIS – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.

Prevention is the key to lowering your chances of developing a cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes, programs, health fairs and screenings throughout the month of May in an effort to improve the community’s health through education and prevention.

Starting May 4, nine “Change of Heart” and one “Ask the Doc” classes will be offered in the Indianapolis and Mooresville areas. All of the events are open and free to the public.

Several of the Change of Heart classes will be held at the St. Francis Heart Center’s Community Center, located on the southeast corner of St. Francis Hospital – Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. Attendees will learn from St. Francis health experts about navigating the grocery store for healthy foods, choosing healthy entrées when dining out and many more heart-healthy habits. Each Change of Heart classes and the Ask the Doc program is 1 to 1 ½ hours long

Registration is required. Call 317-782-4422 or register online at StFrancisHospitals.org/heart to start living a heart-healthy life today.
The St. Francis Heart Center offers nationally recognized cardiac care close to where you need it – on Indianapolis’ south side. Built on a 30-year history of cardiac and vascular care, St. Francis Heart Center is south central Indiana’s only full-service cardiovascular center.

See below for a detailed description of each course
Exercise Tips
Monday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road

Tuesday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Healthy Eating
Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Reduce Stress 102
Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Ask the Doc – “What is a Heart Murmur?”
Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road

Dining Out
Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Hospital – Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road

Healthy Cooking Tips
Wednesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Meatless Cooking
Thursday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Healthy Shopping Tour
Tuesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Kroger – 8850 S. Emerson Ave.

Top 10 Nutrition Tips
Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Francis Heart Center – Community Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Change of Heart classes offered by the St. Francis Heart Center

Exercise Tips
Keep Your Ticker in Tip Top Shape! The human heart is a remarkable machine. And like all machines, the more care and maintenance it receives, the longer and better it will function. Incorporating regular exercise and proper diet into your lifestyle and avoiding unnecessary stress will not only keep healthy hearts in fine working order, but can even reverse heart disease. There are lots of little things that you can do every day that your heart will love you for. Learn how to setup a schedule for yourself!

Healthy Eating
For some, diets don’t work! Learn about healthy lifestyles in this class. Find out how much a “serving” is and how to manage a healthy weight. Discover how fats, carbohydrates and protein affect your body. Do you know how much salt, fiber and sugar are in the foods you buy? This class offers the foundation for the remaining classes in the series.

Reduce Stress 102
Discover just how big an impact stress has on your heart health. Negative stress causes changes in lifestyle and behavior, which may lead to unhealthy behaviors. Managing stress is important to heart health because untreated stress increases other risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insomnia, depression, smoking and lack of exercise. Learn to identify the causes of stress in your life and how to improve your health! “Reduce Stress 102” is the second class in this series. This class is taught by James Nicolai, M.D., medical director of the Franciscan Center for Integrative Health.

Ask the Doc - “What is a Heart Murmur?”
Heart murmurs are caused by valves inside the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes,
people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. However, if the problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected. The nationally renowned cardiac surgeon, Marc Gerdisch, M.D., will answer your questions about the different treatment options for heart murmurs. Free valvular echo screening opportunity available if you attend this program.

Dining Out
Restaurant dining has become a way of life for most Americans. It's easy, fun, and a great way to socialize with family and friends. Just because you're following a structured eating plan doesn't mean you can't enjoy a nice meal out once in a while. Controlling calories when dining out is certainly challenging. You just need a little advance planning and some savvy ordering skills to stay on track when you're dining away from home. Learn how to make wise menu selections for a change of heart.

Healthy Cooking Tips
A heart-healthy lifestyle means more than choosing the right foods to eat. It is one of the most important steps for a person with heart disease. It's also important to prepare foods in a healthy way. Proper nutrition is essential to managing symptoms of heart disease and preventing further complications. Not only can proper diet help slow the artery-clogging process, but when combined with careful lifestyle modification, it may even stop or reverse the narrowing of arteries.

Meatless Cooking
Reverse heart disease by eating more! Going meatless just one day a week can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. Adding more fiber is easy with new products on the market. This class will help you with menu planning and recipes, and you’ll have the chance to sample food prepared during the session.

Healthy Shopping Tour
Shop for the health of it, but don't let the grocery aisles rile you. Does your head spin trying to figure out food labels like no carb, low carb and net carb? Are you confused by claims like no sugar added, light, low and fewer? Does your tongue get twisted trying to pronounce food label ingredients? Deciphering what's good for you doesn't have to raise your blood pressure. The St. Francis Heart Center and Kroger want to help simplify and de-stress the healthy food-buying experience.

Healthy Shopping Tours, led by a registered dietitian and/or certified health educator, help lessen the confusion and frustration experienced by many people who are trying to make healthy choices at the grocery store. Our dietitians and health educators understand how vital it is for you to learn how to choose correctly. Exercise is critical, but your diet determines your ability to lose weight, get fit and be healthy.

Our Top 10 Nutrition Tips
Are you too busy to eat well? Are you at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or prostate issues? Find out about nutrients you may have overlooked and foods associated with reducing risk. Whether you have one risk factor or many risk factors for heart disease, it’s never too late to start looking after your heart. The small changes that you make to your lifestyle and eating habits all add up to big improvements in your heart health, even if you already have some form of heart disease. St. Francis registered dieticians will reveal a top 10 nutrition tips for heart disease prevention.

Indiana confirms case of North American Human flu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS---State health officials report test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed a case of North American Human Influenza A (H1N1) in northern Indiana.

“We advise Hoosiers to practice normal precautions to avoid influenza and other respiratory diseases, such as frequent hand washing and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze,” said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe M.D.

Dr. Monroe reminds the public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a cold, influenza, or any infectious disease, including:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, rather than your hands, if a tissue is not available.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.


The symptoms of North American human influenza A (H1N1) are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Monroe recommends individuals with mild symptoms of influenza should stay home and call their health care provider for advice. If symptoms become severe, such as high fever, trouble breathing, or inability to keep down fluids, they should seek medical care.

Parents are also reminded they should not give aspirin to children with flu symptoms to alleviate fever, as it can put them at risk for Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver.

“This is a novel human virus, which means we do not have a vaccine to prevent it,” said Dr. Monroe. “Individuals aged 65 and older or those with chronic diseases and immune deficiencies are at higher risk for severe complications from influenza, including pneumonia. If these individuals have not received the pneumococcal vaccine, they should discuss with their physician getting the vaccine.”

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced the state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) became active this morning.

State health department monitoring swine flu outbreak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS---The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are closely monitoring human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection identified in the United States.

In addition to intensifying surveillance among flu sentinel physicians in the state, the Indiana State Department of Health has also sent information out to public health workers over the Indiana Health Alert Network and will share with physicians the interim guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The IDHS is urging public safety professionals, including paramedics, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and emergency management workers, to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health as they interact and preserve the safety of the public.

“It’s too early to be classified as a pandemic,” said Joe Wainscott, executive director of the IDHS. “Each of us can make a difference. Limiting contact with others can help slow the spread of illness. Together, we can help protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. In most instances of the flu, those suffering can be cared for at home. Be aware, plan ahead, and share with others what you have learned.”

“We advise Hoosiers to stay calm and practice normal precautions to avoid influenza and other respiratory diseases. If you have milder symptoms of influenza, we advise you to stay home and contact your health care provider for advice,” said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe M.D.

“This is a novel human virus, which means we do not have a vaccine to prevent it,” said Dr. Monroe. “Individuals aged 65 and older or those with chronic diseases and immune deficiencies are at higher risk for severe complications from influenza, including pneumonia. If these individuals have not received the pneumococcal vaccine, they should discuss with their physician getting the vaccine.”

The symptoms of influenza in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Monroe reminds the public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a cold, influenza, or any infectious disease, including:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, rather than your hands, if a tissue is not available.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

State health officials note swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses. The CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in affected states, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. The CDC has determined this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, they have not determined how easily the virus spreads between people.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Dunlap, ISDH, (317) 431-3792
John Erickson, IDHS, (317) 234-6713

Rheumatologist to offer services at 2 St. Francis locations

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Rheumatologist William Kcomt, M.D., a member of St. Francis Medical Group, will begin seeing patients at Beech Grove Internal Medicine, effective May 6.

His office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the 2030 Churchman Ave. facility.

Kcomt, who is affiliated with the Rheumatology Center at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, focuses his practice on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory muscle and joint conditions and arthritis. He also works with patients for the management of knee, neck and low back pain; diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia; comprehensive management of shoulder pain; diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures.

In addition to seeing patients at Beech Grove, Kcomt will offer free fibromyalgia screenings on Wednesdays in May (walk-in basis) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..

To schedule appointments, call 317-834-9051.

Time of conception linked to birth defects in U.S., study concludes

INDIANAPOLIS – A study published in the April 2009 issue of the medical journal Acta Pædiatrica is the first to report that birth defect rates in the United States were highest for women conceiving in the spring and summer.

The researchers also found that this period of increase risk correlated with increased levels of pesticides in surface water across the United States.

Studying all 30.1 million births which occurred in the U.S. between 1996 and 2002, the researchers found a strong association between the increased number of birth defects in children of women whose last menstrual period occurred in April, May, June or July and elevated levels of nitrates, atrazine and other pesticides in surface water during the same months.

While many of these chemicals, including the herbicide atrazine which is banned in European countries but permitted in the U.S., are suspected to be harmful to the developing embryo, this is the first study to link their increased seasonal concentration in surface water with the peak in birth defects in infants conceived in the same months.

The correlation between the month of last menstrual period and higher rates of birth defects was statistically significant for half of the 22 categories of birth defects reported in a Centers for Disease Control database from 1996 to 2002 including spina bifida, cleft lip, clubfoot and Down’s syndrome.

“Elevated concentrations of pesticides and other agrochemicals in surface water during April through July coincided with significantly higher risk of birth defects in live births conceived by women whose last menstrual period began in the same months,” said lead author Paul Winchester, M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine professor of clinical pediatrics. “While our study didn’t prove a cause and effect link, the fact that birth defects and pesticides in surface water peak during the same four months makes us suspect that the two are related.”

“Birth defects, which affect about 3 out of 100 newborns in the U.S., are one of the leading causes of infant death,” said Winchester, medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. “What we are most excited about is that if our suspicions are right and pesticides are contributing to birth defect risk, we can reverse or modify the factors that are causing these lifelong and often very serious medical problems.”

Birth defects are known to be associated with risk factors such as alcohol, smoking, diabetes or advanced age. However, the researchers found that even mothers who didn’t report these risk factors had higher overall birth defect rates for babies conceived from April to July.

The study relies on findings by U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies on the seasonal variations in nitrates, atrazine and other pesticides in the surface water.

“These observations by Dr. Winchester are extremely important, as they raise the question for the first time regarding the potential adverse effect of these commonly used chemicals on pregnancy outcome – the health and well-being of our children,” said James Lemons, M.D., Hugh McK. Landon Professor of Pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Lemons is director of the section of neonatal-perinatal medicine at Riley Hospital.

Co-authors of this study, which was funded by the Division of Neonatalogy of the Department of Pediatrics of the IU School of Medicine, were Jordan Huskins, B.A., a fourth year I.U. School of Medicine student, and Jun Ying, Ph.D. of the University of Cincinnati.

Contacts:
Cindy Fox Aisen
IU School of Medicine
317-274-7722
caisen@iupui.edu

Joe Stuteville
Media Relations-St. Francis
317-782-7986 (office)
317-946-9930 (cell)
317-906-0079 (pager)
Joe.Stuteville@ssfhs.org

St. Francis observes organ donation month, honors lives touched

INDIANAPOLIS – April 1st is neither foolish nor a joke to Diana Robinson. It was the day her life changed four years ago when she learned her liver was failing and that she would need an organ transplant.

“Getting placed on the transplant waiting list isn’t easy and it’s hard while you wait,” said Robinson, a unit secretary in a surgical unit at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis. “But considering how I feel today and understanding why my life was saved, makes those things seem insignificant.”

Robinson is one of many whose lives have been saved or affected by organ donations. And for this reason, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is again actively supporting April as National Donate Life Month.

St. Francis hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville are flying the Donate Life Flag throughout April. The month is set aside to increase awareness about organ donation and to honor organ, tissue, and eye donors.

It’s estimated that nearly 30,000 Americans’ lives are saved annually because of organ donations. But the waiting list for patients continues to grow, according to Donate Life Indiana. Nationally, more than 101,000 are awaiting organs or tissue; nearly 1,100 of those people reside in Indiana.

Diana Robinson knows her “donor family” and says she knows the grace of God returned her to good health. She’s back at St. Francis and is enjoying life.

“I’ve been blessed and I am thankful everyday – not just some days,” Robinson said. “The gift I received is so very precious. I celebrated my fourth anniversary of the transplant on April 1st this year.”

To learn more about donation or to register to become a donor, people are encouraged to go to www.donatelifeindiana.org.

St. Francis, Wellness Community host seminar for cancer patients

INDIANAPOLIS – Subhash Sharma M.D., of Indiana Hematology Oncology Consultants and medical oncologist with the St. Francis Cancer Care Center, will discuss the language of cancer at a free seminar for cancer patients and their families Friday, May 8.

The session, which includes lunch for all registered participants, will be from noon to 2 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, Classrooms 1 and 2, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

The program is designed for both newly diagnosed and in-treatment patients with all types of cancer. Caregivers are also welcome. Ample time will be provided for participants' questions.

Registration is required. Call 317-782-4422. For more information on cancer services at St. Francis Hospital, visit www.StFrancisHospitals.org/cancer.

The event is sponsored by St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and the Wellness Community of Central Indiana.

St. Francis cancer physician honored for expertise, patient care

INDIANAPOLIS – Oncologist Michael Dugan, M.D., is the recipient of the 2008 Healing Spirit Award presented by The Wellness Community-Central Indiana.

Dugan, the medical co-director of the Indiana Blood and Marrow Transplantation (IBMT) at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, was recognized for his contributions to the field of oncology and for his commitment to the delivery of quality care to cancer patients and their families.

“Dr. Dugan is one of the most generous professionals, both with his time and his talent,” said Laura Weiger, program director with The Wellness Community. “He is very in tune with treating each cancer patient as a whole person, and understands that cancer is far more than a medical experience – it’s a personal journey.”

An Indiana University School of Medicine graduate, Dugan heads IBMT’s quality assurance and management efforts and also serves on professional advisory board with The Wellness Community. He joined St. Francis in 1998 after serving on the medical staffs at several Indianapolis-area hospitals.

Two other St. Francis medical staff members are past recipients of the Healing Spirit Award. They are David Moore, M.D., director of Gynecologic Oncology of Indiana, and Janice Leak, R.N., a nurse navigator with St. Francis Cancer Care Services.

For more information about St. Francis cancer programs, visit stfrancishospitals.org/cancer. To learn more about The Wellness Community-Central Indiana, go to www.twc-indy.org.

Program helps women with cancer ‘Look Good, Feel Better’

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville will host a free workshop for women with cancer from noon to 2 p.m., May 4, at its cancer center.

The Look Good, Feel Better workshop teaches women with cancer beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Licensed cosmetologists lead small groups, usually consisting of six to 10 women, through practical, hands-on experience. Women learn about makeup techniques, skin care, nail care, and options related to hair loss such as wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each patient receives a free cosmetics kit to use during and after after the workshop.

The workshop is supported by the American Cancer Society, Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association. Family members and caregivers are also welcome to attend.

Registration is required since seating is limited. To register, call 317-782-4422. Upcoming classes will be held at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis (July 6) and at St. Francis-Hospital-Mooresville (Aug.3) For more information on cancer services at St. Francis Hospital, visit www.StFrancisHospitals.org/cancer.

Support group reaches out to cancer patients, caregivers

INDIANAPOLIS – Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer will hold its south side care and share group meeting from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7.

The meeting is at the St. Francis Education Center, 5935 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 100. Come share your experiences and learn from other oral, head and neck cancer patients. Ample time will be provided for participants’ questions and discussion.

This monthly support group meets the first Thursday of each month and is for anyone with oral, head or neck cancer, regardless of stage or type of cancer. Caregivers are welcome.

For more information, call 317-782-4422.

St. Francis Hospital opens new clinic for lung cancer patients

INDIANAPOLIS – The Lung Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is now seeing patients in a new multidisciplinary clinic.

The Lung Clinic allows patients to be evaluated in one visit by physicians in specialties such as pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology. These physicians also will consult with radiologists and pathologists to evaluate imaging exams, biopsies and surgical pathology reports.

“The goal of the lung clinic is to provide an easily accessible and streamlined avenue for evaluating patients with suspicious exam results or symptoms and, if necessary, develop a concise treatment plan for patients diagnosed with lung cancer,” said Kent Brumbaugh, executive director of St. Francis Cancer Care Services.

The clinic, located at the St. Francis Cancer Center at 8111 South Emerson Ave., is open each Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for scheduled appointments.

Nurse navigator Cheryl Streeval, R.N., will coordinate patients’ schedules and consult with physicians to develop treatment plans. Patients and families seen in the clinic will be an important part of developing an individual plan of care during their visit.

For scheduling information, contact Streeval at 317-782-7005, or via e-mail at Cheryl.Streeval@ssfhs.org.

St. Francis, IHP staff appointed to Greenwood Chamber board

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Managers with the St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and the Indiana Heart Physicians will serve on the board of directors with the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce over the next year.

Susie Bixler, a manager with the hospital’s marketing and product development for St. Francis Medical Group, and Joe Sagorsky, marketing director for IHP, will serve in 2009-10.

Sagorsky also assumes the duties of secretary/treasurer. Bixler has held several board leadership positions over the years

They will join newly elected chamber board president Jeff Tillman, president of Heartland Community Bank, and 19 other local business and civic leaders. Tillman succeeds Greenwood attorney Joyce Nies.

The appointments were announced at the chamber’s annual meeting and awards ceremony Tuesday, April 7.

St. Francis, which has been a long-time member and supporter of the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, was the title sponsor of the meeting and business luncheon. Gerry Dick, host and creator of the statewide syndicated Inside INdiana Business, was the featured speaker at the event.

New Web site offers St. Francis Hospital visitors more options, tools

INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has rolled out a new Web site – www.stfrancishospitals.org – with more features and providing visitors with easier access to health care information.

The project, which was led by St. Francis New Media Manager Robbie Schneider, has been in the works for more than a year after intensive study, evaluating various areas of the site and acting upon requests to reorganize resources based on visitors’ suggestions and requests.

"The new look and feel of the site also coincides with St. Francis’ launch of its new branding and logo campaign," said Jennifer Westfall, vice president of marketing and product development. "More important, we believe the revamped site empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their health care needs. This clearly is another way St. Francis Hospital demonstrates its commitment to patient-focused medicine in the communities we serve."

Among the many features of the new site are improved tools that help visitors:

• Identify and contact primary care and specialty physicians with St. Francis Medical Group and affiliated physicians
  
• Learn about support groups and community classes offering disease and wellness information
  
• Find directions, online bill paying, employee and career information, listing of health insurance providers
  

More changes are in development for the St. Francis Web site, including interactive maps and quality reporting.

St. Francis Medical Group and St. Francis Health Network also launched new designs to coincide with the hospital’s unveiling of its new site. Art direction for the projects was led by Finelight.

St. Francis operates hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville, and the Plainfield Health Center.

Golf outing drives St. Francis Healthcare Foundation projects

INDIANAPOLIS – The rolling fairways and sprawling greens of The Legends of Indiana Golf Course again will be the setting for the 2009 Golf Outing sponsored by the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation.

The event, now in its 23rd year, brings together board members, Indianapolis-area civic and business leaders, and St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers physicians and staff for a full day of golf, fellowship and fun with the goal of raising funds for various foundation projects.

The outing gets under way 8 a.m., Thursday, June 25 with a shotgun start with afternoon golfers teeing it up at 1:30 p.m. Participants also will be offered breakfast and a joint luncheon.

Throughout the day, various products and services – generously donated by local individuals and businesses – will be auctioned.

Co-chairs of this year’s event are foundation board members Travis Tucker of BremnerDuke Healthcare Real Estate, and Christopher “Topper” Doehring, M.D., associate director of the St. Francis Family Residency Medical Program.

Proceeds from the outing support the foundation’s funding mission and priorities in areas such as care for the dying, underserved and those in spiritual need, and the professional development of staff.

For more information about the 2009 Golf Outing, contact Amanda Haugh at Amanda.haugh@ssfhs.org, or call 317-783-8623.

The St. Francis Healthcare Foundation was established in 1995 as a separate corporation to help advance the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, specifically the service area of St. Francis Hospital & Heath Centers. More information about the foundation is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/Foundation.