St. Elizabeth Regional Health remains in Anthem network; negotiations continue

LAFAYETTE – Based on a ruling yesterday (March 30) from the Marion County Superior Court-Civil Division in Indianapolis, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will continue to recognize facilities operated by the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services (SSFHS), including St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Home Hospital, as in-network until the contracts between Anthem and SSFHS expire Sept. 1, 2009.

Although Anthem had sought to terminate the contracts early, the court ruling means that members of Anthem health plans can continue to receive in-network services at SSFHS facilities after May 1. The hospitals include St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville; St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Home Hospital in Lafayette; St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville; St. Anthony Memorial Health Centers in Michigan City; St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point; St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center in Hammond and Dyer; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

The current Anthem-SSFHS contracts expire Sept. 1, 2009 with the exception of St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s contract which will continue at least through Dec. 31, 2009.

But leaders from both organizations emphasized they are committed to continuing contracts talks and securing a new long-term agreement to ensure that Anthem-insured patients receive in-network benefits at the highest level of care at all SSFHS hospitals.

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About the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc.
Headquartered in Mishawaka, Ind., the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services is a network of 13 growing hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois and is one of the largest health-care systems in the state. The system’s health-care ministry in Indiana was established in 1875. SSFHS employs more than 16,000 individuals in its health-care ministries. More information about SSFHS is at www.ssfhs.org.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana is available at www.anthem.com.

St. Elizabeth Regional Health encourages patients, staff to say ‘thanks’ to physicians

After completing their studies and clinical rotations as medical students, newly minted physicians begin to put in practice that time-honored oath to serve their patients with the utmost care and compassion and extend professionalism to those who work by their sides.

That is why St. Elizabeth Regional Health is honoring its physicians in observance of National Doctor’s Day on March 30.

“We are blessed to have such dedicated physicians who give tirelessly of themselves,” said Donald Edelen, M.D., vice president of Medical Services and Quality Initiatives. “So many lives have been touched by St. Elizabeth doctors, who apply their knowledge and follow Franciscan values to serve their patients better.”
Edelen and other hospital leaders are encouraging their staff and patients to send notes or cards to their physicians, or to thank them face-to-face.

Approximately 300 physicians participate on the medical staffs at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Home Hospital.

Many St. Elizabeth Regional Health physicians volunteer their expertise and time outside their normal duties, participating in medical missions at home and abroad, serving on boards and performing a wide range of services in their communities.
The first Doctor’s Day was said to have originated in Winder, Ga., on March 30, 1933. It included the mailing of greeting cards to physicians and placing flowers on the graves of their deceased colleagues.

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Kathryn Weil Center for Education hosting Trauma Nursing Core Course April 29-30

Registrations now being accepted for April Trauma Nursing Core Course
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will host the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), a two-day course designed by the Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) to provide the emergency nurse with core-level trauma knowledge and psycho-motor skills associated with the delivery of nursing care to the trauma patient.

TNCC will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days of each session on April 29-30. Cost for this course is $250 for ENA members and $270 for non-members.
All materials, including textbook, will be mailed to participant upon receipt or confirmation of payment. A four-year verification card will be issued following successful course completion.

Enrollment is limited; early registration is advised. No phone registrations will be accepted. If participant cancels after the registration deadline, participants may apply the fee to a future course.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.

For more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133. To register, please complete the form at www.ste.org/kwce and then click on the “For Healthcare Professionals” link on the left of the Web page.
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St. Elizabeth Regional Health announces April community education programs

Smoking cessation programs scheduled
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will present several smoking cessation programs during 2009 utilizing the Cooper Clayton Method for smoking cessation.
The program consists of 13 one-hour sessions. Sessions are scheduled for April 1 to June 24, 6 to 7 p.m. (Wednesdays).
The course fee is $60 and includes a take-home handbook. The Cooper Clayton Method is a safe and effective way to help people stay smoke-free for the rest of their lives. The Cooper Clayton Method is a comprehensive behavioral smoking cessation program, based on science utilizing proven methods, which include education, skills training and social support. It was started over 20 years ago by two faculty members at the University of Kentucky. Thomas Cooper, DDS, a dentist and former heavy smoker developed the program with Richard Clayton, Ph.D., an expert on drug addiction.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.
For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
‘Balance and Fall Prevention’ is April ‘Lunch and Learn’ topic
Cathy Armstrong, MHS, P.T.; Ellora Gulati, MHS, P.T.; Mame Adams, P.T.; and Carol Brophy, P.T., physical therapists from St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Physical/Occupational Therapy department will present “Balance and Fall Prevention” at the April “Lunch and Learn.”
The group will discuss home safety, benefits of exercise, appropriate footwear, how to minimize risk for falls and when to seek medical assistance.
“Lunch and Learn” is a monthly program offered by the Kathryn Weil Center for Education – this session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 2.
Lunch is available for $6 at 11:30 a.m. with the free educational program starting at noon. The program will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette. For your convenience, reserved parking will be available on the second level of the Home Hospital parking garage.
Seating is limited and reservations are required; reservations must be received by Tuesday, March 31. To register, or for more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
New Moms Tea schedule for April
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and the Spirit of Women continue to offer new and expecting moms in the area an opportunity to learn in a relaxed environment.
The New Moms Tea meets weekly at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the Home Hospital campus.
Upcoming topics and speakers for April include:
• April 2: “Finding Fitness as Part of Your New Lifestyle” by Laura Wegener, M.S., a physical therapist with St. Elizabeth Physical/Occupational Therapy.
• April 9: “Baby Talk: Speech and Language Development” by Glenda Chambers, M.S., CCC/SLP, a speech therapist with St. Elizabeth Speech Therapy.
• April 16: “Sex and the New Mom” by Catherine Sam, M.D., an OB/GYN with the Woman’s Clinic.
• April 23: “The Skinny on Skin to Skin Contact” by Pam Smith, R.N., director of Home Hospital’s Postpartum Unit.
• April 30: “How Hormones Affect Our Moods as New Moms” by Denise Seeger, an educator with the Kathryn Weil Center for Education.
Following each educational program, moms will have an opportunity to discuss breastfeeding concerns with a lactation counselor from St. Elizabeth Regional Health.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of the Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.
All sessions are free, but registration is required and can be made by calling the center at (765) 449-5133.
Kathryn Weil Center for Education offers tuberculosis instructor course
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer a tuberculosis instructor course. The course is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 3. Cost for this program is $125, which is non-refundable.
This course provides participants the principles of various teaching methods and the opportunity to demonstrate one’s ability to teach the Basic Tuberculosis Course. Participants must be a health care professional who is responsible for tuberculosis education and who holds a four-year degree in a health-related field or a current Indiana professional license. Participants must also have taken the Basic Tuberculosis and Skin Test course within three years and not less than six months of applying for the instructor course.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital.
For more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
‘New Baby Day Camp’ for siblings set for April 4
A new addition to the family affects everyone, especially the new baby’s older brother or sister. New Baby Day Camp, a program from the Spirit of Women, is a specific class for siblings. Open to children ages 3 to 9, this class assists in preparing the “expectant” sibling for the arrival of a new family member, changes that might occur, and how to discuss feelings regarding the new baby.
Seated around a “campfire,” children will listen to a story about what it means to be a big brother or big sister, discuss ways to help with their new sibling, and have hands-on practice in order to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Children will have the opportunity to create a keepsake certificate announcing their new status as a big brother or big sister.
Children and parents will be given a tour of the Mother/Baby Unit. Information about visiting mom and the new baby at the hospital will be included. Children will receive a souvenir backpack with birth announcements and other goodies to prepare them to visit their new sibling in the hospital. At least one parent is expected to attend; however both are welcome.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.
The program is set for 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 4 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Cost is $15, with additional siblings $5 each. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.
For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.
Cholesterol screenings scheduled at Kathryn Weil Center for Education
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 9 at the center. The price is $30 and registration is required. The screening includes checking total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Fasting is recommended as it provides more accurate results, but not required. We encourage you to drink water prior to your test; black coffee and black tea are also acceptable. A staff member will discuss your individual results.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital. For more information or to schedule your screening, call the center at (765) 449-5133.
Kathryn Weil Center for Education and Spirit of Women to offer pre-conception class April 9
Good pre-pregnancy health is fundamental in the health of your baby, helping to provide both mom and baby with the best possible outcome.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer a pre-conception class at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. This class is open to anyone who is considering pregnancy in the future and will provide information about pre-pregnancy health check ups, genetic screening, nutrition, folic acid, ovulation predictors, healthy lifestyle choices, exercise and hazards to avoid. Class will last approximately one hour.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital.
This program is free, but registration is required. To register, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
Natural family planning introductory sessions
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will present “Natural Family Planning: An Overview of Natural Family Planning Methods, the Science, Effectiveness and Practical Aspects” at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.
Natural family planning refers to methods that allow a couple to achieve or prevent pregnancy through the identification and charting of daily signs that tell a couple when conception is possible and when conception is not possible in any given cycle. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.
This overview session is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
‘Motion for Moms’ starts April 14
The spring sessions for “Motion for Moms” will start at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14.
Motion for Moms is a light exercise and fitness program for expecting moms, as well as for moms who have recently delivered and is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Physical Therapy Department.
Motion for Moms will include traditional strengthening, stretching, endurance activities including yoga and Pilates, as well as resistive exercises to prepare the new mom for her childbirth experience and for caring for her newborn. An educational component will be a part of each section. Topics that will be covered will include nutrition, pain management during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, relaxation techniques, posture, foot care and safety information.
This session of Motion for Moms is set for 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning on Tuesday, April 14 and going through May 21. Cost is $40 for the 12 sessions. Medical clearance from your doctor is required prior to participation. A release form can be obtained by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.
Classes will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, located at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the Home Hospital campus.
For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.
Kathryn Weil Center for Education schedules basic tuberculosis course
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer a basic tuberculosis course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Cost for this program is $60, which is non-refundable.
This course teaches participants how to identify populations to be tested and how to administer, read and record the Mantoux Skin Test.
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.
For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

St. Elizabeth Regional Health announces certifications and appointments

• Cecilia L. May, M.D., a hospitalist/internal medicine physician with Sigma Medical Group and medical director of St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s palliative care program, recently received her board certification in hospice and palliative medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. May has practiced medicine in the Greater Lafayette area since 1989 as an internal medicine physician and a hospitalist.

Sigma Medical Group is a St. Elizabeth Regional Health partner. The multi-specialty physician group is made up of 26 physicians. For more information, contact Sigma Medical Group at (765) 449-5080 or visit us on the Web at www.sigmamedicalgroup.org.

• Susan Garrity, R.N., MSN, FNP, has joined St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Palliative Care team.
Garrity graduated from the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne. She then received her bachelor’s of science in nursing and her master’s as an advanced practice nurse in family primary care from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Garrity received the Outstanding Professional Award from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2005 and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International. She holds certifications as an operating room nurse and as a family nurse practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

St. Elizabeth to host free pulmonary rehabilitation seminar for those with breathing problems

In recognition of National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week (March 15 to 21, 2009), St. Elizabeth Regional Health will host a free seminar “Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Building Better Lives One Breath at a Time.” The seminar is for anyone with shortness of breath or breathing problems due to pulmonary disease, emphysema or bronchitis. The seminar will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education.

People with pulmonary disease often experience shortness of breath that can interfere with their ability to do every day things. The presentation will discuss the causes of pulmonary disease and how St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation can improve your health and lead to a more active lifestyle. Imad Khadra, M.D., a board certified pulmonologist with Sigma Medical Group, will be on hand to answer questions after the presentation.

This seminar is free but registration is required. Please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133 to reserve your spot. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital.

March community education opportunities

New Moms Tea schedule for March
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and the Spirit of Women continue to offer new and expecting moms in the area an opportunity to learn in a relaxed environment.

The New Moms Tea meets weekly at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the Home Hospital campus.

Upcoming topics and speakers for March include:

• March 12: “Music and Your Baby” by Rebecca Colby, M.A., MT-BC, NMT-certified music therapist.
• March 19: “Keeping Calm: Yoga for Mom and Baby” by Jacqueline Nelson, 500 PYT, RYT, HC, a yoga instructor. For this session, moms should come dressed to exercise.
• March 26: “The Low Down on Breastfeeding” by Renee Kidder, R.D., CSP, a dietitian with St. Elizabeth Regional Health.

Following each educational program, moms will have an opportunity to discuss breastfeeding concerns with a lactation counselor from St. Elizabeth Regional Health.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education and St. Elizabeth Regional Health are members of the Spirit of Women, a national coalition of hospitals and health care providers that pledge to provide the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

All sessions are free, but registration is required and can be made by calling the center at (765) 449-5133.


Cholesterol screenings scheduled at Kathryn Weil Center for Education
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 12 at the center. The price is $30 and registration is required. The screening includes checking total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Fasting is recommended as it provides more accurate results, but not required. We encourage you to drink water prior to your test; black coffee and black tea are also acceptable. A staff member will discuss your individual results.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital. For more information or to schedule your screening, call the center at (765) 449-5133.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education offers tuberculosis renewal course
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer a tuberculosis renewal course. The course is from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 12. Cost for this program is $45, which is non-refundable. The renewal course includes presentation of basic and new TB information, a Centers for Disease Control video and return demonstration of skills for reading and administering the Mantoux test.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133. To download a registration form, please visit www.ste.org/kwce and then click on the “For Health Care Professionals” tab.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education offers babysitting course
Babysitting is more than just diapering a baby, which is why the Kathryn Weil Center for Education is offering a babysitting course to help prepare babysitters age 10-14 with information on general childcare, diapering and meals; first aid and safety; creative playtime activities; and emergency response.The course will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Class fee is $30. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.

Creighton Model Fertility Care System introductory sessions
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is providing couples interested in natural family planning a free introductory session on the Creighton Model Fertility Care System.The Creighton Model Fertility Care System is an educational approach to understanding a woman's fertility. Couples can use information gained to welcome a child into their family, effectively space their children or limit family size. Signs of underlying reproductive disorders can also be identified.The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.

Introductory sessions are free.

Follow-up sessions are required to use this method effectively. All sessions are by appointment. For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Neonatal resuscitation recertification course offered by Kathryn Weil Center for Education
The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will provide neonatal resuscitation certification and recertification programs in 2009. This course is designed to teach an evidence-based approach to newborn resuscitation.A recertification class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education.

Cost is $75 per person, and class size is limited. To register or for more information, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133. Books may be picked up at least one week prior to taking the class from the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 on the campus of Home Hospital.

St. Elizabeth Regional Health to host blog chat on construction progress

On Thursday, March 5 from noon to 1 p.m., Tom Peck, St. Elizabeth Regional Health Vice President of Plant Operations will answer questions about the St. Elizabeth East construction project, including the transition process and plans for the existing facilities after medical services are consolidated.

The chat will occur from noon until 1 p.m.

Visit the St. St. Elizabeth East construction blog at http://stelizabetheast.blogspot.com to post questions for Mr. Peck.

Those unable to participate in the chat session can e-mail questions in advance to St. Elizabeth Public Relations by 10 a.m., March 5. Questions may be e-mailed to ste.pr@ssfhs.org, or submitted via a form available on http://www.ste.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1355.

This chat session is a real conversation. For this reason participants should observe the same etiquette when participating in the chat session as they would in day-to-day conversation.

Reporters who visit the site and want to pose questions are asked to identify themselves and their news organizations.

St. Elizabeth Orthopaedic Center to host hip and knee replacement seminar

St. Elizabeth Orthopaedic Center will host a free seminar on hip and knee replacement on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education.

Mark Page, M.D., a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with Lafayette Orthopaedic Clinic, will speak on the latest advances in joint replacement. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session where guests will have the opportunity to ask questions about the procedures and rehabilitation options that are available in the Greater Lafayette area.

This seminar is free but registration is required. Please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133 to reserve your spot. The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette on the campus of Home Hospital.