Health

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN—Due to a rise in the number of reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, IU Health is limiting visitors at some of its hospitals to prevent spreading and protect patients and team members. Starting Monday, December 12, we will be implementing restrictions at IU Health Ball, Blackford, and Jay hospitals. The following restrictions will remain in effect until viral illness rates decline: Only adult family members (18 or older) will be allowed to visit and be on the patient unit, with a limit of two visitors at any one time. Visitors younger than 18…

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN − U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a 2022-2023 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. IU Health Ball earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates. “What…

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, IN – Community members have the opportunity to receive free COVID-19 test kits, as well as no-cost Covid vaccination, at upcoming Open Door Health Services events. Free at-home test kits will be distributed Monday, November 21 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Open Door’s administrative site, located at 220 S. Walnut St. in Muncie. The public is invited to pick up a supply for homes, workplaces, or civic organizations. Free test kits will again be available at the same location on Thursday, December 1 from 5-8 p.m. during Light Up DWNTWN events. Free Covid vaccination, including bivalent…

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 this program’s inception, including the technology used to both diagnose patients and aide in keeping them safe during their open-heart…

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— Remember F.A.S.T. to recognize a stroke, the fifth-leading cause of death INDIANAPOLIS —Strokes can happen to anyone. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Even so, most adults in the U.S. don’t know the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms. For World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, invites people to learn how to…

By Liz Yates— HARTFORD CITY—Indiana University Health is excited to have expanded its Lung Cancer Screening Program to IU Health Blackford Hospital in Hartford City, IN. This program has existed for ten years beginning at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in 2012. Since that time, the program has provided over 2,865 screenings and has been successful in diagnosing over 56 lung cancer cases – with most of those cases being either stage I or II. Lung cancer continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States, and that remains to be true at the IU…

By Liz Yates— MUNCIE, IN —Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Physicians is excited to announce a brand new, integrated team of highly skilled physicians from different areas of the hospital brought together to ensure patients can seamlessly flow through every step of their treatment, all in one convenient location. The team is made up of Interventional Cardiologists, Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Surgeons —all working together to provide the highest level of care for diseases and conditions such as aneurysms, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, varicose veins and chronic leg swelling, dialysis access creation and maintenance, and lower extremity wounds….

By Indiana Chamber of Commerce— INDIANAPOLIS — The Wellness Council of Indiana, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce its inaugural Hoosier Health and Well-Being Champion Award recipients. The awards honor two nominated individuals, one in the workplace/corporation sector and one from the community sector, whose commitment to improving the lives of Hoosiers warrants special recognition. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective workplaces or community. Both honorees were recognized at the 2022 Indiana Wellness Summit September 21-22 at The Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. 2022 Hoosier Health and Well-Being Workplace Champion Beth Wrobel, Chief…