• IU Health La Porte Hospital in La Porte: 219.326.2444
• IU Health Diagnostic Imaging at LifePlex in Plymouth: 800.654.4841, ext. 2444
• IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox: call 574.772.1177

According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms are the most effective and valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer. Women age 40 and older should have a baseline screening mammogram every year.

Patients must be asymptomatic and have no prior history of breast cancer. Mammograms must be scheduled before Friday, May 31. Patients are responsible for payment in full at time of service. Acceptable payment includes cash, check, credit or debit card. No physician order required, but patients must provide their physician name at time of scheduling.

• Tuesday, May 21 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Eastern time) at IU Health Primary Care at LifePlex, located at 2855 Miller Dr., Ste. 117

All area residents of Plymouth and the surrounding Kankakee Valley community are encouraged to take advantage of the Heart Cart visit so close to home.

Pre-registration is required. The service is now available at an even lower cost—only $50 for tests normally costing in excess of $1,200. Participants may pay by cash, check, money order or credit card. In order to offer this service at a discount to the community, IU Health does not bill insurance for the services. Participants are responsible for payment in full.

Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 800.235.6204, ext. 2626. The screenings are provided in part by the Starke Health Fund of the Foundation.

All testing is reviewed by a board certified physician. The screening tests for: abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, poor leg circulation, stroke and weight. In addition, participants may also schedule a Vertical Auto-Profile (VAP) cholesterol screening for an additional $39. Results will be mailed to participants three to four weeks following the screening. Individuals may take the results to their doctor for follow up.

The American Heart Association recommends a baseline screening as early as age 20. Those with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes could benefit from this screening. In addition, those who are overweight, smoke, lack exercise or lead sedimentary lifestyles are potentially at risk.

“We understand the success of IU Health Starke Hospital is linked to the health of the communities we serve,” said Jared Beasley, interim president. “That’s why we’ve centered our 2013 Day of Community Service efforts around our commitment to fighting obesity and encouraging exercise.”

Volunteers will enjoy tranquil Caribbean steel drum music provided by Kent Arnsbarger, professional percussionist.

IU Health Starke Hospital colleagues will join thousands of IU Health team members throughout the state May 17 to expand and enhance at least 20 trails and green spaces. Last year, IU Health employees across the state built 25 frames for Habitat for Humanity homes. The Day of Community Service is spearheaded by the IU Health Strength That Cares, employee-volunteer program, which currently has more than 10,600 team members.

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are needed. For more information, call Laura Gould at 800.235.6204, ext. 2415.

The event is free and registration is not required.

IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals earned STAR certification in November 2012. The certification qualifies both hospitals to the services—a highly advanced cancer rehabilitation program helping survivors recover from the side effects and aftereffects of treatments.

Most of the services offered by the STAR (Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation) Program are covered by health insurance and are designed to rehabilitate survivors of all forms and stages of cancer. The program uses a multidisciplinary clinical approach, whereby a team of experts—rehabilitation medicine physicians, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians, medical social workers and nurse practitioners—works with each patient on a personalized rehabilitation plan to increase strength and energy, alleviate pain and improve daily function and well-being.

STAR Program rehabilitation professionals can help with a wide variety of treatment-related conditions and their symptoms, including: pain, weakness, fatigue, shoulder problems, balance and gait problems, memory and concentration issues, swallowing and speech problems and lymphedema. Patients who have problems that they didn’t have before diagnosis, especially if they interfere with their ability to function or quality of life, are candidates for cancer rehabilitation.

For more information, call 855.214.3681.

The 2012–2013 Outstanding Teaching Award, presented by the Predoctoral Education Division of the IU Department of Family Medicine, honored Dr. Bejes as an exceptional educator, a passionate teacher and an engaged provider. Further, Dr. Bejes was recognized for the award by his third-year clerkship students.

Evaluations given by the students highlight Dr. Bejes’ stellar and special skills as both clinician and educator:

• He has a very student-centered approach.
• My preceptor was a good teacher when I asked questions.
• I enjoyed having a unique experience in rural medicine. I also liked having one-on-one interaction with my preceptor.
• He took a great interest in furthering my education and developing my clinical skills, as well as increased my interest in family medicine.

As a recipient of the award, Dr. Bejes was invited to attend one of four upcoming national family medicine conferences.

Dr. Bejes welcomes new patients at his North Judson primary care practice, located at 414 Lane St. Call 574.896.3444 to schedule an appointment.

KNOX, Ind.–Starke County residents are invited to attend the Community Health Fair Friday, April 26 from 2 pm to 7 pm (Central time) at the Knox Community Center, located at 55 E. Lake St.

Indiana University Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County partnered for the annual event.

Participants will receive a free gift for attending. Refreshments will also be available. In addition, attendees are encouraged to take advantage of several screenings at no charge, including:

• Blood pressure
• Glucose (blood sugar)
• Osteoporosis
• Colorectal cancer take-home screening kits
• Oral cancer

For more information, call 800.235.6204, ext. 2415.

Beginning April 5, Dr. Abdo will provide internal medicine services at 402 W. Culver Rd. in Knox.

Thomas Browne, MD, also provides primary care services at the same location.

Abdo received his medical degree from the University of Aleppo in Syria. He completed his residency at Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School as well as the Aleppo University Hospital.

Abdo is accepting new patients to schedule an appointment call 574.772.7918.

• Tuesday, April 2 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Eastern time)
• Tuesday, May 21 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Eastern time)

Both Heart Cart visits will be held at Indiana University Health Primary Care at LifePlex, 2855 Miller Dr., Ste. 117, in Plymouth.

All area residents of Plymouth and the surrounding Kankakee Valley community are encouraged to take advantage of the Heart Cart visit so close to home.

Pre-registration is required. The service is now available at an even lower cost—only $50 for tests normally costing in excess of $1,200. Participants may pay by cash, check, money order or credit card. In order to offer this service at a discount to the community, IU Health does not bill insurance for the services. Participants are responsible for payment in full.

Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 800.235.6204, ext. 2626. The screenings are provided in part by the Starke Health Fund of the Foundation.

All testing is reviewed by a board certified physician. The screening tests for: abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, poor leg circulation, stroke and weight. In addition, participants may also schedule a Vertical Auto-Profile (VAP) cholesterol screening for an additional $39. Results will be mailed to participants three to four weeks following the screening. Individuals may take the results to their doctor for follow up.

The American Heart Association recommends a baseline screening as early as age 20. Those with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes could benefit from this screening. In addition, those who are overweight, smoke, lack exercise or lead sedimentary lifestyles are potentially at risk.

All those administering immunizations, or those interested in learning more about vaccine preventable diseases, are invited to an educational session encompassing all aspects of immunization practices.

Immunizations from A–Z will take place Saturday, April 20 from 8 am to noon (Central time) at Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital, 1007 Lincolnway, in the Auditorium, lower level.

Topics included are:

• Vaccine updates
• Child and adolescent immunizations
• Adult immunizations
• General recommendations
• Safe and effective vaccine administration
• Vaccine storage and handling
• Reliable resources
• CHIRP overview

The session will be conducted by Tracy Chiles of the Indiana State Department of Health. The training is recommended for NPs, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, MDs, MAs, PAs and faculty and students in the medical field. Cost is $10.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 16. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Huber at 219.326.2336 or lhuber@iuhealth.org.

Beasley joins the Knox hospital family having previously served as the Vice President of Clinical and Diagnostic Services of IU Health La Porte Hospital since June 2012. Prior, he worked as the Emergency Department director at partner IU Health Goshen Hospital for six years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Goshen College, a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Manchester College and a Master in Business Administration from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Both the IU Health Starke Hospital Board of Directors and the Starke County Community Advisory Board of IU Health Starke Hospital were notified of the announcement the morning of March 14. Beasley began working with Hyatt during the transition period immediately, and will officially assume the interim role upon Hyatt’s resignation April 19 while hospital administration develops a plan to establish long-term future leadership.

“Jared has been a longstanding member of the IU Health system for some time. His experience in the business/financial arena as well as having a clinical background as a Registered Nurse provide a unique skill set,” Hyatt said. “Jared is a good find for IU Health Starke Hospital. He brings a unique way of looking at things that will continue to let Starke push the envelope in innovation for rural healthcare delivery.”

Beasley said, “IU Health is committed to Knox and the communities of the Starke County. I am humbled to be a part of furthering preeminent care to the area.”

Hyatt was named CEO of Jay County Hospital in Portland, Ind. recently. The transition is bittersweet for Hyatt, who has witnessed first-hand the improvements in Knox over the last four years. “I’m excited to live closer to family as well as honored to work with an academic medical center,” Hyatt said. “I know IU Health Starke Hospital is poised for a successful future as quality and patient satisfaction data are higher than ever. Colleagues are well prepared to take the hospital to the next level.”