Beacon Health System

The first days of school can help set the stage for the entire school year, so it’s important for families to establish routines and set expectations for a smooth transition. Dr. Deborah Pavey, family medicine physician at Beacon Medical Group La Porte, talks with WVPE Radio about: • Re-establishing routines, adding quiet time during the day and sleep schedule. • Putting an end time for using phones and laptops at night. • Scheduling well-child visits, sports physicals and immunizations. Here’s where to listen to this timely Healthcare Headlines interview, so you can make this the best year yet for your child and entire family: https://bit.ly/473rf42

Esther Deakins had grown accustomed to 12-hour shifts assisting with trauma surgeries as a surgical tech at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. But little did she know that her life would abruptly shift from caregiver to patient last fall, testing her resilience in ways she never imagined. In late October, Esther was driving on County Road 19, heading to her booth at an antique market when she was struck head-on by another vehicle. “The first thing I remember was waking up in the car and having a crushing pain in my chest.” Trapped inside, Esther heard yelling from outside and someone breaking the window to get her out. Relief washed over her as she felt hands supporting her neck. Esther was right to be concerned. She had suffered a C3 vertebra injury and broke her sternum and both arms. She also broke a bone in her hand and her left leg. In all, she had eight fractures and a concussion -- severe enough injuries for her to be transported to Memorial Hospital. A team of Beacon Bone and Joint specialists, including her colleagues, cared for her. Read about her resilience, recovery and goal she achieved: https://bit.ly/4dzTaL9

Michaela Settle describes her son, Brantley, as a sweet, caring child who looks out for others. If the 9-year-old sees a classmate being picked on, he steps in to befriend them. He also has a passion for playing sports, especially baseball. Tonight, Brantley will attend the South Bend Cubs game and run the bases as part of Home Run for Life. This collaboration between Beacon Children’s Hospital and the Cubs celebrates patients like Brantley, who was diagnosed in 2022 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He spent 31 days in the hospital during the initial phase of his treatment, which proved successful. Brantley is now in remission, continuing the maintenance phase of his treatment during monthly visits to Beacon Children’s Hospital. “The team at Beacon Children’s Hospital has been phenomenal,” Michaela said. “All the physicians and nurses are like family to us now.” Hear much more from Brantley and his parents in this heartwarming WNDU story. To support the care and work for incredible kids like Brantley: https://bit.ly/4cesJKT

At Memorial Hospital of South Bend, patients are at the center of what we do. Whether that is delivering babies, performing surgeries or doing annual health care screenings, our providers focus on excellence. This attitude extends to our new tower project, which is currently underway. With a 129-year presence in downtown, Memorial has been and will continue to be a hospital you can count on. If you need care, visit Memorial and see firsthand how we are building an even better hospital for a healthier you. Learn more about Memorial here: https://bit.ly/3L6SsIC

Beacon Health System and Notre Dame Global Partnerships today announced a new multi-year partnership, establishing Beacon as a partner of Notre Dame Athletics. Rooted in a shared commitment to advancing the health and well-being of our region, Beacon and Notre Dame are united in their vision to promote wellness in our community. As the region’s healthcare leader, Beacon continually reinvests in the health and well-being of our community, teaming up with local organizations that share the same goals. As two of the area’s largest employers, Beacon and Notre Dame have a long history of unwavering commitment to our community. “By leveraging our collective strengths and uniting under a shared vision, we look forward to fostering meaningful and positive changes in the health of our communities,” said Kreg Gruber, Chief Executive Officer, Beacon Health System. Read more about the partnership: https://bit.ly/46PHMbH

Two Beacon physicians received special recognition at the recent Coaches vs. Cancer Celebration of Hope Night of the Stars, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches in partnership with Notre Dame. Dr. LaToya Perry, esteemed gynecologic oncologist at Beacon Medical Group, received the Inspiration Award: “Dr. Perry is a skilled, hardworking, caring selfless cancer surgeon who gives everything she has to her patients, colleagues and community. She is part of the Beacon Cancer Care team and brings exceptional cancer care to women.” The Dedication Award was given to Dr. Walt Halloran, world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon at Elkhart General Hospital since 1996. “Dr. Halloran is the driving force behind the establishment and expansion of the thoracic and cardiac surgery program and has not only saved countless lives but has created public awareness about the intersection of cardiac health and cancer. Dr. Halloran has an unwavering dedication to patient care.” In addition to his work at Beacon, Dr. Halloran founded the nonprofit HeartReach Michiana in 2004 to support those affected by heart disease. Congratulations to Dr. Perry and Dr. Halloran for their achievements and impact on both our patients and community.

The Beacon Health Foundation has been awarded the 2024 Innovation in Philanthropy Award from the international Association for Healthcare Philanthropy for its physician engagement program that targets critical initiatives for at-risk and vulnerable patients in the community. The award recognizes those organizations that have created innovative ways to advance their missions and achieve greater impact for the populations they serve. Beacon’s Physician Philanthropy Council demonstrates true innovation in building impactful partnerships with clinicians, who not only make a difference in the lives of their patients, but desire to go above and beyond. “It’s more than just an honor to be this year’s recipient of AHP’s Innovation Award,” said Susan King, President, Beacon Health Foundation. “To us, it’s the opportunity to highlight Beacon Health System, our fantastic doctors, clinical teams and the communities we serve.” Since 2019, 47 members have committed more than $500,000 toward early literacy programming, lodging for trauma patient families, discharge backpacks for homeless individuals, remotely monitored blood pressure cuffs for new moms and other initiatives. The Physician Philanthropy Council exemplifies what healthcare fundraising is all about: connecting individuals who are passionate about health to meaningful ways of supporting those in need. “We remain grateful to our physicians and look forward to future opportunities,” King said. “This wouldn’t be possible without their collective generosity, trust and passion for caring for our community.”

Congratulations to Beacon Orthopedic Surgeon Gregg Ebersole, MD, who recently completed 500 robotic-assisted procedures. Dr. Ebersole and his team performed these joint replacement surgeries with the aid of robotic equipment and tools. This advanced technology makes recovery time better and faster for patients who undergo orthopedic surgery. Dr. Ebersole is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Milestone achieved! Dr. Kevin Taubman, vascular surgeon, and the Memorial Hospital team recently completed their 100th TCAR procedure. This minimally invasive technique treats patients with carotid artery disease, improving blood flow to the brain and reducing the risk of stroke. During TCAR, the surgeon opens a carotid artery blockage through a small incision in the neck, removes plaque buildup and places a stent in the artery to hold it open. The procedure takes less than an hour, with patients typically being discharged the next day and resuming normal activity in just 3 to 7 days. Its high success rate is comparable to traditional surgery, which has a longer recovery time, making TCAR an excellent option for many patients. “I'm glad to be part of this great team and to have expanded the treatment options for carotid disease to the area's only certified stroke center, where we continue to adapt novel and emerging treatment options,” said Dr. Taubman. Memorial Hospital has been offering the revolutionary TCAR procedure for 3 years, making this South Bend-based hospital one of Indiana's busiest TCAR providers. Learn more about our Beacon Health System heart, vascular and stroke care team: https://bit.ly/3SM4Ban

First-time mom Natalie Laman joined the growing number of women seeking midwifery care when she was pregnant with her daughter, Sadie, because she wanted to have control over her birth plan. “She was delivered in just the way I wanted,” Natalie said, despite having to be induced three weeks early. She relied on the Beacon midwives to help her adjust to an experience that was different from what Natalie expected. The certified nurse midwives who are part of the Beacon Midwifery Centered Care program are helping deliver dozens of babies each month across the health system. Discover how midwives like Melissa Holderread, certified nurse midwife, balance natural approaches with medical expertise, empowering moms to take the lead in their birth experiences while ensuring safety in our WSBT Eye on Health: https://bit.ly/4cm3qp2