Health

By: Nicole L. Koontz M.S., RCEP, Associate Director of the Adult Physical Fitness Program, Ball State University— Muncie, IN—The Healthy Lifestyle Center is an interprofessional and collaborative community effort between the departments of the College of Health at Ball State University, IU Medical students as well as Meridian Health Services. Individuals can come in for FREE services in nutrition, exercise guidance, social work, counseling psychology, nursing and speech and audiology. How many times have you gone to the doctor or nurse practitioner and he or she tells you to exercise more or eat better after receiving a diagnosis of high blood pressure…

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN– This year the IU Health Eastern Central Region participated in the 10th annual IU Health Days of Service. On September 7, 14 and 21, 450 IU Health team members from IU Health Ball, IU Health Blackford and IU Health Jay spent more than 1,100 collective hours working on projects. John Disher, community outreach manager for IU Health East Central Region and Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation served as an on-site facilitator for the activities. “The IU Health Day of Service provides the opportunity for our organization to team up with community partners to develop projects that…

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, Indiana – IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has achieved Magnet® recognition for its dedication to nursing excellence and high-quality clinical outcomes for patients. This designation comes from the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. With this designation, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital joins the 477 Magnet-recognized hospitals nationwide. Only about 8 percent of U.S. hospitals achieve Magnet designation. “This achievement is tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to providing…

By: Lorri Markum— Muncie, IN—Meridian Health Services will host area’s largest Health & Fun Fair and Ducky Derby this Saturday, August 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Suzanne Gresham Center. The carnival themed Fam Fest brings fun and excitement to the family festival’s 11thannual celebration with clowns, face painting, carnival food and more! Fam Fest, presented in partnership with PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union, consists of two events to raise awareness of health, wellness, community resources and the prevention of child abuse, as well as raise money for Meridian’s Child Advocacy Center. The day will kick off at 10…

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN –Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver safe and effective specialty care, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery demonstrate expertise in spine surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. These facilities are evaluated on the care…

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN – Indiana University Health East Central President Jeff Bird, MD, recently announced the new role of chief operating officer for Critical Access hospitals in the East Central Region, which will be filled by Rodney Stevens, MSNL, RN. In this new role Rod will have direct operational responsibilities for both IU Health Jay and IU Health Blackford. He will continue to serve as chief nursing officer for IU Health Blackford. “Rod has been an important part of nursing operations in the ECR for many years,” Bird said. “Over the next several months, Rod will continue to…

By: Kourtney McCauliff— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services announces that Suzanne Clem has joined the Open Door team as Director of Community Awareness. Suzanne received a bachelor’s degree in advertising and master’s degree in social psychology from Ball State University. Her experience includes 13 years in marketing at Ball State, focusing on strategy development, social media, and wellness marketing for the university food service. She also has written for higher education publications and community projects and has provided volunteer communications support for nonprofits in both her hometown of Monroeville, IN, and Muncie. At Open Door, Suzanne’s responsibilities include guiding the…

By: Jennifer Hurtubise— Muncie, IN—Delaware County ranks 85th out of Indiana’s 92 counties in overall health outcomes. Thirty-one percent of the adults living in the county are considered obese, and there are 24.6 drug overdose deaths annually per 100,000 population, compared to the national average of 15.6. Twenty percent of Delaware County’s residents smoke, and the mother smoked during pregnancy in 22.3 percent of births—more than three times the national average of 7.2 percent. These poor health rankings limit the county’s ability to grow and prosper. But a coalition of community and business leaders from across the state wants to…