Business updates

In the annual Forbes America’s Best State Employers list, Ivy Tech Community College has once again been named as one of the top employers in Indiana. The rankings, compiled by Forbes and market research company Statista, are based on positive employee ratings in various criteria. Ivy Tech is one of only six higher education institutions and seven community colleges nationwide to make the list. With over 6,300 employees, half of whom are full-time, Ivy Tech continues to be recognized for its employee satisfaction and quality of work environment.

Family medicine nurse practitioner Katheryn White has joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is now accepting new patients in Lowell. White holds a master of science degree and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Indiana University Northwest, as well as an associate of science degree in nursing from Purdue University Northwest. Those interested in becoming a patient of White can contact the Franciscan Physician Network Lowell Health Center for more information.

The City of Valparaiso has announced that two more arborists, Justin Mayer and Anthony Santos, have become certified Incidental Line Clearance Arborists. Utilizing the ACRT Inc. curriculum, the largest arboriculture training organization in North America, Mayer and Santos have completed extensive training and passed both written and field tests to earn their certifications. Together with the rest of the city’s arborist team, they are responsible for maintaining Valparaiso’s urban forest, which includes over 11,000 trees in parks, facilities, and rights of way. To report a public tree in poor condition or learn more about the tree inventory, residents can visit the City of Valparaiso’s webpage.

Pamela J. Ott, CFO of Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Munster, has been elected vice chair of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s (HFMA) Board of Examiners for 2023-2024. Ott will assume the role of full committee chair on June 1, leading the HFMA Board of Examiners Committee in collaboration with staff and subject matter experts to ensure the organization’s career strategies and credentialing programs meet the needs of its members and the healthcare profession. Ott is also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Francis and serves on the Legacy Foundation board of directors.

Indiana University Northwest has received a grant of over $409,000 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health. The grant will support a multi-year research project led by Ming Gao, an associate professor of biology at IU Northwest. Gao and undergraduate students will research the role of me31B protein in germ cell development, using molecular biology, genetics, and biochemical techniques. The grant was funded by the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Michael Schwuchow, a nurse practitioner specializing in urology, has joined Northwest Medical Group. He will be working with Dr. Genri Pinkhasov at Northwest Medical Group – Urology in Valparaiso. Schwuchow received his doctor of nursing practice from Valparaiso University and his bachelor of science in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. To schedule an appointment, patients can contact Northwest Medical Group at the provided phone number.

Dr. Robert Korsch, a urological surgeon at Franciscan Health Michigan City, has been recognized as a Center of Excellence physician by Boston Scientific. This designation acknowledges Korsch’s expertise in utilizing the GreenLight Laser Therapy procedure to treat patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. GreenLight Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that restores natural urine flow by removing overgrown prostate tissue. Korsch and his team collected patient outcome data to contribute to earning the Center of Excellence distinction.

The Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable Safety Committee has announced a new co-chair. Aaron Janovitz, a Health and Safety Superintendent at bp, will be joining Rick Foor, Health and Safety Manager at the Cargill facility in Hammond, in leading the committee. The committee is dedicated to improving safety across various companies and job sites in the Northwest Indiana region, and the addition of Janovitz from bp will further enhance their efforts.

Overall, these updates highlight the achievements and contributions of various individuals, organizations, and institutions in Indiana, showcasing their commitment to employee satisfaction, healthcare excellence, research advancements, and safety measures.