Dreamsicle is a 2-year-old female medium-haired cat! Was surrendered with her tiny kittens, who have already been adopted. Now it’s her turn! Her $30 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Meeting the demand of a rapidly evolving medical field
As a senior at Mater Dei High School, I could have chosen a variety of different career paths. Ultimately, I enrolled in the Deaconess Hospital School of Inhalation Therapy and was a member of the first graduating class of what is now the University of Southern Indiana’s (USI) Respiratory Therapy Program. This experience laid the foundation for my career in the health care industry.
I was delighted to learn that USI will soon be transitioning from an associate degree program to a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT). The intent of lengthening this program is for students to gain higher levels of understanding and have the skills necessary to adapt to today’s rapidly evolving medical field, which I have witnessed firsthand.
Since I began working as a respiratory therapist, the clinical work in this profession has become more technically complex, but there is also a growing need for non-technical skills. Department managers are looking for more than just caregivers. They want to know, can this person also assist in management tasks, patient and staff development, as well as conduct research. Formal teaching in staff development requires a bachelor’s degree, so without this opportunity many are disqualified from positions before they even apply.
Not only is an expanded skillset important, but so is the ability to provide patient education in a number of different settings. In the traditional sense, respiratory therapists have often practiced in hospital wards and intensive care units. Today, it is becoming more and more common to see respiratory therapists in settings such as outpatient care, smoking cessation clinics and even cystic fibrosis clinics.
There is also a greater industry demand for higher educational standards. Over the past 20 years, many professions, including physical and occupation therapy, have raised their education standards. In order to achieve professional recognition, many organizations are now viewing a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement.
Like many other medical professions, the role of a respiratory therapist has evolved greatly with increasingly advanced technology. As this role continues to grow, it is important that those entering the field have sufficient, specialized training. It is also imperative that they gain the knowledge necessary to compete in the many settings in which a respiratory therapist has to operate throughout their career.
I speak from experience when I say that this is a very worthwhile and rewarding career path, and I welcome the news of this program’s expansion. Both the American Association for Respiratory Care and the National Board for Respiratory Care have indicated their support of this transition as well. The University of Southern Indiana is setting their sights on the future, and by making this commitment they are providing yet another fine educational opportunity for local students.
As a legislator, I have often stressed the importance of preparing our students for success in the workforce, and this is a significant step in the right direction. To learn more about the BSRT at USI, please visit www.usi.edu/health/respiratory-therapy.
Marian up next for MBB on Tuesday at Ford Center
Fresh off of an 80-65 win in the season opener against Southeast Missouri State, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team will be right back in action on Tuesday evening versus Marian at 7 p.m. inside the Ford Center.
In Sunday’s season opener, Purple Aces senior Egidijus Mockevicius showed just why he earned a spot on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team. Mockevicius hit 7 of his 11 shots to finish the game with 18 points. He hauled in 14 rebounds with 10 coming on the defensive end and also added six blocked shots and a steal. His final of six blocks was the second-most in the nation in the opening weekend of play.
Senior D.J. Balentine had a “quiet†20-point game against Southeast Missouri State in Sunday’s opening game. Balentine hit 4 of his 14 attempts, but did his damage at the free throw line, downing 10 of his 12 attempts. Going back to last season, Balentine has notched at least 16 points in each of his last nine games.
Junior Mislav Brzoja certainly enjoys playing in the first game of the season. Last year, Brzoja set his career marks in points and rebounds with 21 points and 11 boards on a 10-of-12 effort against Earlham. It was his lone double-double of the season. This year, Brzoja was at it again versus SEMO, setting a career-high with 12 rebounds while scoring 16 points.
Led by former Aces assistant Carson Harris, Marian comes to town sporting a perfect 5-0 record. Most recently, the Knights defeated Shawnee State (Ohio) by a final of 73-56 on Saturday. Nick Painter has been the top scorer for Marian, recording 16.6 points per game. He is one of five to average double figures. Just behind him is Wesley Stowers, who checks in at 15.8 PPG.
Following Tuesday night’s match, the Aces are back home on Saturday as they welcome Belmont for a 12:30 p.m. game. Prior to the game, the annual Fan Fest will be held just outside the Ford Center from 10:30 a.m. until the start of the game. It will be held on Freedom Plaza.
Rep. Bacon supports increased security measures in light of recent attacks in Paris
Over the weekend, our nation’s oldest ally came under attack. As details of these heinous events continue to unfold, I support the governor’s decision to halt the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees in Indiana. As elected leaders, our first priority is to ensure the safety of all Hoosiers, and until we are certain that the proper security measures are in place, we must take every precaution working towards that goal.â€
Miami hangs on for double overtime victory over Aces WBB
Junior Sara Dickey scored 25 points while freshman Kerri Gasper poured in 20, but Baleigh Reid scored a game-high 29 points to lead the Miami RedHawks to a 91-85 victory over the University of Evansville women’s basketball team on Monday evening at Millett Hall.
“I thought our kids played hard tonight. Offensively, we had good rhythm and flow,†Aces head coach Oties Epps said. “We were able to create a lot of good shots. Defensively, we continue to improve our rotations from our full court press into a half-court defense. In addition to this, we need to be more committed to being fundamentally sound and blocking out.â€
“We gave ourselves some chances to win the game in regulation and in the first overtime and we will continue to build on the positive things from tonight.â€
Dickey nailed five triples for the Purple Aces (0-2) and hit eight shots overall. Gasper was 6-of-13 from the floor and hit four triples. Camille Coleman recorded 17 points while Aaliyah Gaines finished the night with ten. Reid paced the RedHawks (1-1) with her 29 while Ana Richter notched 19 and Leah Purvis recorded 17.
Down 2-0 in the opening minute, Camary Williams opened the scoring for the Purple Aces with a triple to give UE its first lead of the game at 3-2. Evansville’s first four buckets of the night came via the long ball as a second trey of the night for Sara Dickey gave the Aces a 12-8 lead less than four minutes in.
Camille Coleman hit a layup with 36 ticks left in the first quarter to give UE its largest lead at 22-16 before Miami scored to make it a 22-18 game at the first break. The second quarter was all RedHawks as they outscored UE by a 22-12 margin to take a 40-34 lead at the break.
Miami continued to lead throughout the third stanza as a triple gave them their largest lead at 54-45 with 19 ticks left in the period. Laura Friday hit a jumper in the last two seconds to get UE back within seven.
Out of the 3rd quarter break, Evansville came out of the chute fast, going on an 11-2 run to take a 58-56 lead. Dickey and Gasper each had a triple in the rally. The lead for UE reached six at 66-60, but the RedHawks fought back as a Leah Purvis jumper tied it up at 69-69 with 17 seconds remaining. The Aces did not get a shot off on the ensuing possession, sending the game to overtime.
In the first two possessions of the first OT, the teams traded 3-pointers, setting a tone for the extra session. With 33 seconds left, the RedHawks hit a triple giving them a 79-76 edge. Down to its last possession, UE countered as Dickey nailed one of her own and the game went into a second overtime period.
Back-to-back MU baskets saw them take an 85-81 lead in with 1:43 left in double overtime. Evansville cut it to two on two occasions, but Miami had the late answer and held on for a 91-85 win.
Evansville played tough despite being outrebounded by a 57-27 tally. Miami also finished with a 22-6 advantage on the offensive glass. Four RedHawks notched seven or more boards. The Aces finished the night shooting 41.8% while Miami shot 48.2%.
The trip through the state of Ohio continues for UE as they head to Cleveland State on Wednesday. The Aces face the Vikings in a 6 p.m. CT contest.
Adopt A Pet
Naomi is a 4-month-old female kitten! She’s been battling an upper respiratory infection, so she still has some eye gunk. But she will be good as new soon, and it will not affect her overall health! Her $50 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, first vaccines, and more. Her sister Jody was adopted weeks ago. Call (812) 426-2563 for adoption information. Photo by Big Plans Media.
Phone Calls Allegedly from Indiana State Police are “Spoof†Scam Calls
The published public phone number of 812-867-2079 for the Indiana State Police in Evansville is reported to have been spoofed over the last 24 hours. A person notified the Indiana State Police this morning that he received a phone call from 812-867-2079 and the person calling identified himself as a police officer. The caller further explained that he owed money to the Internal Revenue Service and that if he didn’t pay he would be arrested. This is a common scam and Indiana State Police are NOT calling residents about their unpaid taxes.
As defined by TechTarget, call ID spoofing is a service that allows a caller to masquerade as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID display. Just as email spoofing can make it appear that a message came from any email address the sender chooses. Caller ID spoofing can make a call appear to come from any phone number the caller wishes.
The Indiana State Police would like to remind everyone that the IRS Scam is still very active and to following these simple safety tips from the IRS:
The Internal Revenue Service will NEVER:
- Call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
AG Zoeller: IRS imposter scam, spoofing among top 2015 phone scam trends
Next Do Not Call list sign-up deadline is Nov. 17
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said nearly 1,300 complaints were filed with his office this year about the IRS imposter scam, making it the most common telephone privacy complaint of 2015. Phone scams offering credit services and tech support services are the second and third most common complaints this year.
In the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposter scam, callers claim to be with the IRS and demand immediate payment of past-due taxes. Scammers might threaten arrest and jail time if the payment is not received immediately, and usually request that the money be paid back though the purchase of pre-paid cards.
The IRS imposter scam is among several imposter scams that have emerged this year in which callers pretend to be a legitimate entity and give a false impression of authority to scam Hoosiers out of their hard earned money, Zoeller said. The way they are able to do this, he said, is by Caller ID spoofing where the caller falsifies the telephone number and/or name relayed as the Caller ID information to mimic the identity of someone else.
Members of the public who are targeted by the IRS imposter scam should hang up on the caller immediately and file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at TIGTA.gov or with the Attorney General’s Office at www.IndianaConsumer.com.
More than 3,000 Hoosiers complained to the Attorney General’s Office about unwanted calls this year.
Zoeller said the best way for people to know whether a call they are receiving is a scam is by registering their number on the Do Not Call list. Legitimate companies will not call numbers on the Do Not Call list, so if someone is on the list and is receiving unsolicited contact, it is likely a scam.
The next quarterly deadline to register cellular and landline residential phone numbers on the Do Not Call list is midnight EST on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The updated list will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
“With Caller ID spoofing and other deceptive tactics, it is easy for fraudsters to convince people they are someone legitimate, even a government agency,†Zoeller said. “The best protection against phone scams is simply not do any type of business or give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call yourself.â€
To sign up or to confirm a number is on the Do Not Call list, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. Consumers do not need to re-register unless their address has changed. To achieve compliance with Indiana law, telemarketing companies may obtain a copy of the list from the Attorney General’s Office.
Avoid getting scammed over the phone by following these tips:
- Don’t let a telephone solicitor pressure you to make an immediate decision.
- Ask for a caller’s contact information and tell them you will call them back. Verify that the number they give you is tied to a legitimate company or agency by doing your own research.
- Know that most government entities, including the IRS, will not initiate contact over the phone. Additionally, they will never ask you for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the phone.
- Do not wire any money or make payments over the phone unless you have independently verified the caller.
- Check unfamiliar companies with the AG’s Office or the Better Business Bureau before agreeing to a purchase.
- Hang up on recorded message calls or “robocalls.†Don’t press any numbers.
Additionally, Zoeller urged Hoosiers to take advantage of available call-blocking options to help stop scam calls. The Attorney General’s Office created a non-exhaustive, call-blocking reference sheet to inform the public about available options and encourage development of new options. This reference sheet outlines different call-blocking applications and information about each option, including who is able to use it, the cost, benefits, weaknesses and how to get it.
People who receive an unwanted call or are targeted by a phone scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1.800.382.5516.