Advancement In Local Medical, Educational Opportunities
by Ron Bacon District 74 State Representative
Working in the medical industry since 1967 and living in the southwest region of Indiana all my life, I’ve witnessed firsthand the advancements in health-care services and improvements to medical facilities in our area.
Nearby Evansville is the third-largest city in the state and is not only known as a shopping destination, but also a regional hub for medical care. We are fortunate to have 10 major hospitals in a close proximity: St. Mary’s Medical Center, St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital, Deaconess Hospital and Women’s Hospital, Deaconess Gateway Hospital, Health South Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital, Memorial Hospital and Health Care, Owensboro Health System, Select Specialty Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital and Methodist Hospital.
Deaconess Hospital is in the process of expanding, which will result in more job opportunities and services. This $135 million project entails adding an orthopedic and neuroscience specialty hospital, medical office building, attached parking garage and an enhanced energy center. This expansion project is located at the site of the Gateway Campus where the current Deaconess Hospital and Women’s Hospital are, and is scheduled to open in 2018.
Due to this hospital expansion, there are new jobs on the horizon and opportunities for hands-on experiences for college students.
The University of Southern Indiana’s has a four-year respiratory therapy program and a nursing program, which recently earned top marks from U.S. News and World Report.
The University of Evansville also has an outstanding nursing program and physical therapy program, where some of the professors work with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
Indiana University’s (IU) School of Medicine will soon open a campus in downtown Evansville. The IU Medical School will be adding a four-year curriculum where students can gain experience in a state-of-the-art radiology lab, clinical simulator and working with patients.
On May 12, we will also be celebrating Deaconess’s top ranking in the U.S. for rehabilitation centers. This national standing recognizes the medical facility’s excellent patient-centered quality care.
Our community is fortunate to be home to award winning schools and hospitals that are centrally located between Indianapolis, Louisville, St. Louis, Nashville and Cincinnati. Our location attracts many students and jobs, which keeps our local economy thriving.
As always, please contact me with questions or input at (317)232-9833 or by email at h75@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/h75.
FOOTNOTE: Â Rep. Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) Represents Portions of Warrick, Pike and Spencer Counties.
