Northwest Health – Porter names CEO
Northwest Health – Porter has announced the appointment of Dan Doherty, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 27, according to a release.
Doherty, has nearly 20 years of leadership in healthcare systems across Chicago and Wisconsin, will oversee daily operations and lead the hospital’s focus on delivering quality patient care and strategic growth initiatives.
Doherty most recently served as President and CEO of Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Chicago, the release said.
With Doherty’s arrival, Dr. Thomas Rohs will return to duties as Chief Medical Officer.
Franciscan adds sleep medicine doctor
Dr. Jin Young Hwang is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City, a release said.
Hwang earned her medical degree from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago and her fellowship in sleep medicine at the University of Chicago Department of Medicine, the release said.
She is accepting new patients at the Coolspring Health Center, 1225 E. Coolspring Ave., Suite 2E in Michigan City. Call 219-878-5014.
Economic outlook conference set for Oct. 31
A panel of regional business and economic experts will gather from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 to share insights about industry trends for 2026 during the free Business and Economic Outlook conference, a release said.
The event, hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable and the Construction Advancement Foundation is set to take place at Ivy Tech Community College, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso. The event is free for NWIBRT members.
Presenters at the event will include: Sherri Ziller, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority; Emily W. Easton, Chicago Quantum Exchange; Tom Vander Woude, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission; Tony Sindone, Indiana University Northwest; Audra Peterson, Porter County Career and Technical Education; Steve Skalka, Harbour Trust and Investment Management Company; and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.
Register for the event at NWIBRT.org.
Franciscan Health Michigan City to host free baby shower
Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a free Way to Grow baby shower for expectant families and new parents.
The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 25 at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way in the Maria Theresia Conference Room across from the cafeteria on the first floor.
Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep and community resources will be offered along with tours of the Family Birth Center, a breakfast buffet and giveaways. The event is free, but registration is required. Call 1-800-931-3322.
PNW recognized by U.S. News & World Report
Purdue University Northwest earned recognition as a top public regional university for academic quality and social mobility in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 annual Best Colleges rankings, according to a release.
PNW is ranked 37th among top public Midwest regional universities, while PNW’s undergraduate engineering programs are among the top 50 in the country for their category, ranked at No. 46 this year. In addition, PNW’s bachelor of science in nursing programs jumped to No. 74 among peers, the release said.
PNW’s undergraduate engineering programs ranked 46th nationally among U.S. News’ top undergraduate engineering programs without a doctorate. Other PNW undergraduate programs recognized by the U.S. News & World Report in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings include Computer Science, Psychology and Business.
Visit the U.S. News and World Report website for the full 2026 Best Colleges rankings.
Cash child support payment centers now open
Lake County Clerk Michael A. Brown announced the Lake County Clerk’s office now has two child support cash payment centers available in Lake County, according to a release.
Residents who wish to pay their child support payments in person may visit the Clerk’s office at 15 W. 4th Ave., in Gary (inside the Gary County Court Building) or 2293 N. Main St, Room All3, in Crown Point (inside the Lake County Government Center).
For more information, visit lakecountyin.gov or call 219-755-3000, option 5
Methodist Hospitals earns magazine notice
Methodist Hospitals has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospitals edition as a High Performing hospital for COPD, Diabetes, Heart Failure, Kidney Disease and Stroke, a release said.
Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedure, the release said.
U.S. News evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only one-third of them earned an award, the release said.
Free outdoor walking program to start
Franciscan Health is partnering with the Lake County Health Department to provide a free, four-week outdoor walking program this fall, according to a release.
Path to Wellness will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays Oct. 27 through Nov. 21. Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. at the main entrance of the Lake County Health Department, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. in Crown Point. In case of inclement weather, the walks will be canceled.
For more information, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Coordinator Stacy Zembala at 219-226-3889 or Lake County Health Department Health First Indiana Program Manager Michelle Arnold at 219-755-3655.
Lunch & Learn session announced
Great Lakes Communications will sponsor a Lunch & Learn event from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Crossroads Chamber in Merrillville, a release said.
The gathering is designed to bring together small business owners, professionals and community members for networking, education and live entertainment.
The program will include: Networking & Mingling, lunch and music, an Interactive learning session and a closing networking opportunity, the release said.
Register at https://answergreatlakes.com/great-lakes-communications-lunchlearn/.
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