Travelling Fellows visit with Franciscan joint replacement surgeons

MOORESVILLE, Ind. -- Four international orthopedic surgeons who are on this year's John N. Insall Travelling Fellowship made a stop this week at our Center for Hip & Knee Surgery to meet with our Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana team.

They are (from left, front row): Drs. Simone Cerciello (Italy), Thomas J. Heyse (Germany), James L. Howard (Canada) and Simon W. Young (New Zealand).

Middle row: Drs. E. Michael Keating, Joshua Carter (Midwest Center for Joint Replacement), John Meding, Michael Berend ( Midwest Center) and Philip Faris.

Back row: Dr. Tatsuya Sueyoshi (Fellow, Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana Research Foundation).

The Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is internationally recognized for its surgical innovation and care for patients.

To learn more about the prestigious Insall Fellowship, go tohttp://www.kneesociety.org/web/travelfellowship.html.

Surgeon to discuss heart murmurs, valve disease, treatments at Putnam County Hospital

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – A prominent Franciscan St. Francis Health heart surgeon will lead a free public Ask the Doc seminar on “Do you have a heart murmur?” at Putnam County Hospital Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Marc W. Gerdisch, MD, chief of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, will explain the significance of heart murmurs and latest treatments for heart valve disease. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., with refreshments being served at 6:00 p.m. in the hospital’s third-floor classroom at 1542 S. Bloomington St.

Heart murmurs are caused by valves inside the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms but if the problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected.

In 2008, Dr. Gerdisch performed the world’s first procedure to repair heart valves using technology enabling the heart to naturally regrow damaged tissue. He has been an innovator in heart surgery at Franciscan St. Francis Health and frequently presents internationally on novel heart valve repair techniques. He also conducts ongoing landmark research in next-generation heart valves and heart tissue regeneration.

The seminar is free, but registration is required because of limited seating. To register, call 765-655-2620.

Those attending may be eligible for a free heart valve echocardiogram screening at a later date.

Putnam County Hospital recently formed a partnership with Franciscan St. Francis Health. This arrangement provides a full-time cardiology clinic and outstanding cardiac support for patients in that area.

Hospital-hosted event offers health sciences career info to students

INDIANAPOLIS – The health care industry is ever-evolving and so too are its many opportunities for youngsters who may consider careers in that field.

Franciscan St. Francis Health and Franciscan Physician Network are sponsoring Health Sciences Career Forum Thursday, Nov. 5 at their Indianapolis campus (8111 S. Emerson Ave.).

The event is geared to middle school students and their parents. Here’s what they can expect:Career education and information booths; demonstrations of clinical technology and panel discussions by hospital staff; giveaways; door prizes; and refreshments.

Representatives from Ivy Tech Community College, Franklin College, Marian University, University of Indianapolis and Harrison College will be on hand to explain their respective health-related education programs.

The event will be from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., is located inside the hospital’s outpatient center area (Entrance 6).

To register, call 317-528-3284 or visit http://goo.gl/forms/Ch9j5AxIbd.

Free heart-healthy classes offered to public throughout November

INDIANAPOLIS -- Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes focused on cardiovascular health and wellness in November.

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

Am I safe from having a heart attack?

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville (1201 Hadley Road)

Presented by Babu Doddapaneni, MD

While family history plays a part in our risk for heart and vascular disease, we can take many steps to reduce our chances of having a heart attack or stroke. First up: know your numbers, including resting heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol, both good (HDL) and bad (LDL). Then learn how diet, exercise and medications can lower your risk of heart disease. During this program Dr. Doddapaneni will talk about prevention and recognizing the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Aneurysms: Pay attention before it’s too late

Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m.

Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center (8111 S. Emerson Ave.)

Presented by Thomas Webb, MD

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), are uncommon but usually deadly.  They develop slowly and usually have no symptoms, but when the weakened walls of the artery collapse, there is little recourse.  That’s why knowing your risk for AAA is so important. In some cases, the condition is genetic, but if you smoke, have high blood pressure or cholesterol you may be at risk as well. Dr. Webb will discuss risks, symptoms and monitoring of AAA and how Medicare offers a free screening to qualified members age 65-75.

Change of Heart classes offered in Fall 2015:

Quick meals at home

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. at Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville

Some days, we just don’t have the time – or the desire – to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  But that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice eating well at home.  Learn how to fix quick and easy nutritious meals you and your family can enjoy.

Savvy Shopping

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 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.  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.

Fitness Tips

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

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.

Flavorful Holiday Cooking Tips

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. at Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville

Wednesday, Nov 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Heart Center

Don’t blow your good eating and dining habits this season.  Learn how to manage the holiday feasting and celebrations with herb and spice options to add flavor to your traditional recipes.

Reduce Holiday Stress

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 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.

New physician establishes practice with Orthopedic Specialists

INDIANAPOLIS – Toni E. Lin, MD, has joined Franciscan Physician Network Orthopedic Specialists.

She joins Charles P. Bartley Jr., MD; Peter Hogg, MD; Jeffrey A. Ollo, MD; Daniel K. Williams, MD; Kenneth S. Pherson, DO; and James W. Strickland, MD, whose offices are located at 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 300, Indianapolis.

Dr. Lin, who specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, most recently practiced in the Indianapolis area and held a clinical appointment with the Indiana University School of Medicine.

An honors graduate of Purdue University, she earned her medical degree from the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Lin completed an internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also completed a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas.

Dr. Lin has made frequent presentations to medical organizations and participated widely in professional development activities.

An Indianapolis resident, Dr. Lin is board-certified by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Association for Hand Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lin, call 317-528-4723.

Franciscan Physician Network is a division of the Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance. To learn more about network primary and specialty care services in central Indiana, go to FranciscanDocs.org.