Franciscan paves the way for a new cancer center
Franciscan Health Crown Point broke ground for the Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center on September 23 with a blessing from The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, according to a news 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 US 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 be highlighted by the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, according to a news 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 attract more than 500 professional women from various industries who will come together for networking opportunities and gain valuable insights into professional advancement. , leadership and empowerment, the release said.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from professionals as speakers, followed by breakout sessions. Tickets for the conference are $195 and include continental breakfast, lunch, vendor access and all sessions. Register at www.professional women’s conference.com.
Franciscan Health is hosting a free webinar on heart murmurs
Franciscan Health is hosting a free, live webinar aimed at increasing understanding of heart murmurs and what patients should do if they have one.
According to a press release, the one-hour webinar “Don’t Ignore That Heart Murmur” is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon J. Michael Tuchek will help attendees better understand valvular heart disease and what to know if they have been diagnosed with a heart murmur.
Registration, which is required, is available on Franciscan Health’s website.
Deadline for registration for Community Heart & Soul is October 25
Legacy Foundation has launched the Community Heart & Soul program to help Lake County cities build community through a resident-driven process and take action on what matters most to residents, according to a news 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 period of two to five years, the release said.
The grant is open to Lake County communities with a population of 40,000 or less. The application deadline is Oct. 25 and the award winner will be announced on Nov. 14, the release said.
Applications must be submitted through the Legacy Foundation’s online grant portal at Legacyfdn.org and can be submitted by the community’s council or a partner nonprofit, 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 news release.
Hilltop Neighborhood House and Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation will each receive $25,000 to support high-impact programs. Parent Teachers from Porter County, the MAAC Foundation and The Caring Place will each receive $2,500 for general support, according to a news release.
The funding awarded to Hilltop Neighborhood House will support the Hilltop Mission Kitchen, while Jacob’s Ladder will receive grant funding 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.
For more information, visit 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 news release.
Indiana Grown and the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice recently announced the winner, the second year for the contest, which asks customers across the state to vote for their favorite farmers market in their hometown, the release said.
Coffee Creek Farmers Market is a weekday farmers market from 3pm to 7pm on Wednesdays at 2300 Village Point, Chesterton. The promotion runs until October 30. For more information, visit coffeecreekfarmersmarket.org.
Senior living center accepts awards at state conference
Residences Senior Living, which offers licensed community assisted living and memory care services through Residences at Deer Creek, Schererville and Residences at Coffee Creek, Chesterton, won three awards at the Indiana Assisted Living Association (INALA) annual fall conference in September, 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, according to a news release.
Others receiving awards included: Sue Aimone, Outstanding Nurse Leader; and Lindsey Sherron, Caregiver of the Year, the release said.
PNW reports growth in graduate programs
Purdue University Northwest welcomed 1,700 new students for fall 2024 and the largest number of graduate students
since before the pandemic, according to a news release.
Total enrollment grew to 9,051, an increase of 4.3% from 2023 to 2024. This figure includes students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and online programs, plus high school students taking dual credit courses through PNW, the release said. Core student enrollment, which measures the number of students taking classes at PNW campuses, remained stable at 6,049 students.
PNW recently welcomed 585 international students, a 20% increase from the previous 2023-2024 period. The total number of graduate students increased by 9% compared to a year earlier. Additionally, Indiana high school partnership enrollments are up 21% from last year, the release said.
