St. Francis Health-Mooresville executive accepts La. CEO post

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Jared L. Stark has resigned as executive director of Franciscan St. Francis Health–Mooresville, a post he has held for five years, effective June 6.

He has accepted the position of chief executive officer at University Hospital in Lafayette, La.

“This is a huge move for me and my family,” Stark said of his new appointment. “It is a wonderful opportunity in a wonderful community, and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

A native Hoosier, Stark said the move was one of the most difficult decisions he ever has made.

“The good work we have completed over the past five years at Mooresville has been as gratifying as I could imagine,” he said. “It has been my honor and privilege to work with the physicians and staff to continue the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis in serving the health care needs of such a vibrant and growing area. The people, the culture, the compassion and the camaraderie everyone has shared with me – both at our facilities and in the surrounding communities – is something I will never forget.”

Keith Jewell, chief operating officer of Franciscan St. Francis, will lead the search for Stark’s replacement.

“Jared has made many important contributions to the success of Franciscan St. Francis Health to the benefit of our hospitals, our patients, our employees and our community,” Jewell said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside him for the past five years and will miss his outstanding contributions and wise counsel.”

Jewell noted that Stark has overseen the opening of the emergency room in Mooresville, the growth of inpatient services in the community and the development of a new outpatient facility in Mooresville and of a new hospital in Carmel. He also has served on the board of the Healthier Morgan County Initiative, the Morgan County Economic Development Commission and the Barbara B. Jordan YMCA in Martinsville.

Stark received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville and his master of business administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

He is a Certified Health Care Executive and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

New family medicine residents ready for rounding at Franciscan St. Francis Health

INDIANAPOLIS -- Newly minted physicians will begin honing their skills in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Franciscan St. Francis Health on July 1.

The 36-month program launches the start of their family medicine careers. Residents practice out of the hospital’s Family Medicine Center in Indianapolis, where they see patients of all ages and incomes. They also provide care for expectant mothers and deliver babies for many of these patients at the hospital’s Indianapolis campus.

The incoming class includes Amy Hale, MD; Michael Mooney, MD; Kami Smith, MD; and Tony Zabel, MD, from the Indiana University School of Medicine. Also joining the group are Phil Blaney, MD (University of Utah); Christine Brentrup, MD (University of North Dakota); and Cecelia Capes, MD (American University of the Caribbean).

“All of these first-year residents came from our very top candidates,” said Richard Feldman, MD, family medicine residency director. “This was a great recruiting effort in a competitive environment, and we believe it will prove to be one of the finest classes in our program’s 40-year history.”

Nearly 220 physicians have completed their residencies at Franciscan St. Francis since the program began, most choosing to remain in Indiana to establish family medicine practices.

Franciscan St. Francis Health offers new stroke support group

INDIANAPOLIS -- Franciscan St. Francis Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Services have launched a new stroke support group.

The kick-off meeting is Wednesday, June 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Indianapolis campus, 2^nd Floor, Terrace Conference Room, located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (use Entrance 12).

The stroke support group will continue to meet the second Wednesday of every month and focus on educational topics geared toward stroke survivors and their support systems. Featured guest speakers will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics. At these free events, participants can gain insights from knowledgeable speakers and talk with others who are coping with the effects of stroke.

Upcoming dates and topics:

June 12: Caregiver Support-Kate Kunk, Central Indiana Council on Aging

July 10: Preventing another Stroke- Marty Cangany, RN, Franciscan St. Francis Health
 

Aug. 14: Return to Driving-Laura Noblitt, Senior Driving and Mobility Services

Sept. 11: Spousal Impoverishment and Elder Law-Dennis Frick, Senior Law Project

For more information or to join the support group mailing list for receive updates, contact Diana Hanson at 317-528-6258 or diana.hanson@franciscanalliance.org or Amy Horter at 317 528-6038 or amy.horter@franciscanalliance.org. 

Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville intensive care unit garners national recognition

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – The Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has recognized the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Mooresville for its efforts to prevent – and eventually eliminate – health-care-associated infections, a leading cause of death in the United States.

The hospital will receive the CCSC’s Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award for eliminating catheter-associated urinary tract infections and Honorable Mention for eliminating ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Health-care associated infections acquired while patients are receiving medical treatment for other conditions. At any given time, about one in every 20 patients has an infection related to their hospital care.

These infections cost hospital systems billions of dollars each year and lead to the loss of tens of thousands of lives. In addition, such infections can have devastating emotional, financial and medical consequences.

“These awards are further validation and recognition of the hard work and dedication our nurses have to patients and unit,” said Tara Simon, RN, manager of Mooresville’s MICU. “I am confident that we will continue to work to provide exceptional care and a great working environment.”

Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville will receive the awards at the National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Expo in Boston on Monday, May 20.

Record number of Franciscan St. Francis Health nurses nominated for 2013 Salute to Nurses

Staff nurse at Indianapolis geriatric unit receives CARE Award

INDIANAPOLIS –  Franciscan St. Francis Health sent a record number of nurses to the 2013 Indianapolis’ Star Salute to Nurse Luncheon at a recent ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Franciscan St. Francis was recognized for having the most nomination letters submitted honoring 134 nurses who provided selfless service and tireless dedication to their patients and the community.

Jill Ricke, RN, was among five nurses presented with CARE (Compassionate About Reaching Excellence) awards. She was nominated by hospital nursing leadership. Ricke, who is a staff nurse on the geriatric unit at the Indianapolis campus, has worked for the hospital for six years. She also serves on the Clinical Practice Council and is a clinical instructor for University of Indianapolis.

This year wasn’t the first time Franciscan St. Francis was in the limelight for the Salute to Nurses program. In 2010, Mooresville Emergency Department Manager Nathan Lowder, RN, was named Nurse of the Year and also was the recipient of the Community Outreach Award. 

Cheryl Howard, RN, a long-time nurse and clinical educator at Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville, was the recipient of the 2012 Salute to Nurses Community Outreach Award.

Franciscan St. Francis employs more than 1,400 nurses – more than 320 certified in clinical specialties – at its hospitals in Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel.