Community Health Network News from eCommunity.tv

Community Hospital South leaders discuss the evolution of the hospital from its beginnings as University Heights through the expansion project completed in 2010.

Community Hospital South is committed to efforts which improve and maintain an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus. These efforts include processes to reduce our negative impact on the environment, improve energy performance, and provide a healthy healing environment for our patients, staff, and visitors.

Community Hospital South leaders discuss the evolution of the hospital from its beginnings as University Heights through the expansion project completed in 2010.

Community Hospital South is committed to efforts which improve and maintain an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus. These efforts include processes to reduce our negative impact on the environment, improve energy performance, and provide a healthy healing environment for our patients, staff, and visitors.

Rev. Michael Mercer, hospice chaplain, Community Home Health Services, understands the challenges and rewards of reaching those in need. One specific patient was not particularly interested in receiving chaplain services, but once he discovered Rev. Mercer was a Chicago Cubs fan, he agreed to allow the visits. Excited to have someone to talk with about baseball, the patient and chaplain formed a special bond, and Mercer went above and beyond to create an exceptional experience for this person in his final days of life. “As part of my care for him,” explains Mercer, “I was able to arrange a personal phone call from a player on the Chicago Cubs team to encourage him.”

The opening of six next-generation operating rooms marks the completion of the first phase of construction of The Next Evolution of Community Hospital South. Designed with significant input from physicians and nurses, the new operating rooms promote efficient, safe and high-quality surgical care.

Community Help was established for employees of Community Health Network, to assist them with challenges they may be facing in their personal lives. Access to the program is available 24/7 by calling the Community Help line, 317-355-HELP. The line is staffed by members of Community’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), who can connect employees in need with the appropriate resources for their situation, which may include an interest-free loan through the Community Health Network Foundation. All calls to the Community Help line are kept confidential.

Community Health Network hosted its third annual Best in Class Showcase, featuring about 50 booths that highlighted network successes in several areas. The event showcases exceptional work and exceptional people, with recognition in five key areas: innovation, performance improvement, strategic implementation, research and development, and leadership.

The Jane Pauley Community Health Center will offer primary health care services, including preventive and annual exams, well-child care, acute care and certain procedures. The center also will focus on the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiac disease and depression.

When Jasmine Hamilton, R.N., learned her patient was about to receive a special visitor, she knew she had to do something to commemorate the experience. The patient’s son had just returned to Texas after a tour of duty in Iraq and was planning to drive immediately to Indiana to see his mom at Community Hospital South. The hospital staff worked together to surprise the mom and son with a special meal for their reunion.

Patients talk about their joint replacement experience at Community Hospital South. The Center for Joint Health, a dedicated unit for hip and knee joint replacement patients, focuses on the entire patient experience. The goal is to help patients get back to doing the things they enjoyed before being sidelined by joint pain. The distinctive center allows patients to work together and support each other as they build strength, mobility, and a better quality of life.

Patients talk about their joint replacement experience at Community Hospital East. The Center for Joint Health, a dedicated unit for hip and knee joint replacement patients, focuses on the entire patient experience. The goal is to help patients get back to doing the things they enjoyed before being sidelined by joint pain. The distinctive center allows patients to work together and support each other as they build strength, mobility, and a better quality of life.

Patients talk about their joint replacement experience at Community Hospital North. The Center for Joint Health, a dedicated unit for hip and knee joint replacement patients, focuses on the entire patient experience. The goal is to help patients get back to doing the things they enjoyed before being sidelined by joint pain. The distinctive center allows patients to work together and support each other as they build strength, mobility, and a better quality of life.

Community Health Network offered local high school students an opportunity to become certified personal trainers while learning firsthand about the health care industry. The first class of seven students recently completed the program and received their certifications. Plans are currently under way this fall with two local school systems and another will follow in the spring.

The Near Eastside Orbiter, or NEO, is a new shuttle service providing convenient and affordable transportation for eastside residents to home, work, shopping and schools, while also offering a direct service to patients along the route who need to get to the hospital or to regular appointments. The cost is only $1 per ride. Many organizations, including the Boner Community Center, IndyGo and Community Health Network, collaborated together to bring about this new service.

Wellspring Pharmacy, the community benefit department and Community Heights, the neighborhood group around Community Hospital East, recently partnered with the Indiana Medical History Museum and IPS School 88 to build a “medicinal garden” on the school’s grounds. The crops will be harvested and sold at local markets, with the proceeds funneled back into the upkeep of the garden itself.

Community Health Network’s Open Arms program offers many different services to help families grieve the loss of a pregnancy or newborn. Tressia Puller, R.N., works in maternity services at Community Hospital North and tells about an experience she had with a family during their time of need.

When Michelle Holmes of Bloomington, Indiana, found out she was having twins, she sought the care of maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Community Health Network. Holmes was admitted to Community Hospital North at 26 weeks gestation so her babies, who were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, could be monitored on a regular basis. After seven weeks as an inpatient, Holmes delivered two beautiful baby girls. She is grateful to the staff at Community for treating her not just as a patient, but as a person.

Tim Hoffer suffered a brain injury in 2006 after falling from a golf cart and fracturing his skull. He was transferred from his Fort Wayne home to Hook Rehab in Indianapolis to undergo both inpatient and outpatient therapies. During this process, Tim also lived in the semi-independent living home since his family resided in Fort Wayne and his therapy was taking place in Indianapolis.

When nurses at Community Hospital North learned that one of their patients was going to miss her senior prom, they started planning a special celebration in her honor. With help from the hospital’s guest relations team, food services, and the Community Health Network Foundation, they created a magical evening for the patient, her friends and family.

Community Health Network helped support the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition home that was recently renovated on the Indianapolis east side with donations of trees, volunteers and other items. Community donated a truckload of 160 trees, maintenance on the trees for one year, volunteers, and 250 shoe covers (surgical booties) for the television crew filming the show. The ABC-TV episode showing the Indianapolis home, located in the 2300 block of Oxford Street, airs May 17th during the shows 2009 season finale.

Andy Costner says his father, Mark, and his mother, Jenifer, are the inspiration for his Eagle Scout project, a healing garden at Community Regional Cancer Center-North. While Andy’s father was treated for lymphoma at Community last year, Jenifer would spend a lot of time in the waiting room during her husband’s eight hour chemotherapy treatments. Andy saw how his father’s illness affected his mother and realized he could brighten the days of other families who wait while their loved ones receive treatment, by creating a cheerful outdoor space.

Meet Community Health Network's new President & CEO Elect, Bryan Mills

Margaret Moore, R.N. talks about being nominated for the 2009 Indianapolis Star Salute to Nurses awards. Margaret was the recipient of the "Lifetime of Compassion" Award.

Marchusa Huff, R.N., Ph.D. - Honorable Mention - 2009 Indianapolis Star Salute to Nurses, talks about nursing at Community Health Network.

Rehab Services Managers Nancy Lewark and Josh Blanchard talk about Community's Rehab & Sports Medicine Centers and their commitment to provide exceptional patient experiences. To view the video, click on the image to the right.

Indiana Fever Player Tully Bevilaqua at Community Hospital South's topping out ceremony. Just nine months after breaking ground on The Next Evolution of Community Hospital South, the network is ready to celebrate an important milestone: the placement of the final steel beam on the new patient tower.

Just nine months after breaking ground on The Next Evolution of Community Hospital South, the network is ready to celebrate an important milestone: the placement of the final steel beam on the new patient tower.

Just nine months after breaking ground on The Next Evolution of Community Hospital South, the network is ready to celebrate an important milestone: the placement of the final steel beam on the new patient tower.

Community Health Network leaders commend the organization on a successful 2008.

Meet Community's nominees and winner of 2008 Patient Safety Hero Awards.

A video profile on Jennifer Lathrop, RN at Community Health Network, and winner of the 2004 "Salute To Nurses" award from the Indianapolis Star.

Paul Tarrant talks about how Community Hospital North's Environmental Services team keeps hospital rooms clean in a state of the art facility.

Every year the "Best In Class" showcases innovation at Community Health Network.