Andrew R. Barksdale, M.D.,joins Cardiac Surgery Associates at Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS – Andrew R. Barksdale, M.D., is an established cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with Cardiac Surgery Associates (CSA), one of the largest cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery practices in the United States.

In 2006, Franciscan St. Francis Health established a successful partnership with Cardiac Surgery Associates to build a national center of excellence in cardiovascular surgery and to ensure that residents of Indiana have the nation’s leading surgeons who are committed to providing every patient with innovative surgical treatment and superior care.

“St. Francis Health and Cardiac Surgery Associates are committed to providing our patients with exceptional care," said Marc W. Gerdisch, M.D., chief of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center and a partner of Cardiac Surgery Associates. “Dr. Barksdale is a highly-skilled surgeon with broad-based expertise in cardiac, vascular and thoracic techniques, including complex procedures and minimally invasive treatment of lung disorders and cancer. We are fortunate to welcome him to Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center."

Dr. Barksdale joins fellow CSA surgeons Dr Gerdisch and Manesh Parikshak, M.D. Their office is located at 5255 E. Stop 11 Rd., Ste. 200 on the Franciscan St. Francis Health -Indianapolis campus.

Dr. Barksdale has performed hundreds of cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgeries including coronary artery bypass, valve replacement and repair, lung and heart transplant, minimally invasive lung surgery and a variety of vascular operations. He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and American Board of Surgery. He has been published widely in professional journals.

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dr. Barksdale received his bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science from Indiana University and his medical degree at IU School of Medicine.

He completed his post-graduate training in surgery at the University of Kentucky (UK). During his residency, he performed more than 1,100 major general surgery cases and endoscopic procedures, and taught workshops to medical students during their clinical rotations. He also was a surgical research fellow at UK, where he received the National Institutes of Health/National Research Service Award.

Dr. Barksdale joined CSA after completing a three-year fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Minneapolis, where he performed a variety of complex procedures.

CSA is one of the top private cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery practices in the country consisting of 29 surgeons dedicated to providing unsurpassed excellence in patient care, research and innovative surgical techniques at 25 hospitals in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. You can learn more at OpenHeart.net.

Dr. Barksdale is an independent physician, who chooses to practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health. CSA’s Indianapolis physicians work at the Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center and in coordination with St. Francis Medical Group’s Indiana Heart Physicians. More information about services at the Heart Center is at MyHeartCare.net.

St. Francis Health physician is ‘Moore’ than doctor to patients, colleagues

INDIANAPOLIS – David H. Moore, M.D., is the latest recipient of the Healing Hands Award presented by Franciscan St. Francis Health.

With his colleagues and support staff looking on, Moore today (Oct. 26) received the award at a ceremony at his office, Gynecologic Oncology Specialists near the hospital’s Indianapolis campus.

Awarded quarterly, the Healing Hands Award was established in 2010. Its goal is to recognize St. Francis physicians for excellence in clinical skills, patient relations, research, stewardship and their reflection of the hospital’s health-care ministry, values and mission.

Testimonials from Moore’s patients attest to his commitment to their care. One writes: “Dr. Moore is an incredibly talented surgeon, but he also exhibits true caring for his patients as individuals. Following my recent surgery, he sat with my husband, daughter, and mother and explained the procedure to them in terms they could understand. He spent a lot of time with me on rounds after surgery was completed. I feel confident that he saved my life…”

That similar sentiment is shared by his Franciscan St. Francis colleague, Joseph LaRosa, M.D.

“David is an incredible surgeon and faithful servant to Franciscan St. Francis Health,” LaRosa said. “Dealing with the emotional and fear-filled aspects of cancer in addition to performing very difficult surgical cases on a daily basis can only be accomplished by very special people.”

A Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Moore’s work encompasses the most advanced surgical, radiation and medical treatments, including use of the da Vinci robotic surgical system. He also participates in a number of cooperative group and industry-sponsored trials using cancer-fighting drugs.

Moore, a member of St. Francis Medical Group, earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. He advanced his education at the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill, completing a fellowship in gynecologic oncology.

He has held several academic appointments with UNC and the IU School of Medicine. At the latter institution, he also was chief of gynecologic oncology and held the Mary Fendrich Hulman Professor in Gynecologic Oncology chair.

During his career, Moore has received many academic and professional awards, including Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He has been listed among U.S. News & World Report’s Top Doctors and Indianapolis Monthly magazine’s Top Docs for many years, including this year’s listings.

Moore, who has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association, Indianapolis Medical Society, International Society of Gynecologic Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Hoosier Oncology Group.

Dr. David Moore is presented with the awarded and flanked by Dr. Christopher "Topper" Doehring (l) and Dr. Joseph LaRosa.

New St. Francis Health Network partnership reaches out to needy patients

INDIANAPOLIS – Windrose Health Network, a federally qualified health center which provides primary and preventive health services to families with limited financial means and no insurance, has entered a partnership with Franciscan St. Francis Health through the St. Francis Health Network (SFHN).

Windrose physicians will participate in the Network’s Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield delivery system serving Hoosier Healthwise members. Their membership in the Network will provide Hoosier Healthwise patients who have Windrose physicians with better service, access and continuity of care.

“This relationship fits with our Franciscan mission of providing care to the poor and uninsured, and it will help tie our two organizations together,” said Jennifer Westfall, regional executive director of St. Francis Health Network. In another move to provide better access, the physicians at Southside OB/GYN, a practice long affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis, will begin providing deliveries and late-term checkups for pregnant patients under the care of Windrose physicians.

“Expectant patients will continue to see their Windrose physicians over the course of their pregnancies until they reach the final weeks,” added Westfall, who also serves as vice president of marketing and product development for Franciscan St. Francis. “This arrangement will provide stable care and help prevent patients in labor from arriving at the emergency department.”

Windrose maintains health facilities on Indianapolis’ south side and in Trafalgar, Edinburgh and Hope, Ind. Designation as a federally qualified health center means that the facility is located in an area identified as medically underserved and provides primary health, oral, and mental health/substance abuse services to persons of all ages.

They charge for care on a sliding-fee scale based on the patients’ family income and size.

Several St. Francis Health physicians featured among Indy magazine’s ‘Top Doctors' list

INDIANAPOLIS – Thirty-two Franciscan St. Francis Health physicians have been recognized as “Top Doctors” by Indianapolis Monthly magazine (November 2011).

They were among those selected by nationwide surveys of tens of thousands of physicians conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., representing the upper tier of board-certified physicians in the Indianapolis area.

Members of *St. Francis Medical Group and hospital-affiliated physicians and their specialties:

*Richard Beardsley M.D. (family medicine)
*William Berg M.D. (interventional cardiology)
Michael Elmore M.D. (gastroenterology)
Thomas Fairchild M.D. (otolaryngology)
Jack Farr II, M.D. (orthopedic surgery)
Peter Garrett M.D. (radiation oncology)
Marc Gerdisch M.D. (thoracic surgery)
*Charles E. Hughes III M.D. (plastic surgery)
Jan Jansen, M.D. (hematology)
*Olaf Johansen M.D. (colon and rectal cancer)
*Denise Johnson Miller M.D. (breast surgery)
Martin Kaefer M.D. (urology)
Baron Kidd M.D. (pediatrics)
*Robert Kinn M.D. (cardiac electrophysiology)
*Charles Kinsella M.D. (pulmonology)
*Frederick Lane M.D. (colon and rectal surgery)
G. Todd Lemmel M.D. (gastroenterology)
S. Chace Lottich M.D. (breast surgery)
*Jonathan Mandelbaum M.D. (surgery)
Mary Lou Mayer M.D. (medical oncology)
*David Moore M.D. (gynecologic cancer)
*Dan Nordmann M.D. (pain management)
*Jeffrey Peterson M.D. (family medicine)
*Jeffery Pierson M.D. (orthopedic surgery)
David Pound M.D. (gastroenterology)
*Ana Priscu M.D. (endocrinology)
Juan Sanchez M.D. (pediatric endocrinology)
*Bridget Sanders M.D. (colon and rectal surgery)
*Richard Shea M.D. (cardiology)
Barbara Sturm M.D. (dermatology)
James Thompson D.O. (medical oncology)
*G. Alan Von Stein M.D. (obstetrics/gynecology)

Two Franciscan St. Francis physicians also were the subject of features in the issue.

Marc Gerdisch, M.D., director of cardiothoracic surgery and a partner with Cardiac Surgery Associates, discusses his first-in-the-world work which uses a unique biomaterial to repair patients’ damaged heart tissue. Gerdisch is an independent physician who has chosen to affiliate with Franciscan St. Francis.

Surgeon Denise Johnson Miller, M.D., of SFMG’s Breast Specialists, discusses how MRI technology adds value in the treatment of breast cancer. Led by Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health hospital facilities.

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

Nurses saluted for commitment to excellence, professional development

GREENWOOD, Ind. – For most in the field, nursing is far more than a career. It’s a calling that blends professionalism with compassion to care for patients.

Franciscan St Francis Health recently celebrated its 2011 Excellence in Nursing Award Winners, presented annually to registered nurses who have been nominated by their peers for their leadership abilities and exceptional talents. The awards are based on six key Magnet components.

Developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.

“The 2011 Nursing Excellence Awards winners are a true reflection of the excellent talent of the many great nurses at Franciscan St. Francis Health,” said Theresa Weisenbach, R.N., M.B.A., chair of the nursing professional development council. “The six winners of this year's Excellence Awards are certainly deserving of the awards based on their excellent contributions they give to their specialty areas in nursing but also to nursing at Franciscan St. Francis.”

The 2011 recipients, all registered nurses and board-certified in their specialties: Karla Dewey (exemplary professional practice), Debra Hillman (structural empowerment-community leadership/mentor), Rhonda Hammond (structural empowerment-preceptor), Erin Schoch (new knowledge, innovation and improvement), Brenda Wakefield (transformational leader-staff nurse), and Jo May (transformational leader-management team).

Continuing education is paramount in nursing and Franciscan St. Francis supports this endeavor. Recipients of the 2011 Richard E. Fry Memorial Nursing Scholarships:

Helen Stephon, Morgan Welsh and Kathryn Wenning (University of Indianapolis) and Tyler Thomas (Marian University).

The scholarships were established in 2000 by Fry’s widow, Michelle Fry Hanson, and the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation. They memorialize the late physician’s dedication to the medical profession, Franciscan St. Francis, and his high regard for the nursing staff.

Fry was chief of vascular surgery at Franciscan St. Francis until his death in 2000.

The goal of the scholarships is to “recruit and retain the best in the nursing profession” at Franciscan St. Francis. Nursing scholarships are awarded each May to Franciscan St. Francis employees who are in good standing and either accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program.

The evening also included recognizing DAISY award winners at Franciscan St. Francis:Tammy Baldwin, Charity Basely, Molly Britt, David Charles, Kathy Chesney, Natalie Davis, Janie Eason, Kimberly Eder, Paula Evenly, Colleen Fredrick, Joan Firth, Amy Gillard, Nancy Kasogi, Monica Lee, Brooke Linville, Denise Mann, Teresa Sanford, Becky Simon, Jacky Stroud, Tracy Welsh and Stephanie Xayamath.

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.

Franciscan St. Francis employs 1,400 nurses – more than 320 certified in clinical specialties – at its hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.

To learn more about nursing at Franciscan St. Francis, visit www.stfrancishospitals.org/nursing.

St. Francis Health lauded by Indy Black Nurses group for public health outreach

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Community Service Award by the Black Nurses Association of Indianapolis, Inc (BNA).

That honor was presented to the hospital today (Oct. 21) at the group’s 7^th Annual Luncheon at The Ritz Charles on the city’s north side.

The award, which was accepted by Susan McRoberts, chief nursing officer and vice president, recognizes Franciscan St. Francis’ exemplary record of volunteer community service based on its achievements for improving the health and social conditions of individuals, families and communities.

“The St. Francis team encourages others to lead healthier lives through community partnerships, educational programs in school and churches, health screenings and public seminars presented by the medical staff,” the BNA in presenting the award.

The BNA cited the many programs in which Franciscan St. Francis provides outreach, such as the patients it serves at the Neighborhood Health Center and the Parish Nursing, Senior Promise, Center for Hope, and child and adult immunization programs.

The non-profit BNA is one of 76 chapters affiliated with the National Black Nurses Association. The mission of the organization is to eliminate health disparities, address the health care needs of African Americans and other minorities and improve the quality of their lives.

To learn more about the many programs and services available at Franciscan St. Francis Health, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org.

Physician assistant signs aboard St. Francis Health plastic surgery group

INDIANAPOLIS – Krystal L.Cole, a certified physician’s assistant, has joined Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons with St. Francis Medical Group.

Cole most recently was employed by Center for Dermatology & Skin Cancer, Downers Grove, Ill. In addition to her dermatology experience, she has clinical interests in family practice, geriatrics, general and orthopedic surgery and other specialties.

She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University and earned a master’s of science in physician assistant studies at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Calif. While in California, she completed preceptorships in dermatology, cosmetic surgery and urgent care.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons is located at 8051 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 450, Indianapolis. To learn more about the group, 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 physicians 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 Health, Center Grove team up for student athletes

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health and Center Grove High School have forged an agreement, ensuring the safety and continuity of care for student athletes for years to come.

The two organizations have reached agreement on an exclusive 10-year contract. Franciscan St. Francis will fully fund the salaries of two trainers, which previously were partially funded by the school.

The trainers will be present at practices and games for all sanctioned Indiana High School Athletic Association games at Center Grove High School.

The balance of the money will help pay for renovations to the school gym. In exchange, the hospital will have signage inside and outside the West Gym bearing a yet-to-be determined name.

“We have provided no-cost athletic trainer services to Center Grove High School for more than 12 years and it’s been a great relationship,” said Chris DiGiusto, director of orthopedics/neurosciences, who led discussions on behalf of Franciscan St. Francis. “This exclusive agreement deepens our commitment to students and to the Center Grove community as a whole.”

The hospital has been active for many years in providing in-kind athletic training/medical services in Marion, Johnson and Morgan counties. In addition to Center Grove, Franciscan St. Francis lends it expertise to Franklin Central High School, Roncalli High School, Southport High School, Perry Meridian High School, Lutheran High School, Mooresville High School, Martinsville High School and Greenwood Christian Academy.

Franciscan St. Francis operates a full-service hospital at Emerson Avenue and Stop 11 Road, and a multitude of physician offices and specialty medical services in Greenwood and throughout northern Johnson County.

To learn more about the hospital’s Sports Medicine program, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=4&tabid=54.

Franciscan St. Francis Health cardiac program named No. 1 in Indiana; ranks high nationally

HealthGrades report: Hospital’s cardiac program also receives Five-Star ratings in clinical outcomes

INDIANAPOLIS – A report released today (Oct. 18) touts Franciscan St. Francis Health–Indianapolis for its superior patient clinical outcomes by naming it among the top 5 percent in the nation for overall cardiac services, cardiology services, valve repair and replacement surgery, and coronary interventional procedures.

That’s the assessment of an extensive study conducted by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading health care rating organization. The HealthGrades study annually assesses patient outcomes – mortality and complication rates – at virtually all of the nation’s nearly 5,000 non-federal hospitals.

Choosing a hospital can be a life or death decision. Nationally, the HealthGrades report found that patients treated at 5-star rated hospitals experience a 73 percent lower risk of mortality and a 63 percent lower risk of complications compared to 1-star rated hospitals. A quality comparison of doctors and hospitals in Marion County and the Greater Indianapolis market area can be found online at HealthGrades.com.

“St. Francis Heart Center physicians, surgeons, nurses and support staff continually work to improve clinical processes while using their extensive knowledge, experience and skills to ensure better outcomes and superior care for our patients,” said Robert. J. Brody, president and chief executive officer for Franciscan St. Francis. “Their hard work has resulted in one of the most robust and respected cardiac programs in Indiana and the nation.”

Additional HealthGrades Clinical Achievements:

· Nationally, received Five-Star ratings for overall cardiac services, cardiology services, valve repair and replacement surgery, coronary interventional procedures, treatment of heart attack in 2012, and for treatment of heart failure for five consecutive years (2008-2012)

· In Indiana, No. 1 for overall cardiac services and ranked among the top five for cardiac surgery, cardiology services and coronary interventional procedures.

· Franciscan St. Francis also was named one of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care and Coronary Intervention and Excellence Awards in those two areas.

“Patients today have a wide array of options when it comes to choosing a healthcare provider,” said Kerry Hicks, HealthGrades chief executive officer. “At HealthGrades, we are proud to have led the way for empowering patient choice based on objective clinical outcomes and access to actionable quality measures. We commend Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis for its superior quality and support of consumerism and transparency in Marion County.”

What the ratings mean

HealthGrades’ hospital ratings and awards reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals’ mortality and complication rates. HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

Hospitals receiving a Five-Star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average to a statistically significant degree. A Three-Star rating means the hospital performs as expected. One-Star ratings indicate the hospital’s mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average.

Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for apples-to-apples comparisons.

More information on today’s HealthGrades study, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com.

Hundreds turn out for Oct. 14 Senior Promise health festival

I

INDIANAPOLIS – About 600 people today (Oct. 14) took advantage of numerous health and wellness opportunities offered by the Franciscan St. Francis Health-based Senior Promise program.

The annual event was geared for those 50 and older, people with diabetes, caregivers and those seeking community resources for seniors and people with disabilities. The festival offered a variety of health screenings and information on a variety of medical topics, most of which were free.

“We typically draw a large number of participants and have one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in south-central Indiana,” said Senior Promise Director Jim Poole.

Clinicians and representatives from the hospital's cancer and heart centers, women’s services, hospice program, home health services, parish nursing and other hospital-based programs were joined by other community-based health organizations were on hand for this year’s event.

Launched in 1987, Senior Promise provides its 9,000-plus members a variety of meaningful services and benefits for people age 50 and older.

More information about the program is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/seniors,

Photos by AMEY LUPINKSY and MARA HOBERTY

International surgeons to learn from Center for Hip and Knee Surgery experts

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – An international panel of orthopedic surgeons is coming to Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville to observe and discuss advancements made in knee replacement surgery and therapies.

They will be learning the latest techniques in knee replacement surgery from physicians at the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery of the St. Francis Medical Group.

Four international candidates selected for the John N. Insall Travelling Fellowship, sponsored by The Knee Society, will visit the hospital Oct. 18-20. They are:

Matthew S. Austin, M.D., Rothman Institute-Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia;

William J. Long, M.D., Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, New York City; Roberto Rossi, M.D., University of Torino, Italy; and Rafael J. Sierra, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

“Members of this prestigious group were selected for their surgical skills and research, and we are honored to host them at our Center to learn about the work we perform,” said E. Michael Keating, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with the Center and a Knee Society board member. “To be one of only 10 centers in the world to host the fellowship is a great honor for us. We hope to share with them many of the latest surgical techniques we have developed at the Center.”

Other Knee Society members at the Mooresville center are Drs. John B. Meding, Philip M. Faris and Michael E. Berend, an Insall Fellow in 2004.

The Mooresville center has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana for joint surgery five years in a row (2007-2011) by HealthGrades, one of the nation’s premier health care rating companies.

To learn more about the Joint Replacement Surgeons, go to http://stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=339. More information about the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is at www.centerforhipandkneesurgery.org.

Large internal medicine, specialists group aligns with Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Internal Medicine Consultants (IIMC), one of the largest internal medicine and specialty groups in Indiana, and Franciscan St. Francis Health today (Oct. 11) announced an exclusive services provider agreement, formalizing and strengthening the relationship the two organizations have shared for decades.

IIMC specialists include internal medicine, pulmonary, critical care, rheumatology, family practice, infectious disease and sleep medicine specialists serving central Indiana

The agreement, effective Oct. 1, supports an even more integrated continuum of care and case management. Patients will benefit because there will be less rotation of physicians and nurse practitioners from outside the St. Francis system.

“The agreement advances a more holistic framework,” said Robert J. Brody, president and CEO for Franciscan St. Francis Health. “IIMC physicians treat highly complex internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care cases.

“They have a crucial role in the development of integrated care management, which provides a full spectrum of population care from wellness to hospital outpatient and inpatient care to home and hospice care,” Brody continued. “Coordinated delivery of expert care, enhanced communications, and outstanding technology paired with the mutual goal of providing the highest level clinical outcomes for patients, results in better care and patient experience.”

“Our decision to align exclusively with Franciscan St. Francis Health is based in trust and a shared history of providing outstanding care to patients, said William Buffie, M.D., who has served as IIMC’s CEO since 1997 and directs Franciscan St. Francis’ hospitalist program. “Of the integrated heath systems or accountable care organizations being formed, we know that St. Francis offers the specific advantages such as the electronic medical records system, range of associated specialists and many convenient access points.”

With hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville, Franciscan St. Francis Health is part of the Mishawaka-based Franciscan Alliance, a 14-hospital system in Indiana and Illinois. The system employs 18,000 workers including more than 600 physicians, provides care for more than 2.9 million outpatient visits and more than 100,000 inpatient discharges each year.

To learn more about Franciscan St. Francis Health, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/.

Indiana Internal Medicine Consultants has nearly 40 specialized physicians caring for thousands of patients in the central Indiana. To learn more about this group, go to http://www.iimconline.net/meet.html.

Hazem N. Shamseddeen, M.D.,joins Indy Southside Surgical with St. Francis Medical Group

INDIANAPOLIS – Hazem N. Shamseddeen, M.D., has established a practice with St. Francis Medical Group Indy Southside Surgical.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery, he specializes in general and bariatric surgery/medicine. Shamseddeen recently completed a fellowship at the University of California-Davis, where he performed hundreds of bariatric and minimally invasive procedures, including the use of the Da Vinci Robotics technology.

Shamseddeen earned his medical degree and completed an internship at Beirut Arab University. He was a resident at the American University of Beirut and later completed a surgical residency at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Long Island, N.Y.

He joins a team of five other physicians at Indy Southside Surgical, whom collectively have more than 80 years of experience offering a wide range of general and specialized procedures (invasive and non-invasive). The surgeons include David Mandelbaum, M.D., Jonathan Mandelbaum, M.D., Donald King, M.D., Matthew Libke, M.D., and Mark Edwards, M.D.

St. Francis Medical Group Indy Southside Surgical has locations at 5255 E. Stop 11 Road,

To learn more about this surgical practice, go to http://stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=437

Led by President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D., St. Francis Medical Group is a multidisciplinary group of physicians 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/.

Suite 450

, Indianapolis; and

1203 E. Hadley Road, Suite 204

, Mooresville.

Health foundation honors St. Francis Health clinicians for career contributions

INDIANAPOLIS – A Franciscan St. Francis Health physician and nurse who have distinguished themselves in their careers are the recipients of 2011 Indiana Public Health Foundation awards.

Richard D. Feldman, M.D., director of Medical Education and Residency Training; and Michele Kuntz-Wood, R.N., manager of Women’s Health Services, were recognized at the 27^th annual Tony and Mary Hulman Health Achievement Awards program, held Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis Westin Hotel.

Feldman received the Lifetime Award for Distinguished Service in Years of Health Advancement Award. Wood received the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Award.

Fittingly, both were introduced by dinner chairman Robert J. Brody, president and CEO of Franciscan St. Francis.

“In 1981, Richard was the youngest in the nation to become the director of a family medicine residency program when he assumed that position at St. Francis, one of the most respected of its kind in our region,” Brody said. “More than any other specialty, family doctors focus their attention on the person, not just the disease, and are driven by the need to make people whole. He has been a tireless advocate for the family medicine profession and, more important, an advocate for patients.”

The St. Francis chief executive was equally effusive with praise for Wood.

“She has been a member of our hospital family for nearly three decades,” he noted. “Her entire career has focused on caring for women and their families. There have no better champion than Michele.”

To learn more about the Indiana Public Health Foundation, go to http://www.iphf.us/

Ortho surgeon steers 'road show" to Vincennes to explain surgical procedures

VINCENNES, 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. EST, Monday, Nov. 28, at Vincennes University Union, 1002 N. First St., Vincennes. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 6 p.m.

Michael E. Berend, 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.

Berend is a surgeon with Joint Replacement Surgeons, a practice group affiliated with the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery at Franciscan 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 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/