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Top 10 health articles on LaPorteCounty.Life in 2023

Top 10 health articles on LaPorteCounty.Life in 2023
By: Aubrey Thomson, Autum Meyers, Curtis Hankins, Ethan Levy, Garrett Spoor, Lauren Grasham Last Updated: December 20, 2023

If previous years taught us anything, it’s to prioritize our wellbeing and take care of ourselves through difficult times. Each year brings new stressors and challenges, but being able to take a look at your health and make changes that promote wellness can make all the difference. 

In 2023, we shared news about all sorts of health topics: cancer care, healthcare symposiums, women in healthcare, children's health, AEDs, resources, and more. We’re glad to partner with such great organizations, businesses, and healthcare groups to help share the good and keep our Region a healthy one.

In no particular order, here are the top 10 health articles on LaPorteCounty.Life to recap the good news in 2023!

Community Healthcare System leads Northwest Indiana in cancer care

Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, a patient may anticipate the necessity of visiting or even relocating to a large city like Chicago or Minneapolis for treatment. However, Community Healthcare System offers the same type of care in Northwest Indiana. 

HFL Offers Capacity Building Opportunity to Local Nonprofit Leaders with Inaugural Symposium

Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) has a clear vision: to make La Porte County one of Indiana’s top 10 healthiest communities by 2030. HFL is working toward this vision by supporting nonprofit organizations in the county with capacity building opportunities. On Friday, January 27 HFL held its first Nonprofit Excellence Symposium--an event that brought more than 40 La Porte County nonprofit leaders together to network and learn.

Franciscan Health Michigan City, Bolt for the Heart, Play for Jake Foundation present 40 defibrillators for local law enforcement squad cars

Sudden cardiac arrest takes around 335,000 lives each year of all ages and fitness levels according to the American Heart Association, and many of these deaths occur because CPR and defibrillation were unfortunately administered too late.

With a serious condition that can happen so suddenly for anyone at any time, having the tools and knowing how to act should the circumstance arise to treat someone are crucial.

Law enforcement knows just how important having those tools can be, as they’re almost always the first ones on the scene when someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest. To help lower the overall number of deaths from sudden cardiac arrests across the county, the Michigan City and La Porte Police Departments came together with Franciscan Health Michigan City, Bolt for the Heart, and the Play for Jake Foundation on April 19 to place 40 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in squad cars. The La Porte County Sheriff's Department received 20 AEDs, the Michigan City Police Department received 13, and the La Porte Police Department received six. 

NorthShore Health Centers celebrates Women in Healthcare

NorthShore Health Centers is celebrating women in healthcare. From top to bottom, department to department, from IT staff and administrators to doctors and nurses—NorthShore relies on a large, diverse team of talented women to continue offering quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

Northwest Health – La Porte helps babies thrive with new breast milk donation and dispensation site

Breast milk is extremely important in the development and growth of infants, but unfortunately, not every baby has access to the nutrition that they need. Now, thanks to Northwest Health - La Porte and its partnership with The Milk Bank, the babies of La Porte can grow healthier and stronger. On Tuesday, May 30 Northwest Health - La Porte announced that it is now a donation site and dispensation site for pasteurized, donor human milk.

Franciscan Health hosts 10-week Walk with a Doc series in Michigan City

Franciscan Health hosted its second Walk with a Doc in Michigan City on Wednesday. It is the second walk of their 10-week Walk with a Doc program. The 5-kilometer walk started at the city hall and continued through Washington Park. 

Associated Pediatricians’ passionate nurse practitioners put the fun in check-ups

Everyone knows that a business is only as strong as its team, and there’s no stronger team than Associated Pediatricians’ team of nurse practitioners. Between decades of experience, dedication, and empathy, these ladies are more than just qualified medical professionals – they’re life changers.

The Associated Pediatricians team of nurse practitioners is made up of four kindhearted women, all with unique educational and professional backgrounds.

Northwest Health Commemorates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with “Blow Away Breast Cancer” event

Northwest Health - La Porte hosted a “Blow Away Breast Cancer” rally to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honor those who have been affected by breast cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The celebration was flooded with people wearing pink to help raise awareness for the occasion. Keith Nichols, CEO of Northwest Health - La Porte, kicked off the event sharing his excitement on bringing the hospital and community together for the event.

Running to save lives in Franciscan Bolt for the Heart Race

The goal was to get enough funds to purchase 26 automatic external defibrillators (AED) for local law enforcement. With the help of Play for Jake, Franciscan Health and so many others, that goal was accomplished Saturday morning in La Porte at the Bolt for the Heart Race. There were two distances participants could choose to run or walk, 3.3 meters or 6.6 meters. The course was a big loop around Stone Lake and surrounding areas. 269 people participated in the race.

Franciscan Health Michigan City, Play For Jake Foundation, Bolt for the Heart present automatic external defibrillators

Representatives from Franciscan Health Michigan City, Play For Jake Foundation, and Bolt for the Heart came together to present 26 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) across Northwest Indiana.

Bolt for the Heart is an annual family run that raises funds to provide lifesaving support for people who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

These AEDs were presented to multiple police departments. This includes departments in areas such as Long Beach, Trail Creek, Purdue University Northwest, Kingsford Heights, Westville, Kingsbury, Pottawattomie Park, and the City of La Porte.