Newsroom

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

Northwest Health – La Porte has announced its Team Members of the Year, honoring individuals who were nominated by their peers for their outstanding performance and exemplary service. Keith Nichols, chief executive officer for Northwest Health - La Porte, said this annual process has become a special tradition and a component of its efforts to celebrate caregivers and reinforce their top priority: delivering quality care and a great experience for each patient. “Team Members of the Year awards honor som... ... Read More

Ashley Dickinson, chief executive officer for Northwest Health, announced that Karen Allen, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, will serve as the new chairperson for the Northwest Health - Porter board of trustees. Dr. Allen is the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valparaiso University. She holds a Ph.D. in nursing sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a master’s in nursing administration and a bachelor’s in nursing from Andrews University; and has also been inducted as a fello... ... Read More

Northwest Health – Starke announced that Judy Carlson, R.N., received its Nursing Excellence Award on January 13, 2022. This peer-nominated award, given in recognition of the critical role nurses play in treating our patients, was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. A long-time Knox resident, Carlson was born at Northwest Health – Starke and has worked as a nurse there for 17 years. In ... ... Read More

Ashley Dickinson, chief executive officer for Northwest Health, recently welcomed two new members to the Northwest Health - Porter board of trustees: Drs. Douglas Mazurek and Michael Woods. “Our board of trustees is a highly committed group of leaders who are dedicated to the delivery or quality healthcare,” said Dickinson. “Dr. Mazurek and Dr. Woods’ unique experience and areas of interest will be instrumental in guiding the hospital’s mission and vision.” Douglas Mazurek, M.D., is a pulmonary and crit... ... Read More

Northwest Health recently welcomed triple board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist Guillermo Font, M.D. Dr. Font is now providing ongoing care and management for pregnant women with a history of medical complications or current medical conditions in his new office at the Northwest Health Medical Plaza, located at 85 E. US Highway 6, Suite 120 in Valparaiso. Dr. Font completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Illinois College ... ... Read More