Franciscan Healthcare - Munster Web Site

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Getting to Know: Dr. Paul A. Jones



Dr. Paul A. Jones is board certified in interventional cardiovascular medicine and is the leading interventional cardiologist at Franciscan Physicians Hospital. He is also one of the leading interventional cardiologists in the country.

On September 9, 2005, Dr. Jones performed the first completely percutaneous (minimally invasive) Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) stent graft procedure. As founder of the Jones Endovascular Institute, he is also renowned as one of the few doctors in the country to perfect the non-surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Furthermore, Dr. Jones is a nationally recognized expert in carotid artery stenting.

His expertise in the areas of cardiology, interventional cardiology and internal medicine have brought him numerous opportunities to help patients and teach professionals all over the world.

Let's look past Dr. Jones' exceptional talent to gain a better understanding of his personal life: who he is, what he likes and how this has influenced where he is today.

Born in East St. Louis, IL, Dr. Jones attended Assumption High School and Saint Louis University where he received his undergraduate degree in biology. In high school, Dr. Jones took interest in football and wrestling, and graduated as valedictorian of his class. When asked about how he chose his current profession, he responded: "Divine intervention. I didn't choose it, it chose me." His smile conveyed the honesty of his answer.

Dr. Jones is married and has two children, Paul Jr. and Alexandria. His wife, Dewnzar, is a child psychiatrist. He and his family live in the south suburbs of Chicago. His goals for the next 10 years include developing a Cardiovascular Regional Center of Excellence at Franciscan Physicians Hospital.

Dr. Jones favorites include some of the following:
Food: seafood
Restaurant: Il Mulino
Movie: Old Charlie Chan films
Actor: Jimmy Stewart
Song: Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross

Dr. Jones is an exceptional physician and his accomplishments and interests demonstrate his passion. We are blessed to have him as part of our Franciscan Physicians Hospital team.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Franciscan Alliance Launches Accountable Care Organization

Health system takes vital step in responding to national health care reform

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Franciscan Alliance has formed an accountable care organization (ACO), a model designed to improve patient care, reduce medical costs and enhance the delivery of health care.

For months, the state's largest Catholic-based health-care system diligently has been working to establish an ACO, a vital component of health care reform as it progresses nationally.

"It has been our vision to provide better and more affordable care to our patients and elevate efficiency among our hospitals, physicians and insurers," said Kevin Leahy, Franciscan Alliance president and chief executive officer. "The ACO we are creating benefits patients by giving them more of a role in directing their own care, offering them more incentives for disease prevention and pursuing healthier lifestyles, and significantly reducing duplicative medical tests."

Franciscan Alliance – with 13 hospitals in Indiana and Illinois – provides care for more than 2.9 million outpatient visits and more than 100,000 inpatient discharges every year with the most effective medical treatments, state-of-the-art medical equipment and an abundance of compassionate care.

The system employs 18,200 co-workers including 556 physicians – both primary care and specialists – and expects to grow its physician team to more than 630 physicians next year, serving the system's service-area population of 3.7 million people.

From an industry perspective, the ACO model encourages organizations such as hospitals, physician practices and insurance providers to collaborate closely, thus bringing down the overall costs of medical care.

Franciscan Alliance (formerly the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.) took the first step in creating an ACO in late 2010. Franciscan St. Francis Health Network in Indianapolis forged an agreement with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, providing patients enrolled in Hoosier Healthwise and the Healthy Indiana Plan with access to a more integrated health system.

The program, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2011, expands access to an estimated 28,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in south-central Indiana.

To learn more about the Franciscan Alliance, go to: http://www.franciscanalliance.org/.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Steps Off Again on Feb. 23

In light of February being designated American Heart Month, "Resistance Band Training for Cardio Health" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals and Westfield Southlake Mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 23.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Carlos Celis, Franciscan Alliance regional wellness specialist. Celis will offer an interactive demonstration that will show participants how to build strength, tone muscles and maximize cardio workouts by using resistance bands.

Blood pressure screenings will be provided by The Heart Institute at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point. Healthy heart information will be available from Jody Adams, a cardiovascular nurse practitioner at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC, in Munster.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (1-800) 931-3322.

The Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals include Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point; Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City; Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond & Dyer; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Spring is coming! Prepare your home with these tips from FPH!

This week's warmer weather has brought on a host joyous feelings for residents in the NWI region. With weather reports peaking near 60 degrees, it's time to start thinking about the health of your family in coming spring months.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital is preparing for warmer weather by checking facility structures, along with planning the new year's landscaping. The hospital offers the following ideas to prepare your home for the spring!

Check and replace filters of all kinds. These include your furnace filter, kitchen exhaust hood and air filter and car air filter. Car air filters pick up an abundance of dirt and grime throughout the winter months and changing them can help refresh the scent inside the car.

Check all of your light bulbs, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide alarms. It is important to check these items regularly throughout the year and spring preparation is a great reason to do so right now.

Review emergency plans with your family. Make sure you have a working fire, tornado and storm plan that your family practices. Knowing what to do and where to go in case of an emergency is essential for each person's safety.

Check shutoff valves on plumbing fixtures to make sure they work. If an emergency arises and they need to be shut off, corroded fixtures can easily break, bend or snap, causing greater problems.

Clean around your clothes dryer. This includes the duct, damper and spaces underneath and behind the dryer. Built up dust can become a fire hazard in small places like these.

Be sure to stay up-to-date on Franciscan Physicians Hospital news and events by checking the website often. To view FPH's videos on health and wellness, click here.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Franciscan Alliance and Hammond Clinic Physicians Form New Partnership

MISHAWAKA | Franciscan Alliance is expanding its health care network of physician services through a new partnership with physicians at the Hammond Clinic, according to Kevin Leahy, president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance.

The 60-plus physicians at the Hammond Clinic joined the Franciscan Alliance network of physicians in Northwest Indiana after signing an agreement Wednesday. The two groups have entered into a due diligence for the next few weeks, Leahy said.

"Franciscan Alliance and Franciscan St. Margaret Health have worked closely with the Hammond Clinic for decades; most recently partnering with them at Franciscan Physicians Hospital," said Leahy. "The physicians and staff at the Hammond Clinic share Franciscan Alliance's passion for high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care. Together we will strive to continuously improve patient care, lower costs and combine the latest technology available."

The Hammond Clinic has served the community for nearly 60 years and continues to provide professional health care services with a highly skilled physician and nursing staff. It has locations in Munster and in St. John.

Cynthia Sanders, M.D., medical director/managing member of the Hammond Clinic, said, "The physician-owners of the Hammond Clinic are delighted to announce this partnership with Franciscan Alliance. This partnership takes advantage of the vast health care delivery expertise found in both organizations and builds on a working relationship between the two organizations that spans decades. We are bringing together two organizations whose goals are the delivery of high-quality, comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective health care to the residents of Northwest Indiana."

There are approximately 250 employed physicians among the four Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Northwest Indiana. Overall, when combining both employed and official members of the medical staffs at the Franciscan Alliance hospitals and the Hammond Clinic, the number exceeds 1,250 physicians serving northern Indiana.

Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF, chairperson of Franciscan Alliance stated, "The mission of Franciscan Alliance is to continue Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition. As we do our best to carry on what Christ showed us through his many examples of healing, we are now joined in a closer relationship with the Hammond Clinic; an organization with hundreds of employees who, like Christ and our Sisters and co-workers at Franciscan Alliance, have chosen to dedicate their lives to improving the lives of others. It is a pleasure to share this journey with all members of the Hammond Clinic family."

Gene Diamond, regional CEO of the Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana added, "Franciscan Physicians Hospital, along with Saint Margaret Health, will benefit from the synergies generated by our enhanced relationship with the Hammond Clinic. We already have a strong partnership at FPH. This is a logical next step, given the integration necessary to improve quality, control rising costs and meet the challenges of health care reform."

About Franciscan Alliance
Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 13 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan Alliance includes: Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Crown Point, Ind.; Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette Central, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Beech Grove, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Indianapolis, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville, Ind.; Franciscan St. James Health – Chicago Heights, Ill.; Franciscan St. James Health – Olympia Fields, Ill.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health – Hammond, Ind.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health – Dyer, Ind.; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC – Munster, Ind.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Cath Lab Learning Capture

The medical world, like much of the professional world in general, is crowded with unusual terms, words and concepts that are foreign to many individuals. One of these terms is the catheterization lab, known in short as the "cath lab."

Cath labs are located in a host of health care facilities. The most notable facilities that house cath labs are hospitals and clinics. The cath lab is an examination room that houses diagnostic imaging equipment which supports a catheterization procedure.

The diagnostic imaging equipment in the cath lab allows doctors to analyze heart disease. It also allows them to take pictures of arteries in the legs, kidneys, heart and other areas.

If doctors find blockage in any of these arterial areas, the cath lab allows several procedure options. These include inserting a balloon to open the artery or placing a stent in the artery to permanently provide support. Each of these procedures is done by professionals with the cath lab's state-of-the-art equipment.

The cath lab provides doctors with a definitive look inside a patient to determine any issues that are occurring or that may arise in the future.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Beat the Blizzard: How to Prepare for the Snow

Tuesday, February 1st is expected to be the host of a massive snowstorm that is affecting the entire Midwest region of the U.S. With snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches in the NWI region, it's imperative that you plan ahead. Please consider these tips to stay ahead of the snow and protect yourself from the elements.

1. Keep extra blankets, coats, hats, mittens and water-resistant boots in a central area where they will be easy to access in case of power outages.

2. Have flashlights available for added light in case of power outages.

3. Check on family members, relatives and animals prior to the storm in case assistance is needed.

4. Develop a family preparedness plan that includes the location of food, emergency maps and who to contact for emergency help.

5. Purchase backup food that is easy to consume. Consider items like powdered milk, protein bars, soup and bottled water.

6. Avoid traveling at all cost. If traveling is absolutely necessary, be sure you have an extra coat, hat, gloves, blankets and boots in case you're stranded and have to stay in your vehicle.

7. Be sure that you have enough of your over-the-counter and prescription medications to last several days.

8. Stock up on snow shovels and snow removal equipment beforehand.

9. Be sure that your cell phone is fully charged before the storm hits in case you lose power.

10. If a power outage occurs, check refrigerated food with a thermometer before cooking as temperatures in the fridge may have risen.

Fore more information on blizzard safety tips click here.