Franciscan NICU families experience first Christmas
Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit at Franciscan Health Crown Point and their families had a special visitor recently when Dr. Brett Galley, an Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago neonatologist practicing at Franciscan, donned a Santa suit for visits with his tiny patients and their families.
The visits allowed families to take pictures of their babies with Santa to mark their first Christmases, something they would otherwise miss due to their hospitalizations, a release said.
Franciscan Health Crown Point and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago launched a partnership in the fall of 2022. Since then, Lurie Children’s neonatologists have staffed the 20-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Franciscan Health Crown Point, the release said. More information about the NICU and the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point are available online or by phone at 219-757-6330.
Franciscan honored for smoking cessation program
Franciscan Health recently was recognized for achieving Quit Now Indiana Champion Platinum Level status for smoking cessation, according to a release.
The recognition encompasses all of the Franciscan hospitals in Indiana including Crown Point, Dyer and Munster.
A Quit Now Indiana Champion is a health system, medical provider, or employer that values and promotes Quit Now Indiana Tobacco Treatment Services. Franciscan is one of only four health systems in Indiana to achieve Quit Now Indiana Champion Platinum Level status, the release said.
Foundation awards grants to nonprofits
The Men’s Fund, held at the Porter County Community Foundation, is awarding $7,000 in grants to three Porter County nonprofits, according to a release.
Project Neighbors is the recipient of a $5,000 grant, while Hilltop Neighborhood House and Porter County Aging and Community Services will each receive $1,000, the release said.
Established in 2018, with the goal of providing an opportunity for collective giving, the Men’s Fund has granted $37,000 to local organizations, the release said. Past grant recipients include Opportunity Enterprises, Family House, Dressed for School, Dunes Learning Center, VNA Hospice NWI and the Morgan Township Volunteer Fire Department.
To learn more or make a gift to the Men’s Fund, visit pccf.gives/mensfund.
Harris re-elected to Latino leadership group
State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, was recently re-elected as Vice Chair of the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders (BLLL), according to a release.
BLLL, established in 2004, is a national, nonpartisan organization of Latino state legislators from around the nation. The organization works to develop strategies to address issues facing Latino communities throughout the United States, the release said.
“Being a part of the board gives me an opportunity to help my fellow Latino legislators and Latinos around the country have more of a voice in our state governments and communities,” Harris said. “We’ve come a long way in a short time, but there’s still plenty to be done, and I look forward to doing the work.”
Attorney donates $30,000 to help needy families
Attorney Kenneth J. Allen and Allen Law Group donated $30,000 in gift cards to Northwest Indiana families to help them purchase gifts for their children this holiday season, according to a release. Each family received a $100 Meijer gift card.
Parents and guardians used the gift cards to shop for their children in Lake and Porter counties on Dec. 16, the release said.
Over the years, Allen has donated funds to families in Indiana and Illinois, sponsoring programs such as Reading Buddies, the Kidstop program, and supplying bicycle helmets and winter coats for kids as well as complete turkey dinners for 1,200 local families in need this Thanksgiving, the release said.
Valparaiso Police promotion announced
The Valparaiso Police Department recently announced the promotion of Jason Wray, a three-year veteran, to sergeant, effective Jan. 1, according to a release.
Wray previously had served in law enforcement with Purdue University Northwest for two years and Valparaiso University, the release said.
Wray has spent his career within the Patrol Division, while also working as a Field Training Officer, Instructor, CIT Officer, Evidence Technician, Breath Test Operator and Bike Patrol Unit. Wray is a 1997 Graduate of Calvary Christian High School in Indianapolis, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University North Central in 2015. Wray also served in the Arkansas National Guard for six years.
St. Mary Medical Center opens Valparaiso ER
The St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Department is now open 24/7 for patients seeking emergency care at St. Mary Medical Center Outpatient Center, 3800 St. Mary Drive, Valparaiso, according to a release.
Community members and Powers Health leadership recently participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Outpatient Center. Powers Health Immediate Care at 1451 W. Morthland Drive, Suite D, in Valparaiso is open for patients seeking medical attention for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, the release said.
For more information, visit PowersHealth.org.
United Way names new CEO
United Way Northwest Indiana recently appointed Chris White as its new Chief Executive Officer, according to a release.
White, who previously served as publisher of the Times of Northwest Indiana, brings extensive regional leadership experience and a strong commitment to community engagement, the release said.
For more information about United Way Northwest Indiana, visit www.unitedwaynwi.org.
