There is good evidence that new technology deployed via new methods of medicine across the entire health care system can reduce the need for physicians. But there are too many barriers for such changes to occur in time to cut off the surge in demand brought on by Obamacare.
Tom Fischer, the chief financial and chief operating officer of Community Health Network, departed suddenly this month. Sources with knowledge of the situation described Fischer’s exit as a firing. But a Community spokeswoman said Fischer resigned in a private meeting with Community CEO Bryan Mills.
Enrollment in November was about four times faster than in October, but it will need to be about 12 times faster through the end of March to meet federal projections.
Donetta Gee-Weiler, a registered nurse, has been named vice president of women’s and children’s services for Community Health Network. She most recently served as practice administrator for Community Physician Network’s OB/GYN Care, Gynecologic Cancer Care, and Hepatobiliary Surgical Care. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from IUPUI.
Gwen O’Malley has been named vice president of practice operations at Community Physician Network. Most recently, O’Malley served as executive director of primary care for Community Physician Network. She earned a bachelor’s degree at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree at IUPUI.
Chad Ashcraft has been hired as vice president of innovation at Indianapolis-based OurHealth, which operates on-site health care clinics for employers. Ashcraft previously worked in sales for Thunderhead.com, Toovio Software, Chordiant Software and IBM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from DePauw University and a master’s degree in information science from Ball State University.
Indianapolis-based Maetrics LLC, a life sciences consulting firm, appointed R.J. Lemieux as vice president of sales. He previously worked at Boston-based RM Nephew & Associates LLC and Ernst & Young. Lemieux earned a bachelor’s degree at Hobart College and an MBA at Bentley University.
IU Health, the state’s largest hospital system, and UnitedHealthcare, the state’s second-largest health insurer, have been unable to come to terms on a new set of reimbursement contracts.
The National Science Foundation awarded Indiana University’s Bloomington campus more than $614,000 to recruit, support and retain undergraduate students majoring in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics over the next five years. Nearly 85 percent of the money will be used for student scholarships. The so-called S-STEM Program—Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—aims to put college students on a path to pursue further education and careers in key science and math-based fields. The program also tries to connect students, faculty and local professionals from all the science- and math-based disciplines. “This program focuses on the development of a community of STEM scholars who will engage students in preparation for a successful career in these fields,” said IU’s dean of the college of arts and sciences, Larry Singell. The initial round of scholarships will fund students enrolled for the spring 2014 semester.
A federal judge in Indianapolis temporarily blocked restrictions on abortions induced by medicine scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, while a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky Inc. proceeds. The dispute involves a law passed by the General Assembly this year, which requires abortion clinics that use only medications—not surgical procedures—to add procedure and recovery rooms, as well as surgical equipment. Only the Planned Parenthood clinic in Lafayette meets that description. But the law allows office-based physicians to continue prescribing abortion-inducing medications without adding the additional rooms and equipment. U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said Nov. 27 the state had not provided an adequate basis for making such a distinction between abortion clinics and physicians’ offices.
Indiana University Health joined a growing list of businesses and organizations proclaiming public opposition to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would reinforce Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage. IU Health, the state’s largest hospital system and the state’s fourth-largest employer with about 26,000 workers, said it was taking the position for health-related reasons. “Research has demonstrated that unequal treatment of same-sex couples … adversely impacts their health and well-being,” IU Health said in a prepared statement. “As a leading health care provider in this state, IU Health must support efforts that reduce disparities and improve the overall health and well-being of its patients, their families and the community.” IU Health joined Eli Lilly and Co., Cummins Inc. and Emmis Communications Corp. as major employers opposing the amendment. Indiana, Ball State, Butler and DePauw universities and several other colleges also have voiced opposition. State lawmakers will begin considering the same-sex marriage ban in January. Supporters of limiting marriage to one man and one woman say a constitutional amendment is needed to keep the courts from legalizing gay marriage in Indiana. Thirty states have constitutional amendments banning legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and five others ban it by law.
Dr. Vincent Keating, an electrophysiologist, has joined Community Physician Network in Indianapolis. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ahmed Abusamra, a pediatric hospitalist, has joined Community Physician Network, working at Community Hospital South. He did his medical training at Al-Quds University School of Medicine in East Jerusalem, Palestine.
Dr. Komal Ashraf, a neurologist, has joined Community Physician Network in Indianapolis. She did her medical training at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri.
Dr. Susan Helsel, a family physician, has joined Community Physician Network in Carmel. She earned a bachelor’s degree and medical degree at the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining Community Physician Network, she served as assistant director of the Community Family Medicine Residency program for 14 years.
Indiana University Health, already the state’s largest hospital system, is now ramping up to compete against Anthem, UnitedHealthcare and other health insurers.
A heavy hitter among commercial real estate developers has left the firm he helped found more than 20 years ago, to start his own company, and has taken most of its employees with him.
Come January, UnitedHealthcare, the second-largest health insurer in Indiana, will have no major-medical policies to sell to individual Hoosier customers.
In addition to managing the complexity and challenges of the Affordable Care Act, employers are assessing the law’s impact on their Worker’s Compensation program. The debate ranges from minimal influence to significant, with many experts hedging their bets with a wait-and-see approach.
The movement toward a “public health” model may be the most important current trend in American health care. Because the trend is more a result of market forces than of the Affordable Care Act, repealing Obamacare won’t stop it.
For years, the county-owned hospitals ringing Indianapolis have watched warily as the city’s four major hospital systems used their superior size and resources to push ever outward into the suburbs.
At 1.3 million square feet, the new hospital has plenty of room to display art, most of which was purchased with contributions from donors. The hospital is set to open Dec. 7.
Preparing to retire from the WISH-TV on Nov. 26, Debby Knox recounts the stories that made the biggest impact on her, and what would make her feel more optimistic about the future of TV news.
Dr. Monica Joyner has been appointed medical director for Wound Care Specialists, a new medical practice that is part of Franciscan Physician Network. Before joining Franciscan, Joyner served as executive director and director of education for Indianapolis-based MedTech College. Joyner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from Yale University and a medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The Behavior Analysis Center for Autism promoted Beth Roudebush to clinical director of its facility in Zionsville. In her five years at the center, Roudebush has worked as a therapist, clinical trainer and assistant consultant. Prior to her work at the center, she served in management at Robert Half International, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Bob Evans Farms Inc. She earned a bachelor’s degree in applied health sciences from Indiana University.
WellPoint Inc. named Jose Tomas its chief human resources officer. Tomas will replace Randy Brown, who is retiring at the end of the year. Prior to joining WellPoint, Tomas served as global chief people officer and president of the Latin America region for Burger King Corp. Before Burger King, Tomas held human resources positions with Ryder System Inc. and Publix Super Markets. Tomas holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's in management from Florida International University.
WellPoint Inc. named Julie Goon senior vice president of public affairs. Most recently, Goon served as senior health policy director for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. Before that, she served as director of General Electric’s healthymagination marketing initiative. Earlier in her career, Goon held management posts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Humana Inc., and the Colorado Legislative Council. Goon received her bachelor’s degree in history from Colorado State University.
The growth of Carmel’s Meridian Street office corridor wasn’t a happy accident. It was city planning. Last month’s Hamilton County Leadership Academy session provided an up-close look at planning and development in the fast-growing suburbs.
-National Distribution Centers renewed its lease for 382,612 square feet in Lebanon Business Park Building 14, 500-520 S. Enterprise Blvd., Lebanon. The tenant was represented by Mark Writt of CBRE. The landlord, Duke Realty, was represented by Duke's Jay Archer.
-Breg Inc. leased 112,500 square feet in Plainfield Building 1, 1551 S. Perry Road, Plainfield. The tenant was represented by Keith Sant of Sant Commercial. The landlord, Duke Realty, was represented by Duke's Jay Archer.
-Guggenheim Life & Annuity Co. leased 9,687 square feet at Meridian Corporate Plaza One, 401 Pennsylvania Parkway. The tenant was represented by Kevin Gillihan of Jones Lang LaSalle. The landlord, Indland American Office Management LLC, was represented by John Robinson and Adam Broderick of Jones Lang LaSalle.
-YourEncore leased 9,185 square feet at the Circle Building, 111 Monument Circle. The landlord, CW Monument Circle Inc., was represented by John Robinson and Adam Broderick of Jones Lang LaSalle. The tenant represented itself.
-Integrity Staffing Solutions Inc. renewed its lease for 5,504 square feet of office space at 6000 Corporate Way Drive, Building B. The tenant was represented by Kevin Dick and Paul Dick of Colliers International. The landlord, Caleast Industrial Investors LLC, was represented by Russ Van Til and Bryan Poynter of Cassidy Turley.
-VCA Animal Hospitals Inc. leased 5,000 square feet of retail space at Emerson Shoppes, 4920 S Emerson Ave. The tenant was represented by Paul Dick and Kevin Dick of Colliers International. The landlord, KLC Realty LLC, was represented by Greg Smith of Colliers International.
-Visiting Physicians Assistants leased 3,495 square feet of space at Parkstone Office Center, 9001 N. Wesleyan Road. The tenant was represented by Jeffrey Silverman of U.S. Medical Management. The landlord, Parkstone Indianapolis LP, was represented by Ashley Bussell and Derek Menerey of Newmark Knight Frank Halakar.
-Destination Maternity leased 3,147 square feet at Racquet Square, 4025 E. 82nd St. The landlord, Racquet Square Center LLC, was represented by Larry Davis, Tom English and John Baker of Sitehawk Retail Real Estate. The tenant represented itself.
-Piada Italian Street Food leased land for a 3,000-square-foot restaurant at The Shops at River Crossing, 8601 River Crossing Blvd. The tenant was represented by Steve Delaney of Sitehawk Retail Real Estate. The landlord, PK Partners, represented itself.
-The Mentor Network leased 2,940 square feet of space at Parkstone Office Center, 9001 N. Wesleyan Road. The tenant was represented by Kim Vo of Mohr Partners. The landlord, Parkstone Indianapolis LP, was represented by Ashley Bussell and Derek Menerey of Newmark Knight Frank Halakar.
-GMB AE LLC, leased 2,500 square feet of office space at 310 N. Alabama Street. The tenant was represented by Kevin Dick and Paul Dick of Colliers International. The landlord, Massala Properties LLC, was represented by Ashley Bussell and Ralph Balber of Newmark Knight Frank Halakar.
-DMN Corp., dba Azuma Leasing, leased 2,168 square feet of industrial space at 4937 E. 23rd St. The landlord, Marion Property Trust c/o Presidential Bank, was represented by David Ciechanowicz of Colliers International. The tenant represented itself.
-Rowe Conveyor LLC leased 1,895 square feet of industrial space at 1729 S. U.S. 31, Suite F. The landlord, Petro Brothers LLC, was represented by Brian Dell of Summit Realty Group. The tenant represented itself.
-Pure Barre leased 1,807 square feet at Geist Pavilion, 11501 Geist Pavilion Drive, Suite 111, Fishers. The tenant was represented by Greg Smith of Colliers International. The landlord, 116th & Olio LLC, was represented by Andrew Hasbrook of Kite Realty Group.
-Blue Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. leased 1,500 square feet of industrial space at 4924 E. 23rd St. The landlord, Marion Property Trust c/o Presidential Bank, was represented by David Ciechanowicz of Colliers International. The tenant represented itself.
-Barnes & Thornburg LLP leased 1,357 square feet of office space at 10401 N. Meridian St. The landlord, Cassidy Turley acting as court-appointed receiver, was represented by Darrin Boyd and Dave Moore of Cassidy Turley. The tenant represented itself.
-Indian Restaurant leased 1,200 square feet at Main Street Crossing, 130 N. Perry Road, Plainfield. The landlord, Tabani Main Street LLC, was represented by Keith Fried of Sitehawk Retail Real Estate. The tenant represented itself.
