Change in Hospital Ownership Leads to Establishment of Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte

March 3, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

The affiliation between Community Health Systems, IU Health and IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals has been finalized.

Indiana University Health is now a minority owner of IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals. They own 20 percent, and CHS subsidiaries own 80 percent. IU Health will share equal governance of the new organization. Officials say this will ensure a local voice is heard in all future decisions.

Part of the agreement is the creation of the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte (HFL). It’s a new, independent, nonprofit foundation that’s dedicated to empowering residents in and around LaPorte to live healthy and well.

The HFL is initially funded with $106 million from the change in ownership for IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals. It will be managed by a volunteer board of 11 local community members and will focus on improving the health of the local community.

Board members include several former chairs of the LaPorte Hospital Board and several former members of the existing LaPorte Hospital Foundation. Maria Fruth, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the LaPorte Hospital Foundation will become the Chief Operating Officer of the HFL and will oversee all aspects of the local foundation.

The existing foundation’s assets and programs will be combined with the HFL. It will optimize healthy living in LaPorte by focusing on Strategic Thought and Leadership; Grantmaking, Scholarship and Vouchers; and Healthcare Programming. Starting in late 2017, about 5 percent of the value of the HFL’s assets will be used annually to support healthier living through the three strategic areas. That investment is expected to grow over time as fundraising efforts continue, additional proceeds are received and investment strategies are implemented.

“The Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte will be our local voice in healthcare, and we will continue to depend on contributions of time, energy, and funds if we are to create real change,” Fruth said in a statement.

12/23/2015 IU Health LaPorte Hospital Offers Safe Sitter Course

December 12, 2015AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

Local teenagers have the chance to learn potentially life-saving babysitting skills by taking part in a Safe Sitter course being offered at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.

Organizers say the program gives babysitters hands-on practice in how to handle emergency situations. It’s also designed to teach them how to spot dangerous situations, so they can stop injuries before they happen. Participants will also learn how a child’s age affects how to care for them, as well as basic CPR, first aid, and choking rescue. The course will also offer tips in dealing with behavior problems and running a babysitting business.

It will be held on December 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information or to register your child, call 219-326-2322.

Become a Safe Sitter® Today

Published: June 20, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

More than 650,000 adolescent babysitters across the country have built up their confidence while learning basic life saving skills through Safe Sitter classes. Now your child has a chance to do the same with the Safe Sitter course that IU Health La Porte Hospital is offering. The course helps teens ages 11 and older acquire the knowledge of how, why and where injuries happen so they can be prevented. Classes cost $40 and are being offered from 8 am until 3:30 pm on June 23rd, July 17th and July 30th.

Babysitters receive instruction on how a child’s age affects how to care for them, how to prevent problem behavior and how to run their own babysitting business. They also learn basic CPR and first aid, as well as how to perform infant and child choking rescue, however basic life-saving skills taught at Safe Sitter do not result in a certification.

To learn more about the course or to sign-up your son or daughter call 219-326-2322. For more information about the Safe Sitter organization, contact National Headquarters at 800-255-4089.