Health briefs

Grant to aid housing in Griffith for residents with disabilities

MERRILLVILLE | Regional Mental Health Center will use a federal grant to build housing in Griffith for people with chronic mental disorders.

The center secured the only U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant awarded recently to an Indiana agency: a $2.39 million capital advance and a $159,900 three-year rental subsidy to provide supportive housing for people with disabilities.

"Regional Mental Health Center plans to construct a new building in Griffith," CEO Robert Krumwied in a statement. "Groundbreaking should occur in early spring, with occupancy anticipated by next fall."

The 15-unit apartment complex for the chronically mentally ill will include 14 one-bedroom residential units and a two-bedroom manager's unit. Two units will be barrier free and offer features to accommodate people who have hearing and vision impairments. There will be an elevator for residents and visitors, as well as laundry, recreational and social areas.

Foundation, agencies partner to build women's care center

MUNSTER | A center dedicated to women's care and helping bring unplanned pregnancies to term is coming to Hammond.

The Dorothy Abel Purcell Pro-Life Foundation, a charitable organization based in Munster, said it has finished negotiations to open a Women's Care Center. The project is part of a partnership among the foundation, Women's Care Center of South Bend, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary and Birth Choice of Hammond.

James Purcell, the foundation's president, said bringing the program to Hammond completes his promise to his wife, Dorothy, for whom the foundation is named.

Catholic Charities will staff and supervise the program, and the foundation will provide $120,000 to cover the cost of the first year of operation. Foundation donors also will provide money, and the center also will receive $15,000 from Northwest Indiana residents.

The center will open at the current site of Birth Choice, 7127 S. Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond. The Women's Care Center of Hammond will be one of 17 related facilities affiliated with the Women's Care Center of South Bend. The centers have a 98 percent success rate in bringing unplanned pregnancies to term.

New president takes reins at Porter County health firm

William Cummins on Monday became president and CEO of HealtheACCESS Clinics LLC, owner Donald Kiger said. HealtheACCESS operates four clinics in Porter County.

Cummins previously was CEO of Regency Hospitals and chief operating officer for Porter hospital in Valparaiso.

Also Monday, Kiger vacated his role as president and CEO and became chairman of the board for HealtheACCESS Holdings LLC and HealtheACCESS Clinics.

HealtheACCESS Clinics offer primary care, urgent care, diagnostic services, and occupational health and wellness services. HealtheACCESS aims to create greater access to health care services and lower costs.

Santa-themed pub crawl in C.P. benefits cancer research

CROWN POINT | The John Kark Cancer Fight Club is hosting a pub crawl around the courthouse square beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Courthouse Bar and Grill, 101 S. Court St.

Attendees are encouraged to wear a Santa or holiday costume and should plan to donate $25 to benefit cancer research at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Pub crawlers also may bring new toys and art supplies to donate to the St. Joseph Carmelite Home in East Chicago.

The John Kark Cancer Fight Club was created to support Kark, a 1988 Merrillville High School graduate who lost his battle with acute myeloid leukemia in April 2010.