Beacon Health System

In a heartwarming collaboration between education and healthcare, Penn High School robotics students continue to demonstrate how assisted technology can improve the lives of patients served at Beacon Health System. Led by coach Kyle Marsh, Penn Robotics students last spring crafted an adaptive video game controller, specifically designed for a patient at our Memorial Children's Therapy Center. It’s not just a gadget, it's a gateway to independence and joy. Jacynda Lavanture brought her son, Richard, to receive this device from the students themselves. Moments like these remind us of the incredible impact community partnerships have. Thanks to Beacon physical therapist Jeff Jasinski, who has been fostering this unique collaboration between the students and our families. And thanks to Penn Robotics students and coaches for your time, talents and most of all, your big hearts.

Only 75 percent of Elkhart County’s children were fully vaccinated for the 2022-23 school year. To help boost this number, Beacon proudly joined forces with the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition to hold a Back-to-School Vaccines & Health Fair at Goshen High School. This recent, well-attended event offered free catch-up immunizations for children, comprehensive family health screenings and expert health education on screening results. Beacon Community Impact associates Evelyn Diaz-Salinas and Tara Velez represented both our health system and our commitment to community health. Collaborating with other community organizations, we will continue to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families across our region.

Imagine a world where chronic conditions don’t limit your ability to stay active. Beacon is helping to make this a reality with our “Best Medicine” program. For 12 years, Beacon Best Medicine has been offering tailored fitness classes for patients with various health challenges, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis and neurological conditions. These classes, which are offered at Beacon Health & Fitness, are not just about staying fit. They’re about reclaiming life. “We wanted to offer something for those who are coming out of treatment or finishing therapy to continue their exercise in a structured setting,” said Lacie Klopfenstein, clinical integration coordinator and personal trainer at Beacon Health & Fitness. Battling leukemia, Tom Ramey has faced not only the disease itself but also the side effects of his chemotherapy regimen. He has grappled with weight loss, lower energy levels, compromised balance and increasing fatigue. He signed up for Beacon’s Cancer Fitness class and has never looked back. In this month’s WSBT Eye on Health, Tom talks about and shows his remarkable progress as his fitness instructor Linda Kolmodin describes the strength and confidence patients like Tom regain. Don’t miss this inspiring story about how Beacon Best Medicine is changing lives one class at a time: https://bit.ly/4ddMrpV

Nevada Pokorney’s journey from business to nursing at Memorial Hospital is a testament to perseverance and family support. “The kids sacrificed so much,” Nevada says, reflecting on the past two years. “I wasn’t at every game or school event. We ate a lot of junk meals on the fly, and our house was often messy. I was more of a stressed-out hot mess of a mom than I was before.” But this determined Beacon Scholar, who had a full-time nursing position waiting for her after graduation from Ivy Tech Community College, turned challenges into valuable life lessons for her son and daughter. The most important: It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Hear more from Nevada and about the Beacon Scholar program: https://bit.ly/45Ty5bL

“I observed my first birth in nursing school and was struck by the magical miracle of birth and I knew that OB was my calling.” One of the questions she is frequently asked is if she delivers babies at home. “I explain that midwives also work in hospitals and birth centers,” she says. Patricia has worked in hospitals, for an obstetrics and gynecology practice, and at a birth center. She is experienced with providing care at all stages of pregnancy from preconception care, care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period, as well as conducting childbirth classes and also in providing triage services for an obstetric emergency department. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g75UP9-R

Stacie Bobeck, Beacon Trauma Team educator, recently shared important fireworks safety information on WNDU. Whether you’re attending a professional show or celebrating at home, we want you to stay informed and protected. Don’t miss Bobeck’s tips on these essential fireworks topics: • Common types of fireworks-related injuries seen in our emergency departments • Kids and sparklers safety • How to properly treat minor injuries at home • When to seek medical attention • Special safety tips for seniors From our Beacon family to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday!

Beacon Children’s Hospital recently took part in a media day hosted by The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos ahead of the 2024 Four Winds Invitational. Tournament proceeds this year will allow us to expand our life-saving and maternal care equipment, continuing to improve the quality of care we provide. During the press conference, we announced plans to purchase 20 new syringe feeding pumps for our NICU. This advanced technology is crucial for delivering precise, tiny feedings to premature or critically ill infants, ensuring their delicate systems receive controlled and consistent amounts of nutrients at a slow, regulated pace. “Receiving the proceeds from the Four Winds Invitational has helped us better serve children and families in the region and plan for the future in ways we can continue to improve our quality of care,” said Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services at Beacon. The Four Winds Invitational -- set to start on Aug. 30 this year -- has generated close to $1 million in proceeds for Beacon and Beacon Children’s Hospital over the last 12 years. Thank you to the Pokagon Band, its Four Winds Casinos, South Bend Country Club and its members, and all the community sponsors and donors.

The next time you go to Memorial Hospital of South Bend you will definitely notice some changes. As we build a new patient tower to serve you better, some adjustments have been made around the main entrance to accommodate parking and traffic. Here are the two important points you need to know when navigating our campus: 1. Traffic now follows a one-way pattern. Enter at the west driveway that leads to the main entrance and exit at the east driveway. 2. Parking in the Bartlett Street Garage? Enter and exit at the west end of the garage. We're working to build you a healthier tomorrow. Read more about our new traffic patterns here: https://bit.ly/3W4AVHx

Looking for a new primary care provider? Our team at Beacon Medical Group Mishawaka Primary Plus is welcoming new patients with same-day or next-day appointments to care for your entire family. Our dedicated providers want to help you achieve and maintain your health goals while keeping your schedule and lifestyle in mind. It’s easy to make an appointment online during a time that meets your needs, including early mornings and evenings. Meet our caring team, learn more about our practice and schedule at https://lnkd.in/g7rmmBsf

Evans Lodge and our nine other caring, compassionate and exceptionally trained residents at the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in South Bend greeted patients for the first time on Monday. These moments were filled with excitement and a touch of nervous anticipation. Transitioning from saying, “Hello, I’m your medical student,” to “Hello, I’m your doctor,” was a significant and heartfelt milestone for Lodge. It marked the culmination of years of hard work toward a career in medicine and community health. “I try to be someone who approaches patients with as much humility as can be had,” Lodge said, “reminding myself these are people who I am lucky to work with and for. It’s about long-term relationship building to improve their health. I feel lucky.” We are proud to welcome our new residents and look forward to the positive impact they will make at Beacon Health System and in our community.