iVantage Names Logansport Memorial Hospital Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital

Logansport Memorial Hospital was recently named one of iVantage Health Analytics’ Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States.

“Logansport Memorial is proud of the efforts of our physicians and staff who have contributed to our achievement of this designation,” said Perry Gay, President and CEO.  “As a hospital, we are committed to our patients and community as a key partner in their overall health and wellness. We consistently look for innovative ways to pursue a patient-centered approach to healthcare that meets the needs of our patients and exceeds their expectations. It takes our entire team – engaged providers, forward-thinking executives, and exceptional staff at all levels to achieve results and outcomes that lead to designations like this. We will continue building upon the successes we have reached thus far, and hope to work toward many more.”

Logansport Memorial Hospital scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals on iVantage’s Hospital Strength INDEX®. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of rural and Critical Access Hospitals. The results recognize that the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals play a key role in providing a safety net to communities across America – measuring them across more than 70 different performance metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient perspective, affordability, population risk and efficiency.

The list of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals and more information about the study can be found at www.iVantageINDEX.com.

“Rural healthcare encompasses more than 60 million Americans and the facilities which comprise our Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals play a vital role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the rural health safety net,” said Michael Topchik, senior vice president of iVantage Health Analytics. “Our data analysis shows that this group of top performers exhibits a focused concern for their community benefits and needs, regardless of scale, reimbursement and people’s ability to pay.”

About Logansport Memorial Hospital
Logansport Memorial Hospital is an 83-bed, HFAP accredited, regional medical center providing healthcare services to residents in Cass County and the surrounding areas of north central Indiana.

About iVantage Health Analytics
iVantage Health Analytics (iVantage) is a leading provider of healthcare analytic and decision support tools. Health system and hospital leadership teams across the country rely on the company’s software and services to deliver customized insights on clinical and financial performance, strategic planning, market assessment and contract optimization. Employing a full array of public, private and proprietary data, iVantage tools and solutions - from dashboards and pre-formatted reports, to industry and custom guided analytics - are designed to help its clients move from data to action. In addition, iVantage analytics and tools are the basis of continuing thought leadership and insight in the areas of healthcare policy and research. Learn more at www.iVantageHealth.com.  

Logansport Memorial Hospital welcomes new family medicine physician to oversee ExpressMed

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Rene S. Gutierrez, MD to the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. He is a family medicine physician who will be treating patients at ExpressMed Logansport.

Rene S. Gutierrez, MD

Dr. Gutierrez received his medical degree from the Autonomous School of Medical Sciences of Central America, in San Jose, Costa Rica. He completed his residency at the Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals in Saginaw, Michigan. Dr. Gutierrez is also board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. In his 17 years of professional practice, he has dedicated himself to compassionately caring for the physical and emotional needs of his patients in rural Indiana.

Dr. Gutierrez will serve as the Medical Director for ExpressMed, Logansport Memorial Hospital’s only walk-in, urgent care clinic. Having previously served as Medical Director of a medical facility in Monticello, he understands the value that urgent care clinics provide for patients. Urgent care clinics are designed to deliver care quickly and efficiently when you are ill and can’t wait for an appointment with your doctor, but don’t need to go to the emergency room. Minor emergencies and non-life threatening injuries can also be treated in an urgent care clinic. Dr. Gutierrez will lead the team of nurse practitioners at ExpressMed to see you quickly and get you back to feeling your best.

ExpressMed Logansport is a walk-in clinic, so no appointments are necessary. If you have questions about being seen, you may contact the clinic at (574) 722-9633 or visit our website at www.logansportmemorial.org to learn about the types of conditions that are most commonly seen and treated there.

Logansport Memorial Hospital welcomes new Nurse Practitioner

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Jamie Ross, FNP-BC to the medical staff as part of the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. She will join the providers in LMPN Family Medicine, located in Suite 270 of Medical Office Building West at Logansport Memorial Hospital. She will see patients alongside Dr. Tonya Brown, Logansport Memorial Hospital’s newest family medicine physician.

Jamie Ross, FNP-BC

Jamie received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University Kokomo, in Kokomo, Indiana. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. She is a registered nurse with the Indiana Board of Nursing and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.

For the past two years, Jamie has worked with endocrinologist Dr. Ann Collie in Peru, Indiana. During that time, she specialized in diabetes and thyroid care. With that, she brings a variety of experience in caring for patients in Family Medicine, and uses a holistic approach to understand everything potentially affecting the health outcomes for her patients.

Family Medicine Suite 270 sees patients during the hours of 8 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, please call the office directly at (574) 722-4921.

Logansport Memorial Hospital acquires Logansport Regional Cancer Center

As of Monday, May 4, Logansport Memorial Hospital has acquired the Logansport Regional Cancer Center located at 1616 Smith Street in Logansport. The Logansport Regional Cancer Center has been providing comprehensive, community-based radiation therapy services to local patients utilizing state-of-the-art technology for the past 15 years, since 2000. It has been an advantageous option for those patients who face a regimen of cancer treatment because they have not had to leave the community to get the care they need.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses painless, high-energy x-rays directed toward cancerous tissue to help treat specific types of cancer. Sophisticated machines called linear accelerators are used to do this. In general, radiation therapy treatments are conducted five days per week over a period of two to nine weeks. Each session is administered by a specially-trained therapist. With treatment needed at such a high frequency, it’s easy to see why patients prefer (and appreciate) the option to stay within their own community and receive this care.

“We are very proud to be able to provide this opportunity for our patients and for our community,” commented David Ameen, President and CEO of Logansport Memorial Hospital. “We were approached by the Cancer Care Group who had been previously running the service because they knew they would have to close its doors, due to changing reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid not covering the high cost of providing such care. As the only healthcare provider serving Cass County, we felt compelled to offer this for our patients because we believe that it’s our responsibility to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare for our community. Our Board of Trustees felt the same way, so we are looking forward to keeping this service here and helping our patients get what they need close to home.”

“Keeping the Logansport Regional Cancer Center here as a local part of healthcare is a tremendous convenience for our patients,” adds Dr. James Hall. “Radiation therapy is designed to give patients a small dose of treatment over a long period of time. This treatment schedule minimizes complications without compromising effectiveness. With the number of patients we see and treat not only from Logansport and Cass County, but also surrounding counties, this is a very beneficial service to offer. As a provider, I also appreciate being able to keep my patients close to home, because I can follow them throughout their journey and better coordinate their care with other providers who are part of their team. Everything – including diagnostic imaging, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy – can all be done here because LMH has providers and partnerships in place to offer it. Cancer is a team-treated disease and I am proud that we are equipped to treat it with the highest quality of care.”

Dr. John Marvel, Radiation Oncologist for the Logansport Regional Cancer Center, agrees. “It is so much easier for our patients to have the care they need close to home instead of having to drive 30 minutes or more to receive it. Radiation therapy can last anywhere from six to nine weeks for patients seeking a cure. That can result in anywhere from 30 – 44 daily treatments. In sick patients, it can be less, as some with pain may only need two to three weeks of treatment as part of their palliative care. But I am so glad that our hospital stepped up to provide this needed service in an ongoing way for patients by keeping it in the community.”

The Logansport Memorial Regional Cancer Center is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Services are provided with a referral only. You may talk with Mike Etter, Director of Ancillary Services about any questions you have by calling (574) 753-1400, or visit our website to learn more – www.logansportmemorial.org.

Logansport Memorial Hospital to host community conversation

Do you have questions about the healthcare in your community? Are you concerned about an experience you had? Do you feel like you have valuable feedback to share with hospital staff? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, we invite you to join us for a free community conversation about healthcare.

Logansport Memorial Hospital CEO David Ameen and members from the hospital leadership team will be available to answer your questions, discuss your concerns or feedback, and listen to your stories. In this session, we’ll work to address the feedback you provide and use it to continue making future improvements.

“We realize this is a similar idea to what the United Way of Cass County was doing last year,” comments David Ameen, President and CEO. “We liked the concept and thought it would be a good way to start talking with some of our patients who may not feel like they have an opportunity to share their feedback with us. We are always looking for ways to continuously improve, and our patient satisfaction scores show that we still have some room to grow. We are hoping that our patients will feel welcome and invited to come share any feedback they have with us during this session so that we may learn from what they tell us they want to see and experience.”

The community conversation is a free event, and takes place on the following date/time:

• Friday, March 27, 2015
• 10 – 11 am
• Conference Room DE at Logansport Memorial Hospital

No RSVPs are necessary and light refreshments will be served. This community conversation will be the first of many that we plan to hold throughout the year. If you can’t make it for this event, please keep watching for other events to be scheduled that may be more convenient for you. But if you are able, please join us for your chance to talk directly with our hospital CEO and the leadership team, as we all work together to shape and improve the healthcare available in Cass County.

Tenured Logansport physician set to retire

Dr. David Morrical, an internal medicine physician with the Logansport Memorial Physician Network, has announced his plans to retire this year. He will take his leave from the hospital effective April 10, 2015 after nearly forty years of service to his patients and community.

“This was not an easy decision for me to make,” commented Dr. Morrical. “I have enjoyed my time in medical practice at Logansport Memorial Hospital and I will miss taking care of my patients. But I want to take the opportunity to spend time with my wife, my adult children, and my grandchildren." 

Although I will no longer be practicing medicine, I still call Logansport ‘home’ and I plan to remain in the community upon my retirement. David Morrical

“As Dr. Morrical prepares for this transition, we thank him for his years of service to our hospital, our patients, and our community,” comments David Ameen, CEO of Logansport Memorial Hospital. “He has also been a well-respected community member, donating many hours of community service to the Boy Scouts and to other local organizations. We wish him well in this new phase of his life.”

If you are a patient of Dr. Morrical and would like to find a new provider, please call our Find-a-Doc service at (574) 725-3463. LMH staff will answer your questions about your healthcare needs or concerns and help place you with a provider who can meet them for you. We will work to ensure that you do not experience a disruption in your care and are placed appropriately as soon as possible. Please talk with staff about any other questions you may have.

Logansport Memorial Hospital hires new Nurse Practitioner

Laura Hess, FNP-C

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Laura Hess, FNP-C to the medical staff as part of the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. She will join the providers at ExpressMed Logansport, providing urgent care for patients in Logansport and Cass County.

Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Indiana Wesleyan at the Fort Wayne, Indiana campus. She is a registered nurse with the Indiana Board of Nursing, and is certified in CPR and First Aid. She is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is looking forward to serving this community in a new way, as a bilingual nurse practitioner who speaks fluently in Spanish. She will be a welcome addition to the ExpressMed team.

ExpressMed is open for patients Monday – Friday from 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from Noon – 6 pm. ExpressMed is a walk-in clinic, so no appointments are necessary. If you have questions about being seen as a patient, please call the clinic directly at (574) 722-9633.

Logansport Memorial Hospital awarded HFAP accreditation

[Logansport, IN] – Logansport Memorial Hospital was awarded accreditation from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), an independent, accreditation organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It earned this distinction after HFAP conducted an extensive and objective review of the hospital’s quality and safety standards. 

“Logansport Memorial Hospital clearly demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care,” said Joshua Prober, JD, CEO of HFAP. “We base our decision on federal standards, as well as recognized national standards for patient safety, quality improvement, and environmental safety. Logansport Memorial met or exceeded standards in every case.” 

We’re proud to achieve this prestigious distinction. By awarding us accreditation, HFAP has recognized our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. In fact, quality is consistently a priority focus in our strategic plans and goals. David Ameen, President and CEO

The HFAP is a non-profit, nationally recognized accreditation organization. It has been accrediting healthcare facilities for more than 60 years and under Medicare since its inception. Its mission is to advance high quality patient care and safety through objective application of recognized standards. Its accreditation is recognized by the federal government, state governments, managed care organizations, and insurance companies. For more information, go to: www.hfap.org. 

Logansport Memorial Hospital (LMH) is a not-for-profit, independent, regional medical center serving people in Cass County and north central Indiana. LMH is committed to fulfilling its mission in making “your health our passion” by promoting high-quality care that exceeds patient expectations. LMH shares innovative employee health management services in the community and across the United States. Additionally, the hospital encourages people to make healthy lifestyle choices that directly impact their immediate and long-term future. For more information about Logansport Memorial, go to: www.logansportmemorial.org.

Logansport Memorial Hospital hires new Nurse Practitioner

Rachel Emery, FNP-BC

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Rachel Emery, FNP-BC to the medical staff as part of the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. She will join the providers at ExpressMed Logansport, providing urgent care for patients in Logansport and Cass County. 

Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. She is a registered nurse with the Indiana Board of Nursing and is ACLS-certified in CPR by the American Heart Association, as well as Neonatal Resuscitation Program-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She brings a variety of experience in caring for patients at ExpressMed and is looking forward to caring for the community.

ExpressMed is open for patients Monday – Friday from 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from Noon – 6 pm. ExpressMed is a walk-in clinic, so no appointments are necessary. If you have questions about being seen as a patient, please call the clinic directly at (574) 722-9633.

Restricted Visitation in effect at Logansport Memorial Hospital

Visitors are now restricted at Logansport Memorial Hospital because of the flu. In an effort to protect patients, visitors and employees, Logansport Memorial Hospital is implementing the following visitor restrictions effective December 18, 2014.

• There is a limit of two adult visitors per patient at a time.
• No children or siblings under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit at this time.
• Visitors are urged to perform hand washing frequently, including when entering and leaving the building. Foam dispensers are available throughout the buildings, and are effective against influenza virus.
• Visitors who are ill with a fever or other cold or flu-like symptoms including cough, sneezing, running nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea are asked not to visit patients.
• For visitors to the Family Birth Center where newborns stay, the visitor restrictions are limited to two well adults only, who will be the only two visitors allowed to see the patient – new mom and baby – through their entire stay, from admission to discharge.

We understand that these visitation restrictions can be an inconvenience for your family. Please know that we only restrict visitation during the height of flu season in an effort to protect hospitalized patients who are particularly vulnerable to illness. A virus like the flu or a severe cold can significantly complicate recovery and delay discharge from the hospital.

Jeanette Huntoon, Chief Executive Officer, says she is hoping these rules will help protect patients and prevent the flu from spreading. The restrictions will be reviewed the flu outbreak slows down.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we respond to this year’s flu season.

Indiana Hospital Association recognizes Logansport Memorial Hospital's work to Improve Quality and Patient Safety

(Logansport), Ind. – The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) recognized Logansport Memorial Hospital on November 18 at The Marten House in Indianapolis for their work to reduce patient harm by 40 percent and readmissions by 20 percent over the past three years. The recognition is based on the results of a national campaign known as Partnership for Patients, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve quality and patient safety at hospitals nationwide.

Logansport Memorial Hospital was one of 116 hospitals that partnered with IHA to form a statewide engagement network, Coalition for Care, and participate with the American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET) in this ambitious initiative. These hospitals came together to work collaboratively on patient safety efforts, and not compete on safety. 

“All of our physicians and staff at Logansport Memorial Hospital should feel proud of the improvements we have achieved in regard to patient safety and quality,” said Jeanette Huntoon, Chief Executive Nurse. “By collaborating with IHA and applying the best practices that have been proven to work in our industry, we can provide even better treatment for our patients.”

Member hospitals attended educational sessions offered through IHA and HRET to address readmissions, falls and patient and family engagement, among others, and in the last three years, there have been 3,800 participants in educational programs. In 2014, 59 regional patient safety coalition meetings were held across the state. Lean Six Sigma training has been instrumental, with 297 Lean Six Sigma green belts and 176 Lean Six Sigma black belts being trained. There are now 68 hospitals with patient and family advisory councils. Logansport Memorial Hospital had 8 individuals receiving Lean Six Sigma training during the course of three years. 

“This is proof that efforts to identify harms and reduce readmissions are working. Our hospitals should be commended for their continued commitment to improving patient care. Indiana hospitals have had many accomplishments in the past three years, and will continue this work in 2015 to improve the overall health and well-being of our state,” said Doug Leonard, president of the Indiana Hospital Association. 

Logansport Memorial Hospital proudly accepted the banner that we will hang on our hospital campus in recognition of this achievement in quality care. Pictured from left to right: Kathy Wallace – IHA Representative, Tara McVay – LMH Director of Nursing, Jeanette Huntoon – LMH Chief Executive Nurse, and Carolyn Konfirst – IHA Representative.

Logansport Memorial Hospital is an 83-bed, HFAP accredited, regional medical center providing healthcare services to residents in Cass County and the surrounding areas of north central Indiana.

Indiana Hospital Association is a non-profit organization that serves as the professional trade association for 164 Hoosier hospitals. These members are either independent or a member of one of the 23 systems in the state. Membership includes hospitals, multi-hospital systems and community mental health centers. The mission of the IHA is to provide leadership, representation and services in the common best interests of its members as they promote the improvement of community health status. IHA’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of hospitals in matters of public policy. IHA also provides members with education, communications and data collection services.

Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County Counseling Center partner for ER Navigator Program

Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County Counseling Center are pleased to announce a partnership to establish a Care Navigator Program for Logansport Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. The new service began on November 1, 2014. 

The ER Care Navigator will work with the ER staff and assists patients with healthcare access and timely care. Specific goals for the program include:

• Improving patient connection with primary care providers to decrease emergency room time spent with non-emergent conditions and chronic disease management; 
• Increasing patient connection to insurance options;
• Connecting to relevant social services in order to reduce healthcare barriers; and
• Improving patient connection and timely access to needed mental health and substance abuse services.

Chief Executive Nurse Jeanette Huntoon commented, “The addition of the Care Navigator will greatly enhance our ability to care for ER patients in need of additional services after discharge. Patients may be enrolled in the program and the Care Coordinator will have both face-to-face and phone contacts with the patient for a period of time after discharge to ensure follow-through with appointments and connections to needed services.” 

“A similar program began at Dukes Emergency Department in July 2013,” stated Donna Henry, Vice President of Residential and Clinical Programs for Four County Counseling Center. “We have had great success with this service in Peru and look forward to implementing Care Navigation in the LMH Emergency Department.”

Marckolyn Dillon has been hired as the LMH Emergency Department Patient Navigator. A graduate of Trine University, she has worked in the roles of Adults Case Management, Care Manager and Client Care Coordinator at Four County Counseling Center. “I am very enthusiastic about helping people. I enjoy problem solving and breaking down barriers that prevent people from gaining access to the resources and treatment they need to improve their quality of life. I look forward to working closely with Four County, Logansport Memorial Hospital, local law enforcement and community resources and be a liaison for patients,” commented Ms. Dillon. 

Logansport Memorial Hospital offers Urology and additional Neurology services

Effective Monday, November 3, 2014, Logansport Memorial Urology will be located in Medical Office Building West, Suite 140 at Logansport Memorial Hospital. Office hours will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8 am – 5 pm. 

Logansport Memorial Urology will be accepting new patients to be seen by three physicians – Dr. Stephen Miller, Dr. Willis Peelle, and Dr. James Harshman. This is to continue providing coverage for patients who were previously seeing Dr. Paul Rober before his departure from Logansport.

Appointments for Logansport Memorial Urology can be made by calling the office directly at (574) 735-3811 or through Central Scheduling at (574) 753-1488. 

Also in the Urology suite, Dr. Khaled Hammoud with Unity Healthcare will be providing neurology services. He will begin accepting patients on Friday, October 31, 2014. He is located in Suite 140 and is in the office only on Fridays. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hammoud, please call Central Scheduling at (574) 753-1488.

“Logansport Memorial Hospital continues to look for opportunities to partner with physicians and provide extended coverage with exceptional specialists right here at home,” comments Jim Schrader, Vice-President of Physician Services. “Providing access to care that our community needs is a top priority for community health and for all of us at Logansport Memorial Hospital.”

Big Changes for Better Health

Keeping you "well and good" by making a care delivery transformation

In my time as CEO here at the hospital, I have focused on specific goals for LMH that direct and improve what we can provide for this community. Like most other healthcare organizations, we have had to make changes along the way to ensure that we deliver what our community needs from us. At LMH, we’re making BIG changes… but we want to make sure you know why we’re doing it.

When you need medical care, you just want your doctor to make you feel better. In a perfect world, your doctor’s office would stay in touch with you, the hospital, and any other specialists or healthcare professionals who treated you, so that everyone would be on the same page and working together to keep you healthy.

But the truth is, we don’t live in a perfect world.

What’s happening now is that doctors are generally paid for every service they provide for you. This can lead to you having to go through and pay for tests and screenings that you may not really need. Or you could need to have the same test or screening performed multiple times, because you see different physicians that are trying to treat the same problem. This kind of duplication does not really help you or the providers who are treating you… instead, it just makes things take longer and cost more.

Hospitals around the country – including Logansport Memorial Hospital – know that this is happening and understand that it is frustrating for our physicians and patients. That’s why we are trying to address the issue by making some changes to the way we provide care for you. 

But we also know that change can be confusing, so we want to help you understand what’s happening. You’re going to start seeing and hearing more about how Logansport Memorial Hospital is becoming a Patient-Centered Medical Home and Accountable Care Organization. All that really means is that we will have much more of a team-based approach to caring for you. This team – including your primary care provider, nurses, health coaches, care coordinators, and others – are going to depend on you to take an active role in your healthcare. Your team will work with you and listen to you to determine what you need and want for your health. Then, they will work together to coordinate the services that you receive from us, from other specialists, and from community agencies and organizations. 

Implementing these changes means that our doctors and providers at Logansport Memorial Hospital will work on keeping you as healthy as you can be. We want to treat you – and all of our patients – as a whole person, focused not only on healing you when you’re sick, but helping you stay healthy. It’s our mission to make your health our passion, and we’re passionate about this because we believe it’s the right thing to do – for you.

So let’s recap, okay? We now deliver care by placing you, the patient, at the center of your care decisions. This means that the most important person in the process is YOU! For these changes we’re making to work, we need you to take an active role in your own health and well-being too. It’s true that we still don’t live in a perfect world, but lots of us in the healthcare community – especially those of us at Logansport Memorial Hospital – are working hard to make it better. 

Feel free to contact me at any time – at the hospital, in the community – if you have additional questions about these ongoing changes. You can also visit www.logansportmedicalhome.org to learn more.

March of Dimes and Indiana Hospital Association recognize Logansport Memorial Hospital's work to improve the quality of lives for mothers and newborns

March of Dimes and the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) recognized Logansport Memorial Hospital at the Indiana Perinatal Hospital Summit on Friday, September 5 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel for their work to reduce the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. This will give more babies in Logansport a healthy start in life.

“The last weeks of pregnancy are important. Babies aren’t just putting on weight. They are undergoing important development of the brain, lungs and other vital organs,” says Lori Reeves for March of Dimes. “I commend IHA and Logansport Memorial Hospital for being a champion for babies with their quality improvement effort.”

Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon each year and more than one million of those infants die as a result of their early births. Babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and others. Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants. Recent research by the March of Dimes, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that although the overall threat is small, the risk of death more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities.

Through Strong Start, a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, March of Dimes has been getting the word out that “Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait.”  

“We are very proud to have been part of this effort. It has truly been a team-approach made by our dedicated OB/GYNs and caring staff in the Family Birth Center,” comments Jeanette Huntoon, Chief Executive Nurse for Logansport Memorial Hospital. “We want our new moms and babies to be as healthy as they can be, and to be provided with the highest quality of care while they’re with us for their journey through pregnancy to parenthood. We know that encouraging and helping them to wait as part of this campaign and initiative is what will ultimately be best for them and for their baby. We wouldn’t participate if we didn’t wholeheartedly believe that,” she says.

The campaign urges women to wait for labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. In Indiana, IHA and the March of Dimes Indiana Chapter have partnered to improve the quality of birth outcomes statewide, including the effort successfully completed by Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Pictured at the ceremony holding the recognition banner are (L - R): Jennifer Hurtubise, IHA Representative, Jeanette Huntoon, Chief Executive Nurse of Logansport Memorial Hospital, OB Nurse Laura Gallahan, and Dennis Casey, March of Dimes Representative.

This banner displayed by LMH staff will soon be positioned outside of the Women’s Health Center and Medical Office Building East, right along Michigan Avenue. Logansport Memorial Hospital is proud to display it as recognition of our efforts to keep moms and babies as healthy as they can be. Standing with the banner are (L – R): Dr. Timothy Hall, Dr. W. Bruce Murray, OB Nurse Tammi Lavy, OB Nurse Manager Jade Herr, OB Nurse Chelsey Sommers, and Dr. Jessica McClintock.

Logansport Memorial Hospital is an 83-bed, HFAP accredited, regional medical center providing healthcare services to residents in Cass County and the surrounding areas of north central Indiana.

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes offers professional and consumer education materials about the importance of a full term pregnancy and the critical development of the brain, lungs and other organs that occur during the last weeks of pregnancy. 

Indiana Hospital Association is a non-profit organization that serves as the professional trade association for 164 Hoosier hospitals. These members are either independent or a member of one of the 23 systems in the state. Membership includes hospitals, multi-hospital systems and community mental health centers. The mission of the IHA is to provide leadership, representation and services in the common best interests of its members as they promote the improvement of community health status. IHA’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of hospitals in matters of public policy. IHA also provides members with education, communications and data collection services.

Logansport Memorial Hospital welcomes three new Nurse Practitioners

Logansport Memorial Hospital continues to expand its network of providers who become part of the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. By increasing the number of providers who are part of our staff, we also hope to increase access to the care that our community needs – giving patients more options for receiving the care they need, where and when they need it. This also aligns with our priority for increasing access to care that is part of the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment.

LMH is pleased to welcome the following providers to our staff.

Kimberly Bice, NP
Kimberly Bice completed her MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2013 at the Indiana University School of Nursing. Kim has experience caring for patients of all ages in a variety of nursing roles, from babies and kids to adults and seniors. She can treat patients for urgent needs like stitches, rashes, and sore throats while also helping patients with health maintenance. Additionally, some of that experience comes from raising her seven children with her husband, Kenny. In her free time, she enjoys running and exercising with her husband and kids. Kim was born and raised in Logansport, and has lived here for her entire life. She is looking forward to taking care of patients right here in our community. 




Kim joins the staff at ExpressMed in Logansport, and began seeing patients full-time on September 1, 2014. She accepts walk-in patients only. ExpressMed Logansport clinic hours are from 9 am – 7 pm Monday through Friday, 10 am – 6 pm Saturday, and Noon – 6 pm on Sunday.

Rose Ewing, NP
Rose Ewing completed her MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1998 at Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been in the nursing profession for over 30 years, spending the last 16 of them as a nurse practitioner. Rose comes to Logansport Memorial Hospital from St. Vincent, where she most recently practiced as a nurse practitioner in the hospitalist program. In her role as an NP, Rose enjoys working closely with patients and their families to educate them on their disease process and prevention. When she is not working, Rose may be spending time with either of her two children, or two grandchildren. She and her husband have been married for 27 years and live on a mini-farm, with chickens and horses.

Rob Lowe, NP
Rob Lowe completed his MSN as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in 2011 from the University of South Alabama. He has experience in several clinical areas, including emergency medicine, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. He is a National Registered Paramedic and a Life Support Instructor in three areas – Basic, Advanced Cardiac, and Pediatric Advanced. When asked about what brought him to Logansport, Rob noted that he was impressed by LMH for advertising about a position for an acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP).  ACNPs are relatively new to this part of Indiana, but LMH is seeking to incorporate them as part of the recently established hospitalist program. He appreciated the innovative nature of medicine that LMH hopes to provide for this rural area.



Both Rose Ewing and Rob Lowe are part of our LMPN Hospitalist program, joining two full-time internal medicine physicians Dr. Benjamin Anderson and Dr. Vivek Sahgal. 

Pulmonology Services return to Logansport Memorial Hospital

As a rural hospital, we are challenged in many ways. One of our biggest challenges is providing access to specialized care that’s local and in our community, which many of our patients need and want. We know that many of our patients suffer from respiratory problems and have requested pulmonology services. As part of our 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment, we made “access to care” a top priority for targeted improvement over the next three to five years.

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce that we now offer pulmonology services for our patients with the addition of Dr. Francois Fadel to our physician network. He shares some information in this article about what he does, and why it’s beneficial for patients to have pulmonology services that are close to home.

What is pulmonology?
“Pulmonology is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on diseases of the lungs and bronchial tubes, which can include evaluating the heart and the upper respiratory tract (made up of the nose, pharynx and throat),” indicated Dr. Fadel. “A pulmonologist is a physician who studies internal medicine and then completes additional schooling and training to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the chest. These can include pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, emphysema, lung cancer, and other complicated chest infections. Pulmonologists can also treat and help active or previous smokers who have respiratory symptoms or shortness of breath. We can assess the patient’s lung function, and optimize treatment of their lungs, as well as aid in smoking cessation.”

Who needs a pulmonologist?
“Patients who have a chronic cough, difficulty breathing, persistent lung infection, or any other breathing-related problem typically need specialized services, like those that a pulmonologist provides. To determine how serious your condition is, I will typically conduct pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to measure how well your lungs take in and exhale air,” he says. These tests also check how well your lungs transfer oxygen into the blood.

A pulmonologist is one type of asthma and allergies specialist that may be helpful to use when treating various chest and lung conditions. As we move into Fall, the seasonal changes may cause certain allergies to flare-up or worsen, making it harder to breathe. Asthma can also be affected by seasonal changes.

"Asthma symptoms differ from patient to patient, so there are a variety of tests that I can perform to help determine what approach may be the best to take," explains Dr. Fadel. "A variety of additional tests can be performed, and they just help me learn more about your lungs and how they function. Once I have the results, I prefer to work together with the patient to decide what feels right and is best to do in treating their specific allergies, asthma, or other condition."

Respiratory therapists can assist pulmonologists by performing these tests, and Logansport Memorial Hospital is fortunate to have a fully-staffed respiratory therapy department and pulmonary rehabilitation facility on-site. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed to teach you about your lungs and how to live better with your lung condition. Additionally, LMH has a sleep laboratory on-site to assist with the treatment of sleep disorders. These on-site programs make receiving pulmonology services more convenient for our patients.

Primary care physicians can refer you to receive the specialized services of Dr. Fadel. You can learn more about your referral options by calling (574) 753-1384.

Meet Dr. Francois Fadel
Dr. Fadel is an expert specialist practicing in four specialties – internal medicine, pulmonary/respiratory medicine, critical care medicine, and undersea and hyperbaric medicine. He is triple board-certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in internal medicine, pulmonary/respiratory medicine, and critical care medicine. He completed a fellowship of double certification in critical care medicine and pulmonary/respiratory medicine at The State University of New York in Brooklyn, New York.

He utilizes the most advanced technologies and procedures to diagnose and treat respiratory conditions, including lung cancer. As the only critical care and pulmonology physician serving Logansport and Cass County, he looks forward to establishing his practice and providing an exceptional level of specialized care for our community.

Logansport Memorial Hospital now offering sports physicals

Effective June 1, Logansport Memorial Hospital will be offering sports physicals in office and clinic locations, both in Logansport and in Peru. The fee to receive a physical is $50, and physicals are offered by appointment only.

Students can receive a sports physical at the Peru Medical Center by calling 765.472.2812 to schedule an appointment.

The clinic locations offering sports physicals in Logansport are as follows:
ExpressMed Logansport:  Call 574.722.9633
Family Medicine – offices of Dr. Kaul, Dr. McKissick, and Dr. Neumann:  Call 574.722.4921
Family Medicine – office of Dr. Kigorwe:  Call 574.753.4500
Pediatrics – offices of Dr. Ahoni, Dr. Akintunde, Dr. Pawlowski, and Dr. Sahgal:  Call 574.753.4151

Staff at any of these locations will be able to answer any questions you may have about receiving a sports physical.

Additional services now available at the Peru Medical Center

Logansport Memorial Hospital proudly announced the opening of its newest outpatient clinic, the Peru Medical Center, in January of this year. Now, patients will have convenient access to additional services being provided at the clinic, including imaging services and orthopedics services.

The x-ray machines are now up and running at the clinic, making it easy to get your x-rays completed on-site. This improves the timeliness of receiving care, rather than having to go to the hospital for services and then back again to meet with a provider.

Patients and residents in Miami County, as well as in parts of Cass and Carroll counties, will now have better access to additional primary care and more specialized services, like orthopedics and pediatrics. Our newest board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Hogg, is available to see patients by appointment on Fridays from 8 am – 12 Noon. Our newest board-certified pediatrician Dr. Oluyemisi Akintunde is available to see patients by appointment on Tuesdays from 9 am – 4 pm, beginning on Tuesday, June 3.

You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Hogg, Dr. Akintunde, Dr. Kenny, or Jo Estes NP by calling the Peru Medical Center directly at (765) 472-2812.

Introducing Dr. Francois Fadel

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Francois Fadel, MD to the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. He is an expert specialist practicing in three specialties - internal medicine, pulmonary/respiratory medicine, and critical care medicine. He will provide care for patients needing pulmonology and respiratory services.

Dr. Fadel received his medical degree from Saint JosephUniversity, French Faculty of Medicine. He went on to complete a residency in internal medicine at the North Shore-LIJ, SIUH Health System in New York. Further, he completed a fellowship with double certification in critical care medicine and pulmonary/respiratory medicine at the State University of New York, in Brooklyn, New York. He is board-certified in three areas, including internal medicine, pulmonary/respiratory medicine, and critical care medicine. 

Dr. Fadel has authored and co-authored over 25 abstractsand peer-reviewed articles in major medical journals. He is a professional member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Fadel is trained to use the latest technologies and perform advanced procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. As the only pulmonologist and critical care physician serving Logansport and Cass County, he looks forward to helping patients receive exceptional specialized care that’s close to home, right here in our community.

Dr. Fadel is now accepting new patients. To learn more about your referral options to see Dr. Fadel, please call
(574) 753-1384.