Local doctors weigh in on Jolie's double mastectomy, her willingness to reveal surgery

Angelina Jolie's announcement Tuesday that she underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her chance of developing breast cancer is drawing attention to a decision that everyday women have weighed.

HEALTH BRIEFS: Free wellness programs set

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP | Porter Regional Hospital this month will host a free wellness program about hemorrhoids and another about preventing and managing osteoporosis.

Local donors' tissue to help Boston bomb victims

CROWN POINT | Donated tissue from new Northwest Indiana moms is being sent to Boston to help heal victims of the recent bombings.

Franciscan Alliance offers mammogram screening programs

A MAMMOthon program, consisting of digital mammogram screenings, free chair massages and giveaways, including watches, will take place from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today at Franciscan Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster. For appointments, call (219) 836-3600.

Report highlights financial impact of smoking

A new study from Ball State University shows more than half of Hoosier smokers tried to quit in the past year.

A piece of life carries on

CROWN POINT | The memorial scrap books Sandy Whitenack compiled to honor her daughter, Kathy, who died at age 16 in a rollover accident, have pictures of her in typical poses.

HEALTH BRIEFS: Talk to focus on acupuncture

SCHERERVILLE | An acupuncture, reiki and nutritional screenings workshop is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John Township Community Center, 1515 W. Lincoln Highway.

Urgent care serves in-between cases

From strip malls to pharmacies to freestanding buildings, medical care increasingly is being found outside traditional hospital and doctors' office settings.

HEALTH BRIEFS: Colon cancer talks planned

CROWN POINT | In observance of Colon Cancer Month, Pinnacle Hospital and Digestive Disease Centers are sponsoring two presentations related to the topic.

Local doc spends free time on the fast track

On weekdays, Dr. Jay Patel opens clogged arteries and performs other minimally invasive procedures as an interventional radiologist.

Health Briefs: Coalition to host black history, health celebration

GARY | The Lake County Minority Health Coalition, in partnership with The Indiana Minority Health Coalition, will host its annual Black History and Health Celebration on March 28.

HEALTH CARE IN 2013: Changes will affect Northwest Indiana

If seismic devices monitoring planet earth could measure the universe of health care, health geologists would report significant tremors. As heat and pressure shift the tectonic plates beneath our feet, economic pressures and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) change the infrastructure and landsc…

Flu season, weather may affect hospitalization rates

With a busier than usual flu season coming to a close, hospitals are emerging from peak occupancy times and preparing for spring.

HEALTH BRIEFS: Seminar Wednesday to focus on back pain

MUNSTER | Maximum Rehabilitation Services Ltd. will host a free health seminar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 8220 Calumet Ave.

Hospitals ease into electronic records

The days of wading through stacks of paperwork to log and chart medical records are fading as the health care industry finds its place in the digital world.

Ten tapped for new foundation board

The Franciscan Alliance Foundation has appointed 10 directors to its newly created board.

Hammond lab designated as innovation center

HAMMOND | A Hammond laboratory has been designated a Siemens Microbiology Innovation Center and will serve as a reference site for other labs interested in what Siemens offers in microbiology testing.

Franciscan hospitals ease strict visitor rules as flu cases decline

Heightened visitor restrictions that four local hospitals imposed in mid-January have been discontinued because of a drop in flu cases.

Day of Dance focuses on women’s health

MERRILLVILLE | Get Your Dance On!

Day of Dance focuses on women’s health

Krista Tellez and Eric Nowicki, dancers with Eclipse Performing Arts in Chesterton, perform on Sunday during the Franciscan Alliance-hosted Day of Dance for Your Health program at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.