Newsroom

Northwest Health – Porter recently honored Taylor Fulton who provides care on the hospital’s progressive care unit. Fulton, a nursing assistant, is the recipient of the PETALS award for outstanding support professionals. Fulton was nominated by several patients who described him as an extremely hard worker, very competent, efficient and always pleasant. One patient went on to add that Fulton was “a real go-getter” who would go out of his way to make him feel comfortable when he was feeling his worst. Wa... ... Read More

If you’re thinking a colonoscopy is a test for old people, think again. In 2018, the American Cancer Society altered their recommendation for timing of a first-time colon cancer screening from age 50 to age 45, for those at average risk of cancer. The change was directly tied to the rising number of younger adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancers – including many with no family history of the disease. “As the second most common cause of cancer death, colorectal cancer is now being diagnosed at a ... ... Read More

Northwest Health - Porter has launched a new maternal-fetal transport service to provide medical intervention for mothers-to-be who are experiencing pregnancy complications and need to be transferred to a higher level of care. This service is approved by the Indiana State Department of Health. “Women who are experiencing complications during pregnancy sometimes require a higher level of obstetrical care. Northwest Health – Porter provides a high level of specialty care for mother or baby in need. We are... ... Read More

Northwest Health – La Porte recently welcomed four new members to the hospital’s board of trustees. Jackie Dermody is the chief executive officer for Family Advocates, a non-profit agency advocating in the best interests of children and families. She has served on several local boards and is the past board chair of the La Porte Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Laura Francesconi is a retired partner with Meridian Title Corporation and the current campaign coordinator for Economic Development Inves... ... Read More

Northwest Health welcomes two board-certified pulmonary and critical care medicine specialists, Zaid Shakir, M.D., and Myrna Orbana, M.D., to Northwest Medial Group. Drs. Shakir and Orbana joined the medical practice of James Anthony, M.D., and Douglas Mazurek, M.D., at Northwest Medical Group – Pulmonary & Critical Care located at 813 Porter Campus Dr. in Valparaiso. Dr. Shakir completed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an internal medicine re... ... Read More

A region cardiologist says a healthy lifestyle may be the key to preventing strokes. Strokes, or “brain attacks,” claim the lives of nearly 160,000 Americans each year. As the fifth leading killer and the most common cause of disability, strokes devastate individuals and families every day. However, strokes can be prevented by up to 80% through adopting a healthy lifestyle and controlling stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. According to the National Stroke Associ... ... Read More

In observance of American Heart Month, Northwest Health will be offering free blood pressure screenings every Tuesday in February. The screenings will be conducted by the hospital’s chest pain and stroke coordinators in the main lobby at each of the three Northwest Health hospitals. Screening dates and locations include: February 7 • 10 a.m. to Noon Northwest Health – Porter, 85 E. US Highway 6, Valparaiso February 14 • 10 a.m. – Noon Northwest Health - La Porte, 1331 State St., La Porte February 21 • 9... ... Read More

In order to improve pregnancy outcomes, there are important steps women can take to increase their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby - before they ever become pregnant. Preconception care is individualized and designed for women considering pregnancy. This important type of preventive care focuses on identifying behavioral, environmental, biomedical and social risks that could impact a person’s fertility and pregnancy outcome. Through education, counseling and any appropriate interventions,... ... Read More

Northwest Health – La Porte honored two caregivers in January. Amber Peterson, BSN, RN, was the recipient of the DAISY award for exceptional nursing and Miriam Carpenter, certified nursing assistant, was the recipient of the PETALS award for outstanding support professionals. Peterson is a nurse on the intermediate care unit at Northwest Health – La Porte. She was nominated by a fellow nurse from another unit who witnessed firsthand the compassionate care, and comforting reassurance that Peterson showed... ... Read More

Stress causes all sorts of things – think sweaty palms, upset stomach or tension headache – but did you know it can also raise your risk of serious heart problems? To learn how stress affects your heart, join board-certified cardiologist, Andrew Putnam, M.D., as he leads Northwest Health’s next HealthyU wellness seminar entitled Risk Factors for Heart Disease: Don’t Underestimate Stress. The free event will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in the Community Room at Northwest Hea... ... Read More