Students poised to graduate from St. Francis Health lab science program

INDIANAPOLIS – Six students are poised to graduate from the Franciscan St. Francis Health Clinical Laboratory Science Program.

The 2013 graduates and specialty field majors are:

Alex Beuhler, University of Southern Indiana (BS in biology, 2012). Parents are Bryan and Darla Beuhler of Odon, Ind.

Hannah Cox, University of Indianapolis (BS in medical technology, 2013). Parents are Mark and Lynette Cox of Darlington, Ind.

Tayla Graff, Franklin College (BS in biology, 2012). Parents are Troy and Sandy Fields, of Owensburg, Ind.

Ashley McEldowney, Ball State University (BS in medical technology, 2013).  Parents are Kim McEldowney-Hershey and John Hershey, and the late Scott McEldowney, all of Greenville, Ohio.

Rachel Siekemeyer, Miami University (BA-microbiology, 2012, BS medical laboratory science, 2013). Parents are Richard and Irene Siekemeyer of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hanna Whetstine, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (BS in biology, 2006), Parents are the late Butch and Sandy Whetstine of Columbus, Ind.

Graduation is 1 p.m., Friday, May 31, in the Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis auditorium.

The Franciscan St. Francis Health Clinical Laboratory Science Program (formerly known as the St. Francis School of Medical Technology) is affiliated with several colleges and universities across the Midwest.

The program, which is a division of the hospital’s clinical laboratory, was established in 1967 and is dedicated to preparing professional medical technologists with the theoretical and practical training to serve as active members of the health care team in clinical laboratory science.

More than 340 students have graduated from the program since its inception.

Medical technology involves conducting a wide range of laboratory tests for the detection, diagnosis, treatment and study of diseases. Clinical laboratory scientists work closely with pathologists and other specialists to ensure the accuracy of diagnoses.

More information about the Franciscan St. Francis Health Clinical Laboratory Science Program is at s at www.stfrancishospitals.org/Labs/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=25.  

Psychologist establishes new practice with Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

INDIANAPOLIS – Pamela A. Phillips, PsyD, has joined Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

She most recently completed a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Phillips previously was affiliated with the Emory Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and the VA healthcare system.

Among her specialties are traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and stroke,   Research interests comprise epilepsy, mild cognitive impairment, the effects of aging on cognition, and memory.

She received her undergraduate degree in psychology at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology at the Argosy University/Georgia School of Professional Psychology, where she later received her doctorate in clinical psychology with a neuropsychology concentration.

Published in professional journals and a frequent presenter at various peer venues, Phillips is a member of the Indiana Psychological Association, International Neuropsychological Society, National Academy of Neuropsychology and American Psychological Association.

Outpatient Behavioral Health Services is located at 610 E. Southport Road, Suite 100, Indianapolis. For more information or to make an appointment, call 317-783-8383. 

New physician joins Martinsville Family & Internal Medicine

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. – Thomas F. Lahr, MD, has joined Franciscan Physician Network Martinsville Family & Internal Medicine.

Lahr will join Dianna Boyer, MD, and Ryan Lacy, MD, whose practice is located at 49 Bills Blvd.

Board certified in family medicine with an interest in sports medicine, he most recently worked at a hospital in Martinsville, where he also served on the medical executive and credentials committees.

Lahr received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and later earned a master’s degree in physiology and medical degree from the IU School of Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

A Martinsville resident, Lahr is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and American College of Sports Medicine. Lahr is also one of the team doctors at Franklin College.

To make an appointment, call 765-349-3627.

Led by Central Indiana Region President Isaac J. Myers II, MD, Franciscan Physician Network 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.

Lactation program and services earn national recognition

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis has been awarded the IBCLC Care Award by The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) and The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). 

This award recognizes excellence demonstrated by staffing with IBCLE-certified professionals as part of the maternal-child health care team and for breastfeeding activities that demonstrate promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.

Franciscan St. Francis not only acknowledges that breast milk is the ideal food for your baby but is also committed to helping breastfeeding families get off to a good start and continue breastfeeding as long as they desire. Some of our services include:

● Certified lactation consultants and specialists on staff

● A Lactation Line (317-528-5620) for parents to call with their questions and concerns about breastfeeding

● Outpatient consultations by appointment for breastfeeding challenges

● Weekly morning and evening breastfeeding support group

● Workplace lactation support

● Sale and rental of Medela hospital-grade breast pumps

● Breastfeeding supplies available in our gift shop

● Support and guidance for mothers who are providing breast milk to their babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

● Expectant parents may register for a breastfeeding class through the Franciscan St. Francis Education Department by calling 317-528-5554

Human breast milk is critical for the health of premature babies. Premature babies who receive all human breast milk feedings have fewer infections, better cognitive development and shorter hospital stays.

That’s why Franciscan St. Francis Health has partnered with Indiana Mothers Milk Bank to provide a convenient location at its Indianapolis campus, in Classroom 1 near Entrance 5, for pre-approved donor mothers to drop off their breast milk. Franciscan St. Francis will safely store the milk and the Milk Bank will pick it up on a routine basis.

To learn more about lactation services, contact the Franciscan St. Francis Lactation Line at 317-528-5620.

St. Francis Health business expert’s book notches national accolades

INDIANAPOLIS – A book co-authored by a business process expert at Franciscan St. Francis Health has earned top praise for its promotion of operational excellence and process improvement in the health care arena.

Joseph E. Swartz, director of business transformation, and his co-author, Mark Graban, are recipients of a Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award. Their 2012 book, Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements, focuses on the principles and methods of daily continuous improvement, or “kaizen,” for health care professionals and organizations.

 Kaizen is a Japanese word that means “change for the better,” popularized mainly by international business pundit Masaaki Imai. Originating in Japan in the ashes of World War II, the kaizen philosophy is used by many health care organizations, government, banking, and a myriad of industries around the globe. Its premise is that small changes, occurring at various levels and in coordination, lead to better customer service and more efficient work.

 Healthcare Kaizen shares some of the methods used by numerous hospitals, including Franciscan St. Francis, where Swartz and others have led these efforts. Most importantly, the book covers the management mindsets and philosophies required to make Kaizen work effectively in a hospital department.

All of the examples in the book are shared by leading health care organizations, with over 200 full-color pictures and visual illustrations of Kaizen-based improvements that were initiated by chief operating officers, nurses, housekeepers, and other staff at all levels.

Franciscan St. Francis’ three hospitals adopted the kaizen approach in 2007. Tens of thousands of suggestions and changes have been implemented since that time; more than 4,000 were submitted last year alone. In those five years, kaizen has saved St. Francis’ three hospitals in excess of $4 million.

“The most important thing is that kaizen has engaged all our staff members to make improvements that are good for themselves, good for their respective departments, good for our patients and their families, good for the hospital and good for our community,” said Swartz, who had led more than 200 process improvement projects at Franciscan St. Francis.

Swartz and Graban will receive their award at the 26^th International Shingo Prize Conference in Ohio.