Methodist Hospitals - Leading the way to better health.

Methodist Hospitals recently celebrated National Hospital Week. This national commemoration is celebrated annually to recognize the numerous contributions hospitals and healthcare professionals make to their communities. Employees were treated to ice cream sundaes, raffles, and a Methodist Hospitals polo shirts during the week long celebration. A food drive for the Food Pantry of Northwest Indiana was also conducted and provided employees with an opportunity to give back to the community.

Methodist Hospitals recognized registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants and surgical technicians during National Nurses Week. Nurses are at the core of quality patient care, they have an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for the patients. You cannot deliver quality health care without quality nurses. Methodist is fortunate to employ so many hard working and dedicated professionals. National Nurses Week was celebrated with refreshments, contests and awards.

Methodist Hospitals is hosting the 5th annual Weight Loss Surgery Style Showcase and Celebration featuring 7 bariatric surgery patients who are proud to show off their new physiques.

Join us to celebrate the men and women who have succeeded in creating a new healthy lifestyle as a result of our weight loss surgery program.

Methodist will provide the community with free screenings including bone density, body fat analysis, grip strength and blood draws for cholesterol and glucose. Representatives from hospital services and physicians will also be available to consult with attendees on a number of health topics including bariatric surgery, cancer treatment options and more.

The “Help is Here Express” bus tour will be in Gary on May 18, stopping at Methodist Hospital (North Lake) to help uninsured and financially-struggling Hoosiers access information on programs that provide prescription medications for little or no cost.

Joins Us to Celebrate and Recognize the Accomplishments of Methodist Hospitals Stroke Care Program : Representatives from HeathGrades and the AHA will recognize the Stroke Program, Hospital Administration, and former patients will also be on hand to speak.

Lilly Oncology on Canvas, an art exhibition honoring the journeys traveled by millions of people affected by cancer worldwide, will be on display at Methodist Hospitals Center for Advanced Clinical Studies located at 200 East 89th. Avenue in Merrillville starting today, Monday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, April 24. There will be approximately 30 pieces of art on display. The art exhibit is open to the general public.

Spring Spa Day, an event made possible through the efforts of the oncology services department at Methodist Hospitals and support through the Pink Ribbon Society, provides breast cancer patients and survivors an opportunity to be educated and pampered. This year’s event will be held on April 25, 2009 at Methodist Hospitals’ Center for Advanced Clinical Studies from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “We want this event to be a break from the stresses of being diagnosed or living with breast cancer. My goal is for these women to have a truly enjoyable experience, and understand that there is a network of people here that really care about them,” stated Marie Bates, Oncology Research Coordinator. The event focuses on physical & mental health, and gives attendees an opportunity to pamper themselves with services related to skin care, massage, fitness, and much more.

Dr. Kumar Venkat will be speaking on how a colonoscopy can save your life. Colorectal cancer is 90 percent preventable and successfully treated 90 percent of the time, when detected early, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer deaths.

The care and treatment of patients infected with HIV continues to progress with numerous significant scientific advances each year. Despite these medical advances, the number of people newly infected with the HIV virus continues to rise both nationally and regionally. An understanding of the epidemic, pathophysiology and clinical presentations of the disease are necessary to care for those living with the virus. Special attention must also be paid to the unique challenges facing vulnerable populations. This day long program will address local epidemiology, treatment strategies, management of co-infections and special issues facing women and minorities.

Since 1923, Methodist Hospitals has made a strong commitment to the people of Northwest Indiana and they continue to support the health of the community by investing in new technologies that give those in the region the best in preventative medicine and healthcare. Thanks to state funding, Methodist was able to invest a total of just over $36 million in patient care technology in 2008.

Michael Davenport, M.D. was appointed to Chief Medical Officer/Vice President of Medical Affairs on March 9, 2009. Dr. Davenport is a physician executive who has operated in the CMO/VP role for the past 12 years at Advocate Trinity Hospital, an urban safety-net community hospital located in Chicago. Dr. Davenport earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University with a pre-med concentration. He then went on to graduate from the University of Illinois Medical School as a Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Davenport completed his internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago.

Daffodil Days, one of the American Cancer Society’s oldest fundraisers, is in full bloom at Methodist Hospitals. Oncology Services championed the Daffodil Days fundraiser and quickly shared their enthusiasm with the rest of the hospital. Elizabeth Sengupta, MD, Robert Woodburn, MD and Barat Barai, MD generously contributed to the fundraiser. Employees purchased five dollar stickers to wear blue jeans on February 13th; the money was donated to buy daffodils for all Oncology inpatients and outpatients.

In Celebration of “Doctors Day”, Methodist Hospitals will be hosting a luncheon for our Medical Staff members.

"It was a team effort!" Stated Neonatal Intensive Care nurse Jill Biggs, when asked about the success of their cookbook fundraiser. The entire perinatal services including; Labor & Deliver, Post Partem, Nursery and Pediatrics contributed to the cookbook that was sold to raise funds for the March of Dimes. The idea, spearheaded by Marcia Ohalloran, nurse on the post parum unit, features over 600 recipes collected by the staff. The cookbook was so popular they quickly sold out of their first printing and ordered more. "We are hoping to sell the rest of the books by the day of the March for Babies Walk on April 26th." stated Jill Biggs.

Methodist Hospitals has invited a select group of nurses to be honored at a special luncheon for achieving and maintaining board certification. Less than 20% of american nurses are board certified. This distinction recognizes their commitment to excellence and contribution to better patient outcomes and quality helathcare.

Methodist Hospitals honored over 100 employees by recognizing their dedication and commitment to the mission of Methodist Hospitals. Employees were honored and recognized for their 5 year to 35 year milestone. Over 200 employees and their guest attended the banquet celebration, held at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville on Thursday, February 26.

Methodist Hospitals is hosting a press conference to announce their partnership with Indiana University Northwest (IUN). Methodist Hospitals has had a longstanding relationship with IUN and is now engaged in several collaborative projects with IUN.

The Rewards and Recognition Banquet will recognize over 200 employees that are celebrating their milestone anniversary. Milestone anniversaries are celebrated every 5 years. Almost 70 employees are celebrating over 20 years at Methodist Hospitals. One employee will be celebrating 35 years at Methodist!

Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement celebrating the energy, passion and power we have to band together and wipe out heart disease. By joining our Methodist family (men, too) on Wear Red Day, you can help support the vital research and education programs that are needed to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States, but women can fight back!