Health

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— INDIANAPOLIS— School bells are ringing for many children in Indiana. The new school year is an exciting time for students and educators and perfect for refocusing and reprioritizing healthy habits. Celebrating its 100th year of lifesaving work, the American Heart Association says it is important to develop healthy habits at a young age given that the early years play a vital role in the development of health-related behaviors that carry into adolescence and adulthood. “It’s important for our communities to work together to cultivate a culture of health among our children,” said Dr. Saura…

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN— Meridian Health Services is hosting the Back-to-School Fit Fair, presented by Pridemark Construction, on Wednesday, July 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Southside Middle School located at 1601 E. 26th St., Muncie, IN 47302. This event is being held in conjunction with Muncie Community Schools’ registration day. The community and people of all ages are invited to the Back-to-School Fit Fair featuring: FREE Health Fair & Fitness Zone including: Health screenings provided by Meridian Health Services Screenings include flexibility, blood pressure, vision, and oral health. Food and drinks from A-Team Concessions (while supplies…

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN – Meridian Health Services locations in Anderson, Bluffton, Connersville, Dunkirk, and Richmond were recently recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Patient-Centered Medical Homes. This recognition means Meridian Health Services has made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication, and patient involvement. According to the NCQA website, research shows that PCMHs…

New partnership will provide student-athletes with comprehensive healthcare by the state’s largest healthcare system. By IU Health Staff— MUNCIE, IN– Indiana University Health and Ball State University have announced an extension of its current agreement to provide comprehensive healthcare service to students. Under the new agreement, IU Health will serve as the Official Healthcare and Sports Medicine Provider for Ball State Athletics. Indiana’s largest and most comprehensive health system will bring its highly skilled, compassionate care to Ball State Athletics’ student-athletes, supporting Ball State’s commitment to deliver the very best healthcare services and support to its students. “Ball State is…

IU Health Ball is one of462 healthcare facilities nationwide earning the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer designation By IU Health staff—  MUNCIE, IN— Indiana University Health has announced their LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 462 were named LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performers. IU Health Ball is one of three hospitals in Indiana that achieved this designation. “Healthcare equality remains a…

By Suzanne Clem, Open Door— MUNCIE, IN – Open Door Health Services will offer no-cost sports physicals and childhood immunizations at the Healthy Hustle on Saturday, May 18 in Muncie. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., parents or guardians can bring children to Open Door White River, located at 2600 W. White River Blvd., to receive these services with no appointment needed. The Healthy Hustle is open to the community. Participants do not need to be Open Door patients. Children through age 18 who are covered by Medicaid, HIP, or Hoosier Healthwise, as well as those who are uninsured, will receive no-cost vaccination through the…

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— INDIANAPOLIS— Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke and 1 in 4 stroke survivors will have another one. During May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is raising awareness nationwide that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Here are 3 ways you can act now to beat stroke: Learn how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. If you see Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty, it’s Time to call 911. Know your blood pressure numbers and keep them in a healthy range. High…

By Vicki Delzeith— MUNCIE, IN—IU Health is excited to announce that Dr. Wayne L. Gray was recently awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash Citation of Honor from Governor Eric Holcomb. The Sagamore of the Wabash award honors those who have made a significant contribution to life in the Hoosier state. The designation was created in the late 1940s during the administration of Governor Ralph Gates. The Sagamore is the highest honor the Governor regularly bestows on individuals. Governor Eric Holcomb reserves the Sagamore for those who have gone “above and beyond” and contributed to their communities or to the State in an extraordinary manner. The nomination by…

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN– Meridian Health Services is providing FREE dental exams for one-day only for children ages 1 to 14 on Monday, February 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Meridian Dental locations throughout Indiana. This event, Give Kids a Smile®, is part of a nationwide initiative led by the American Dental Association to provide children in need with quality oral health care and education. Oral health is a vital part of whole-person health. Untreated dental diseases can contribute to serious health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Regular checkups and professional care are the keys to…