Health

IU Health Lung Cancer Screening Program Expands to Blackford County

By Liz Yates— HARTFORD CITY—Indiana University Health is excited to have expanded its Lung Cancer Screening Program to IU Health Blackford Hospital in Hartford City, IN. This program has existed for ten years beginning at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in 2012. Since that time, the program has provided over 2,865 screenings and has been successful in diagnosing over 56 lung cancer cases – with most of those cases being either stage I or II. Lung cancer continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States, and that remains to be true at the IU…

Read More

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By Eric Hoffman, Delaware County Prosecutor— MUNCIE, IN – As October comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fact that this month is Domestic Violence Awareness month. While domestic violence and intimate partner abuse is something we should be aware of every month, October is a chance to bring attention to something that affects every single part of Indiana and our nation. As your prosecutor here in Delaware County, I wanted to take a moment to talk about the nature of domestic violence and give the residents of our community some helpful tips on…


IU Health Ball Memorial Physicians Create New Integrated Team to Provide Vascular Services

By Liz Yates— MUNCIE, IN —Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Physicians is excited to announce a brand new, integrated team of highly skilled physicians from different areas of the hospital brought together to ensure patients can seamlessly flow through every step of their treatment, all in one convenient location. The team is made up of Interventional Cardiologists, Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Surgeons —all working together to provide the highest level of care for diseases and conditions such as aneurysms, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, varicose veins and chronic leg swelling, dialysis access creation and maintenance, and lower extremity wounds….


Wellness Council of Indiana Recognizes 2022 Health and Well-Being Champions

By Indiana Chamber of Commerce— INDIANAPOLIS — The Wellness Council of Indiana, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce its inaugural Hoosier Health and Well-Being Champion Award recipients. The awards honor two nominated individuals, one in the workplace/corporation sector and one from the community sector, whose commitment to improving the lives of Hoosiers warrants special recognition. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective workplaces or community. Both honorees were recognized at the 2022 Indiana Wellness Summit September 21-22 at The Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. 2022 Hoosier Health and Well-Being Workplace Champion Beth Wrobel, Chief…


IU Health Ball Receives Naloxone Vending Machine, Part of State Effort to Curb Drug Epidemic

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN – IU Health Ball is happy to announce that one of Indiana’s newest naloxone vending machines will soon be placed in the emergency department waiting area. The machine is one of 19 to be placed statewide and will soon be available for use by the public. Gov. Eric J. Holcomb first announced the initiative in December 2021. “There is no single solution to ending this epidemic that has taken the lives of thousands of Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We can, however, take thoughtful steps to help shake the scourge of addiction from our communities. Naloxone…


September is National Recovery Month for Mental Illness and Addiction

By Dr. Kimberly Roop, Medicaid Plan President for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—One in five Americans experiences a mental health condition in a given year, yet 56% of those individuals do not receive treatment. Many have co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder. Addressing the array of care and service options from prevention and screening to early intervention and treatment for mental health and substance use disorders leads to higher quality of care and advancement of health equity. To meaningfully improve the health of our members and communities, we must take a broad, holistic view of health. This…


FREE COVID-19 Vaccinations on August 25th

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, IN—Community members have the opportunity to receive no-cost COVID-19 vaccination tomorrow, August 25th at Open Door Health Services. Walk-in vaccination, including boosters, will take place from 2-5 p.m. at Open Door’s downtown Muncie health center, located at 333 S. Madison St. All individuals ages 6 months or older are eligible. Insurance information will be collected when applicable, but participants will not receive a bill. Delaware County, as well as much of East Central Indiana, is currently in “high” transmission status according to the CDC. This is the highest level of transmission on the CDC’s scale.  


IU Health Adds Primary Care, Pharmacy, OBGYN to Jackson Street Facility

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN—IU Health Ball continues to expand its offerings at the Jackson Street medical office building. The 36,500 square foot facility has welcomed a new pharmacy, as well as primary care, obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) services, to better serve patients and families in the community. Located at 2901 W Jackson St. in Muncie, the building is newly renovated to house 23 OBGYN exam rooms, two special procedure rooms, a urogynecology procedure room, two Ultrasound rooms, 24 primary care exam rooms, a primary care special procedure room, three bariatric patient rooms, a lab, pharmacy, and more. Not everything…


A New Class of Heroes Gets Hearts Pumping in Elementary Schools

By Tim Harms—  The American Heart Association introduces eight Heart Heroes as part of the Kids Heart Challenge™ campaign  INDIANAPOLIS — More than 150,000 elementary students in Indiana will be encouraged to “Be the Torch” for better health by a new cast of characters that are part of the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge™ campaign. Eight heart heroes, characterized as dragons, each represent a positive trait that aligns with the school-based initiative aimed at improving students’ health while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives. This year’s Heart Heroes are: (Click on…


Meridian Health Services Offering FREE COVID-19 Prevention Resources

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN – Meridian Health Services is providing free COVID-19 prevention resources to help the community stay healthy with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases at a time when area schools are preparing for teachers and students to return to the classroom. Meridian is providing the following FREE resources at all primary care and urgent care locations: Free rapid COVID-19 testing Free at-home COVID-19 test kits – one box with two tests per family unit, while supplies last Free N95 masks, while supplies last Meridian is also providing free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. An appointment is required…