Articles by Mike Rhodes

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Reaches 7,000 Open-Heart Cases

Health November 11, 2022

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Reaches 7,000 Open-Heart Cases

By Liz Yates—  MUNCIE, IN — Since its creation in 1977, the open-heart surgery program at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has reached a huge milestone: 7,000 open-heart cases. These cases include everything from Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG) to valve repairs and replacements, and all the specialty cases in between. This is a low volume, community-based program as our physicians and advanced practice providers see both scheduled and emergent cases. A lot has changed in the 45 years since…

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Financial Planning for Your Future Self: How to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success in the New Year

Business November 10, 2022

Financial Planning for Your Future Self: How to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success in the New Year

By Michael Joyce, First Merchants Bank— MUNCIE, IN—Financial planning can be a stressful topic for many young adults and teenagers. It’s hard to find a starting place. How much money to put into savings? Where are safe places to save my money? How much money is needed to provide for my life? These are just a few of many questions that pop into the minds of people just starting their financial journey. It’s important to know everyone must start somewhere…

Facing Aging Will Unveil Latest Collection of Stories on November 12th

Non-Profit November 9, 2022

Facing Aging Will Unveil Latest Collection of Stories on November 12th

By Molly Flodder— MUNCIE, IN—In 2012, a Muncie woman who had shared a story about living in poverty sat in a darkened auditorium hearing the story written about her being read.  Although she was very familiar with the story, she realized how the storyteller had captured her emotion, frustration and desperation in a way that was mesmerizing members of the audience who were listening.  They were facing her poverty as she faced it every day and as the storyteller had…

WIBU Announces Finalists for Leadership Awards

Non-Profit November 8, 2022

WIBU Announces Finalists for Leadership Awards

By Jessica Shrout, Board of Directors, WIBU— MUNCIE, IN—Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU, has announced finalists in three categories for the 2022 ATHENALeadership Awards. Nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Award include Allison Robbins, Brenda Williamson, Dr. Melissa Gentry, Jennifer Gibson, Katie Lehman, Kourtney McCauliff, Krista Wise, Dr. Lee AnnKwiatkowski, Ren’a Wagner, and Traci Lutton. Nominees for the ATHENA Young Professional include Dr. Jean Marie Place, Brittany Pickett, Dr. Dominyse Carey, Jessica Rosales, and Kylee Eller. Shafer Leadership Academy is the recipient for…

Northwest Bank Shares Best Practices for Fraud Protection and Cybersecurity During Holidays

Business November 8, 2022

Northwest Bank Shares Best Practices for Fraud Protection and Cybersecurity During Holidays

By Northwest Bank—  MUNCIE, IN— The busy holiday shopping season is right around the corner and Northwest Bank is reminding consumers of best practices to consider for added protection in today’s digital age. According to the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, cybercrimes increase each year during major holidays. And with consumers spending more than $200 billion dollars in online holiday shopping in 2021, cybersecurity remains a top concern heading into the upcoming holiday season. “At Northwest, our…

Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners

Business November 7, 2022

Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Since May of this year, the Innovation Connector has been planning and preparing for Entrepreneur Showcase Week in Muncie.  As a reminder, this event is unique to the Muncie community, and no other community has attempted anything like this.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week comprises twenty workshops, panel discussions, discussion groups, and networking groups during one week – all at the Innovation Connector facility.  Because of our very supportive sponsors, all…

Ball State University Student Media Earns National Awards, Top Honors

Education November 7, 2022

Ball State University Student Media Earns National Awards, Top Honors

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s student media recently earned numerous journalism and communications accolades and awards, including more than three dozen awards combined for Ball Bearings magazine, The Ball State Daily News, and the McKinley Avenue Agency—an on-campus student-run communications, media, and advertising agency. The honors were announced during MediaFest22 journalism conference in Washington, D.C., held Oct. 26-30. Additionally, three Ball State student publications— Ball Bearings (formerly Echo) magazine, The Ball State Daily News,…

AEP Foundation 0,000 Grant Supports Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity

Business November 4, 2022

AEP Foundation $100,000 Grant Supports Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity

By Corey Ohlenkamp— MUNCIE, IN– The American Electric Power Foundation (AEP Foundation), upon the recommendation of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity to support the organization’s housing programs. Muncie Habitat for Humanity has been providing housing solutions to families in the community for 35 years with a clear mission of building homes, communities and hope. “All of us at Indiana Michigan Power want to see the residents within our…

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County to Provide MacBooks and iPads to Faculty and Students 

Education November 4, 2022

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County to Provide MacBooks and iPads to Faculty and Students 

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Apple Products will enhance the college experience. MUNCIE, IN– Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County is working toward a campus-wide technology upgrade that will provide faculty and students with Apple products and services. As part of its efforts to increase student and community success, the campus will provide Mac and iPads to its educators and students, leveraging a common learning platform as part of their student-centered and strengths-focused vision for the Muncie-Henry County campus. “The best technology, along with professional development,…

Katie Lehman Named Indiana Youth Institute’s 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year

Non-Profit November 4, 2022

Katie Lehman Named Indiana Youth Institute’s 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year

By Ashley Haynes, Indiana Youth Institute— INDIANAPOLIS, IN  – Katie Lehman, Ready Readers Supervisor at the Muncie Public Library, has been awarded the 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award by Indiana Youth Institute (IYI). Lehman has served as the Ready Readers Supervisor for Muncie Public Library (MPL) since 2016, when she developed the free, one-to-one literacy program. “I am humbled to receive the IYI’s 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award,” said Lehman….