St. Mary’s Associates bid grateful and tearful farewell to their leader
The St. Mary’s Manor Auditorium was full of both somber and celebration on Tuesday, December 17th. St. Mary’s Associates held a Retirement Reception for Tim Flesch, who is stepping down as President of St. Mary’s Health in January 2014.
Associates created a good-bye video and a musical tribute to honor Tim’s successful career at St. Mary’s, which began in 1999 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He has served as St. Mary’s President and Chief Executive Officer since May of 2005.
Special guest Mayor Lloyd Winnecke read a proclamation declaring Tuesday, December 17th, 2013 as “Timothy A. Flesch Day†in Evansville.
Tim also paid tribute to Sister Jane Burger, a Daughter of Charity and former Senior Vice President of St. Mary’s Mission Integration, who was reassigned by the Daughters this past June.
Tim led St. Mary’s to several milestones during his Presidency. St. Mary’s became the first verified Level II Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers in Evansville and still remains the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in this region. St. Mary’s nurses achieved Magnet status, the gold standard of nursing care, which is earned by only 7% of all hospitals in the nation. Tim oversaw the growth of St. Mary’s Physician Network and helped dramatically improve St. Mary’s patient care scores. St. Mary’s Center for Advanced Medicine was also constructed soon after he became President and CEO and St. Mary’s Epworth Crossing is set to open in February 2014.
Evansville-native Keith Jewell is succeeding Tim as President of St. Mary’s Health.
The St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation would like to thank Tim for his leadership and we wish him a relaxing and well-deserved retirement!
The Arts Council announces first 2014 BSF Gallery Exhibit, Art Noir
 The Arts Council is excited to kick-off 2014 with Art Noir, a black and white juried exhibit. This year’s Art Noir exhibit has been opened to include all media, and will be showing January 16th through February 6th at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana’s Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery, located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. This year’s juror is local photographer and designer, Fred Reaves. Reaves owns and operates Image One Photo & Design and Image One Fai (Fine Art Images) in Henderson, KY. Reaves, an award winning commercial photographer and graphic designer has been working professionally for 37 years with a primary focus on architectural and industrial photography and graphic design. Client lists include such internationally based companies as Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Peabody Coal, SGS Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, Earnest Sewn Jeans, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Jofco, Kimball International, The Christian Church of Kentucky, Atlas Van Lines, Agrotain International, and Maker’s Mark Distillery.
Reaves, is a graduate of the Murray State University Department of Art and Design with a degree in photography and graphic design. As an accomplished fine arts photographer his work can be found in galleries and museum shops as well as in private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally. He has taught numerous photographic workshops for high school aged photographers as well as Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques and Intermediate Photography classes in the Visual Communications Dept. at Ivy Tech State College in Indiana. For more information about this year’s juror, visit www.fredreaves.com. The exhibit calendar and award information is listed below. For more information about Art Noir, visit artswin.org.
Exhibit Calendar:
Artist Registration Deadline – Jan. 6, by 4pm
Artist Works Received – Jan. 14, by 4pm
Artist Notification Email – Jan. 15, by 4pm
Artist Non-accepted Pick-up – Jan. 16, by 4pm
Public Art Noir Reception – Jan. 24, 5-7pm
Artist Displayed Work Pick-up – Feb. 6, by 4pm
Awards:Â
Best of Show – $300
1st Place – $200
2nd Place – $100
3rd Place – $50
Hoosiers students give back: Part 2 of 2
Â
Last week, I highlighted some of the ways students in Posey and Vanderburgh Counties were giving back this holiday season at the high school and middle school levels. This week, I would like to recognize the students in our younger grades that have been working very hard to make sure everyone has a brighter holiday.
West Terrace Elementary school in Evansville has been continuing their Angel Fund program, which they do every year. This program includes families adopting other families who need a little extra help this season. Students and parents either make monetary donations or buy for children under the age of 18. The school then helps out wherever they are needed and strive to make sure every child has a gift on Christmas. Â Meanwhile, Marrs Elementary saw a need around Thanksgiving and worked to collect canned food items for the Posey County food bank. Afterwards, they began to look around to find what the other needs were in the community. The Student Council has been volunteering with other groups in the community at the soup kitchens at the local United Methodist church.
It’s always great to see kids give back, but I think what is even more special is kids coming up with their own ideas and seeing those ideas through to the end. Saint Matthew Elementary School in Mount Vernon let the students decide every year what they are going to do around the holiday season to help out their community. This year, students held a toy drive and brought in new toys, books or stuffed animals to benefit the Posey County gift assistance program. The toy drive has been a competition with two grades working together as a team with awards given to those who collect the most items.  Students at St. Philip have been Christmas caroling at local nursing homes, and everyone at the school in Kindergarten through eighth grade wrote Christmas cards to send servicemen and women for the Holiday for Hero’s campaign.
At Farmersville Elementary School the Student Council has been encouraging students to bring in canned food items, boxed goods and have come up with another unique idea. Students are being encouraged to bring in socks for the school’s “Socks for Seniors†program. All the new socks that are brought in will go the area nursing homes residents for Christmas.
Students in Posey and Vanderburgh Counties realize what Christmas is all about and have set a great example for us to follow. There is something special knowing in a small way you were able to help make someone’s Christmas special.  If you would like to help out any of these schools in their efforts, please call the schools main office. From my family to yours, have a joyous holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!
IS IT TRUE December 24, 2013
IS IT TRUE we open today’s column by wishing each and every one of our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year?…we also wish our readership and the world at large a Happy Hannakah, Happy Kwanza, and a personal winter greeting of whatever each and every person celebrates a good wish for their own personal holiday?…we even offer the non-believers among us a hearty Heathen’s Greetings?…we prefer to be as politically incorrect as possible by calling each and every holiday by name and wishing all of our readers a great day on each of them?
IS IT TRUE we are watching with careful consideration the Republicans who are expressing a formal interest in the Indiana House of Representatives seat being vacated by Susanne Crouch to accept the State Auditor’s role in the Pence Administration?…there are some characteristics that the CCO would like to see in the next representative and among those traits are honesty, a life of not being adulterated by politics, and most importantly the ability to engage in cognizant thought processes that stand for something?…what we do not want to see is a person that is another tired old retread that has not earned an honest dollar from private enterprise in recent history?…we are sure there are several tired old political patronage types who will lobby for this appointment but we encourage the powers in charge of this decision to avoid lifetime politicians like the plague?…that actually goes for all political offices in 2014?
IS IT TRUE the Obama administration has now issued a formal, public document clarifying the following as its official positions:
1) That being subjected to the disruptive and costly effects of Obamacare constitutes suffering a “hardship.â€
2) That an Obamacare-imposed hardship is sufficient grounds for claiming an exemption from Obamacare.
3) That individuals who suffer the hardship of losing their previous, “substandard†insurance, will be granted relief by being allowed to purchase replacement insurance that is “substandard.â€
IS IT TRUE these implicit admissions are stunning, to say the least?…given that this is part of the administration’s larger effort to suppress the rising tide of negative Obamacare stories simply makes the admissions even more flabbergasting?…the administration has now reached the point where its defense of its signature, revolutionary health-reform law is basically: “We’re replacing your substandard coverage with our substandard coverage?â€â€¦that just yesterday it was decided to extend the time that people can sign up that has been the target that moved 3 times to Christmas Eve?
IS IT TRUE we above all wish safety and happiness for our readers on this wonderful day and will come back swinging tomorrow?…the CCO says Merry Christmas to all?
IS IT TRUE December 23, 2013
IS IT TRUE December 23, 2013
IS IT TRUE that we and other media sources reported last week on the abysmal grades earned by the schools of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation from the State of Indiana?…as a reminder EVSC had 9 schools that got an F, 4 that got a D, 9 that got a C, 8 that got a B, and only 5 (all elementary) that got an A?…if a college registrar calculated the Grade Point Average (GPA) for the EVSC that score would work out to 1.88 or below academic probation levels?…all other local school systems scored about a 3.0 and one scored a 4.0?…we have to ask some questions about the dramatic difference between the EVSC students and every other local school corporation including the Catholic diocese schools and charter schools?…the “ISLAND OF IDIOTS†argument for Evansville does not hold water because the Catholic schools, private schools, and charter schools in the same geographic footprint scored acceptably?…there is even one school called the Glenwood Leadership Academy that has a string of Fs going back to the day the name of the school was changed?…EVSC saw merit in putting lipstick on a pig and that trick failed and now the state may come in with corrective action?…the “WE NEED MORE MONEY†argument falls flat on its face because the EVSC has a much larger per pupil spending rate than any of the other school corporations?…the traditional excuses do not explain this disturbing fact away?…when companies are looking for a place to establish or expand one the most important metrics they look for is the performance of the public schools?…we could speculate and opine extensively on the failures of the EVSC to keep up with the farm communities when it comes to education and in the next year we may just do so but for now let’s just suffice to say that a score of 1.88 is not acceptable, stifles the local economy, and makes the future workforce look incapable of taking on difficult tasks?…what we would like to see from the EVSC is a long term improvement plan for academic achievement?…we will publish that plan in its entirety if they will release it?
IS IT TRUE it is encouraging to hear that the State of Indiana may be spreading some cash around to demolish some of the dilapidated houses that plague the state?…it is also good to hear that Mayor Winnecke is “working like the dickens†to get some of this money to be deployed upon the abandoned squalor of Evansville?…former DMD Director Tom Barnett once said that Evansville has 10,000 uninhabitable houses and that it costs between $5,000 and $10,000 to demolish a crap house?…that means Evansville has a $50 Million to $100 Million task ahead of it to rid the land of squalor?…if Mayor Winnecke is successful in getting nearly $20 Million of these dollars that could be enough to do 40% of the job at $5,000 per dilapidated house?…we are crossing our fingers that Evansville gets these funds and uses them for the purpose intended as opposed to trying to build some fun and games nonsense in the name of blight removal?
IS IT TRUE we are ending another year that the City of Evansville has no relevant master plan in place?…all we want for Christmas is a relevant and well thought out master plan as we have now been 7 years without one?…it is astonishing that any competent group of leaders public or private would tolerate such blatant disregard for logic?
IS IT TRUE we all grew up singing the song about a partridge in a pear tree called the 12 days of Christmas?…several of the CCO readers have collaborated on a tongue in cheek localized version of that song?…you may sing along as follows:
On the 12th day of Christmas my city gave to me
12 appointees drinking
11 contractors paying
10 days of comp time
9 officials dancing
8 cronies milking
7 kids not swimming
6 Mayors lying
5 non-working things
4 rotting turds
3 chicken dances
2 buildings rotting
And a new Director of IT
Drunk Driving Can Make Holiday Season Deadly
|
 |
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) — The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year on U.S. roads. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, as many as 900 people nationwide could die in crashes caused by drunk driving, safety officials report.
 |
Research Firm Uses Deaconess Program as an Example
12/17/2013
Global research, technology, and consulting firm, The Advisory Board Company, recently highlighted Deaconess Health System’s successful Population Health Management initiatives.
The Advisory Board Company published a case study on the Deaconess High Risk Health Plan Beneficiary Program in their December 12th Advisory Board Daily Briefing. They also asked Heather Orth, Director of Accountable Care for Deaconess Health System, to present a webinar about our Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program for their thousands of healthcare clients.
“Developing and refining robust chronic conditions programs†is an essential part of the Health System’s strategic goals for the next two years. The High Risk Health Beneficiary Program and the Diabetes Management Program are just two examples of how Deaconess is embracing 21st Century healthcare and reducing medical costs for people with complex health conditions.
Obama’s 2013: A year to forget
Obama’s 2013: A year to forget
January 16 — In the wake of the Newtown shootings, Obama outlines his gun-control proposals. After a backlash, nothing gets passed. In fact, gun sales skyrocket — up 55% in Texas and 46% in Pennsylvania.
January 20 – Obama is sworn into his second term; his inaugural address is “heavy on broad rhetoric and light on policy specifics†according to the Washington Post. More people talk about Beyonce lip-synching the National Anthem.
January 29 – In Las Vegas, Obama addresses the issue of comprehensive immigration reform. Though the Senate passed a bill in June, Obama again couldn’t get anything passed in the House.
February 12 – President Obama delivers the State of the Union address and announces a drawdown in Afghanistan. While “green on blue†insider attacks on US troops continue, President Karzai of Afghanistan holds out on signing any sort of security agreement. Without the deal, all US troops will be gone from Afghanistan in 2014.
March 1 — Despite saying his sequestration plan “will not happen†during the 2012 presidential campaign, Congress fails to reach a deal and sequestration cuts $85 billion across the board.
March 2 — Open-air parks like the WWII memorial are closed by the parks department. Insiders later tell reporters the reason was political. The administration wanted the public to “feel the pain†of sequester cuts.
May 10 — Lois Lerner, a director in the IRS, responds to a planted question at a speaking engagement, admitting the tax agency targeted conservative groups — delaying and denying their tax-exempt status. It’s later alleged that the IRS leaked tax returns of conservative groups and ordered up audits of political enemies.
May 12 — It’s revealed that the administration, angry that the AP broke a story about a terrorism plot, had the private phone records of reporters secretly subpoenaed. Attorney General Eric Holder denies knowing about the seizure, but defends it because of the “very, very serious leak.â€
May 22 — Lerner claims before Congress she “didn’t break any laws†then invokes the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination.
May 23 — At the National Defense University, Obama tries to placate the left about his drone attacks by saying, “To say a military tactic is legal, or even effective, is not to say it is wise or moral in every instance. For the same human progress that gives us the technology to strike half a world away also demands the discipline to constrain that power — or risk abusing it.â€
Apparently that “discipline†is “whatever Obama thinks is right.†Drone attacks continue unabated — including a strike on a Yemen wedding party earlier this month that killed at least 11.
June 6 — The Washington Post and Guardian newspapers both publish information about spying programs by the NSA, courtesy of Edward Snowden, a former NSA employee who stole the material and fled to Hong Kong.
June 23 — Edward Snowden arrives in Moscow, where Vladimir Putin refuses to give him up, and smirks when asked about him.
June 25 — In a speech on climate change, Obama again waffles on the Keystone pipeline, pleasing neither side. As months go on without it being built, Canada has been making plans to ship oil by sea to China instead.
July 2 — After taking off from Russia, the plane of Bolivian President Evo Morales is re-routed to Austria and searched, on reports he could be carrying Snowden. He isn’t — and the heavy-handed stop increases pressure on the US and angers NATO allies.
July 19 — Obama decides to weigh in on one criminal case out of thousands nationwide, saying, “Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago†after George Zimmerman is found not guilty of murdering the teen. Obama calls for “soul searching.â€
August 31 — Obama claims Syria has used chemical weapons in the country’s civil war, crossing the “red line†he had laid down. Obama claims he doesn’t need authorization to strike, but will ask Congress anyway. He later says even if Congress even says no, he can still do it.
September 15 — Weeks after his Syria ultimatum, Obama accepts a Russian deal that allows Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to stay in power if he gives up chemical weapons. Putin smirks.
September 23 — Lois Lerner retires suddenly; the investigation into the IRS targeting of conservative groups is ongoing.
October 1 — Depsite passing in 2010, the actual launch of ObamaCare is a complete failure — the website crashes, few if any people can sign up and millions discover that their insurance is cancelled. Obama is forced to admit that his promise that “if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance†is a lie.
October 1 — Unable to reach a budget deal, the government shuts down.
October 17 — In a rare Obama victory, the shutdown ends with no concession to Republicans on the budget.
October 23 — Snowden’s leaks reveal the US listened to German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone calls. She angrily confronts Obama and latter compares the behavior to the Stasi.
November 1 — Obama signs an executive order saying local governments must prepare for the “impact of global warming†— like making buildings stronger.
December 10 — With the selfie seen round the world, Obama upstages Nelson Mandela’s memorial with a cellphone picture with UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish PM Helle Thorning Schmidt.
December 18 — Congress passes a bipartisan budget agreement. Bob Woodward says deal was reached, “because Obama was not part of the negotiations.â€
December 19 — Under pressure, Obama says people who have had their insurance cancelled don’t have to pay the penalty for not having insurance for one year. It’s the 14th change to the law since passage.
December 31 — Estimates indicate more people may find their old health-care policies cancelled than who successfully signed up for new health insurance from ObamaCare.