Franciscan WorkingWell Portage

10/15/2026

Picky eater in the house? If your child consistently refuses certain foods and isn’t gaining weight, it could be time to consult a speech-language pathologist. Learn about key differences between typical picky eating and feeding disorders, plus practical tips for concerned parents. https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/picky-eating-or-swallowing-disorder

10/15/2026

Congratulations to our Franciscan Health colleagues who received 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards in central Indiana, as well as our 150 deserving nominees. We are proud of your commitment to exceptional patient care, support of your fellow team members, and dedication to living our Franciscan mission and values.

Award recipients:
Nursing Support Service Award: Kristina Irving, IN CCU
Collaborate Care Service Award: Samuel Scott, IN MPCU
Rising Star Award: Madison Frame, RN, ASN, IN BMT
Caring Behaviors Award: Morgan Stuard, BSN, RN, MO ICU
Nursing Preceptor Award: Jordan Elliott, BSN, RN, IN SPCU
Expert Nurse Award: Lindsey Redmon, BSN, RN, IN CCU
Trailblazer Nurse Award: Kathy Chesney, BSN, RN, Nursing Resource
Distinguished Nursing Practice Award: Sherry Weir, BSN, RN, CIC, Infection Control
Susan McRoberts Leadership Award: Christa Smiley, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Nursing Administration

10/14/2026

A well-stocked postpartum recovery kit can ease discomfort and help moms heal after delivery. From mesh underwear to snacks and hydration, here's what you'll need in the days and weeks after childbirth.

https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/postpartum-recovery-kit

10/14/2026

The ketogenic diet is a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. It has become very popular, but is it a safe way to lose weight permanently? Learn about the pros and cons of a keto diet. https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/keto-diet

10/14/2026

"I don’t where to begin with Fatima: If we did not have her as a nurse I don’t think we would have been able to make it through this stay. She is attentive, compassionate in every sense of the word. Considerate, intelligent, and caring. She is very passionate about nursing and caring for others. You can tell she was meant for this profession. My mom, the patient, is a nurse of 50 years and was amazed by Fatima’s attention to detail. She treated us as if we were her family. There are no words for what she has done for us."

Congratulations to Fatima Darwish, RN, travel nurse who is working on 3N at Franciscan Health Munster, on receiving the DAISY award. Thank you for all you do!

10/13/2026

A breast cancer diagnosis at seven months pregnant was never in Jacinda's plans.
After rounds of treatment and a double mastectomy, Jacinda recently shared with WLFI, News 18 in Lafayette that she's on her final round of targeted drugs, scheduled to be completed just in time for Christmas this year.
"I’m looking forward to being able to tell my daughters that we’re taking them to Disney and celebrating with them."

10/13/2026

"If you're waiting for symptoms, it's too late."
Franciscan Health cardiologist Dr. Anthony Bashall shares what you need to know about CKM syndrome.
You can read more about CKM here: https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/ckm-syndrome.

10/13/2026

Franciscan Health oncology team members took the stage at the Pink Ribbon Connection “Stars of Pink” fashion show in Indianapolis on Saturday night. The nonprofit provides wigs, mastectomy bras and prostheses, peer support groups and education for breast cancer survivors. The Pink Ribbon Connection helps Franciscan patients at multiple hospitals throughout our system.

Pictured are Patrick Heckman, DO, medical oncologist (Indianapolis) and member of PRC's board of directors, welcoming guests to the VIP reception; model Nibal Saad, MD, medical oncologist (Indianapolis, Mooresville, Carmel, Crawfordsville); and model Constanze Rayhrer, MD, breast surgeon (Lafayette), walking with family members.

10/13/2026

On Oct. 9, we celebrated a remarkable milestone at the Franciscan Health Foundation Spirited Celebration at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster: 150 years of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration providing health care in the United States! 💙

The evening brought guests together to honor this meaningful cause. Guest enjoyed live music, a history wall, a photo booth, live and silent auctions, specialty drinks, a ch*****ne toast and more.

Proceeds benefit Franciscan Health’s Community Health & Wellness initiatives, which address health care access, food insecurity, behavioral health, childhood trauma and other critical community needs. Through education, outreach and community partnerships, these programs support vulnerable populations and help build healthier communities throughout Northern Indiana.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and generously supported the Franciscan Health Foundation. Together, we’re honoring 150 years of caring for others while helping build a healthier future for the communities we serve!

10/12/2026

“It’s a human reaction to feel concerned after you learn you have a lung nodule,” said Govind Jha, MD, an internal medicine physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Franciscan Physician Network Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine in Lafayette, Indiana. “But the first thing you should know is that 90 percent of lung nodules are benign, which means they’re not cancer.”

Dr. Jha discusses how lung nodules are diagnosed and treated on the Franciscan Health blog: https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/lung-nodules

01/29/2019

Franciscan WorkingWell Clinics in northwest Indiana will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 30, due to predicted extreme weather. We will reopen with a delayed start on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 9 a.m.

Franciscan ExpressCare (Munster, IN) and Franciscan ExpressCare (Crown Point, IN) will be open limited hours on Wednesday.

01/29/2019

Due to extreme weather, Franciscan Physician Network, ExpressCare, and WorkingWell locations in Northwest Indiana will be CLOSED, Wednesday, Jan. 30, and will open at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31st.

Additional weather closing updates at https://www.franciscanhealth.org/weatheralerts.

Winter Weather Closings & DelaysCheck this page regularly for the latest updates on weather-related closings and delays throughout Franciscan Health and Franciscan Physician Network.