Daily Archives: July 1, 2009

LRHS Completes Acquisition of Starke Memorial Hospital

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LaPorte Regional Health System (LRHS) has completed the acquisition of Starke Memorial Hospital from LifePoint Hospitals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are pleased that the transaction has taken place, and we are focusing all of our efforts now on our main goal to enhance the quality of health care in Starke County and surrounding communities,” said Linda Satkoski, who has been appointed interim CEO of Starke Memorial Hospital effective today. “In preparation for this day, we have felt so welcomed by the community and we look very forward to being here.”
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Winfield is Fastest-Growing Town in Indiana

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The largest population gains among cities and towns in Indiana within the last year were concentrated in the Indianapolis metro area and in Lake County, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

The town of Winfield in Lake County is the fastest growing city or town in Indiana, with a 120.1 percent increase since 2000, bringing its 2008 population estimate to 4,484.

Following Winfield are Kempton (86.1 percent), Fishers (80.6 percent), New Palestine (64.8 percent) and Pittsboro (61.6 percent).

Portage (16th), Mishawaka (18th), Lafayette (19th) and Goshen (20th) were within the top 20 largest gainers outside the Indianapolis metro area or Lake County.

Meanwhile, four of the state’s six largest cities have seen population declines since 2000.
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Indiana National Guard to Benefit from Tolls on July 4

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For the second year in a row, the ITR Concession Co., which operates the Indiana Toll Road, will donate a portion of every toll paid on Saturday, July 4 to the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund.

More than 75,000 vehicles are expected to travel on the Indiana Toll Road on Independence Day. The ITRCC’s goal is a $10,000 donation to the Fund.

“July 4th is a time to celebrate with friends and families,” ITRCC CEO Fernando Redondo said, “and in honor of Indiana’s service members who must be away from their loved ones on this occasion, every vehicle that travels on the Indiana Toll Road will help contribute to the Relief Fund.

Since 2003, the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund has provided financial grants to the men and women of the Indiana National Guard and their families who are challenged by financial hardships because soldiers are on duty away from home, according to Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard.

“We are grateful that the administration and staff at the Indiana Toll Road would choose to honor Indiana National Guard servicemen and women and their loved ones in this manner,” Umbarger said. “We are deeply appreciative of the ITRCC and all those who travel this highway.”

PUC Taps Hendricks for Fundraising Post

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An accomplished, 25-year fundraising professional and administrator in higher education and other not-for-profit settings has been appointed Vice Chancellor for Advancement at Purdue University Calumet.

Upon ratification by the Purdue University Board of Trustees, Evansville native Daniel L. Hendricks will join the Purdue Calumet senior leadership team Aug. 3. Hendricks, previously Vice President for Advancement and Public Services at Western Illinois University (WIU) and Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation, will oversee Purdue Calumet’s development, alumni, and marketing/university relations units.

He will succeed the retiring Judith Kaufman, who headed Purdue Calumet’s advancement operation since 2004.
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News & Notes: Budget Done in Indianapolis

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The State of Indiana remains open for business and recreation today thanks to the new budget passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels late last evening. The two-year, $28.5 billion budget has several plums for the region, including $14 million to complete levee work on the Little Calumet River and $3 million to begin planning a $400 million teaching and trauma hospital in Gary, IN. The budget also calls for a Nov. 3 referendum in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties to decide whether to create a regional transit authority, which would fund a variety of train and bus projects through an 0.25 percent income tax. Finally, a clause in the new budget addresses Porter County’s recent attempts to withdraw from the Regional Development Authority. That decision can now be overridden by any two Porter County municipalities that wish to remain in the RDA.

In other news, a Hammond judge dismissed a request by an environmental group for an injunction to halt work on BP’s Whiting refinery expansion, and the City of Gary is seeking $25 million to demolish more than 1,100 vacant homes and businesses in Gary.

Nationally, a new report says that the U.S. private sector shed 473,000 jobs in June, after cutting 485,000 in May. The number of June cuts was larger than expected and dismayed those looking for evidence of an economic recovery. The jobless rate in Northwest Indiana topped 10 percent in May.

Methodist Hospitals Among Top 5% of Hospitals for Women’s Health

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Methodist Hospitals has received the 2009/2010 Women’s Health Excellence Award from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization, based on a newly released study of patient outcomes.

Hospitals that receive this award rank among the top 5% of all hospitals nationwide when it comes to providing care to women in three areas: Women’s Medicine (heart attack, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke); Women’s Cardiovascular Procedures (coronary bypass surgery, peripheral vascular bypass, coronary interventional procedures, resection/replacement of abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid surgery, and valve replacement); and Women’s Bone & Joint Health (total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, spinal surgeries, and hip fracture repair).

“We are honored to receive the Women’s Health Excellence Award from HealthGrades. This award further reinforces our commitment as the leader in subspecialty care for Northwest Indiana. Women are often times the healthcare drivers in their family but overlook their own health needs. It is important that women take time for themselves and their health needs, not only will it improve their own quality of life but also the lives of the people they care for. This designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our primary care physicians, specialists, clinical staff and nurses,” stated Ian E. McFadden, CEO/President, Methodist Hospitals.
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