Franciscan breaks ground for new cancer center
Franciscan Health Crown Point broke ground Sept. 23 for The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center with a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, according to a release.
The project was made possible in part by a $30 million donation from The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation in November 2023, the largest gift ever received by the Franciscan Health Foundation.
The 71,000-square-foot, three-story cancer center is being built at the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and U.S. 231 on the campus of the new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital, which opened in January. The center will consolidate existing Franciscan Health Crown Point cancer care services into one location, the release said.
The center is scheduled to open in early 2027.
Women’s conference highlights career development
An emphasis on career development will highlight the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, according to a release.
The event, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWCIOWA) and sponsored by ArcelorMittal and ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development, is expected to draw more than 500 professional women from various industries who will gather for networking opportunities and gain valuable insights about professional advancement, leadership and empowerment, the release said.
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from professionals serving as speakers followed by breakout sessions. Tickets for the conference are $195 and include continental breakfast, lunch, access to vendors and all sessions. Register at www.professional women’s conference.com.
Franciscan Health hosting free heart murmur webinar
Franciscan Health is hosting a free, live webinar aimed at increasing understanding of heart murmurs and what patients should do if they have one.
The “Don’t Ignore That Heart Murmur” one-hour webinar is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 8, according to a release. Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon J. Michael Tuchek will help attendees better understand heart valve disease and what they need to know if they’ve been diagnosed with a heart murmur.
Registration, which is required, is available on the Franciscan Health website.
Community Heart & Soul application deadline Oct. 25
Legacy Foundation has launched the Community Heart & Soul program to help Lake County towns build community through a resident-driven process and take action on what matters most to its residents, according to a release.
Through an application process, Legacy Foundation will select one community to assist with Community Heart & Soul planning. The selected community will receive training, technical assistance and supporting funds to implement the Community Heart & Soul process over a two-to-five year period, the release said.
The grant is open to Lake County communities with a population of 40,000 or less. Application deadline is Oct. 25 with the award winner announced Nov. 14, the release said.
Applications must be submitted via Legacy Foundation’s online grant portal at Legacyfdn.org and can be submitted by either the community’s municipality or partner nonprofit organization, the release said.
Women’s Fund of Porter County announces grants
The Women’s Fund of Porter County is awarding $57,500 in grants to local organizations that meet the needs of women and children, according to a release.
Hilltop Neighborhood House and Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation will receive $25,000 each to support high-impact programs. Parents as Teachers of Porter County, the MAAC Foundation, and The Caring Place will each receive $2,500 for general support, a release said.
Funding awarded to Hilltop Neighborhood House will support the Hilltop Mission Kitchen, while Jacob’s Ladder is receiving grant support for their Minds in Motion
program. It will provide movement training to Jacob’s Ladder therapists, Duneland YMCA teachers, and Duneland School Corp. Early Childhood Educators, the release said.
Learn more at pccf.gives/womensfund.
Chesterton farmers market wins Challenge
Coffee Creek Farmers Market in Chesterton was recently named the winner of Indiana’s Ultimate Farmers Market Challenge, according to a release.
Indiana Grown and the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice announced the winner recently, the second year for the contest, which asks customers across the state to vote for their favorite hometown farmers market, the release said.
Coffee Creek Farmers Market is a weekday farmers market from 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays at 2300 Village Point, Chesterton. It runs through Oct. 30. Learn more at coffeecreekfarmersmarket.org.
Senior living center picks up awards at state conference
Residences Senior Living, which offers licensed assisted living and memory care community services through Residences at Deer Creek, Schererville, and Residences at Coffee Creek, Chesterton, won three awards in September at the Indiana Assisted Living Association (INALA) annual fall conference, a release said.
“Innovation of the Year” honored Residences at Coffee Creek for outstanding vision, innovation and creativity through the development and implementation of an idea, design, or project that has benefited residents, staff and community, a release said.
Others receiving awards included: Sue Aimone, Outstanding Nurse Leader; and Lindsey Sherron, Caregiver of the Year, the release said.
PNW reports growth in grad programs
Purdue University Northwest welcomed 1,700 new undergraduate students for the fall 2024 semester and the largest number of graduate students
since before the pandemic, according to a release.
Total enrollment grew to 9,051, up 4.3% from 2023-24. This figure includes students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and online programs, plus high school students pursuing dual credit courses through PNW, the release said. Core student enrollment, which measures the number of students attending classes on the PNW campuses, remained steady at 6,049 students.
PNW recently welcomed 585 international students, up 20% from the previous 2023-24. Overall graduate student enrollment increased by 9% compared to a year earlier. In addition, Indiana high school dual credit partnership enrollments are up 21% from last year, the release said.
