This annual report from Parkview Women's & Children's Services describes their activities in 2014-2016 related to caring for women and children. It highlights the organization's family birthing centers, which provide a warm, personalized environment for childbirth. It also discusses Parkview's focus on addressing Indiana's high infant mortality rate through various prenatal programs. The report outlines Parkview's comprehensive services for OB/GYN care, pediatrics, breast health, and more.

1. 1
PARKVIEW WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S
2016 ANNUAL REPORT

2. 3 A letter from leadership
4 Family Birthing Centers
7 Expert care from a team of
OB/GYN physicians
8 Planning for a personalized
birth experience
9 Healthy Due Date promotes
babies’ full-term development
10 Midwives offer holistic options
for birth — and beyond
11 Centering offers expectant
mothers a new approach to
prenatal care
12 Helping mothers plan for babies
at risk for genetic abnormalities
13 Maternal-Fetal Medicine:
Specialized care for high-risk
pregnancies
14 Helping families cope with loss
15 Identifying and addressing
causes of infant deaths through
FIMR grant
16 Safe Slumber Program promotes
safer sleeping for infants
17 Period of PURPLE Crying®
18 NACCHO grant aims to
boost breastfeeding among
African-American mothers
19 BABY & METM
Tobacco Free
20 Specialized care for newborns
at state-of-the-art NICU
22 Whole-body cooling technique
lessens injuries for hypoxic
babies
23 NICU follow-up program helps
babies with developmental
delays obtain earlier treatment
24 Expert care, when children need
it most
25 Emergency care tailored
specifically for children
26 Children’s Clinic focuses on
caring for young patients
27 A walk-in lab site tailored just
for kids
28 Children with developmental
delays get fast-tracked
to therapy
30 Child life specialists ease
medical experience for
young patients
31 Personalized follow-up that
connects families with resources
32 Ronald McDonald House offers
hospitality in the hospital
34 Specialized treatment helps
women overcome pelvic
floor disorders
36 Parkview focuses on early
detection for breast health
37 Parkview promotes women’s
heart health
38 A time for change
39 What’s ahead for the
Parkview Women’s & Children’s
service line?
This annual report was published in November 2016.
It describes activities occurring in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS

3. 3A letter from leadership I
Caring for women and children is a unique and
significant responsibility. It means caring for
the very heart of a family. At Parkview Women’s
& Children’s Services, we’re deeply cognizant
of our key role in nurturing entire families by
treating every person entrusted to our care.
We strive to provide quality, personalized healthcare to
women and children in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio
and southeast Michigan. Although many people think of
Parkview for our exceptional maternity care and Family
Birthing Centers, our care for women extends across all
stages of life.
Our patients trust us with some of the most deeply
personal moments of their lives. The professionals
here — from obstetricians and neonatologists, to
nurses, physical therapists and child life specialists —
help families through joyous events and, occasionally,
heartbreaking ones, which we treat with compassion
and empathy.
As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Parkview is
committed to our region. We’re part of the community
in the deepest sense, and we reinvest our earnings for
A LETTER FROM
LEADERSHIP
its benefit. You’ll see that commitment demonstrated
repeatedly as we broaden and expand healthcare
services, bring in new technologies, and work with other
organizations and community resources to promote
better health in this region.
For example, a key initiative of the Parkview Women’s
& Children’s service line is to positively impact infant
mortality in our region — and, by extension, our state.
Indiana ranks 39th in the United States for infant
mortality. Throughout this report, you’ll read about how
we’re taking the lead to address maternal healthcare
challenges with a multifaceted approach. By developing a
spectrum of programs that encourage early prenatal care,
improve maternal health and build parenting skills, we
plan to move the needle on this key health indicator.
As leaders of the Parkview Women’s & Children’s service
line, we’re energized by the many programs we’re
implementing now — and those we’re planning in the near
future — to improve the health of women and children in
our region. This goal will require pushing the boundaries
of quality care every single day. But at Parkview, that’s
exactly what we’re doing.
Left to right: Patti Brahe, BSN, MHA, Senior Vice President,
Parkview Women’s & Children’s Services, and Thomas Miller, MD,
Physician Executive, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Services.
Throughout this report, you’ll read about how
we’re taking the lead to address maternal
healthcare challenges with a multifaceted
approach. By developing a spectrum of
programs that encourage early prenatal care,
improve maternal health and build parenting
skills, we plan to move the needle on this key
health indicator.

4. FAMILY BIRTHING CENTERS
4
To make the arrival of each new baby as
comfortable and personalized as possible,
Parkview offers Family Birthing Centers
(FBCs) inside Parkview Women’s & Children’s
Hospital and Parkview Hospital Randallia,
as well as Parkview Huntington, Parkview
LaGrange, Parkview Noble and Parkview
Whitley hospitals.
Whichever location new moms choose, they’ll find a
warm, family-centered place that can become a home
away from home, with advanced care from an expert
team and state-of-the-art technology.
Parkview’s Family Birthing Centers offer a variety of
rooms, from traditional birthing rooms to
single-room suites with in-room relaxation baths.
Suites are also available for moms with high-risk
pregnancies. Each spacious room has soft décor and is
furnished with rich wood cabinetry, a sofa bed, a private
bath and cable TV/DVD.
Amenities vary from hospital to hospital, but they
generally include:
• Prenatal classes to help mothers, fathers and families
prepare for their babies
• Expert birth planners to help each mom create an
individualized pregnancy and delivery plan
• Options for the first hour immediately after birth,
including aromatherapy and dimmed lights
• VIP meal during the postpartum stay
• Nursing care and support from board-certified
lactation consultants
• Wireless fetal telemetry to allow moms to be mobile
I Family Birthing Centers
FAMILY BIRTHING CENTERS
A family celebrates the arrival of a newborn boy at the Parkview Women‘s & Children‘s Hospital Family Birthing Center.

5. 5Family Birthing Centers I
All-new birthing rooms at the Parkview Huntington
Hospital Family Birthing Center.
Extensive renovations were made to Parkview Huntington
Hospital’s Family Birthing Center, creating a more modern,
warm and inviting space for families. The spacious
private rooms now feature attractive wood flooring
complemented by soft décor and a sofa bed for guests.
Also, use of Parkview Huntington Hospital’s breastfeeding
services has seen substantial increases. The hospital’s
certified lactation consultant provides exclusive
one-on-one breastfeeding consultation to any new
mom in the county.
Parkview Noble Hospital extends OB/GYN coverage.
A new OB/GYN physician joined the Parkview Noble
Hospital medical staff in spring 2015, bringing the
number of physicians available to deliver babies to
three. Luis M. Velasco, MD, joined Parkview Physicians
Group — OB/GYN, Noble. He is available to deliver
babies along with Mycal Mansfield, MD, Parkview
Physicians Group — Family Medicine, Avilla, and
Christopher Frazier, MD, Parkview Physicians
Group — Family Medicine, Noble.
In September 2015, Parkview Noble Hospital hosted its
second annual Baby Fair, which featured tours of the
Family Birthing Center for expectant parents, as well as
visits with physicians and members of the staff.
Families enjoy the newly renovated birthing rooms at Parkview Huntington Hospital’s Family Birthing Center.

6. 6 I Family Birthing Centers
Parkview Hospital Randallia opens doors to newly
renovated Family Birthing Center.
As part of the $55 million renovation investment
announced by Parkview in 2014, the FBC at
Parkview Hospital Randallia was among the first
projects to be completed. The FBC now features
10 large and beautifully designed rooms in which
mothers will experience labor, delivery, recovery
and postpartum care all in the same room.
The newly renovated Parkview Hospital Randallia Family Birthing Center opened in December 2015.
The spacious private rooms include a refrigerator, sofa
bed and secondary television for the convenience of a
significant other or family member.
The laboring tub room features a beautiful, scenic light
feature over the tub, as well as a television and surround
sound speakers that play music the mothers-to-be
have selected.

7. 7
Coming — will be a feature article
Left to right: Christina Francis, MD, Parkview Physicians Group — OB/GYN, Hospital Medicine, Allen County, and Geoffrey Cly, MD,
Parkview Physicians Group — OB/GYN, Allen County.
All women are unique. The expert physicians
with Parkview Physicians Group (PPG) — OB/
GYN recognize the importance of caring for
each patient’s unique needs. Whether visiting
for an annual exam or preparing for a new
member of the family, patients can expect
highly trained expert staff to work with them
to help achieve their health goals while
providing the best care possible.
With a total of 12 OB/GYN clinics in seven counties
throughout northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio,
PPG — OB/GYN providers are available to provide
seamless care wherever they’re needed. These
providers make healthcare convenient and
accessible for the women in our communities. In
Allen County alone, five OB/GYN clinics are located
throughout the region. Various services are offered at
each of the clinics, including:
• Prenatal care
• Pelvic and gynecological exams
• Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• Family planning
• Breast exams
• Symptom control and disease prevention
during menopause
The team of PPG — OB/GYN providers is made
up of 25 board-certified obstetrics/gynecology
physicians, one certified gynecologist, eight nurse
practitioners and five certified nurse-midwives.
The number of providers continues to grow as more
women choose Parkview for their medical needs.
The physicians perform deliveries at all Parkview
Health hospital locations. In July 2016, an OB/
GYN hospitalists program was implemented at the
Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, giving
patients access to 24/7 expert care in the hospital.
EXPERT CARE FROM A TEAM OF
OB/GYN PHYSICIANS
Expert care from a team of OB/GYN physicians I 7

8. 8
PLANNING FOR A
PERSONALIZED BIRTH EXPERIENCE
Mothers-to-be choose to give birth at Parkview for
a variety of reasons — every patient is different.
That’s why Parkview offers pregnant women the
services of birth planners, who guide them through
every step of the pregnancy and delivery process,
at no cost. Since its introduction in 2009, the
program has grown substantially every year.
Typically referred by their OB/GYN, patients usually first
meet with their birth planner 16 – 20 weeks into their
pregnancy. The planner takes them on an individual
tour of the Family Birthing Center and helps them get
acquainted with the facility. She may also help them
enroll in prenatal education, breastfeeding classes or
other programs as appropriate.
I Planning for a personalized birth experience
Angie Russ, birth planner
During the last month of pregnancy, birth planners meet
with patients again to create a customized delivery
plan. Covering everything from coping techniques
(aromatherapy, massage and more) to medication and
breastfeeding preferences, the plan helps new moms
outline the birth experience they would prefer.
“Having a customized plan lets patients have a voice in
their delivery,” says Angie Russ, MSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC,
prenatal supervisor/birth planner, Parkview Women’s &
Children’s Hospital. “It also fosters a sense of preparedness
that leads to less discomfort, less preterm labor and,
ultimately, better outcomes.”
“Having a customized plan lets patients have a voice in their delivery. It also fosters a sense of
preparedness that leads to less discomfort, less preterm labor and, ultimately, better outcomes.”
- Angie Russ, MSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC

9. 9
Throughout the last decade, a growing body of
medical research has shown that every week of
pregnancy is important to babies’ health and
development. Major organs, like the brain, lungs
and liver, are still growing; eyes and ears are
still developing. When deliveries are scheduled
earlier than 39 weeks without medical indication
(early elective delivery), studies found higher
rates of cesarean births, increased lengths
of hospital stay and increased admissions to
newborn intensive care units.
Parkview Health and Parkview Physicians Group —
OB/GYN physicians realize that continuing pregnancy to
or beyond 39 weeks is safest for both babies and their
mothers, barring any pregnancy complications. Taking the
lead to address this issue in our community, in late 2012
we launched an early elective delivery program, a major
new initiative to help mothers reach 39 weeks or more
of pregnancy.
Patient education is the centerpiece of the initiative.
PPG — OB/GYNs, childbirth educators and birth
planners at our Family Birthing Centers help parents
understand the importance of knowing and preparing
for a healthy due date, and waiting for labor to begin
on its own. Educational resources such as brochures
and handouts explain a baby’s developmental
timetable, comfort measures for late pregnancy and
other related information.
Through the initiative, the Parkview Women’s &
Children’s service line continues its commitment
to mothers, babies and families. By reducing early
deliveries, we help our youngest, most vulnerable
patients get off to healthy starts.
HEALTHY DUE DATE PROMOTES
BABIES’ FULL-TERM DEVELOPMENT
Healthy Due Date promotes babies’ full-term development I 9
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FBC review of all Early Elec:ve Deliveries /Total Deliveries
Parkview Family Birthing Centers Early Elective Deliveries vs. Total Deliveries

10. 10
MIDWIVES OFFER HOLISTIC
OPTIONS FOR BIRTH — AND BEYOND
Each woman has unique preferences for her
healthcare, and the number who seek more
holistic, natural options is growing. To meet their
needs, and offer a care alternative to women in
northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, Parkview
added certified nurse-midwifery services in
mid-2015.
Midwives may be best known for their care of women
during pregnancy and childbirth, but in fact, they care
for women throughout their lives — from adolescence
through menopause. Parkview’s certified nurse-midwives
(CNMs) are registered nurses who obtained a master’s
degree in nursing with a focus in midwifery. They are
certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Before attending graduate school, many CNMs work for
several years as a labor/delivery nurse.
Our CNMs practice in collaboration with PPG — OB/GYN
physicians, and deliver babies in the Family Birthing
Centers at Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital and
Parkview LaGrange Hospital, as well as the community
hospital in Bryan, Ohio. Their collaboration gives women
the “best of both worlds” — holistic, natural options for
I Midwives offer holistic options for birth — and beyond
pregnancy, all tucked inside the safety of a hospital.
Midwives view birth as a natural, normal event, and their
patients typically seek low-intervention deliveries.
Our CNMs offer individualized, one-on-one attention,
with step-by-step guidance through pregnancy and
delivery. It’s comforting for many women to know that
the midwife who worked with them throughout their
pregnancy will be right beside them in the delivery
room, too. After delivery, they may choose that midwife
to care for them on an ongoing basis.
In addition to prenatal and delivery care, Parkview’s
CNMs offer support and services such as:
• Gynecological exams
• Family planning needs
• Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• Menopause care
Parkview is committed to expanding the midwifery
program. In October 2016, Nicole Pothast, MSN, CNM,
joined the PPG certified nurse-midwife team in Fort
Wayne. In 2017, an additional certified nurse-midwife will
be hired to expand the services offered to women.
Kelly Horn, MSN, CNM
Certified Nurse-Midwife
PPG — OB/GYN,
Fort Wayne
Allison Thorpe, MSN, CNM
Certified Nurse-Midwife
PPG — OB/GYN,
Fort Wayne
Rebekah Ellinger, MSN, CNM
Certified Nurse-Midwife
PPG — OB/GYN,
LaGrange
Lisa Fedderke, MSN, CNM
Certified Nurse-Midwife
PPG — OB/GYN,
Bryan

11. 11Centering offers expectant mothers a new approach to prenatal care I
CENTERING OFFERS EXPECTANT
MOTHERS A NEW APPROACH TO PRENATAL CARE
Parkview worked with the Centering Healthcare
Institute to introduce Centering Pregnancy®,
a new group-based approach to pre- and
postnatal care, at Parkview in April 2015 with
an initial group of five expectant women. Based
on the idea of women supporting each other
and themselves in small groups, Centering
promotes greater patient engagement, personal
empowerment and community building.
Instead of routine individual visits, the mothers meet
as a small group, usually 5 – 10 people, with their
Parkview Physicians Group care provider. After an
individual assessment with their care provider, the
women “circle up” to discuss health-promoting
behaviors and share personal concerns. Each of the 10
sessions has a topic, such as nutrition or a common issue
during pregnancy. Sometimes there’s a speaker, such
as a lactation consultant. Nibbling on healthy snacks,
the women enjoy two hours of “face time” with their
physician, as well as the camaraderie of other expectant
mothers. Each patient weighs herself, takes her own
blood pressure and tracks the information in a journal.
Centering care starts around the second trimester and
extends through delivery. By that time, groups have often
tightly bonded, says Dr. Sailaja Blackmon, an OB/GYN
with PPG. “The women open up to each other, and they
encourage each other to adopt healthier behaviors.” After
all group members have given birth, they celebrate with a
baby shower hosted by Parkview.
Each month, a new group forms at Parkview Physicians
Group’s Carew Street office, with births directed to the
Parkview Hospital Randallia Family Birthing Center.
An evidence-based approach, Centering has been
nationally recognized by leading healthcare experts for its
excellent results. Research shows that Centering improves
important maternal-child health factors such as preterm
birth rates, low birth weight rates, breastfeeding rates and
immunization rates.
Dr. Sailaja Blackmon, MD, Parkview Physicians Group — OB/GYN,
pictured second from the right, leads a Centering class with
mothers-to-be at the Parkview Physicians Group Carew Street office.
“The women open up to each other,
and they encourage each other to adopt
healthier behaviors.”
- Sailaja Blackmon, MD
Centering Pregnancy® is a registered trademark of the Centering Healthcare Institute Inc.

12. 12
HELPING MOTHERS PLAN FOR
BABIES AT RISK FOR GENETIC ABNORMALITIES
In 2014, Parkview Health introduced prenatal
and preconception genetic counseling services
to help women and couples get information
and resources about their baby’s risk of
abnormalities. Patients may be referred to
the service because of a previous child with a
genetic condition, a personal or family history
of a genetic condition, being age 35 or older,
a history of multiple miscarriages, or abnormal
results from prenatal screenings such as
ultrasound and blood work.
The genetic counselors, who have master’s degrees in
genetic counseling, give patients information about the
risk of chromosomal abnormalities, genetic diseases
or congenital abnormalities, such as Down syndrome
or Trisomy 18, for a current or future pregnancy. They
help patients consider all the factors involved in their
I Helping mothers plan for babies at risk for genetic abnormalities
decisions, coordinate genetic testing and offer resources
and educational materials about specific conditions.
In each session, the genetic counselors help patients
understand the condition(s) for which their child is at
risk and guide them through available testing, treatment
and other options. “With many conditions or genetic
abnormalities, parents may not know exactly what
they’re facing,” explains Rebecca Nelson, MS, CGC,
certified genetic counselor, Parkview Genetic Counseling.
“We help ease their concerns by interpreting genetic
testing, providing supportive counseling and serving as
patient advocates.”
The counselors work with all Parkview Physicians
Group — OB/GYN physicians and have partnered with
Dr. Elaine Carroll to offer genetic counseling services at
the Parkview Physicians Group — Advanced Perinatal
Care Center.
Left to right: Sarah Bradenberger, MS, CGC, and Rebecca Nelson, MS, CGC, certified genetic counselors
at Parkview Genetic Counseling.

13. 13Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Specialized care for high-risk pregnancies I
MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE:
SPECIALIZED CARE FOR HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES
Some mothers-to-be face more complicated or
non-routine deliveries, but early recognition
and treatment can make a significant difference
in the outcome. These patients, typically with
chronic health problems or high-risk pregnancies,
find specialized expert care through Parkview
Physicians Group (PPG) — Advanced Perinatal
Care Center.
Patients are referred to PPG — Advanced Perinatal
Care Center when their regular physician, OB/GYN or
midwife determines they show potential for preterm
birth and complications. Typically, test results or
medical histories indicate at least one of these
conditions:
• A maternal medical condition, such as diabetes or
hypertension, that might complicate the pregnancy
and delivery
• A fetal condition, such as an intrauterine growth
restriction or evidence of birth defects
• Poor obstetric history or current complications
Parkview welcomed Dr. Elaine Carroll, board certified
maternal-fetal medicine sub-specialist, in August 2016.
Dr. Carroll provides complex diagnostic and therapeutic
services, including targeted ultrasound, genetic
amniocentesis and amnioreduction. For birth defects
or growth problems, treatment can often start before
birth, providing babies with the best possible care until
they arrive.
Dr. Carroll works side by side with a multidisciplinary
team, including Parkview’s genetic counselors,
OB/GYN hospitalists, Newborn Intensive Care Unit
and nurses with extensive labor and delivery experience
to consult, co-manage or care directly for complicated
pregnancies and deliveries. This approach gives
mothers a circle of care to ease their minds. By sharing
an in-depth knowledge of pregnancy complications
and their impact on both the mother and the fetus,
PPG — Advanced Perinatal Care Center surrounds
women with an experienced multidisciplinary team
to improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.
PPG — Advanced Perinatal Care Center is putting
Parkview at the forefront of perinatal care in
northeast Indiana.

14. HELPING FAMILIES COPE WITH LOSS
I Helping families cope with loss14
Despite outstanding medical care, sometimes we
experience the heartbreaking loss of a baby. At
Parkview, our commitment to compassionate care
means that we help bereaved families begin their
coping process here. With extreme sensitivity
to each family’s unique needs, we coordinate
appropriate resources to ease the pain of loss.
Upon a death, our medical and nursing staff members
encourage families to take as much time as needed with
their babies. Precious mementos, such as a lock of hair,
a photo or a molded handprint, can be taken. To honor
these families, nursing staff members who enjoy sewing
have created a unique memorial — beautiful “angel
gowns” stitched from donated wedding dresses.
Barbara Kramer, RN, Family Birthing Center, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, and Nichole Jolley, RN, Family Birthing
Center, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, are pictured with one of the angel gowns sewn from a donated wedding dress.
Collaborating with Parkview chaplains and social
workers, we connect bereaved families with a
variety of services available to facilitate and support
healthy grieving. When appropriate, families are
offered help locating services, such as support groups,
in their local communities.

15. 15Identifying and addressing causes of infant deaths through FIMR grant I
IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING CAUSES
OF INFANT DEATHS THROUGH FIMR GRANT
Infant mortality is viewed as a sentinel event that
serves as a measure of a community’s general
health status, as well as its social and economic
well-being. Fetal and Infant Mortality Review
(FIMR) is a community process that can address
these challenges.
In summer 2015, Parkview Health was awarded a grant
from the Indiana State Department of Health to develop
FIMR in Allen County. The overall goal of FIMR is to
enhance the health and well-being of women, infants
and families by improving the community resources and
service delivery systems available to them. This goal
aligns directly with the mission of Parkview Women’s &
Children’s Hospital, and we’re pleased to take the lead in
this area.
In 2016, the Allen County FIMR began investigating all
non-criminal infant deaths, averaging approximately 35
cases per year. Preliminary data suggests that single
and African-American women have the greatest need
for community action. If our case analysis supports this
hypothesis, one of the community action team priorities
will be to identify and address the root cause of this
disparity, then direct resources, practices and programs
for implementation in the community.
While FIMR is focused on fetal and infant deaths, its
public health and community impact is far greater,
influencing prenatal, postnatal, pediatric and adult
medical practices and programs offered in the
community. FIMR’s focus on systems of care and
identifying gaps in care results in action being taken in a
way that interpretation of vital statistics data alone does
not necessarily promote. Implementing the program on
an ongoing basis creates a cycle of continuous quality
improvement in health outcomes for the community.
Erin Norton, RN, BSN, IBCLC, clinical research nurse and program coordinator, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, works
with Allen County FIMR to improve the resources and services available in our region in order for babies to make it to their first
birthdays and beyond.

16. 16
SAFE SLUMBER PROGRAM PROMOTES
SAFER SLEEPING FOR INFANTS
I Safe Slumber Program promotes safer sleeping for infants
Every year, too many babies die in their sleep
from preventable causes, like suffocation from
bedding or co-sleeping with an adult. To help
protect our newborns, Parkview created the
Safe Slumber Program, which teaches parents
about safe sleep practices. The program gives
parents a better understanding of why sleeping
with adults or piles of toys in the crib can be
hazardous to babies.
In addition, the Safe Slumber Program focuses on two
key items for protecting babies as they snooze:
• Sleep sacks, not baby blankets, are now
recommended by experts in child development for
children under the age of one. Sleep sacks keep
babies safe and cozy while eliminating the suffocation
hazard of loose fabric around the face. As a result,
Parkview Family Birthing Centers use sleep sacks
exclusively. After delivery, each mom is shown how to
dress her baby in a sleep sack and may choose one as
part of a selection of baby items at discharge.
• Safety-approved cribs are also available for parents
who qualify. In conjunction with First Candle, a
nationwide initiative against sudden infant death,
Parkview is a distribution site for free, safe and
portable cribs.
Heather Henry, RN, Parkview Community Nursing, and Carmen Moore, RN, BSN, CLS, manager, Parkview Community Nursing,
promote the Safe Slumber Program throughout the region.

17. 17Period of PURPLE Crying® I
PERIOD OF PURPLE CRYING®
Safe, stable and nurturing relationships between
children and adults are something we all desire.
However, positive and protective parenting
skills can be tested when a newborn cries for no
apparent reason and resists consoling. Parkview is
committed to helping parents deal with this normal
phase of infant development and avoid behavior
that may lead to shaking their babies. Shaken Baby
Syndrome (SBS) may cause death or long-term
brain damage.
In an effort to combat SBS in our area, Parkview
Health introduced the Period of PURPLE Crying®
education program. A national program with proven
results, the rollout at Parkview was underwritten by
the Fort Wayne Children’s Foundation and Parkview
Community Improvement Program.
Judy Springer, ICCE, ICD, Period of PURPLE Crying program coordinator, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, uses a shaken
baby simulator doll to teach expectant moms the dangers of shaking a baby.
Through the Period of PURPLE Crying program, new
parents gain a better understanding of a key time in their
baby’s life. During this period, which starts at about two
weeks of age and continues until about three to four
months, babies can cry for hours. They seem to resist
soothing — nothing seems to work. It’s a normal part of
development, though, and helping parents learn how to
cope during that time can ease their concerns.
The grants allowed us to offer the program in all Parkview
Family Birthing Centers. In addition, we were able to
purchase shaken baby simulator dolls, a powerful tool for
demonstrating the damage inflicted by shaking a baby.
The Period of PURPLE Crying® is a registered trademark of National Center
on Shaken Baby Syndrome and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM.

18. 18
NACCHO GRANT AIMS TO BOOST BREASTFEEDING
AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS
I NACCHO grant aims to boost breastfeeding among African-American mothers
Breastfeeding is the most natural and healthy
way to feed infants, with a long list of benefits for
both mothers and babies. But too many women in
northeast Indiana aren’t getting that message, or
they pick up misinformation. Breastfeeding rates
in Indiana (63.6 percent of all infants) are lower
than the national average. And among Hoosier
African-American mothers, rates drop lower still
(56.8 percent).
To help close that gap, Parkview Health launched
a program in January 2015 focused on increasing
breastfeeding rates in the local African-American
community. Funded by a two-year grant from the
National Association of County and City Health Officials
(NACCHO), the program allowed Parkview Health and
its community partner organizations, SCAN (Stop Child
Abuse and Neglect) and Healthier Moms & Babies, to
train three additional certified lactation specialists.
Parkview also established additional breastfeeding
support groups in targeted communities.
“We’re trying to change some of the misconceptions
about breastfeeding in our community by providing
evidence-based prenatal breastfeeding education and
support to new moms in Fort Wayne,” says Carmen
Moore, RN, BSN, CLS, manager, Parkview Community
Nursing, who serves as the project coordinator.
“Once new mothers understand the true benefits of
breastfeeding for themselves and their new babies,
we’re confident that breastfeeding rates will
increase significantly.”
Parkview will continue breastfeeding education in the
community after the life of the grant.
Carmen Moore, RN, BSN, CLS, manager, Parkview Community Nursing, pictured far right, explains the benefits
of breastfeeding to new mothers.

19. 19BABY & METM
Tobacco Free I
BABY & METM
TOBACCO FREE
With a baby on the way, pregnant women often
have extra motivation to consider healthy
changes — such as smoking cessation. Pregnant
women are 1.8 times more likely to abstain from
tobacco than when not pregnant. If they succeed
in quitting, they’re less likely to have premature
and low birth weight babies. Perhaps best of all,
smoking cessation reduces the damaging effects
of secondhand smoke on their children.
To give pregnant women extra support in their efforts
to stop smoking, Parkview introduced the BABY & METM
Tobacco Free Program in 2014, funded by a grant from
the March of Dimes®. The program’s unique approach
combines cessation support specifically tailored to
pregnant women with practical incentives (such as
vouchers for free diapers). Each participant receives at
least four prenatal cessation counseling sessions, support
and carbon monoxide monitoring, usually during a regular
prenatal visit. If a woman successfully quits before delivery,
she may take a breath test monthly and receive diaper
vouchers every month for up to six months.
The Parkview BABY & METM
Tobacco Free Program’s
goal is to reduce the number of low birth weight babies
in northeast Indiana by reducing the number of women
who smoke during and after their pregnancies. By giving
these women a little added incentive at an opportune
time, the program can help clear the air for many
families in our area.
BABY & METM
Tobacco Free Program is a trademark of BABY & METM
Tobacco Free.
March of Dimes® is a registered trademark of March of Dimes Foundation.

20. 20
SPECIALIZED CARE FOR
NEWBORNS AT STATE-OF-THE-ART NICU
I Specialized care for newborns at state-of-the-art NICU
As much as we wish for every baby to be born
healthy, some arrive prematurely or with critical
illnesses. Caring for these babies takes highly
specialized skills, technology and treatment —
exactly what Parkview Regional Medical Center’s
Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
offers the northeast Indiana/northwest Ohio
region. All 31 beds of the NICU are private rooms.
At the heart of the NICU care team are Parkview’s six
board-certified/eligible neonatologists — pediatricians
who have undergone additional fellowship training to
care for newborns who need intensive care. At least one
neonatologist is present at PRMC around-the-clock to be
immediately available for emergencies.
A collaborative group, the NICU staff practices
evidence-based medicine. The multidisciplinary team
also includes neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal
nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians, a pediatric
pharmacist, pediatric physical therapists, pediatric
occupational therapists, pediatric speech-language
pathologists, lactation specialists, social workers,
case managers, a patient care coordinator and a
NICU educator.
In 2015, the NICU staff cared for 491 infants.
About 16 percent came from other hospitals in the
region, including Parkview community hospitals.
To bring them safely to the NICU, we provide ground
and helicopter transports.
Left to right: Moses Olatunji, MD; Ravi Kudumula, MD; Win Boon, MD, NICU Medical Director; Melissa Rice, DO; Felix Quist, MD,
Parkview Physicians Group — Neonatology. Not pictured: Venkata Kuppala, MD, Parkview Physicians Group — Neonatology.

21. 21
Most NICU babies are admitted due to prematurity —
as early as 22 weeks gestation. Some infants
have breathing difficulties, and the NICU team
utilizes a variety of different ventilators, as well as
non-invasive forms of respiratory support, appropriate
for the baby’s condition. The team works closely
with pediatric specialties, including infectious
disease, pediatric surgery, neurology, cardiology,
developmental care and genetic counseling to provide
the appropriate level of care to newborns.
“We’re here to help with unexpected problems with
newborns,” says Dr. Win Boon, NICU Medical Director
and neonatologist. “Our goal is to help these babies
get off to the best start possible.”
Specialized care for newborns at state-of-the-art NICU I 21
Left to right: Stefanie Anderson, RN; Natalie Smolek, RN; Shane Miller, RN; Debbie Belleville, BSN, RNC NIC, nursing services
manager, NICU; Jennifer Kesler, RN; April Simshauser, RNC NIC, NICU, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

22. 2222
WHOLE-BODY COOLING TECHNIQUE
LESSENS INJURIES FOR HYPOXIC BABIES
As clinical researchers pioneer new
methods and procedures, neonatologists
at the Parkview Newborn Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) implement these tools to benefit the
babies in their care. One such technique is
whole-body cooling, which may minimize brain
injuries in newborns affected by hypoxic ischemic
encephalopathy (HIE), an abnormal condition
that results from inadequate oxygen supply to
the baby prior to or during delivery.
When a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen and/or
blood flow, mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy
and other serious mental and physical disabilities can
occur. Evidence suggests that by slowing down the
baby’s metabolism, whole-body cooling may reduce the
severity and extent of any neurological deficits.
The NICU medical team begins the cooling procedure
I Whole-body cooling technique lessens injuries for hypoxic babies
within six hours of birth, the window of time during
which it can be most effective. The baby is placed on a
special water-filled blanket, which slowly brings his or
her temperature down to 92°F. An esophageal monitor
reads the baby’s temperature continuously and sends
it to the water blanket’s control unit, which then
adjusts the water temperature accordingly. After three
days of cooling and constant monitoring by NICU
staff members, the baby is slowly rewarmed to normal
body temperature.
HIE occurs in about one in 1,000 full-term babies in
the United States each year. “We see first-hand how
devastating these injuries can be to infants,” says Win
Boon, MD, NICU Medical Director and neonatologist,
Parkview Physicians Group — Neonatology. “So, we’re
constantly reviewing medical literature for promising
new techniques that could improve outcomes for the
babies here.”
“We’re constantly reviewing medical
literature for promising new techniques
that could improve outcomes for the
babies here.”
- Win Boon, MD

23. 23
NICU FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM HELPS BABIES WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS OBTAIN EARLIER TREATMENT
Up to 11 percent of babies in the United States
are born premature, and these babies often face
greater risk of developmental delays. Many show
delays in motor skills and learning disabilities,
especially in the areas of language and math.
However, fewer than half are identified before
starting school, and significant delays may
have already occurred. Opportunities for early
treatment, which can often greatly change a
child’s developmental trajectory, are missed.
To identify these babies as early as possible and help
them receive treatment, Parkview’s NICU has established
a follow-up program. Babies born prematurely, babies
who have various medical conditions such as seizures
or meningitis, or infants our neonatologists believe will
benefit from developmental assessment, are referred to
our Pediatric Developmental Care Clinic (learn more on
pages 28 and 29).
At the clinic, Dr. Lisa Bergeron, MD, a pediatric
developmental specialist, thoroughly assesses infants
for a variety of conditions, working collaboratively with
the baby’s primary care provider. If the assessment
determines that a baby has a medical condition, clinic
staff connects parents with available programs, therapies
and resources.
“Essentially, we’re streamlining these babies into early
intervention programs,” explains Dr. Venkata Kuppala,
NICU neonatologist. “With earlier identification, they
can receive treatment sooner, which can significantly
improve outcomes.”
“Neural circuits, which create the foundation for
learning, behavior and health, are most flexible or
‘plastic’ during the first three years of life. Over time,
they become increasingly difficult to change.”
- The Center on the Developing Child,
Harvard University
NICU follow-up program helps babies with developmental delays obtain earlier treatment I

24. 24
EXPERT CARE,
WHEN CHILDREN NEED IT MOST
The region’s resource for critically ill and
injured children, Parkview’s Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (PICU) at Parkview Regional Medical
Center provides specialized care for kids who
need around-the-clock, complex care. The
seven-bed unit, featuring spacious private
rooms, offers sleeper sofas to allow parents to
stay with their child.
The PICU care team includes professionals who are
specially trained in children’s unique needs — pediatric
intensivists, pediatric sub-specialists and specially
trained nurses with advanced certifications. A child life
I Expert care, when children need it most24
specialist works with the team, helping kids understand
their conditions and preparing them for medical
procedures. Sophisticated technology sized for children
allows the staff to care for, and carefully monitor, their
critically ill young patients.
Parkview believes children should be cared for close to
home. We are committed to providing specialized care
for our young patients.
“Children cope with, manage and respond
to critical illness differently,” says Lori
Norton, MSN, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, director,
Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
“An intensive care unit designed from the
ground up expressly for children allows
us to better impact those responses,
which leads to improved outcomes.”
- Lori Norton, MSN, MHA, RN, NEA-BC

25. 25
EMERGENCY CARE
TAILORED SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN
When children become acutely ill or injured,
pediatric emergency care is available 24/7
at Parkview Regional Medical Center’s verified
Level II trauma center. Recognizing that treating
children often requires entirely different protocols
than those for adults, we’ve designed specialized
medical and surgical services to meet children’s
unique needs.
Led by the region’s first physician board certified in both
pediatrics and emergency medicine, the child-friendly
pediatric emergency area features:
• Medical equipment designed just for kids
• Innovative diagnostic imaging, including low-dose
radiation CT
• Direct access to pediatric specialty physicians, such
as a pediatric trauma surgeon or pediatric intensivist
• Pediatric emergency certified nurses
• Child life specialists who help prepare children for
medical procedures
In many cases, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
nurse will join Emergency Department staff members
in providing care for critically ill children. If the child
is subsequently admitted to the PICU, the nurse
accompanies him or her, providing continuity of care —
and a familiar face.
Parkview takes a family-centered perspective, so we
welcome parents as collaborators with the pediatric
emergency staff. Parents know what’s normal for their
child, so they can often provide valuable information that
will help the treatment team’s assessment.
Emergency care tailored specifically for children I
Dr. Abby Massey, medical director, Parkview Children’s Emergency Care Center, Professional Emergency Physicians;
Dr. Jayesh Patel, medical director, Parkview Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Specialty Physicians, and other team
members care for critically ill children at Parkview’s trauma center.

26. 26
CHILDREN’S CLINIC FOCUSES
ON CARING FOR YOUNG PATIENTS
The instant you step inside the Parkview
Children’s Clinic, you can see that it’s dedicated to
kids — from the plentiful toys in the colorful lobby
to examination tables that look like fire trucks.
The Children’s Clinic at Parkview Regional Medical
Center focuses on children — though we’ve eased
the minds of many parents, too.
The Children’s Clinic is an outpatient clinic dedicated
to the care of children referred by their physicians.
Many specialists see patients at the clinic, which means
parents don’t need to drive their children long distances
to receive expert care.
At the Children’s Clinic, you’ll find an extensive range
of services:
• Developmental Care Clinic (see pages 28 & 29) —
Lisa Bergeron, MD, and Angela Bauer, NP,
PPG — Pediatric Developmental Care, see children
who need screenings or diagnostic workups for
developmental delays.
I Children’s Clinic focuses on caring for young patients
• Pediatric Infectious
Disease Clinic — Robyn
Schmucker, MD, PPG­
— Pediatric Infectious
Diseases, provides care
by assessing, diagnosing
and treating children
with infectious diseases
or serious complex
infections.
• Pediatric Laboratory Draw Site (see page 27) —
Staff are talented at working with kids and know
how to make lab tests less traumatic.
• Pediatric Genetic Clinic — Patients can consult with
a visiting physician who specializes in pediatric
genetics and her expert staff.
• Craniofacial Clinic — An interdisciplinary team of
medical and dental professionals donate their time
to the evaluation and treatment of children with
cleft lip or palate deformities.
• Pediatric surgeon — In October 2016, Parkview was
thrilled to welcome Dr. Loretto Glynn as our new
Parkview Physicians Group pediatric surgeon.
• Synagis injections — These are given to children at
risk of severe lung disease caused by respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV).
• ADHD Clinic — Provides assessments of attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
When a child becomes ill, it’s important to seek
medical care that recognizes kids’ needs are unique.
That understanding is exactly what you’ll find at the
Parkview Children’s Clinic.

27. 27
A WALK-IN LAB SITE TAILORED JUST FOR KIDS
To help diagnose or treat illnesses, doctors often
require various lab tests. Parkview recognizes that
needles are often a scary proposition for kids, so
we offer a separate, child-friendly pediatric draw
site at Parkview Regional Medical Center.
The Parkview Children’s Specialty Clinic draw site features
a full-time pediatric phlebotomist who’s extremely skilled
at putting young patients at ease. No appointment is
needed, and there’s usually little to no wait. Parents are
encouraged to accompany their child — or even to cradle
their child during a blood draw.
Our goal? To make this critical medical test as painless as
possible for both children and their parents.
A walk-in lab site tailored just for kids I
Shelli Hapner, pediatric phlebotomist, Parkview Regional Medical Center, cares for children at the Parkview Children’s
Specialty Clinic draw site.

28. 28
CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DELAYS GET FAST-TRACKED TO THERAPY
Earlier diagnosis of developmental delays in
children allows earlier treatment — and greater
possibilities of improvement. That’s the idea at the
heart of Parkview’s Pediatric Developmental Care
Clinic, which opened in February 2015, becoming
northeast Indiana’s neurodevelopmental and
behavioral hub for early evaluation.
At the clinic, Lisa Bergeron, MD, Angela Bauer, NP,
PPG — Pediatric Developmental Care Clinic, and their
team help diagnose developmental issues in children early
in life, from newborns to 18 years of age. The care team
• Autism
• Spina bifida
• Trisomy 21
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Neurofibromatosis
assesses and works to treat genetic and developmental
disorders that include:
The Pediatric Developmental Care team evaluates
children with an array of screening tools, each calibrated
to the child’s age. The tools help assess a child’s progress
toward developmental milestones in key areas, from
communications and problem-solving to gross and fine
motor skills. Once a diagnosis is made, the team refers
families to appropriate therapies. They also connect
Lisa Bergeron, MD, PPG — Pediatric Developmental Care, works with a young patient at Parkview’s Pediatric
Developmental Care Clinic inside Parkview Regional Medical Center.
I Children with developmental delays get fast-tracked to therapy

29. 29
parents with community resources, including support
groups, respite care and scholarship funds.
“When children receive therapy at younger ages,
they can often learn skills to compensate for their
developmental issues,” notes Dr. Bergeron. “Although
they still have the underlying condition, they may
become more functional, which allows them to enter
school in a much better position to succeed.”
Parkview’s Pediatric Developmental Care Clinic also
specializes in follow-up care for infants in the Newborn
Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The clinic’s team works with
the child’s primary care physician in the management
of prenatal drug exposure, failure to thrive, feeding
difficulties, low birth weight and more.
Children with developmental delays get fast-tracked to therapy I

30. 30
CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS EASE
MEDICAL EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PATIENTS
I Child life specialists ease medical experience for young patients
To children, hospitals and emergency rooms can
be scary, unfamiliar places. To help young patients
feel more comfortable, Parkview offers the services
of child life specialists, credentialed professionals
with expertise in helping children and families cope
with medical treatment. The child life specialists
serve the 16-bed inpatient pediatric unit and the
six-bed PICU at Parkview Regional Medical Center
(PRMC), as well as emergency departments at both
PRMC and Parkview Hospital Randallia.
Child life specialists prepare children for medical
procedures using easily understandable language,
explaining what will happen before, during and after
a procedure. Whether they use a teaching doll, real or
play medical equipment or even an iPad®, they help
young patients understand exactly what will happen,
step by step.
As needed, child life specialists introduce coping
strategies, such as deep breathing or mental imagery,
specialized for the child’s age and development level. A
key technique is distraction — child life specialists may
recommend the Buzzy®, a child-friendly tool that vibrates
and can be put on the child’s arm to desensitize the pain
sensation during needle pokes. Watching a video or a
simple playtime activity like blowing bubbles can help
dissolve a child’s anxiety.
In fact, play is an essential component to a child life
program. By engaging children in structured play, often
involving parents, child life specialists help alleviate fear
and maintain key family bonds. “Play is how kids know best
to communicate,” explains Molly Ayres, certified child life
specialist, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital. “We
use it to relax them,” adds Cassidy Ball, certified child life
specialist, Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, “but
also to get them ready for the treatment or procedure at
the same time.”
Understanding that a parent’s behavior and anxiety
levels affect how a child responds, child life specialists
work with families to help them understand medical
procedures and how to best help their children. When
needed, they connect families with respite opportunities
like the Ronald McDonald House at PRMC or other
resources. Child life services staff also coordinate with
volunteers, a pet therapy program, Kate’s Kart book
distribution, and other expressive therapies, such as
Parkview’s Healing Arts program.
Play is how kids know best to communicate,” explains
Molly Ayres, CCLS. “We use it to relax them,” adds
Cassidy Ball, CCLS, “but also to get them ready for the
treatment or procedure at the same time.”
Child life specialists use a familiar toy to calm a
patient before treatment.
iPad® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
Buzzy® is a registered trademark of MMJ Labs, LLC.

31. 31Personalized follow-up that connects families with resources I
PERSONALIZED FOLLOW-UP
THAT CONNECTS FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES
Catie B. Circle of Care
For parents of children who have special healthcare needs
or a chronic long-term diagnosis, their child’s discharge
from the hospital can be just the beginning of a fresh
set of challenges. Often, it can be overwhelming for the
parents, as well as entire families.
In 2014, Parkview developed a new program to ensure
these families have sufficient support and that the needs
of the children are met long after they leave the hospital.
Through the vision of Jason Baker, a retired NFL football
player, and the generosity of the Parkview Foundation,
the Catie B. Circle of Care was formed. After seeing the
challenges his parents faced following his sister’s health
experience as a child, Baker was moved to help other
families in similar situations.
The Catie B. Circle of Care is staffed by two master’s-
level social workers who partner with families after their
children leave the hospital, empowering them to meet
the ongoing challenges they will face. For each patient,
the social workers make follow-up calls to their families,
helping connect them with resources and obtaining
referrals for those encountering post-discharge barriers.
Catie B. social workers help families navigate challenges
such as:
• Access to rehabilitation
• Insurance denials
• Necessary medical care and equipment
• Custodial care hours
• Filling out complex applications for financial assistance
In their first year, the Catie B. social workers built
relationships with a number of community organizations to
better serve their clients. They connected with professionals
at Benchmark, Cancer Services, Turnstone, various autism
resources, childhood development centers and parent
advocacy groups. Within the hospital setting, the Catie B.
program works closely with professionals in the Pediatric
Inpatient Unit, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Developmental Care Clinic,
and Inpatient Rehab, as well as child life specialists.
The key to the program, says Catie B. social worker Shannon
Colburn-Blinn, MSW, LSW, Parkview Health, is getting to
know each family extremely well and earning their trust.
“We follow through, because we understand how important
that is to building a relationship,” she says. Brayton Pickard,
MSW, LSW, also a Catie B. social worker, adds, “Our goal is
helping the family meet the goals that they have for their
child. If they’re successful, we’ve succeeded, too.”
Left to right: Brayton Pickard, MSW, LSW, and Shannon
Colburn-Blinn, MSW, LSW, social work specialist,
Parkview Health.

32. 32
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
OFFERS HOSPITALITY IN THE HOSPITAL
I Ronald McDonald House offers hospitality in the hospital
When a child is hospitalized, parents and families
can often find a warm, home-like place to stay
at the Ronald McDonald House inside Parkview
Regional Medical Center. Some families stay just
one night, others as long as six months.
In 2015, the Ronald McDonald House at Parkview was
significantly expanded, making it possible for more
families to stay close to their ill or injured child. Four new
guest rooms were added, bringing the total to 15. The
total footprint of the house grew from 8,800 square feet
to 10,500, making it one of the largest in-hospital
facilities of its kind in the world.
“Parkview is completely committed to
family-centered care,” notes Lisa Pacula, executive
director, Ronald McDonald Charities of Northeast
Indiana. “When Parkview made some changes in
their floor plan, we asked for the space, since it
adjoined ours. They very generously agreed to
allow us to expand, so that we could make rooms
available to more families.”

33. 33
”Since we opened the new rooms, we’ve been
almost full every night, with other families waiting,”
she adds. “So, the Ronald McDonald House is clearly a
much-valued supplement to the care children receive
at Parkview.”
In the last year, charitable donations have allowed
an expansion of programming at the Ronald
McDonald House, too. Volunteers cook and serve
family-style meals three times a week, building a sense
of community among guests. Community volunteers
offer pet therapy twice a month, giving families a
calming influence (with the face of a friendly golden
retriever) to counteract the stresses of hospital stays.
Walking through the House, you’ll find guests gathered
in the living room for some downtime, while others
prepare a meal together in the large, beautiful kitchen.
For just a few hours, they have the opportunity to
reconnect as families, while being just steps away from
their children who are receiving hospital care.
Ronald McDonald House offers hospitality in the hospital I

34. 34
SPECIALIZED TREATMENT HELPS WOMEN
OVERCOME PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS
Nearly 25 percent of all women have a pelvic
floor disorder, but you’ll rarely hear about it.
The symptoms — which can range from urinary
incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic
pain — are profoundly embarrassing to many, so
they often suffer in silence.
Parkview Physicians Group OB/GYNs, urologists and colon
& rectal surgeons are available to help women depending
on their unique needs. Three disciplines with one
coordinated approach offer women expert care and
follow-up at each stage of their treatment.
PPG physicians may also refer patients to Parkview’s
specialized pelvic floor rehab therapy. Margaret Bronson,
PT, WCS, CAPP, COMT, CSCS, lead outpatient therapist,
Parkview Outpatient Therapy, and her physical therapy
team work collaboratively with each patient’s physician
to treat a broad range of pelvic floor disorders. In
addition, the team offers specialized therapy and
educational programs for prenatal and postpartum
patients to strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent
future complications.
I Specialized treatment helps women overcome pelvic floor disorders
Left to right: Amy Bredenbach, PT, MHS; Margaret Bronson, PT, WCS, CAPP, COMT, CSCS; Nicole Henline, PTA, Women’s
Physical Therapy, Parkview Health.

35. 35
During a visit, Bronson assesses patients using a holistic,
multidisciplinary approach, evaluating factors such as
muscle imbalance, muscle strength and even posture.
The program offers multiple treatment modalities,
including biofeedback, electrostimulation, hot and cold
therapies, connective tissue manipulation and trigger
point release.
“Sometimes it just takes a few weeks before patients
experience significant improvement,” says Bronson.
“They can start going to parties again, not worrying
about accidents. Others can play sports again. It can
renew their relationships with their spouses. Basically,
we help them function better, which makes all the
difference in how they live their lives.”
Specialized treatment helps women overcome pelvic floor disorders I
Margaret Bronson, PT, WCS, CAPP, COMT, CSCS, provides both prenatal and postpartum care to women.

36. 36
PARKVIEW FOCUSES ON
EARLY DETECTION FOR BREAST HEALTH
I Parkview focuses on early detection for breast health
One in eight women will be diagnosed with
breast cancer in her lifetime. It’s the most
common type of cancer among women in the
United States, and the second leading cause of
death. In Indiana, there are 4,200 new cases
of breast cancer a year, with African-American
women facing higher risk for poor outcomes.
Because early detection is crucial for survival, Parkview
Health works to ensure that area women have access
to two key resources — breast health education and
convenient screenings. Debi Kennedy, community
outreach coordinator, Parkview Cancer Center, speaks
to groups of area women at businesses, schools,
community sites and health fairs about breast health.
She discusses topics ranging from the American Cancer
Society’s latest screening recommendations to new
technologies such as 3D mammography.
Parkview also co-sponsors Francine’s Friends Mobile
Mammography unit, which visits churches, businesses,
and other locations to bring this lifesaving service to
as many women in northeast Indiana as possible. The
program is a partnership between Parkview’s Cancer
Center, the Breast Diagnostic Center and Francine’s
Friends, a grassroots group.
Crystal Smith, breast cancer survivor and patient of Parkview’s Cancer Center.

37. 37Parkview promotes women’s heart health I
PARKVIEW PROMOTES
WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH
Heart disease, the number one cause of death in
women, is often called the “silent killer” because
heart disease victims often don’t even know they
have it, so they don’t get treated or make healthy
lifestyle changes. But there’s good news, too — 80
percent of heart disease in women is preventable.
Parkview understands that the more a woman knows
about heart disease, the better chance she has of
beating it. As a result, in 2014 Parkview Health joined
WomenHeart, a national alliance for women with heart
disease. Through the partnership, we sponsor a support
group for women with heart disease, led by four local
women who received Mayo Clinic training to become
WomenHeart Champions.
Womenheart cutline
In addition, Parkview developed a variety of events
and educational materials in 2015 to focus on this critical
health issue:
• Love Your Heart, a community education event
focused on women’s heart health, featuring
presentations, healthy cooking demonstrations and
free health screenings
• Print materials for ongoing patient education about the
symptoms of heart attacks in women
• Parkview Heart Institute’s Women’s Heart Symposium,
a continuing medical education event for physicians
and clinical staff, featuring three national female
cardiologists as speakers

38. 38
As stated earlier in this report, Parkview
Women’s & Children’s Hospital is focused
on a key initiative to positively impact
infant mortality in our region. But, we are
going beyond just developing internal
programs to address this concern.
As a leader in the community, we are
partnering with other organizations and
community resources to actively raise
awareness of the concerning statistics of
infant mortality in our region.
Infant mortality is defined as the death of a
baby before his or her first birthday. The infant
mortality rate (IMR) is the number of infant
deaths for every 1,000 births. Within Indiana, the
2014 IMR (the most current data available) was
7.1. In northeast Indiana, the IMR was 7.9. However,
within Allen County, the 2014 IMR was 9.2, much
higher than the state’s average. A large disparity
among races also exists within Allen County. In
2014, an African-American baby was 2.5 times
more likely to die than a Caucasian baby. These
staggering statistics are calling our communities
to action.
Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital, in
collaboration with other community resources, is
responding now and will continue to respond in
the future. When a community comes together
toward a common goal, the impact will be much
greater than when done alone. Our initial focus
will include engaging with youth to promote
healthy life choices, as well as expanding access
to prenatal care, prenatal education and much
more. With a passion to promote change, the
Parkview Women’s & Children’s service line is
deeply committed to reducing the infant mortality
rate in our own communities.
A TIME FOR CHANGE
I A time for change

39. 39Quality Study: Colon Cancer Screening Rates Among Primary Care Physicians I
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE
PARKVIEW WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S SERVICE LINE?
In this report, we’ve outlined a broad range of
initiatives, all focused on one goal — healthier
women and children throughout the Parkview
service area.
Looking ahead, you’ll see us sharpen that focus as we:
• Leverage our deep roots within the community to work
with organizations, churches and other local groups to
deliver health education to women close to home
• Partner with state and national health organizations,
allowing us to be the first in northeast Indiana to develop
new programs
• Educate women (and their healthcare providers) about
issues unique to women’s health
At Parkview, we’ve built a world-class healthcare team
dedicated to women and children. Now, we look forward
to helping shape a healthier community, one family at a
time, for generations to come.
What’s ahead for the Parkview Women’s & Children’s service line? I

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Parkview Health
10501 Corporate Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Accredited as a Comprehensive Community
Cancer Program by the American College of
Surgeons since 2006.