Franciscan Health Western Indiana Announces Fall 2017 Healing Hands Awards

WESTERN INDIANA - Andy Alaimo, DO, an emergency department physician with EmCare, is the Fall 2017 Inpatient Physician recipient of the Franciscan Healing Hands Award. Dr. Alaimo is an independent physician who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health.

Marianne Nelson, MD, a family medicine physician with Franciscan Physician Network in Rensselaer, is the Fall 2017 Outpatient Physician recipient of the Franciscan Healing Hands Award.

Franciscan Health is blessed to have many wonderful physicians. The Healing Hands Award, currently only coorindated through Franciscan Health locations in Central and Western Indiana, is presented twice a year to two physicians on the Franciscan Health medical staff. Physician nominees should exemplify our Franciscan values (Respect for Life, Fidelity to our Mission, Compassionate Concern, Joyful Service and Christian Stewardship).

Dr. Alaimo's nomination talked about his commitment to the patients he sees in the emergency department and also the leadership he provides to the hospital and hospital system in regards to health issues such as sepsis and stroke. "Dr. Alaimo has been instrumental with the sepsis initiative here at Franciscan Health in our division and corporately. This is a very large project spanning many months. He truly cares about all of his patients and with sepsis being recognized nationwide with the push to save lives, he understands and is willing to roll his sleeves up and do whatever it takes to take the punch out of this horrible condition."

The nomination continues, "He has provided countless hours of service to his patients and co-workers, as he has never missed a committee meeting which makes the rest of the team feel as if they matter. With his help, we have been able to decrease mortality saving many lives here that just a short 8 months ago may have been lost to sepsis."

Dr. Alaimo received his osteopathic medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Mo. He completed his internship and residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and works in the emergency departments at Franciscan Health in Lafayette and Crawfordsville.

Dr. Nelson is a family medicine physician with Franciscan Physician Network who is the collaborating physician with Franciscan Health Rensselaer's rural clinics in Brook and Wheatfield. She also provides coverage in the emergency department.

Dr. Nelson's nomination shared of her commitment to Franciscan values and how her long service to the Rensselaer community has shown herself to be a strong advocate for the hospital and patients. "Dr. Nelson's patients have always indicated how well-liked and respected she is. They find her calm demeanor and thoughtful approach comforting."

With numerous examples of her care, the nomination continues, "I cannot recall a time when a patient expressing concern about what had occurred ever was complaining about Dr. Nelson. In fact, there were several times where she was involved in creating a solution to help calm the concerned patient or family member. Dr. Nelson cares deeply about her patients and our community. She always worked to improve the care we provide and the way we provide it."

Dr. Nelson received her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. She has served the Rensselaer community since 1987. She also serves as the health officer for the Jasper County Health Department.

A reception for Dr. Alaimo will be held at Franciscan Health Lafayette East in the 3F41/3F42 Conference Rooms at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9.

A reception for Dr. Nelson will be held at Franciscan Health Rensselaer in the A & B Conference Rooms at 1 p.m. Central on Tuesday, November 14. The hospital is located at 1104 East Grace Street in Rensselaer.