Program Leadership
For Providers
Ryan M. Johnston, MD, FACP
Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Director, Inpatient Medical Service and Hospitalist Program, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine
- Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
- Residency: Northwestern University
- Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Dr. Johnston is a native of Indianapolis and completed undergraduate and medical studies at Indiana University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Northwestern University and practiced in the Chicago area for several years before joining our faculty. Dr. Johnston is program director for the residency program, and is also director of the Hospitalist Program. He is a past winner of the Cullison Housestaff Teaching Award and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
As faculty, he finds his time spent educating the next generation of physicians extremely rewarding, and a privilege. The academic environment is intellectually challenging, collegial, and truly lives up to the slogan, “Academic Medicine in a Community Setting.” The residents at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital are energetic, inquisitive, and constantly challenge him to give his best effort daily. He could not be happier with his decision to return home to Indiana.
His personal interests include spending time with his wife and two sons. He enjoys all forms of music (except country), and playing all sports.
Bhuvaneswari Burugapalli, MD
Associate Director, Internal Medicine Residency, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
- Medical School: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India
- Residency: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, IN
- Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Dr. Burugapalli, a native of South India, completed her medical education from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India and a master’s degree in applied gerontology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She completed her internal medicine residency at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital where she also served as chief resident during her final year. She continues to be an active member of the American College of physicians Indiana Chapter’s Associates’ Council and also a member of the Department of Medical Education's Research & Scholarly Activity Subcommittee. She participated in many research projects and has won awards for her research and scholarly activity presentations at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital annual research symposium.
Her outside interests include travel, exploring a variety of exotic cuisines and spending time with family and friends.
Brandon S. Dickey, MD, FACP
Director, Ambulatory Medicine, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine
- Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
- Residency: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
- Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Dr. Dickey is a native of Anderson. IN and completed undergraduate and medical degrees at Indiana University. He completed his internal medicine residency at Ball Memorial Hospital. During his residency, he was extremely active in the American College of Physicians Indiana Chapter and helped organize many events. Dr. Dickey is director of the Ambulatory Clinic and has a particular interest in medical informatics, performance improvement, and the electronic medical record.
His interests include virtually all sports and games. He is a distance runner who competes in mini-marathons. He enjoys playing golf and participates in a summer softball league with his church.
Heidi M.L. Lakanen, MD, FACP
Ambulatory Faculty, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
- Medical School: University of Michigan
- Residency: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
- Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Dr. Lakanen grew up in Michigan and completed her undergraduate studies at Hope College. After medical school and residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she practiced internal medicine in South Carolina. She and her husband relocated to Indiana, where she practiced at the Upland Health and Diagnostic Center for over 12 years. Four children later, it was time for a more child and family friendly schedule.
She now staffs the medicine clinic and works part-time at college health clinics or urgent care settings. She has helped with journal club and evidence based medicine since 1997. She enjoys translating the medical literature into language patients can understand. Now she enjoys equipping the next generation of doctors to do the same and deliver compassionate evidence based care. Her husband is a pre-med adviser at a local university; together they enjoy hosting college students talking about what it is really like to be a doctor.
When not involved in the above, she proudly wears the title “Mom”. She loves spending time with her family biking, hiking, walking, driving as soccer mom and cooking. She and her family are actively involved in a great local church.
Daryl G. Morrical, MD, FCCP
Associate Director and Medical Director, Intensive Care Unit, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine
- Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
- Residency: Duke University
- Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship: University of Vermont
- Board Certification: Internal Medicine; Pulmonary Medicine; Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Morrical is a native of Portland, Indiana. He completed a degree in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University, obtained his medical degree from Indiana University, and completed his medical residency at Duke University. After a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Vermont (where he also learned to cross country ski and windsurf), he joined Medical Consultants in Muncie and has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring students and residents. Dr. Morrical is the medical director of the Intensive Care Unit, and is a past winner of the Cullison Housestaff Teaching Award.
Although he is not a big basketball fan, he usually has a successful team to cheer for from one of those institutions. He has led studies in faith and medicine with the students and residents, and enjoys spending time with his family in activities such as tennis, bicycling, sailing, table tennis, and wakeboarding/wakesurfing.