Orthopedics administrative director selected by Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Sharon M. Annee, MS, has been appointed administrative director of orthopedics for Franciscan St. Francis Health.

In her new role, she will oversee all orthopedic operational aspects for the hospital’s campuses at Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel. She most recently served as manager of inpatient therapy services and outpatient specialty services. 

Previously, she was the team leader of orthopedics and medical-surgical inpatient physical therapy at Mooresville.

Annee received an undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois and also studied at the University of Sterling in Scotland. She later earned a master’s in physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis and is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration at Anderson University.

A Greenwood resident, she has participated in orthopedics research and related continuing education. Additionally, Annee has held several academic appointments with the University of Indianapolis.

Spring into March with free heart-healthy classes at Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes focused on cardiovascular health and wellness in March.

To register for any of the classes, call 317-782-4422 or go online at MyHeartCare.net to see the full listing of spring classes. Seating is limited for these events. The classes include:

How to protect yourself from stroke

Thursday, March 10, 6:30 p.m.

Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

8111 S. Emerson Ave., entrance #1

Presented by Thomas Webb, MD

Having a stroke is some people’s greatest fear.  Dr. Webb, vascular surgeon at Franciscan St. Francis Health, will talk about carotid artery disease and the increased risk of stroke.  He will talk about other risk factors and the importance of keeping the carotid artery free of plaque, decreasing the risk for stroke. Class attendees may sign up for a free carotid artery screening at a later date.

Atrial fibrillation: What are my options?

Wednesday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.

YMCA at CityWay

426 S. Alabama St., Indianapolis

Presented by John W. Moore, III, MD, and Andrew Barksdale, MD

Refreshments served at 6 p.m.; cholesterol screening from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a condition where the heart beats irregularly at a high rate. Some people say it feels like a hummingbird fluttering in their chest. When severe, this condition can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Fortunately, physicians and surgeons can treat this condition in several ways. Dr. Moore and Dr. Barksdale will discuss signs and symptoms of Afib and the innovative treatment options available. Our physicians will also provide details about a new surgical procedure that, when Afib is diagnosed in the early stages, may permanently correct the heart condition. Bring your questions for the doctors.

How does blood pressure affect my heart?
Thurs, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville
1201 Hadley Road
Presented by Harry Genovely, MD

Do you know what your blood pressure is? Do you know what it should be? Learn how high blood pressure affects not only the heart but also other vital organs. Dr. Genovely will share steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, including diet, weight loss, exercise and medication. No more excuses: learn how you can lower pressure starting today, with the advantages lasting a lifetime.

Change of Heart classes offered in Spring 2016

Those attending a class in March and take an initial health assessment, then attend at least 3 of our scheduled classes and take a final health assessment will receive a gift for your commitment to improving your health!

Fitness Tips

Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville

Being fit is more than being thin.  Research shows that no matter what you weigh, increasing your fitness helps your heart.  Discover that exercise can be healthy and fun.  Learn how to set up a schedule for yourself.

Healthy Dining Out Tips

Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

Tuesday, March 22, 6:30 PM at Franciscan St. Francis – Mooresville

Americans eat nearly half their meals away from home.  How can you control what you eat when you don’t cook for yourself?  Learn how to make wise menu selections and eat smart while dining out.

Healthy Eating

Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m.at Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville

Healthy Meals on a Budget

Wednesday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

As food prices climb and budgets get tight, smart purchases at the supermarket are important.  In this class, you will learn ways to stretch your food budget while still getting the nutrients you need.

Reduce Stress

Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

Negative stress causes changes in lifestyle and behavior, which may lead to unhealthy choices.  Learn to identify the causes of stress in your life and techniques to decrease your stress which can improve your health!

Savvy Shopping

Monday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. at Southport Meijer

5325 E. Southport Road

With all the new and changing products on the shelves, grocery shopping can be overwhelming.  Walk with us through the grocery store and learn where to find the healthy foods and how to avoid packaging tricks commonly used to market foods.  Discover how food labels make you a smarter shopper.

Franciscan Alliance, Anthem collaboration reports better patient outcomes, $22 million in cost savings

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- A collaboration established in 2014 between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and Franciscan Alliance showed improvements in patient care according to a variety of measures and produced $22 million in health care savings.

First-year highlights of this Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the measurement period from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 included:

·        

A    2-4 percent increase in medication adherence for those with diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension

·        Improvements in treatment for acute and continuing episodes of depression, specifically an increase in the number of members diagnosed with depression who stayed on their medication for the recommended period of time.

·       A seven percent improvement in well child visits for children under 15 months

·        A six percent improvement in well child visits for kids 3-6 years old

·        A decrease in hospital inpatient admissions for conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, urinary tract infection and heart failure

·        A decrease in avoidable emergency room visits for conditions like earaches, sinus infections and urinary tract infections.     

“We are extremely pleased by these first-year results which show that Anthem members are getting the care they need in a more efficient and coordinated way and staying healthier as a result,” said David Lee, M.D., vice president of provider solutions at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This ACO is demonstrating higher quality care for both acute and chronic conditions, and unnecessary costs are being removed from the system resulting in significant cost savings that benefit consumers, employers and the entire health care delivery system. It’s another way Anthem is working to simplify health care so that our members can focus on their health.”

Approximately 60,000 Anthem members are cared for by providers who participate in the Franciscan Alliance ACO. Anthem provides health data on these members so that their doctors can identify members at high risk for hospitalization or complications and intervene in a timely manner, while coordinating care with other doctors, specialists and hospitals. Anthem pays a care coordination fee for each member that helps fund a personalized care team. The team includes a Franciscan Alliance physician, a care coordinator and other health care professionals as needed.  

“Franciscan Alliance’s ACO is demonstrably committed to comprehensive patient-centered care through partnerships like this with Anthem,” said Albert Tomchaney, M.D., Franciscan Alliance’s Chief Medical Officer. “We firmly believe in the value of having a multidisciplinary team based approach to care, bringing together high touch with high tech in order to address the varied needs of our patients. This ACO based population health partnership allows us to learn from each other on how to best collaborate and coordinate activities to serve the larger population’s needs while optimizing the care of individual patients.”

One example of how effective coordinated case management works is demonstrated by efforts in 2015 at Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City.

A patient made numerous trips to the Emergency Department for health conditions that could have been easily treated by a primary care physician.  Working together, Franciscan Alliance and Anthem case managers reached out several times to the patient to educate and encourage him to seek an appropriate level of care. By year’s end, the patient had established regular visits and treatment with a Franciscan primary care physician. Though it took repeated efforts, the patient is receiving more appropriate, effective, and lower cost care–a success story for all involved. The patient has not returned to the Emergency Department for primary care since the relationship with his new physician was developed.

Research has shown that a coordinated care approach to chronic disease – one in which all members of a care team work together and share information --  results in lower costs, less absenteeism, higher worker productivity and more efficient use of provider resources.

To learn more about ACOs at Franciscan Alliance, go to http://www.franciscanalliance.org/about/aco/pages/default.aspx.

Program helps patients move forward, beyond their cancer treatment

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Treating cancer can be a rocky ride of radiation treatments, chemotherapy and surgeries. And returning to a normal life after the battle presents other challenges.

Franciscan St. Francis Health and Cancer Support Community Central Indiana are introducing Moving Beyond, a cancer survivorship program. It blends a unique and holistic approach, combining physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health components for survivors, loved ones and caregivers.

Moving Beyond is a free 12-week program and offers classes beginning in March and continuing throughout the year. They will be held in the Cancer Center’s second floor conference rooms at 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Entrance 4.

Dates and times are:

Session 1: Tuesdays, March 1 – May 17, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 2: Thursdays, March 3 – May 19, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Session 3: Tuesdays, June 7 – Aug. 23, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 4: Thursdays, June 9 – Aug. 25, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Session 5: Tuesdays, Sept. 6 – Nov. 29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 6: Thursdays, Sept. 8 – Dec. 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Each week focuses on a different topic to meet the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers. Participants will receive weight management and fitness tool kits, and learn the benefits of exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy meal planning and easy meal preparation.

To register, visit FranciscanStFrancis.org/MovingBeyond, or call 317-528-1412.

Franciscan St. Francis Health selects imaging services administrative director

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Nanette M, Kelley, MBA, MHA, has been appointed administrative director of imaging services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

In that role, she will oversee the daily operations of all imaging services at Franciscan St. Francis’ Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel campuses and off-site locations. She has served as director of business and outreach for the Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center, a position she has held since 2008.

Kelley has many years of experience in the health care industry, analyzing clinical and financial trends, aligning them to ensure positive patient outcomes and achieving growth with the hospital’s cardiovascular service line.

An Indianapolis resident, she worked as a senior financial advisor for the hospital before joining the Peace Corps, serving as a small enterprise development volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Kelley received her undergraduate degree in business (accounting concentration) from Butler University, where she also earned a master degree in business administration. She also earned a master of healthcare administration from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne.