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/

Nurse appointed director of clinical informatics

INDIANAPOLIS – Charles Randolph Jr., R.N., has been appointed director of clinical informatics for Franciscan St. Francis Health.

He most recently served as project manager for the development and implementation of the Epic electronic health records at Franciscan St. Francis’ three hospitals and affiliated medical offices throughout central Indiana. This newly deployed system is being adopted by 11 other hospitals which are also members of the Franciscan Alliance.

During his tenure, Randolph has been responsible for a variety of clinical information services and technology projects and nursing management programs. He has served as manager of progressive care services at St. Francis Heart Center and other related roles.

A Speedway resident, Randolph earned a bachelor of science in nursing at Marian University and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society for Nursing Leadership.

Franciscan St. Francis Health appoints director for Emergency Services

INDIANAPOLIS – India J. Taylor Owens, R.N., has been selected as director Emergency Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

In that role, she is responsible for overall operations at the hospital’s emergency departments at Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.

Owens most recently served as director for emergency services and emergency medical services operations at Indiana University Health West Medical Center in Avon. She has held related positions with hospitals in Hancock and Shelby counties, in addition to other nursing clinical specialties.

She received an associate’s degree in nursing at Indiana University (IU) and bachelor’s in nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Owens also earned a master’s of science in nursing administration at IU.

A resident of Fairland, she has been published in various professional journals.

Certified as a nurse executive and as an emergency nurse, she has held various academic appointments at the University of Indianapolis and currently is adjunct faculty at IWU. She also was the 2010 recipient of the Indianapolis Star Nurse of the Year Advancement of Nursing Award.

Owens has memberships in several professional organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau Alpha, Emergency Nurses Association (state and local chapters) and the Indiana State Nurses Association.

St. Francis Medical Group appoints permanent clinical chief

INDIANAPOLIS – Paul E. Driscoll, M.D., has been selected as medical director for St. Francis Medical Group (SFMG). He had been serving in that position on an interim basis for several months.

Driscoll, who will oversee clinical operations of the 140-member group, joins SFMG President Isaac J. Myers II, M.D. in the leadership role.

Board-certified in family medicine, Driscoll has been affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis Health in many capacities since 1980, after completing his residency with the hospital. He has been in practice with Beech Grove Family Medicine since 1987 and a member of SFMG since 1994.

Driscoll, who chairs the St. Francis’ Department of Family Medicine, formerly was vice chair of SFMG’s Board of Managers and the hospital’s Physician IT Committee.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Driscoll has chaired the Family Medicine Department on two occasions and served on the Board of Directors for St. Francis Health Network for several years.

A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he has earned several academic and professional honors, including his selection as a Fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

SFMG physicians offer a variety of primary care and specialty care services and all practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health facilities.

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

Connie Brandes assumes helm of St. Francis Ambulatory Services

INDIANAPOLIS – Constance “Connie” A. Brandes, R.N., has been appointed director of Ambulatory Services at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

In that position, she will oversee the hospital’s Occupational Health, Renal Dialysis, and Wound Care departments. She is the former director of Emergency Services and Ambulatory Nursing Services.

Brandes has has held nursing positions in the Indianapolis area, throughout Indiana and in Texas. She also has vast management level experience, including operations, human resources, finance and community outreach.

She holds several certifications and memberships in professional organizations, including the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Emergency Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society for nurses.

Brandes earned a master’s of science in nursing degree at Indiana University, and has earned many graduate hours in business and health services administration. She received her bachelor’s of science in nursing at Marian College (now Marian University).

St. Francis Hospital appoints new director of Emergency Services

INDIANAPOLIS –Jason Kaufman, R.N., has been appointed director of Emergency Services at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

Kaufman has worked in the emergency field at St. Francis for more than 13 years. In his new duties, he is responsible for the services at its Indianapolis and Beech Grove hospitals.

He most recently served as unit manager at the hospital’s Mooresville emergency department. He also was core triage educator of more than 200 emergency registered nurses at St. Francis’ three hospitals.

The Emergency Department at Mooresville far exceeded the predicted number of patients using its services when opened Oct.1, 2008. More than 31,300 patients visited the ED in its first year of operation – nearly twice what was originally projected.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Kaufman earned his bachelor’s of science in nursing at Indiana University.

St. Francis Hospital nurses lauded for professional excellence

INDIANAPOLIS – Several nurses were recognized for service and leadership in their respective fields at the 2009 St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers Excellence in Nursing ceremony.

The ceremony and banquet was among the recent events honoring the service of St. Francis’ 1,450 nurses.The award categories, recipients and their service areas:

Clinical: Lynn Robbin (Palliative Care, Beech Grove) and Lindsey Zander (Bone Marrow Transplant, Beech Grove)

Community Service: Sandie Hickey (School Nurse Program, Indianapolis) and Norva Perkins (Obstetrics, Mooresville)

Preceptor/Mentor: Julie Gausvik (Bone Marrow Transplant, Beech Grove) and Stacy Glass (Bone Marrow Transplant, Beech Grove)

Professional Development: Brenda Hood (Adult Critical Care, Beech Grove) and Deb Hillman (Bone Marrow Transplant, Beech Grove)

Each nurse received a cash stipend for educational seminars and a plaque.

The ceremony also recognized the 2009 Richard E. Fry, M.D., Memorial Nursing Scholarships, a program funded by the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to those in good standing and who either have been accepted or enrolled in an accreditied nursing program.

The recipients: Andrea Marie Amonette, Molly Bryant, Carly Horvath, Morgan Huser, Lillian Mwamba and Diann Randall.

Nurses from St. Francis’ Career Advancement and Recognition of Excellence program also were recognized at the honors banquet.

To learn more about student nursing programs at St. Francis, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/careers/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=50.

St. Francis nurse appointed manager of adult intensive care unit

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – Genelle Lucid, R.N., has been appointed manger of the Intensive Care Unit/Adult Critical Care at St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove.

She most recently served as clinical educator for St. Francis’ post-surgical unit. Lucid has held several nursing positions at St. Francis in areas such as critical, intensive and progressive care units and with the hospital’s Home Health Care program. She also has worked as a clinical instructor at IVY Tech Community College.

Lucid earned a bachelor’s of science in nursing at the University of Indianapolis, where she graduated with honors. She’s currently enrolled in a nursing master’s degree program at Indiana Wesleyan University.

She holds many memberships in professional organizations and is a member of Lambda Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau.

St. Francis CEO lauded by groups for leadership, health care advocacy

INDIANAPOLIS – Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, today (Sept. 9) was awarded the Regents Award by the Indiana Chapter of American College of Healthcare Executives and the Indiana Hospital Association.

The St. Francis chief received the award at the IHA/ACHE breakfast meeting at the Hilton Indianapolis Downtown. Brody was recognized for his exemplary leadership during his tenure at St. Francis and spearheading health care reform locally and regionally.

Brody is active in legislative issues and involved at the national level with the Catholic Health Association. He frequently is invited by lawmakers and the health care industry to comment on public health issues.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Brody assumed his current position at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in November 1996, following four years as the hospital's executive vice president and chief operating officer.
He holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a master's degree in health administration from Duke University. He completed an administrative residency at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, La.
Prior to joining St. Francis, he held executive and leadership positions at CentraState Medical Center, (N.J.), Senior Care Centers of America Inc. (N.J.) Maxicare (N.C.), VHA Consulting Services (Texas) and Madison Health Associates (N.J.)

Brody is a member of Lay Board of Advisors of Sisters of St. Benedict-Beech Grove, Ind. He also holds board memberships with the te Archdiocese of Indianapolis – Catholic Community Foundation, Inc., Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation, Indiana Health Information Exchange, St. Francis Healthcare Foundation, St. Francis Health Network and The Sycamore School of Indianapolis.

An Indianapolis resident, Brody is a former board member of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Indiana Inc., and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

More information about the ACHE Indiana chapter is at www.ache.org/chapters/chapterdirectory.cfm.

New executive director assumes reins at Mooresville hospital

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Jared Stark has been named executive director for St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville. He will begin his duties on July 21.Stark is responsible for overseeing all operations of the 88-bed community hospital, part of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

Stark comes to St. Francis from Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Ind., where he has served as vice president of professional services since August 2005. He was responsible for the operations of several clinical and support areas for that 200-bed county hospital.

Stark is not new to St. Francis. He served as the health care system’s resource manager from December 2000 to April 2003.

He left that post to serve as vice president of strategic services at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Ill., from 2003 to 2005. Previously, he was business development and managed care coordinator at Culver Union Hospital in Crawfordsville, Ind., from 1995 to 2000.

“Following an extensive search over the past several months, Jared emerged as the clear choice for the important post of leading our Mooresville hospital,” said Keith Jewell, senior vice president and chief operating officer for St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. “He is a proven leader with a high level of experience in strategic planning, health care services and operational excellence. As a former St. Francis employee and a person committed to community service, he is firmly grounded in the Sisters of St. Francis mission and values. He will be a valuable asset to our hospital and the community in Mooresville.”

Stark received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville and his master of business administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

He is a Certified Health Care Executive and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a member of several professional and civic organizations.

A native Hoosier, Stark is married with three children, ages 7, 4 and 2. He and his family live in Westfield, Ind., but plan to move to the Morgan County area in the near future.

St. Francis director earns health-care management distinction

INDIANAPOLIS – Christopher A. DiGiusto, director of product and business development at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, has been named a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

DiGiusto received the credential after fulfilling several requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating community involvement.

“By becoming a Fellow and simultaneously earning board certification from the ACHE, health-care leaders show they are committed to providing high-quality service to their patients and communities,” said ACHE President Thomas C. Dolan.

The ACHE only has 7,500 fellows nationwide and they must re-certify every three years.

At St. Francis, DiGiusto is responsible for business implementation and development projects with physician practices. He has been associated with the hospital since 2003 and has held several management and consulting positions. He also has served in roles at Community Health Network and the Cincinnati Foundation for Biomedical Research and Education.

An Indianapolis resident, DiGiusto earned his undergraduate degree and master’s of health services administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati where he was an honors student. He’s also an alumnus of Roncalli High School.

St. Francis Hospital specialists assume national, state leadership roles

INDIANAPOLIS – Two St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers staff members have been elected to lead a national and state chapter of medical service professional organizations.

Janet O’Hair recently was elected president of National Association Medical Staff Services and Belinda Sherlock is the president of the Indiana Association of Medical Staff Services. Their elections mark the first time two professionals from the same health-care facility have simultaneously led the organizations.

O’Hair is manager of the Medical Staff Services Department at St. Francis’ Beech Grove campus; Sherlock is a credentialing specialist. Together, they have more than 35 years of experience in their field.

Medical staff service specialists are responsible for ensuring the process of credentialing physicians and licensed health-care practitioners is appropriately completed. These specialists conduct thorough searches of a practitioner’s education, training and experience, all of which affect the quality and safety of patient care.

NAMSS and IAMSS are the preeminent organizations for the professional development of those responsible for managing credentialing, physician privileging, practitioner/provider organizations and regulatory compliance in health care.