IU Health covets big prize, but neurosurgery practice clings to independence
Indiana University Health Physicians is setting its sights on one of the state’s last independent specialty holdouts, the neurosurgical Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine.
Indiana University Health Physicians
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2016 Health Care Heroes: Dr. Eric S. Williams
If you live in Indiana and see a heart doctor, there’s a good chance that doctor was trained by Dr. Eric Williams, a professor of medicine at IU School of Medicine.
Tensions spawn exodus of IU eye doctors
Since 2008, the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology has seen nine physicians depart—nearly half its clinicians who care for adult patients.
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Dr. Karen Gallagher and Dr. Julie Lund, who formerly practiced as part of Eagle Creek OB/GYN, have transitioned into Indiana University Health Physicians' women’s health practice. Gallagher, an OBGYN, earned her medical degree at The Ohio State University. Lund, also an OBGYN, earned her medical degree at Southern Illinois University.
Dr. James Smith, an OBGYN, has joined IU Health Physicians in Carmel and Fishers. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville. He previously practiced at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Courtney Browne, an OBGYN, has joined IU Health Physicians in Carmel and Indianapolis. She earned her medical degree from the IU School of Medicine.
Dr. Scott Bormann, a family physician, has joined IU Health Physicians at the IU Health Methodist Medical Plaza South. Bormann did his medical training at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University.
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Dr. Larissa Day Walz, an internist, has joined Indiana University Health Physicians in Carmel. Walz earned a bachelor’s in biology from Butler University and a medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Aaron Ashabraner, a family physician, has joined IU Health Physicians in Carmel. He previously was part of the St. Vincent Physician Network and before that cared for active-duty military personnel at the Little Rock Air Force Base. He holds a medical from the IU School of Medicine.
Dr. Erica Huddleston, a family physician, has joined Community Health Network in Indianapolis. She earned her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.
Dr. Erik Cox, a pediatrician, has joined Community Physician Network in Anderson. He earned his medical degree at the IU School of Medicine.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration appointed Joseph Moser to serve as Indiana Medicaid director, beginning Nov. 18. Moser spent the last five years as director of government affairs and interim executive director for Medicaid Health Plans of America, a national trade association. Moser is a graduate of Marian University in Indianapolis.
‘Sound Medicine’ earning its chops in radio markets across country
Public broadcasting station WFYI-FM 90.1 aims to expand distribution of its locally produced “Sound Medicine” show to include at least 30 radio stations in large- and medium-sized markets in the next two years.
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Indiana University Health Physicians added 39 doctors from the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the IU School of Medicine. The group was founded in 1958 and is consistently ranked as one of the top 20 programs nationally. IU Health Physicians now employs more than 1,000 doctors. The group, which also includes five nurse practitioners, offers care at IU Health University Hospital, Wishard Health Services and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, and will soon expand to IU Health North and IU Health Saxony hospitals. They also see patients in satellite offices in Batesville, Carmel, Greenfield, Greensburg, Lebanon, Martinsville, McCordsville and Zionsville.
Elona Biotechnologies Inc., a drugmaker trying to launch a generic version of insulin, says it has found a solution to its default on more than $8 million in economic development loans and incentives from the city of Greenwood. Elona announced Feb. 6 that it has reached an agreement under which the company will be acquired by a group of private investors. It did not disclose the names of the investors or the amount of financing. "While terms of the transaction are confidential, Elona will receive sufficient funds to correct its default situation with the city of Greenwood, hire management and scientific talent to move the company forward, and proceed with clinical trials to support the registration of its generic human insulin under development for the treatment of diabetes," the company said in a prepared statement. An executive team of pharmaceutical industry veterans with extensive experience will join Elona as staff or consultants, the company said. The company told Greenwood officials of its financial troubles in late January. That information prompted the Greenwood Redevelopment Commission to vote to declare Elona in default on $8.4 million worth of economic development incentives the city approved for the company in 2010. The city loaned $6.4 million to help Elona build a 50,000-square-foot, $28 million insulin production plant in Greenwood and hire 70 workers. The city also gave Elona $1.5 million to help it win approval for its insulin from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and $500,000 for equipment.
Eli Lilly and Co. said it is halting testing of an experimental drug for rheumatoid arthritis because the studies show the medicine is not effective. The decision to stop testing the therapy, called tabalumab, in rheumatoid arthritis wasn’t based on safety concerns, the Indianapolis-based drugmaker said Feb. 7 in a prepared statement. Lilly said it will continue to develop the drug as a treatment for lupus. In December, Lilly said it was stopping one of three late-stage rheumatoid arthritis studies of tabalumab after it failed to provide a benefit. Lilly then analyzed the other two studies and determined the drug was unlikely to help patients. The setback comes as Lilly, counting on sales of new medicines to revive growth, faces generic competition to schizophrenia drug Zyprexa, which generated $5 billion in annual revenue before losing patent protection in October 2011.
IU doc growth slower than expected
Indiana University Health Physicians started as the Indiana Clinic three years ago with plans to employ at least 1,200 physicians by now. That hasn’t happened, but the organization said it won’t stop folding doctors into its organization.
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Victoria Champion, a registered nurse and professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing, has been named associate director of population science research at the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. Champion has conducted research on behavioral oncology that has helped with earlier discovery of cancer.
Dr. Adam M. Paarlberg has joined Beech Grove Family Medicine of St. Francis Medical Group. He most recently worked in the emergency department at Rushville Memorial Hospital and completed residency training at Franciscan St. Francis Health. Paarlberg holds a bachelor’s in religion from Wabash College and earned his medical degree at the IU School of Medicine.
Dr. Tobi Reidy, a colon and rectal surgeon, has established a practice with Kendrick Colon and Rectal Center, which is owned by Franciscan St. Francis Health. She earned her medical training at Nova Southeastern University-College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Jessica Saberman, a family and pediatric physician, recently joined Indiana University Health Physicians in Fishers. She had been part of the St. Vincent Physician Network in Fishers since 2002.
Dr. Brett Neff, a family physician, will join IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care, in Carmel, on Aug. 25. Neff also used to be part of the St. Vincent Physician Network in Fishers.
Dr. Jessica Swenberg and Dr. Jama Gail Edwards, both family physicians, are joining IU Health Physicians in Zionsville. Swenberg previously practiced at the Village Doctors in Zionsville. Edwards has been an independent family physician in Zionsville since 2001.
Dr. Laura Calili recently joined IU Health Physicians as a new pediatrician in Greenwood.