Health

By John Disher— Blood pressure screenings aim to raise awareness for heart health. East Central Indiana— Partners in the Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana have planned a series of events aimed at raising awareness about the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that reduce the risk of heart disease. Community members are invited to visit one of the following locations to have their blood pressure checked and discuss ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle:…

By Christina Griffiths— INDIANAPOLIS—A new $1.25 million grant will go toward providing new opportunities for graduate students typically underrepresented in biomedical science. The money is coming from the National Institutes of Health and is part of the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program. “The goal of this program is to develop a more diverse group of scientists earning PhDs and create more inclusive training pathways and programs for students who are traditionally underrepresented in biomedical science programs,” said Tom…

By Liz Yates— MUNCIE, IN—Leah’s Love is a Muncie- based non-profit that seeks to connect with grieving parents experiencing the loss of a child. They do this through the gifting of Leah’s Love boxes. These boxes contain books that have been handpicked by the founders of the group, Mandi (Leah’s mother) and Sue (Leah’s maternal grandmother) as well as other self-care products such as eye masks, grief coloring books and pencils, inspirational bookmarks, Forget-Me-Not seeds, tissues, journals, and bath bombs….

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN—Due to a rise in the number of reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, IU Health is limiting visitors at some of its hospitals to prevent spreading and protect patients and team members. Starting Monday, December 12, we will be implementing restrictions at IU Health Ball, Blackford, and Jay hospitals. The following restrictions will remain in effect until viral illness rates decline: Only adult family members (18 or older) will be allowed to visit…

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN − U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a 2022-2023 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. IU Health Ball…

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, IN – Community members have the opportunity to receive free COVID-19 test kits, as well as no-cost Covid vaccination, at upcoming Open Door Health Services events. Free at-home test kits will be distributed Monday, November 21 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Open Door’s administrative site, located at 220 S. Walnut St. in Muncie. The public is invited to pick up a supply for homes, workplaces, or civic organizations. Free test kits will again be available at…

By Liz Yates—  MUNCIE, IN — Since its creation in 1977, the open-heart surgery program at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has reached a huge milestone: 7,000 open-heart cases. These cases include everything from Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG) to valve repairs and replacements, and all the specialty cases in between. This is a low volume, community-based program as our physicians and advanced practice providers see both scheduled and emergent cases. A lot has changed in the 45 years since…

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— Remember F.A.S.T. to recognize a stroke, the fifth-leading cause of death INDIANAPOLIS —Strokes can happen to anyone. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Even so, most adults in the U.S. don’t know the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms. For World Stroke Day…

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…