Michael Budimir's interest in his future career began when he needed an ultrasound as a high school student.
Today, Budimir, a Chicago native who resides in Dyer, brings 24 years of experience in the radiology field to Franciscan Alliance's four Northern Indiana Region hospitals, where, since mid-September, he has served as director of imaging (diagnostic) services.
He also is glad to be headquartered at Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.
"I once had a very pleasant and positive experience with the emergency room there, which made a statement about the hospital's quality of services," he said.
Soon, in addition to other duties, he will preside over the hospital's newly revamped $6 million Radiology Oncology Department, which is expected to be completed in December, and will be home of a Trilogy Linear Accelerator. The device, which utilizes microwave technology, will make cancer treatment more efficient and more effective, with fewer side effects for patients.
"This new equipment makes a statement to the area that we offer complete care for all patients – oncology cases in addition to providing diagnostic imaging."
An open magnetic resonance imaging unit also is on the horizon for Franciscan Point, St. Anthony-Crown Point's outpatient treatment center, which, he said, "will be very beneficial for patients who may be claustrophobic," while providing state-of-art imaging to help diagnose problems.
In addition, a new Cancer Treatment Center of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City is scheduled to open in April 2012.
The 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will combine the most advanced technologies available to fight more forms of cancer with the latest treatments available and access to clinical trials.
Services will include a state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator and PET/CT Scan, along with 14 infusion bays, lab and pharmacy.
There likewise will be a patient and family education center and a community room. Treatment of all types of cancer will be consolidated into the facility, making the process more accessible and comfortable for patients and their families.
Budimir said one of his goals to is coordinate the services and equipment use for all of the region's hospitals, which also include Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster, "so that no matter where a patient goes, there will be a positive experience."
"We want to streamline services and provide the highest-quality imaging available so our patients will be happy. Patients are number-one to us; they're why we're here," he added.
