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PROFILES
Vol. 9 No. 5 May 2010
For the employees and retirees of Health and Hospital Corporation and the Marion County Health Department
HealtHcare reform topic healThcare reforM wiThiN The firST year
of town Hall forum • Young adults will be able to stay on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthday.
• Seniors will get a $250 rebate to help fill the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug coverage, which
The Minority Health Coalition of Marion County and An- falls between the $2,700 initial limit and when catastrophic coverage kicks in at $6,154.
them hosted a town hall forum, “Healthcare Reform: How • Insurers will be barred from imposing exclusions on children with pre-existing health conditions. Pools will
Does it Affect Me?” on April 6 to offer a better understand- cover those with pre-existing health conditions until healthcare coverage exchanges are operational.
ing of healthcare reform. Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director, • Insurers will not be able to rescind policies to avoid paying medical bills when a person becomes ill.
Marion County Health Department, was the facilitator with • Lifetime limits on benefits and restrictive annual limits will be prohibited.
a panel of community leaders to answer questions. • New plan must provide coverage for preventative services without co-pays. All plans must comply by 2018.
The event was planned in recognition of Covering the • A temporary reinsurance program will help offset the costs of coverage for companies that provide early retiree
Uninsured Week. More than one out of four people in In- health benefits for those ages 55 to 64.
diana under the age of 65 went without health insurance • New plans will be required to implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.
for all or part of 2007-2008. Locally, 16 percent of Marion • Adoption tax credit and assistance exclusion will increase by $1,000. The bill makes the credit refundable and
County’s population remains uninsured. extends it through 2011.
“Living without health insurance is a risk no one • A 10 percent tax will be imposed on amounts paid for indoor tanning services on or after July 1.
should have to take,” said Matthew Gutwein, • Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering 35 percent of their healthcare premi-
President and CEO, Health and Hospital ums, increasing to 50 percent by 2014.
Corporation of Marion County.
froM lefT: VirgiNia a. caiNe, M.d., direcTor, MarioN couNTy healTh deparTMeNT; dr. Mercy obeiMe, direcTor, ST. fraNciS Neighbor-
hood healTh ceNTer; Marcela floreS, wedj/radio laTiNa; deNNiS Neary, iNdiaNa healTh care aSSociaTioN; repreSeNTaTiVe williaM
crawford; daVid oreNTlicher, iupui School of law; julie ulrich, MdwiSe care SelecT; paMela huMeS, direcTor, coVeriNg kidS aNd
faMilieS of MarioN couNTy; robiN Shackleford, aNTheM; aNd STaTe repreSeNTaTiVe greg porTer.
parkiNg TighT bullyiNg iN deNTal ad- Top STudeNT
aS wiShard SchoolS STill MiNiSTraTor ShadowS
coNSTrucTioN Major iSSue TakeS Medical public
coNTiNueS for STudeNTS Trip To haiTi relaTioNS
See page 2 See page 3 See page 4 See page 6
parkiNg challeNgeS
New Volunteer
advocates program
Names director
C ongratulations and welcome to Robin Ban-
dy, who has been named director of the
Wishard Volunteer Advocates Program, which is
part of Wishard’s Legal Department.
Bandy will lead a unique Wishard program that
provides court-appointed advocates for inpatients
who are unable to make decisions about their care
and do not have family immediately available.
After receiving
her Doctorate of
Jurisprudence from
Indiana University
School of Law – In-
dianapolis and her
Master of Arts in bio- wishard construction
ethics from Indiana
University, Bandy
completed a Clini-
cal Ethics Fellowship
Tightens parking
with the Charles employees encouraged to park at bush Stadium
Warren Fairbanks
robiN baNdy
Center for Medical
Ethics. Her interests
are focused in the areas of guardianship and sur-
A s the new Wishard construction project continues, Bell Flower Clinic
employees and clients are finding it more difficult than usual to find
a spot to park. Bell Flower Clinic, 1101 W. Tenth Street, staff and clients had
rogate decision making. She recently presented been parking at the Wilson Street Parking Garage, but, right now, parking on
data regarding how healthcare decisions are made IUPUI’s campus is a challenge.
during the guardianship process at the American Parking availability will continue to fluctuate during construction which is
Society for Bioethics and Humanities conference in set to begin around June 1 and will disrupt about 1,600 parking spaces on
Washington, D.C. She became a nationally-certi- campus.
fied guardian in May 2009. “We have leased the old Bush Stadium at 16th and Harding, which can hold
Bandy is a member of many professional orga- up to 1,000 cars,” said Health and Hospital Corporation’s Brian Carney, vice
nizations including the American Bar Association, president of planning. “Shuttles run frequently to and from the hospital.”
the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Employees, patients, and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the
Bar Association, the National Guardianship Asso- free parking at Bush Stadium. There is still plenty of parking available at the
ciation, the Indiana State Guardianship Associa- stadium.
tion, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys “Monday through Friday, there are three shuttles running continuously
(NAELA), the American Health Lawyers Association from 6 a.m. to midnight (every 7 or 8 minutes),” Wishard Director of Emer-
and the American Society for Bioethics and Hu- gency Services Chuck Ford said. “The lot is well lit and patrolled by Wishard
manities. security.”
Prior to attending law school, she was a scientific Carney said that the first building project includes a parking garage that
communications associate at Eli Lilly and Compa- will take approximately two years to complete. The six-level, cast-in-place,
ny. However, she started her career in healthcare post-tensioned concrete garage will be used for the parking of patient, staff,
as a Wishard employee in the Regenstrief Eye Clin- and visitor vehicles at the new Wishard and will stand immediately adjacent
ic in 1986 and says she is “absolutely thrilled” to be to the new hospital to maximize convenience and accessibility. The total
back. parking space in the garage is equal to about 18 football fields.
Bandy can be reached at 630-6254 or Robin. In the mean time, grab a good book and relax on a short shuttle ride to and
Bandy@Wishard.edu. from your parking spot! For Wishard construction and parking updates, visit
http://thenewwishard.org.
2
Bullying Major issue for School-age children
B ullying is a major concern for students, parents, and
school officials and remains one of the most serious
problems our children and teenagers face today.
what can parents do?
In the school setting, bullying is defined as a pattern in • Establish regular communication with your children and teenagers beyond just “How was your day at
which a student is intentionally and repeatedly targeted with school?” Questions that focus on friendships, other peer relations, and the overall social setting of the
the unwanted aggressive behaviors or other negative actions school may uncover a problem that has not been made known to school officials.
of another student or a group of students. Bullying often goes • Talk with your child’s teacher about his or her observations in and out
unreported. Students and parents may be afraid that if they of the classroom, especially during recess and other non-structured
report it, retaliation may occur and the bullying might worsen. activities.
In some cases, students may not report the incident because • Help your child build assertiveness skills. The more assertive
they think nothing will be done. a child is, the more he or she is likely to make an effort to deal
“Research has indicated there are at least nine different with a bullying situation.
types of bullying. It is important to understand, however, that • Be sure that your child has at least two or three trusted
some forms of deviant student conduct should not be con- adults that he or she can talk to at school if a problem occurs.
sidered bullying. These go beyond the more typical forms Also, ask your child to let you know if a problem develops.
of harassment and actually qualify as criminal con- • In some cases, parents need to advocate for their children
duct. Such incidents may result in criminal charges by holding school staff members accountable when a problem
that range from misdemeanor to felony offenses,” has not been dealt with, or when the problem has not been
said Byron K. Johnson, violence prevention coordinator for the dealt with appropriately or effectively.
Marion County Health Department. For more information on
bullying, contact Byron Johnson at 221-3538.
Speakers address reclaiming the Village groups
lola kiNg (Top lefT), Special projecTS
coordiNaTor, SpeakS abouT The
iMporTaNce of good NuTriTioN To
The reclaiMiNg The Village group aT
iNdiaNapoliS public School #70.
keNTe bell (boTToM lefT), diSeaSe
iNTerVeNTioN SpecialiST, SpeakS
abouT Sexually TraNSMiTTed diSeaSe
preVeNTioN To The reclaiMiNg The
Village group aT charleS a. TiNdley
School.
STudeNTS iN The reclaiMiNg The
Village groupS, which MeeT afTer
School, had gueST SpeakerS diScuSS
The iMporTaNce of NuTriTioN, STd
preVeNTioN, aNd VioleNce preVeNTioN
duriNg The MoNTh of april.
reclaiMiNg The Village TeacheS The
SeVeN life priNcipleS: uNiTy, Self-
deTerMiNaTioN, collecTiVe work aNd
reSpoNSibiliTy, cooperaTiVe ecoNoM-
icS, purpoSe, creaTiViTy aNd faiTh. for
More iNforMaTioN, coNTacT coordi-
NaTor larry huMeS aT 221-2326.
3
dental administrator Takes Medical Mission Trip to haiti
H ugs. Smiles. Appreciation. Not
typical souvenirs from a trip to
the Caribbean.
Confronting the aftermath of an
earthquake, experiencing the faces of
poverty and confronting the limits of
faith, hope and modern medicine are
not typical memories from a normal
spring break trip either. Providing den-
tal services to adults and children in
Haiti lends itself to the extraordinary in
a region of the world whose definition
of ordinary is much different than ours.
Dr. Tonya Stewart, administrator of
the health department’s dental services
program, was part of a medical mission
team that traveled to Haiti in March. The
trip got off to a slow start as the group of
dentists, dental students, and a medical
team was stopped by passersby—on a
road that often turned into a dirt path
der, allowing the mission team to finally
reach its destination of Cap-Haitian.
Dr. Stewart and her colleague pro-
vided screenings and numbed patients
while the six IU dental students per-
formed the basic procedures. “I was im-
pressed with our students. They did not
have a lot of experience and here they
were in this unique environment,” said
Dr. Stewart. The group saw more than
700 school-age students and provided
each with a fluoride treatment and
basic dental care. “Sugarcane is grown
locally, so they eat a lot of it. You can
imagine the cavities and other damage
we saw,” said Stewart.
Dr. Stewart met a very smart, very
poor youth whose mother was strug-
gling to provide the basics. Dr. Stewart
decided to sponsor the 17 year old,
promising to help support his desire to
B
with chuckholes large enough to swal- be a teacher.
low any vehicle brave enough to cross “All of the children made you feel
it—due to a conflict occurring further special. They were so grateful, even
down the road. The conflict involved a when we couldn’t do very much for
fight over rice. UN Peacekeepers had to them. Everyone was amazing,” said Dr.
be flown in by helicopter to restore or- Stewart.
environmental control Takes part in great indy cleanup
eNViroNMeNTal coNTrol reMoVed oVer 43 ToNS (86,120 pouNdS) of garbage oN The
weSTSide aS parT of The greaT iNdy cleaNup iN coNjuNcTioN wiTh keep iNdiaNapoliS
beauTiful oN SaTurday, april 17. “we joiN TogeTher wiTh Neighborhood
aSSociaTioNS aNd The Mayor’S office duriNg TheSe cleaN-up eVeNTS which
Take place MoSTly iN april,” Said eNViroNMeNTal coNTrol adMiNiSTraTor
kiplaNgaT Mibey. “we NorMally work eVery oTher weekeNd, buT
due To Such high deMaNd of our SerViceS, we haVe beeN workiNg
eVery weekeNd ThiS MoNTh,” Said jaSoN hudSoN, SupporT STaff,
eNViroNMeNTal coNTrol.
4
BRIEFS
News of Health and Hospital Corporation and the Marion County Health Department
lead Safe & healthy homes benefits from interface
The Marion County Health Department’s Lead Poison Prevention
Program is using a new two-way data interface from the Insight
Lab modules to the LIMS system for processing all lab samples that
originate from the Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Department
(LSHH). “It is working very well,” said Jo Rhodes, clinical team leader,
LSHH. “Initially there were some kinks to work out, but Belinda
LeBlanc, Scott Gardner and CIS were great about working with us;
our phlebotomists and data entry staff have been super in being
open to learning new procedures.” The change results in fewer er-
New Employees
rors because lab patient data and LSHH patient data are now being
pulled from the same place. The time between the date of the test
and the date the result is reported in Insight has decreased greatly. Front Row from Left: LEA KLEIS, payroll operations spe-
Phlebotomists no longer need to sort through stacks of lab reports cialist, Finance; JANEA PAGE, reimbursement coordina-
for results. “There is also a big ‘green’ piece to this in that we have tor, PH Support Services; BECKY HOLM, public health
seen a tremendous reduction in the amount of paper we are shuf- nurse, NEDHO. Second Row from Left: FRED SHOCKLEY,
senior financial analyst, Finance; BODASHUS DAWSON,
fling,” Rhodes said. disease intervention specialist, Bell Flower Clinic; PAUL
MORROW, clinic assistant, WIC; and REGINALD SHIR-
participants Sought for research Study LEY, environmental control technician, Environmental
Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of Adolescent Medi- Control.
cine, is conducting a research study in order to learn more about the
bacteria that may exist in certain areas of the body. The study aims
to help girls learn about their bodies as they go through puberty.
This study requires that participants (females age 10-13 and their
mothers) visit a study site four times a year for up to four years. At
the visit, participants will be asked some personal questions about
their health and have swab samples collected. All participants will
be compensated for study participation. Adolescent participants will
receive $40 for each study visit. Mothers will receive $50 for each
annual study visit and $20 at each of her daughter’s visits. For more From Left: ELISE LEBLANC, grants writer, Grants; JASON
information on how you can participate, contact Alexis Roth-Graner- WIDNER, team leader, Mosquito Control; and SANDRA
os, MPH at (317) 274-8812 or almroth@iupui.edu. BRAvO-CHAvEz, office assistant, Dental.
May Employee of the Month
darleNe puckeTT-MarTiN, coMMuNiTy healTh
worker for The iNdiaNapoliS healThy STarT
prograM, iS The eMployee of The MoNTh for
May 2010. darleNe played a ViTal role iN The
coMMuNiTy coNNecTioN prograM To eNSure
clieNT NeedS were MeT. She alSo caN be
depeNded upoN To help ouT her coworkerS.
She regularly aTTeNdS coMMuNiTy eVeNTS
To proMoTe iNdiaNapoliS healThy STarT.
5
Student Top of class despite barriers
T he Public Relations Department received a visit from Ray-
mond Rutland, senior at Manual High School, who is inter-
ested in a career in marketing and graphic design. Raymond is one
of Manual’s best students despite his disability—he is autistic.
Autism limits Raymond’s ability to hold a conversation or com-
prehend the meaning behind much of what he studies or reads.
“He is a very smart student, but at times has trouble understand-
ing complex statements. In working with Raymond, he may only
answer with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and has issues maintaining eye contact,”
said College and Career Specialist Amber Shelton.
Raymond is very enthusiastic about learning—evident in his
school work and in his life. He thrives in a structured environment ,
as do many people with autism. He is never late, never misses class,
always obeys rules, and turns in his homework. Raymond’s teach-
ers are certain he will be a dedicated employee and the Public Rela-
tions staff at HHC agrees. rayMoNd ruTlaNd, MaNual high School STudeNT, caMe To
healTh aNd hoSpiTal corporaTioN To job Shadow iN The pub-
“Raymond was a delight to have around,” said Katrina Thielman,
lic relaTioNS deparTMeNT. ruTlaNd iS iNTereSTed iN a career
graphic designer. “He has an infectious positive attitude and was iN MarkeTiNg aNd graphic deSigN. picTured aboVe froM lefT
enthusiastic to learn what kind of tasks a graphic designer does on are: kaTriNa ThielMaN, graphic deSigNer; rayMoNd ruTlaNd,
a day-to-day basis.” STudeNT; colleTTe duValle, direcTor of coMMuNicaTioNS;
chriSTopher MoNTgoMery, graphic deSigN aSSiSTaNT; aNd
Raymond has received a letter of eligibility for full-time admission
heaTher hafer, publicaTioNS coordiNaTor. NoT picTured:
to the University of Indianapolis where he plans to study this fall. johN alThardT, public relaTioNS coordiNaTor.
“It was wonderful to spend the afternoon with Raymond, he was
eager to learn about what we do as a department and how the Mar-
ion County Health Department handles emergencies. He was also The Indianapolis Star featured Raymond in an article in Febru-
eager to see all of the posters, brochures, and billboards that we had ary. Visit http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
designed. Raymond will be a great student at the University of India- 201002280245/NEWS08/2280355 to read the article titled, “A
napolis,” said Collette DuValle, director of communications. quiet strength, an excellent example.”
healthy Start receives award for folic acid campaign
iNdiaNapoliS healThy STarT
(ihS) receiVed The julie a. foSTer
coMMuNicaTioN award aT The
iNdiaNa periNaTal NeTwork’S
2010 SpiriT of SerVice awardS oN
March 19 for Their folic acid
caMpaigN. ihS haS a loNg hiSTo-
ry of uSiNg beST-pracTice ToolS
aNd MeThodS To creaTiVely
coMMuNicaTe healTh MeSSageS
To The public. iN reSpoNSe To
a receNT STudy liNkiNg folaTe
SuppleMeNTaTioN To a reduc-
TioN iN preMaTure birThS, ihS
relauNched a MulTiMedia
caMpaigN, uTiliziNg poSTerS, buS
cardS, radio SpoTS, adS, aNd
NewSpaper arTicleS iN eNgliSh
aNd SpaNiSh To highlighT The
iMporTaNce of folic acid. ihS
alSo parTNered wiTh ST. ViNceNT
woMeN’S hoSpiTal To exTeNd
The caMpaigN To all of MarioN
couNTy, aNd eSTiMaTeS ThaT
500,000 iNdiVidualS haVe beeN
reached by The caMpaigN SiNce
The iNiTial lauNch iN 2005.
6
iNdiaNa joiNT NaTioNal
public healTh week
coNfereNce april 6-7 aT iupui.
Shower Your Baby with Love March for babies 2010
Community Baby Shower and Maternity Fashion Show
Plus a workshop for Dads!
Chance to win a carseat, crib
and much more!
Who
Pregnant moms and families.
All expecting and new mom’s will receive: Dads are welcome too!
• Baby gift pack
• Refreshments
• A chance to play games and win
When
prizes Sunday
• Information about keeping May 16, 2010
baby safe and healthy
• Special workshop and gift Where
bag for Dad Washington Park Family Center
• FREE! 3130 E. 30th Street
Indianapolis
What time
3 - 5:30pm
Registration begins at 2pm
R.S.V.P.
Call Mary or Teresa at
317-926-1170
Presented by:
Workshop for Dad Sponsored by:
7
CoMiNG EvEnts
MAY
4
8625 Guilford Avenue,
Indianapolis, 46240
Safe Sitter classes
announced
election day (Registration required. Call 221-2094.) MCHD is accepting reserva-
Health and Hospital Corpora- tions for its popular Safe
tion and Marion County Health 5, 12, 19, 26 Sitter classes which provide
Department offices closed. abcs of diabetes classes health and safety informa-
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. tion to those ages 11-14.
14 Franklin Public Library Participants will learn how
Test your dinnerware for 5550 S. Franklin Road to respond to emergen-
lead Indianapolis, 46239 cies including choking. The
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Registration required. Call 221-2094.) classes also teach babysitters
Hasbrook Building, 1st Floor Con- how to keep themselves
ference Room JunE safe while babysitting.
(MCHD in cooperation with WTHR 5 There is a $20 fee. The class
Channel 13 will be offering free lead outrun the Sun schedule:
testing of dinnerware. For information, 7 p.m. - Finish
call Karla Johnson at 221-2211.) Fort Benjamin Harrison State Thursday, june 17
Park, Corner of Otis and Lawton Marion County South
3, 10, 17, 24 Loop East District Health Office
abcs of diabetes classes (Anyone interested in joining the team, 503 E. National Avenue
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. contact Nicole Spacey, cancer control 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Nora Public Library manager, at 221-2101.)
Thursday, june 24
ACTION Health Center
2868 N. Pennsylvania
Avenue
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
editorial Start: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, july 22
On-site registration: 9:00 a.m.
board Allisonville Elementary School
Pecar Health Center
John Althardt 4900 E. 79th Street 6940 N. Michigan Road
Renee Brooks Indianapolis 46250
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jennifer Conner
For event details, a map, and pre-registration,
Pam Desir visit www.mchd.com/bikeride.
Collette Duvalle Saturday, September 18
Heather Hafer, chair Join us to celebrate the growth of Marion County Health
Karen Holly biking in Indianapolis. More bicycle traffic Department
on Indy streets creates healthier people,
Allison Hoyt cleaner air and less congestion. 3838 N. Rural Street
Pamela Humes 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Steven Johnson
Joan Keene New for the 2010 Mayor’s Bike Ride is a “Kid’s Safety Stop.” Safe Kids
Lola King Indianapolis is working with the MCHD Chronic Disease staff to create a (Class size is limited and pre-
Sarah Lim fun learning experience where kids will learn to control their bikes while registration is required. For
Mary McKee riding as slow as they can and also ride through an obstacle course. Kids information or to register, call
Kiplangat Mibey will ride from Allisonville Elementary south two miles to the Kids Safety 221-5729.)
Christopher
Stop and back for a total of four miles.
Montgomery
Cathy Sheckell
Staci Small
Nicole Spacey
Katrina Thielman
Greg Ullrich
Richard Voller
Serifatu Walton
Gary Weir
