Change in Hospital Ownership Leads to Establishment of Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte

IU HealthThe affiliation between Community Health Systems, IU Health and IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals has been finalized.

Indiana University Health is now a minority owner of IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals. They own 20 percent, and CHS subsidiaries own 80 percent. IU Health will share equal governance of the new organization. Officials say this will ensure a local voice is heard in all future decisions.

Part of the agreement is the creation of the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte (HFL). It’s a new, independent, nonprofit foundation that’s dedicated to empowering residents in and around LaPorte to live healthy and well. Continue reading

Healthcare Careers Camp Scheduled in June

IU HealthThe second annual Healthcare Careers Camp is set for June. High school juniors and seniors interested in a career in healthcare are encouraged to attend. You can also check out sites like UTMB Health for more job listings.

Students will be able to immerse themselves in real-life experiences of health professionals at Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital. Topics include nursing, becoming a physician, professionalism in the workplace, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, physical therapy, CPR certification, heart and vascular care, and sports medicine. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with physicians, healthcare providers and executives, and will have direct access to observing patient care.

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IU Health Starke Hospital President Talks Partnership, New Building

Felty, Craig
IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty

IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty hopes to close on the sale of the Knox and LaPorte facilities to one of the nation’s largest for-profit hospital groups by the end of the year. He told the Starke County Council the hospitals and Community Health Systems are still in their due diligence period prior to finalizing the purchase. Continue reading

IU Health La Porte and Starke Hospitals Announce Exclusive Negotiations With CHS Subsidiary

IU HealthIU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals may partner with Community Health Systems, Inc. to strengthen the health care needs of the area. The IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board has entered into exclusive negotiations with a CHS subsidiary and IU Health, according to a news release sent late Monday afternoon. Final details will be worked out during a due diligence period. The proposed limited liability company will include IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals and all related entities, including physician practices. Continue reading

IU Health LaPorte, Starke Hospitals Name New CNO

Felty, Craig
Craig Felty

IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty has an additional title. He was recently named the chief nursing officer of IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals, effective immediately. Felty has served as interim CNO since November of 2014. A chief nursing officer oversees the entire nursing department and ensures that patient-care, clinical and staffing standards are met. Continue reading

Officer Injured in Altercation during Traffic Stop

 
 

Two Munster residents were arrested late Tuesday night after the driver of the vehicle got into a physical confrontation with the arresting officer.

According to a release from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, a car driven by Travis Dade, 23, was traveling at 80 mph in a 55 mph zone. Sgt. Brett Swanson stopped the vehicle at Range Road and U.S. 6 near the town of Kingsbury. Sgt. Swanson asked Dade to step out of the vehicle after the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

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Visitation Restrictions in Place at Local Hospitals

IU HealthVisitor restrictions are now in place at IU Health Starke Hospital and at IU Health LaPorte Hospital to help prevent the spread of the flu.

An increasing number of flu cases have been reported in the entire state and the policy is in place at many IU-based hospitals statewide.

IU Health Starke and LaPorte hospitals are allowing healthy adults aged 18 and older to visit patients in the hospital. Only two people may visit with a patient at a time. Parents are urged to refrain from bringing children to the hospital as visitors this flu season.

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IU Health LaPorte Hospital Launches Strategic Partnership Website

IU HealthIU Health LaPorte Hospital has a new website to share information with the public about the ongoing search for an additional partner. The site will also solicit input from community members on the future of health care in Starke and LaPorte Counties. Hospital officials say the website will provide frequent updates about the process.

Members of the IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board of Directors are seeking an additional partner to help the two Northwest Indiana hospitals thrive with a broader network, improved facilities, and a strong strategy that is more ready to respond to tomorrow’s healthcare challenges in this part of the state.

The website features quite a bit of background information about the process, including a “fact check” page where questions and rumors can be submitted anonymously and addressed. Continue reading

IU Health Staff Ready to Protect against Ebola

 
 

No patients at IU Health Starke Hospital or at IU Health LaPorte Hospital have been diagnosed or treated for Ebola, but the staff is taking steps to protect patients, visitors, team members and the community at large.

As part of the state’s largest academic medical center, IU Health will network with professionals to help prepare and to protect the community, caregivers and patients.

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Three Injured in LaPorte Accident

 
 

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two vehicle accident on Johnson Road at the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday morning.

Deputies were called to the scene at 8:29 a.m. CT where a 31-year-old driver from LaPorte was stopped at the stop sign, entered the intersection and was struck by a pickup truck. The pickup hit the driver’s side of the car, according to police. The driver and her children were transported to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. One child was subsequently airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injures.

Johnson Road between County Road 400 West and County 500 West was closed for two hours while officers reconstructed the accident scene as part of their investigation.

The driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way.