Beecher, IL News

Franciscan Health Indianapolis has been recognized by Healthgrades for its outstanding performance in several medical disciplines. The hospital has achieved the top ranking in Indiana across six different specialties, including cardiology, cardiac care, critical care, pulmonary care, stroke care, and gastrointestinal surgery.

Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Ellen "Ellie" Elzinga has joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Schererville, Indiana. Elzinga, who is board-certified, earned her Master of Science degree from Purdue University Northwest located in Hammond. Her clinical interests include family medicine, pediatrics, and women's health.

Shelby Schoon, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Mooresville Family Care and is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Schoon, who is board-certified, earned her medical degree from Indiana University Northwest School of Medicine in Gary, Indiana. She completed her residency at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis through the Family Medicine Residency Program.

Board-certified physician Mohammad Arfeen, DO, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Chesterton, Indiana. Dr. Arfeen specializes in interventional gastroenterology and internal medicine and is currently accepting new patients.

Emily Hamaker, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Mooresville Family Care and is now accepting new patients. Dr. Hamaker specializes in family medicine and obstetrics.

Primary care and sports medicine physician Thomas Schmittdiel, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network. He is now welcoming new patients in Michigan City and La Porte.

Franciscan Health has announced that it will distribute $448,000 in grants to 55 non-profit organizations across Indiana and the south suburbs of Chicago. These funds are part of the Social Impact Partnership Program (SIPP), which aims to enhance community health by partnering with nonprofit health and human service agencies in areas served by Franciscan Health.

Yazeid Alshebani, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis. Dr. Alshebani is now accepting new patients and brings expertise in non-invasive cardiology and advanced cardiovascular imaging.

Franciscan Health Crown Point's emergency department has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first in Indiana, and one of only 13 nationwide, to receive the American College of Emergency Physicians' (ACEP) Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) Gold Level accreditation. This recognition underscores the hospital's commitment to improving pain management for patients within its emergency department.

David Aguilar, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Beech Grove Family Medicine in Indiana. Dr. Aguilar is accepting new patients and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Hundreds of students from Catholic schools in Northwest Indiana and Chicago's South Suburbs gathered at Franciscan Health Dyer for the annual Respect Life Celebration. This event, co-hosted by Franciscan Health and the Diocese of Gary, is held during Respect Life Month to celebrate life with a focus on lives lost to abortion.

Franciscan Health Rensselaer has recently installed and is now using the Canon Aquilion Prime SP 160 slice Ultra Helical CT scanner. This new technology aims to provide a more comfortable and faster scanning experience for patients, reducing both radiation dose and exposure while maintaining high efficacy.

Calvin Sheng, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians and is now accepting new patients. Dr. Sheng specializes in interventional cardiology with a focus on structural heart interventions.

Franciscan WorkingWell recently contributed the sponsorship proceeds from an employer solutions symposium to the Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana's Food Insecurity Program.

Board-certified nurse practitioner Holly Myles, FNP-C, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network Rensselaer Medical Center team in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Franciscan Health Indianapolis has expanded its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Center for Women & Children, adding eight more patient rooms and beds. This expansion increases the total capacity to 38 rooms and beds.

Board-certified pediatrician Alicia Boykin, MD, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Munster, Indiana. Dr. Boykin is now accepting new patients.

Franciscan Health Crown Point has initiated construction on The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Monday, included a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary.

Zachary Lundy, DO, has joined the team at Franciscan Physician Network CityWay Family Medicine and is now accepting new patients.

Franciscan Health, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Health Department, recently hosted a community baby shower at the Montgomery County 4-H Fairgrounds in Crawfordsville.