BBC radio program visits Franciscan St. Francis Health for special show

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis will be the setting for the popular BBC World Service radio program, World Have Your Say, Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The London-based show, hosted by Ros Atkins, has a global audience of more than 45 million listeners and millions of viewers via BBC World News Television. This particular program will provide an up-front look about the daily work of Franciscan St. Francis physicians, nurses, employees and patients and general discussion about health care issues.

“We were looking for a vibrant hospital community where we could reflect the conversations that are taking place there,” said Atkins. “Through the staff, patients and their families we hope to give one snapshot of life in America.”

World Have Your Say is an interactive program whose discussion topics are determined by guests and listeners around the globe.

The one-hour show is scheduled for broadcast at 1 p.m. on WFYI 90.1 FM-Indianapolis. The program can be heard daily Monday through Friday at the same time.

Franciscan St. Francis Health operates hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville (a short-stay medical facility is scheduled for opening next spring in Carmel) and the Plainfield Health Center. It annually serves more than 23,000 inpatients and 1.18 million outpatient visits.

The hospitals are part of Franciscan Alliance, the state’s largest Catholic-based hospital system. The Alliance’s 14 hospitals in Indiana and Illinois provide care for more than 2.9 million outpatient visits and more than 100,000 inpatient discharges each year with the most effective medical treatments, state-of-the-art medical equipment and an abundance of compassionate and charity care.

The system employs 18,200 co-workers including about 600 primary and specialty care employees, serving the system’s service-area population of 3.7 million people.

More information about Franciscan St. Francis Health is at www.stfrancishospitals.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/FranciscanStFrancisHealth

To learn more about BBC’s World Have Your Say, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldhaveyoursay or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/worldhaveyoursay

Franciscan St. Francis Health nurses plant goodwill with care for patients

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Franciscan St. Francis Health has two nurses whose acts of compassionate care and joyful service has sewn seeds of gratitude among their patients and colleagues.

For Brooke Linville and Colleen Fredrick, nursing is far more than a career. It’s a calling that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Linville, an admissions nurse, was nominated by a colleague, who credited her for exemplifying compassionate care, having a passionate respect for life and a genuine asset to the Franciscan family.

“She is always conscientious when caring for her patients, making sure everything is reconciled and complete during admissions or discharge,” said a nursing colleague who nominated Linville. “She is kind, sincere and always professional in her manner.”

Fredrick too was nominated by a colleague who wanted to nominate her for the level of care she delivered to one particular patient and his dog.

“She went beyond the call of duty, including calling and checking on the patient multiple times,” said a nursing colleague.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a national program that honors the compassionate care and clinical excellence that our Franciscan St. Francis nurses bring to their patients every day.

The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 an auto-immune disease. His family was so impressed by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for him that they created this national award to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere. For more information, go to www.daisyfoundation.org.

To learn more about nursing careers and programs at Franciscan St. Francis, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/nursing.

Franciscan St. Francis Health nurses plant goodwill with care for patients

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Franciscan St. Francis Health has two nurses whose acts of compassionate care and joyful service has sewn seeds of gratitude among their patients and colleagues.

For Brooke Linville and Colleen Fredrick, nursing is far more than a career. It’s a calling that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Linville, an admissions nurse, was nominated by a colleague, who credited her for exemplifying compassionate care, having a passionate respect for life and a genuine asset to the Franciscan family.

“She is always conscientious when caring for her patients, making sure everything is reconciled and complete during admissions or discharge,” said a nursing colleague who nominated Linville. “She is kind, sincere and always professional in her manner.”

Fredrick too was nominated by a colleague who wanted to nominate her for the level of care she delivered to one particular patient and his dog.

“She went beyond the call of duty, including calling and checking on the patient multiple times,” said a nursing colleague.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a national program that honors the compassionate care and clinical excellence that our Franciscan St. Francis nurses bring to their patients every day.

The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 an auto-immune disease. His family was so impressed by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for him that they created this national award to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere. For more information, go to www.daisyfoundation.org.

To learn more about nursing careers and programs at Franciscan St. Francis, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/nursing.

Cardiologist George Blake joins St. Francis Health-based Indiana Heart Physicians

INDIANAPOLIS – George Blake, M.D., is the newest member of the St. Francis Medical Group Indiana Heart Physicians.

He comes to the Franciscan St. Francis Health-based practice from the Premier Healthcare, Inc (formerly, Internal Medicine Associates) in Bloomington, Indiana, and has affiliations with the Bloomington Hospital, Bedford Regional Medical Center, Monroe Hospital and Greene County General Hospital. .

Blake received his undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Houston and his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine internship/residency at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology, he has been published in professional journals and has conducted research in his specialty area.

Blake is a Fellow with the American College of Cardiology, Monroe Owen County Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, American Board of Nuclear Cardiology and American Society of Echocardiography.

The Indiana Heart Physicians, which has served patients in central Indiana since 1978, became part of St. Francis Medical Group in 2009. To learn more about cardiovascular services at St. Francis go to www.myheartcare.net.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 160 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

Students begin training with St. Francis Laboratory Science Program

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Six students have entered the year-long St. Francis Laboratory Science Program and will receive specialized training to augment their undergraduate studies.

They are Lyndi Gable and Brittany Jackson (2011 graduates of Purdue University); Ashley Robinson and Susan Hughes (2011 graduates of Franklin College); Aaron Mang (senior, Indiana State University); and Danielle Trowbridge (senior, Ball State University).

The students began their clinical training in July and are expected to graduate from the program in June 2012.

The program (previously called the St. Francis School of Medical Technology) has affiliations with several colleges and universities across the Midwest. The school, which is a division of the hospital’s clinical laboratory, was established in 1967 and is dedicated to preparing clinical laboratory scientists with the theoretical and practical training to serve as active members of the health care team in clinical laboratory science.

St. Francis’ Beech Grove campus houses many of the educational opportunities and services. Following didactic instruction, the students rotate through the areas of the laboratory applying their learned knowledge and enhancing their skills.

Medical technology involves conducting a wide range of laboratory tests for the detection, diagnosis, treatment and study of diseases. Medical technologists work closely with all members of the healthcare team to ensure the accuracy of diagnoses.

Franciscan St. Francis Health to offer free child safety seat inspections

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health is encouraging parents and caregivers to have children’s safety seats inspected based on new recommendations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

That’s why the hospital is offering free inspections with certified technicians on hand to advise on the proper use of the seats for youngsters. The first event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 in the parking lot of Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave (facing Stop 11 Road).

And on Saturday, Sept. 24, inspections will be held at Mayfield Insurance in Mooresville (50 S. Madison Street).

Both events coincide with National Child Passenger Safety Week. If unable to visit the inspection sites, adults can arrange for free inspections by calling 317-528-5774.

“We want to help adults do their best protect to protect children,” said Sharilyn Wagner, R.N., with Franciscan St. Francis’ pediatric specialty clinic. “It’s said that three-in-four child seats are not place correctly. In the end, when it comes to the safety of your child, there is no room for mistakes.”

In motor vehicle crashes, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for children younger than 1 and by 54 percent for children 1 to 4 in passenger cars, according to data collected by NHTSA. In 2009 alone, 754 children 12 or younger were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes while riding in passenger cars or light trucks.

And among those who were fatally injured where restraint use was known, 42 percent were unrestrained. Many of these tragedies could have been prevented if the children were in the right restraint for their age and size.

The updated recommendations emphasize how important it is to keep children in each restraint type for as long as possible before moving them to the next type. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers should visit their local inspection station to ensure their children’s car seats are used properly.

Here’s what the NHTSA recommends:

Birth – 12 months: For the best possible protection, your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

1 – 3 years: Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. This may result in many children riding rear-facing to age 2 or older. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

4 – 7 years: Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

8 – 12 years: Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.

Wagner further recommends that:

· Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.

· Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.

· To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.

· Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week or to find your local car seat event, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

To learn more about the Child Passenger Safety Clinic at Franciscan St. Francis Health, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Women/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=173.

Cardiovascular professionals prepped for St. Francis Health-sponsored symposium

INDIANAPOLIS –Hundreds of health-care professionals are expected to attend the fourth annual Franciscan St. Francis Health Cardiovascular Symposium on Friday, Sept. 16 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.

Hosted by the St. Francis Heart Center, physicians will discuss topics ranging from cardiac imaging, innovative next generation technology, to advanced clinical research that will improve patient care through early identification and treatment strategies for patients with, or at risk of developing, cardiovascular disease.

Presenting physicians will also address aspects of heart failure and how the Heart Center is working with patients and staff to improve patients’ quality of life as well as reduce hospital readmissions.

Presenters include cardiologists, along with cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons from the St. Francis Medical Group Indiana Heart Physicians (IHP), St. Francis Medical Group Vascular Surgeons and Cardiac Surgery Associates (CSA).

The day-long seminar, which offers continuing medical education credits, is designed to give primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurses and other allied health professionals insight to innovative next generation technology and learn how our integrated approach is advancing cardiac care and improving patient outcomes.

The keynote speaker is Dan Peterson of the Bloomington, Ind.-based Cook Group, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of medical devices and supplies. Peterson is vice president for industry and government affairs, and his primary focus is on policy and programs in health care delivery, including economic, education and workforce development.

Topics and presenters include:

Cardiac imaging: Next generation technology: Saeed Shaikh, M.D., IHP; and Marc Gerdisch, M.D., chief of cardiothoracic surgery for Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center and partner of CSA.

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular contractility: Irwin Labin, M.D., IHP

Athletic events and the heart: Or, will I survive that marathon?: Robert Kinn, M.D. IHP.

Molecular biology aspect of heart failure: From cell to device therapy: Harry Genovely, M.D., IHP.

Percutaneous treatment of structural heart disease: Saeed Shaikh, M.D, IHP

Advances in atrial fibrillation management: John Moore, III, M.D., IHP

Peripheral arterial disease: From office screening to saving limbs: Sunil Advani, M.D., IHP

EKG unknowns: Smriti Banthia, M.D., IHP

Decision-making in valvular heart disease: Richard Shea, M.D., IHP, and Marc Gerdisch, M.D., CSA

Carotid artery disease and treatment options: Dawn Salvatore, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group Vascular Surgeons

Emergency cardiac care from the field to the hospital to home: Carson Turner, M.D., IHP.

The program is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a social hour following. It is accredited for 5.25 continuing medical and nursing education hours.

Registration is $75 per person and includes lunch. For more details about speakers and sessions, visit MyHeartCare.net and click on the “Cardiovascular Symposium” box; or click on the link mentioned before.

Timothy O’Donnell, M.D., joins St. Francis’ Plainfield Family Medicine office

PLAINFIELD, Ind. – Timothy O’Donnell, M.D., has established a new practice with St. Francis Medical Group’s Plainfield Sports & Family Medicine.

He recently completed family medicine residence training at Franciscan St. Francis Health, we he was elected chief resident in his final year. In addition to his family medicine training, O’Donnell worked in the hospital’s emergency department and after-hours clinics and obstetrics.

O’Donnell recently completed training in acupuncture at Helms Medical Institute in California.

An Indianapolis resident, O’Donnell earned musical performance and composition (master’s) at the University of California-Irvine. He earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

O’Donnell is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and the Indiana State Medical Association.

Plainfield Family Medicine is located at 315 Dan Jones Road, Suite 100. To learn more about the practice go to http://sites.francsicanalliance.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=413.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 160 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to http://www.stfrancisdoctors.org/.

Saturday colonoscopies now available at Franciscan Surgery Center

INDIANAPOLIS – The Kendrick Colon and Rectal Center is making it easier for patients to receive colorectal cancer screenings at a time that best fits their schedule.

Beginning Aug. 27, colonoscopy services will be offered one Saturday a month at the Franciscan Surgery Center, Franciscan St. Francis Health―Indianapolis, located at 5255 East Stop 11 Road, Suite 100.

"We understand that some patients have work schedules or personal situations that make it difficult to schedule a colonoscopy during regular office hours,” said Frederick Lane, M.D. colorectal surgeon with Kendrick. “From experience, we know that Saturday appointments are very popular and give more patients access to screening with time to relax and recover over the weekend. We are excited to offer the service at the Franciscan Surgery Center.”

A colonoscopy is the best diagnostic test available to detect colorectal cancer, a condition that is highly curable when caught early. The American Cancer Society recommends screening for those aged 50 and older, and earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.

For more information about colorectal cancer screening, or to schedule an appointment, call 317-889-7906. Visit KendrickCenter.com to learn more about the Kendrick Colon and Rectal Center.

Medicare forum in Beech Grove

CEO Bob Brody was on hand for a Aug. 16 Medicare forum hosted by U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-7) at the Beech Grove Senior Center. Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County Health director, moderated the program, which included a panel discussion of experts, and questions from the audience.

St. Francis Medical Group poised to open medical office in Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. – Plans are on track for the Sept. 1 opening of a new medical complex, which will provide a broad range of health care options for residents here and the surrounding area.

St. Francis Medical Group (which will soon operate under the name of Franciscan Physicians Network) will occupy a medical office at Martinsville Shoppes at 49 Bills Blvd. near State Road 37. The 9,000-square-foot facility will house SFMG’s Indiana Heart Physicians, primary care physicians and nurse practitioners.

At least one new physician will be signing aboard when the facility opens. Dianna Boyer, M.D., who specializes in internal medicine, most previously was affiliated with Indiana University Health Morgan Hospital.

“We are excited to have Dr. Boyer join Franciscan St. Francis Health and our medical group,” said Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., president of SFMG. “She brings a depth of experience from her well-established practice, which has served patients in Martinsville and Morgan County for many years.”

Franciscan St. Francis Health announced plans earlier this year that it would open a multipurpose medical office to better serve the needs in the Martinsville community. The hospital system also operates a full-service hospital in Mooresville.

Led by Myers, St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 160 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

Volunteers propel efforts in staging Indy Women’s Half Marathon

INDIANAPOLIS – It takes an all-hands effort to help run a marathon. And that’s why Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K organizers are looking for volunteers.

Volunteers are needed for Friday, Sept. 2; and Saturday Sept. 3 – the day of the event. Their roles would be providing information to marathon participants, “goodie bag” distribution, greeters and to assist dinner and fashion show hosts.

Available positions for Saturday’s events include providing information to participants, “goodie bag” distribution, course water stops, course direction, gear check, start and finish line control, U.S. Flag distribution, and refreshment help.

To volunteer for the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon and 5K visit www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com and click on the “volunteer” tab.

The event is the first of its kind in this area featuring a field of female-only participants.

This unique race is being spearheaded by Ken Long & Associates (KLA), which has organized running/walking events in the Indianapolis metropolitan area for more than three decades.

More than 2,000 from 33 states are expected to participate in this year’s race, Long estimates.

Title sponsor of the race is Franciscan St. Francis Health’s Sports Medicine Center and Women’s Health Services. The hospital has been a long-time partner with KLA on similar events, providing volunteer medical and training experts.

Franciscan St. Francis Health medical volunteers will be led by Robyn Fean, MD, a sports medicine specialist who practices at St. Francis Plainfield Family and Sports Medicine.

The 13.1 mile course begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, at Monument Circle, and winds by a variety of local landmarks and parks with the finish line at the City Market. The shorter 5K portion of the race steps off at the same location but progresses west of the downtown area with runners returning east to the same finish line.

To register or to learn more about the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K, go to http://www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com.

For more information about Franciscan St. Francis Health’s sports medicine program and women’s services visit St.Francishospitals.org.

Franciscan St. Francis Health sets pace as title sponsor

INDIANAPOLIS – Runners and walkers take to the city streets for the premier Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K race set for 7 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 3.

The event is the first of its kind in this area featuring a field of female-only participants.

This unique race is being spearheaded by Ken Long & Associates (KLA), which has organized running/walking events in the Indianapolis metropolitan area for more than three decades.

“Some time ago, it occurred to me that we have women’s basketball, soccer, golf and other sports exclusively for women, but we didn’t have anything dedicated to running,” Long said. “This event showcases and honors the contributions women have made to the sport.”

More than 2,000 from 33 states are expected to participate in this year’s race, Long estimates.

Title sponsor of the race is Franciscan St. Francis Health’s Sports Medicine Center and Women’s Health Services. The hospital has been a long-time partner with KLA on similar events, providing volunteer medical and training experts.

“Promoting health and wellness benefits our entire community, particularly our women,” said Robert J. Brody, St. Francis chief executive officer and president. "Truly, the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon is a boon for the community and Franciscan St. Francis is proud to be its chief sponsor.”

Other key sponsors are the local Paul Mitchell enterprise (salons and school of cosmetology) and BlueMile, a running specialty retailer formerly known as The Running Company.

The 13.1-mile-long course begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and winds by a variety of local landmarks and parks with the finish line at the City Market. The shorter 5K portion of the race steps off at the same location but progresses west of the downtown area with runners returning east to the same finish line.

While the race honors women runners, it also pays tribute to women who have served in the U.S. military. American flags will be handed to participants as the finish line comes into their view.

Cash prizes of more than $6,200 will be awarded to the winners in the open, masters, seniors and Indiana divisions.

To register or to learn more about the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K, go to http://www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com.

More information about Franciscan St. Francis Health’s sports medicine program and women’s services can be found, respectively, at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=4&tabid=54 and http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=134.

St, Francis Heart Center offers free classes, screenings in September

INDIANAPOLIS – 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 and screenings throughout September.

To pre-register, call 317-782-4422 or toll free 1-877-888-1777. Registration also is available online at MyHeartCare.net.

Classes include:

Treatment options for atrial fibrillation (A-fib)

• Thursday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m., Columbus Holiday Inn, 2480 Jonathan Moore Pike, Columbus, Ind. Presented by John Moore III, M.D., and Marc Gerdisch, M.D.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats irregularly at a high rate. If severe, this condition can lead to heart attack, stroke or death. The physicians will discuss the current medical and surgical treatments for atrial fibrillation and who should be treated.

Coronary calcium scoring: Identifying cardiac risk

• Monday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m., Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road Presented by Babu Doddapaneni, M.D.

Coronary arteries can become blocked with calcium-containing plaque that can cause heart attacks. Coronary calcium scoring is a high-tech way to detect calcium build-up in the arteries and identify risk for heart disease. Doddapaneni will describe this test and answer questions about other heart attack risk factors. A special screening offer will be made to those who attend the class.

How to protect yourself from a stroke

• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Heart Center, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. Presented by J.D. Graham III, M.D.

Graham will talk about the importance of keeping the carotid artery leading to the brain free of plaque and disease, decreasing the risk for stroke. Participants may sign up for a free carotid artery screening.

St. Francis Health surgeon to steer orthopedics ‘road show’ to Noblesville

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – You can overcome hip and knee pain and get back to leading an active and rewarding life — and Franciscan St. Francis Health wants to show you how.

Franciscan St. Francis will present an arthritis and hip and knee replacement seminar at 6:30 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Cambria Suites Noblesville,13500 Tegler Dr. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 6 p.m.

Jeff Pierson, M.D., will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and arthritis treatments. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery and joint replacement.

Pierson is a surgeon with Joint Replacement Surgeons, a practice group affiliated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery at Franciscan St. Francis–Mooresville. Pierson’s office is in Carmel.

The Center has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana for joint surgery five years in a row by HealthGrades, one of the nation’s premier health care rating companies.

To register for this seminar, call St. Francis toll-free at 1-877-888-1777. Or register online at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39.

More information about the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is at http://www.centerforhipandkneesurgery.org/

Foot/ankle surgeon establishes new practice with St. Francis Medical Group

INDIANAPOLIS – Melanie Sanders, M.D., has joined Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeons with St. Francis Medical Group (SFMG).

She most recently was affiliated with Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where she had clinical and residency teaching responsibilities. Prior to that she was in practice with Orthopaedic Medicine of Indiana and Orthopaedics Indianapolis.

From 1986 to 1996 she was associated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery, which is now a member of St. Francis Medical Group. Board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and fellowship trained in foot and ankle, Sanders also held academic and clinical appointments with Louisiana State University School of Medicine and Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport.

Sanders has been frequent presenter and contributing writer to professional journals on topics related to foot and ankle surgery. She is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, and the North American Foot and Ankle Association.

She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and earned her medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine. She completed an internship and residency at LSU Hospital, and fellowship at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.

Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeons provides care for patients with a variety of disorders, using medical, physical and surgical treatments. The primary office is located at 1199 Hadley Road, Mooresville.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 165 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

St. Francis Hospice program helps youngsters deal with grief

INDIANPOLIS – Consider the caterpillar: It builds a cocoon and remains safe until it transforms and emerges into a new life, one that takes flight.

Death is a part of the life cycle, and it’s especially difficult for children to grasp and make sense out of it, particularly when they lose a loved one. And that’s why St. Francis Hospice offers Caterpillar Kids, a new support program that offers learning experiences for children ages 5 to 12.

“Children do grieve and they may express it differently than adults, but their feelings are as genuine and essential in healing,” said bereavement coordinator Karla Norton. “Caterpillar Kids brings children together in a safe, nurturing environment where they receive information about grief and learn healthy ways to cope with the death of a loved one.”

St. Francis Hospice will offer its Fall Caterpillar Kids program beginning Wednesday, Sept. 21 and ending Wednesday, Oct. 26. The workshops, which are free, are from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., meeting each Wednesday.

Meetings are at Christ United Methodist Church, 8540 U.S. 31 South, one mile north of Greenwood Park Mall.

Led by staff trained in bereavement support for children, youngsters participate in storytelling, art projects, games and other sharing opportunities. Parents also are invited to participate in a concurrent session to assist them in supporting their children.

Registration is required. To register or for more information about Caterpillar Kids, call 317-859-2879 or 317-865-2092.

More information about St. Francis Hospice is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280.

St. Francis Health surgeon to discuss orthopedic therapies at free seminar in Greencastle

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – You can overcome hip and knee pain and get back to leading an active and rewarding life — and Franciscan St. Francis Health wants to show you how.

Franciscan St. Francis Health will present an arthritis and hip and knee replacement seminar at 6:30 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday, Sept. 7, at The Inn at DePauw & Event Center, 2 W. Seminary St., Greencastle. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 6 p.m.

E. Michael Keating, M.D., will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and arthritis treatments. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery and joint replacement.

Keating is a surgeon with Joint Replacement Surgeons, a practice group affiliated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery at St. Francis Health–Mooresville.

The Center has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana for joint surgery five years in a row by HealthGrades, one of the nation’s premier health care rating companies.

To register for this seminar, call Franciscan St. Francis toll-free at 1-877-888-1777. Or register online at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39.

More information about the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is at www.centerforhipandkneesurgery.org

Plastic surgeon establishes practice with St. Francis Medical Group

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jessica Nguyen Gillespie, M.D., has joined Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons of St. Francis Medical Group.

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, she previously served as clinical assistant professor of plastic surgery at the University of Iowa. She also has spent time in the Los Angeles area receiving additional training in aesthetic surgery.

Gillespie, who specializes in a variety of areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Surgical Research and has published articles in professional journals.

A native of Plainfield, she received undergraduate degrees in biology and business management at Indiana University, where she later earned her medical degree. She completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

She has held memberships with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and is a candidate member for the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

To learn more about Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 165 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.

Adam M. Paarlberg, M.D., joins St. Francis’ Beech Grove Family Medicine

INDIANAPOLIS – Adam M. Paarlberg, M.D., has joined Beech Grove Family Medicine of St. Francis Medical Group.

He most previously worked in the emergency department at Rushville Memorial Hospital and completed residency training at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

During his training at St. Francis Health, he also served as a physician at the hospital’s after-hours clinic and emergency department.

Paarlberg received a bachelor’s degree in religion at Wabash College, where he graduated with honors. He earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

A resident of Zionsville, he is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Beech Grove Family Medicine is located at 2030 Churchman Ave. To learn more about that practice go to http://sites.francsicanalliance.org/sfmg/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=26.

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of more than 160 physicians practicing throughout central Indiana. These physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

To learn more about St. Francis Medical Group, go to www.stfrancisdoctors.org.