Proud supporter of Lawrence Township, Hamilton Southeastern Schools and the Hamilton County Humane Society.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Lauren Alcorn was working in the Emergency Department when she noticed patients with chronic illnesses presenting with a laundry list of symptoms that never seemed to improve. Some of these symptoms included fatigue, lack of motivation, anxiousness, irritability and depression.
“There never seemed to be a good solution for those people,” Alcorn says. “I wanted to learn the ways I could support those patients, so I started researching nutrition and lifestyle factors contributing to people feeling unwell. I take a functional approach, which means I look at those different factors that could be contributing and help address and correct them.”
Alcorn learned there are health care options that can get missed in traditional health care settings. She found many sources of intervention besides just prescribing medication. In July of 2021 she opened Innate Way Wellness, a holistic mental health care facility. Alcorn is also a certified nutritionist and wellness coach.
“I wanted to empower people to know they have more control over how they feel based on everyday habits,” she says. “When we support and correct what root problems are contributing to symptoms, we see better outcomes and people can really thrive.”
Innate Way Wellness offers various services including mental health therapy, functional testing, behavior support, nutritional counseling, biofeedback, vagus nerve stimulation, medication management and more. The practice assists adult, adolescent and pediatric patients.
“In our office we have a licensed clinical social worker named Sarah Wicker, a mental health therapist that provides emotional support, and I also have a board certified behavior analyst named Ali Lessard who provides behavior support to children and caregivers,” she says.
Alcorn stresses that mental health care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The team of professionals at Innate Way Wellness provide individualized care and often collaborate to best support each unique client. She says a first-time appointment lasts 90 minutes, allowing providers to dive deep into the patient’s experiences, and to create the best evidence-based treatment plan. Alcorn says it’s a very personalized approach and no two treatment plans are the same. She says she loves being a small-business owner in the healthcare industry.
“Women have such a unique and powerful voice that for so long was not represented or heard,” Alcorn says. “Encouraging women to step out into their passions and offer a different perspective in business is powerful and necessary in our society. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to build something different and fill a gap that I believe can make a difference in mental healthcare.”
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Lauren Alcorn
Rogue duck hunters on Geist Reservoir have been an issue for years, but Fishers and Indianapolis officially entered an agreement with Citizens Energy to tell those hunters to fly south for the hunting season — away from Geist.
The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety passed the resolution, which will authorize police to remove hunters from Geist property and enforce the ban.
“Fishers passed the resolution and have officially accepted a no-trespassing agreement with Citizens Energy Group,” says Indiana State Senator Kyle Walker.
“Both the City of Indianapolis and the City of Fishers have agreed to police and enforce the ban. Citizens Energy owns the reservoir and has made the decision that hunters will be considered trespassing. This is their backyard and it is private property.”
The problem has been one that has turned into a safety issue over the years as well. Neighborhood associations in Geist often report seeing and hearing hunting on the reservoir with some even reporting their homes getting hit by buckshot over the
“Thisyears. has been a long-standing issue,” Walker adds. “I’m not anti-hunting, I like to hunt. But the proximity to homes is
Fishers and Indianapolis along with Citizens Energy will be sending out packets of information to Geist homeowners with instructions on how to report hunters that are violating the ban moving forward. For hunters, the violations can include a trespassing charge as well as being removed from and prohibited from returning to the property. & INDY TO BAN DUCK HUNTERS
a problem. I’ve heard some stories, after looking into this issue, like windows being hit by buckshot. It’s not just duck hunting, though. There have been instances of deer hunters and their arrows flying by little children in pretty close proximity. It really is a public safety issue. I am glad that everyone came together to find a resolution.”
Story & Photo Provided
Laura Johns is the owner of the new Snakeroot Botanicals in Fishers.
Everyone’s looking for a way to bring freshness to their home following two years of the pandemic, and while houseplants have been popular for many years, they’ve grown exponentially in recent years.
“People are realizing how much joy it brings to have something pretty and green in their home,” says Laura Johns, owner of Snakeroot Botanicals in Fishers. It’s the second location for the business, and the first was opened in Fountain Square in mid2020. The Fishers store opened in April and is bringing freshness to the area.
When it came to naming her business, Johns was looking for something unique and related to Indiana. Snakeroot is a flowering plant native to Indiana, is one of the last flowering plants in the fall, and is one of the last nectar sources for pollinators. “I love the
plant’s ability to flower and be the last nectar source for our bees and pollinating insects,” Johns says.
One factor that sets the shop apart, Johns says, is that while it’s a plant shop with a focus on indoor plants, the aim of the store’s team is to be as sustainable and organic as possible. Snakeroot Botanicals focuses on having options for people by offering tea and herbs as well as gardening and outdoor supplies - an eclectic mix, rather than just
a variety of seeds, and during the spring months they offer veggie and garden starters. “Our biggest draw is our houseplants, but we like to have so many other things that can capture the fancy of green and black thumbs alike,” Johns says.
Another unique aspect of Snakeroot Botanicals is that the soil is blended inhouse. “People who have houseplants don’t
want giant, multi-pound bags of potting soil, so we came up with the idea to blend our own soil,” Johns says. “We did a lot of research on how to make it as sustainable as possible, so we have a regular houseplant blend and then one that is a well-draining
supplies burlap bags (customers can also provide their own bags) to allow customers to purchase exactly how much they need, instead of potentially buying a giant bag of soil that might not be used
location offers a space with a wide variety of gardening and plant books available for sale, and patrons can also simply peruse the section while shopping if they have a question. The staff members are knowledgeable about plants and gardening, and are always available to answer questions. For those just starting to care for houseplants, Johns recommends the snakeplant family or the ZZ plant - two of the most common types for beginners or those needing a hardier plant.
A native of Ohio, Johns and her husband, Patrick Burtch, own Snakeroot Botanicals with their business partner Mike Angel. Burtch owns a record and coffee shop in Fountain Square, so small business is big business for the family.
Learn more about plants and gardening by visiting Snakeroot Botanicals at 8597 East 116th Street in Fishers. For more info on the store, go to snakerootbotanicals.com.
Lending a hand to those in need can be as easy as taking time out of the day to help give resources to those who may need it. Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM) gives the opportunity to volunteer and help families in the area with food assistance.
“Inspired by the collaborative efforts of many Fortville area churches, FARM was officially established on January 1, 2021,
to help provide food relief and other help for families in Vernon Township and the surrounding areas,” Lisa Reynolds, Director of FARM says.
FARM provides efforts such as providing food through donations and hosting food drives. Last year, FARM was able to donate more than $40,000 worth of food to families. This year, Reynolds says they are hoping to expand their outreach and help even more families.
“We are currently providing food for over 200 families each week,” Reynolds says. “We coordinate with Mt. Vernon Schools to provide food for at-risk children. The collaborative effort provides weekly food bags to 75 at-risk children identified by our school counselors.”
This fall, FARM will take part in the Treats on Main event which will be on Sunday, October 29. People who decide to join in on the free event can take part in fun fall activities as well as stop by the FARM booth to learn more about their operation. Last year, they did a similar event in which they hosted a resource fair.
“In the fall of 2021, we hosted a communitywide fair located in downtown Fortville,” Reynolds says. “We had over 30 nonprofit organizations, which serve our community, attend this event and over 3,000 individuals attending the fair. We created a Shepherd
Writer / Kylee White Photographer / Sam ZachrichTeam in the fall of 2021 with a group of dedicated people who have the passion to help people so people know there is someone here that cares about them.”
Each week, FARM participates in an indoor pantry giving food and meal packages out. Starting at 11:30, people will have the chance to participate in prayer before the food distribution. Afterward, from 12:30 to 2:30 is when distribution will take place for families in a walk-through style. Reynolds says that anyone who would like to come and help with those efforts is appreciated. FARM also partners with Gleaners to help with their food efforts. Reynolds explains how because of the recent wars around the world, there has been a grain shortage making it difficult for them to provide foods such as breakfast bars or cereals. Because of this, Gleaners has been able to provide grain foods for little over a month to help with this
volunteers who help with their relief efforts, but is still on the lookout for more people who are wanting to help out. One of FARM’s efforts is helping those who need household items (such as cleaners, deodorants, toothpaste, soaps) and breakfast foods (such as breakfast bars, oatmeal or cereal). Those who want to help can by donating on their website. FARM’s website also includes a list of foods that are needed for meal packages. Any person who would like to donate food can drop off the items at Fortville Christian Church at any time throughout the week.
“We have learned that we can do more for our community with everyone working together,” Reynolds says. “There have been weeks where we are concerned that we will not have enough food to serve our friends, but every time we have had what was
Toneeded.”learn more about FARM, their mission and when their events are, visit fortvillearearesourcemission.org or visit their Facebook page fortvillemission.churchcenter.com/giving.To@FortvilleAreaResourceMission.atdonatetotheirmission,visit
FARM Director Lisa Reynolds with Jenny Kriger.Introducing Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center. A partnership that brings all the experience and treatment protocols of one of the country’s top cancer centers to Indiana.
A hallmark of our approach is multidisciplinary care. It means you’ll have a care team made up of specialists and subspecialists, each with expert knowledge in your specific type of cancer working together. There’s no better way to put together a treatment plan, and there’s no other place to get this level of care in the region.
Now, more than ever, we want you to remember that when you’re part of a community, you’re never alone. Let’s start the journey together at eCommunity.com/cancer
After college, Jenn Seffrin longed to move away and explore new ideas and ways of life. One place she landed was Tempe, Arizona, where she took classes at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. It was there that she took an interest in the concept of conscious living, alternative therapies and holistic care. When she moved back to Indiana, she wanted to find a way to shine a light on the local holistic community.
“At first I was like, ‘Where do I start?’” Seffrin says. “But a quote stood out to me: ‘Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.’ I began to invite people to lunch.”
In 2012 she founded Indy Holistic Hub, a holistic health and wellness members group designed to cater to the mind, body and spirit. Indy Holistic Hub offers an extensive list of online resources for the public that includes acupuncture, coaching, hypnotherapy, massage, mindfulness, yoga and aromatherapy.
“It’s all about supporting people to take
another step toward their well-being, by finding their fit where they are right now on their path,” Seffrin says.
The Indy Holistic Hub website offers a community calendar that lists classes, activities and other opportunities.
“That’s a source for people to say, ‘Oh, I can go on a retreat,’ or, ‘I can stick my toe in this intro class,’” Seffrin says.
Seven years ago Seffrin began hosting an annual Wellbeing Fest, giving the general public a prime opportunity to interact with and learn from practitioners and professionals in the community. This year Wellbeing Fest will take place on November 13 at the Biltwell Event Center in downtown Indianapolis. Featuring holistic health practitioners and product-based businesses from around the Indy area, the day will kick off at 11 a.m. with a keynote presentation by local author Alex Perry, who will speak on courageous conversations and bringing out the best in oneself and others.
The vendor marketplace will run from noon until 5 p.m., allowing folks to walk around
and converse while nibbling on yummy treats from local food vendors. The afternoon will offer a panel discussion featuring local experts who will discuss the mind-bodyspirit connection. These experts will include holistic physician Dr. Clifford Fetters, the director of medicine at Health & Wellness of Carmel. The panel will be moderated by KJ McGlinn, a media personality, reiki master, and host of the “KJ TODAY Show.” Health & Wellness of Carmel is the title sponsor of Wellbeing Fest.
Tickets are just $10, although anyone reading this publication can provide the promo code TOWNEPOST (link meaningful,“Ifreceiveone-freeTOWNEPOST)fest-tickets-407745687327?discount=eventbrite.com/e/holistic-hub-wellbeing-here:toreceiveabuy-one-get-ticket.Plus,thefirst50attendeesswagbags.wedesiretoliveavibrant,enjoyable,purposefullife,holistichealth is critical,” Seffrin says.
For more information on Indy Holistic Hub and Wellbeing Fest, visit indyholistichub.com.
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Brian Brosmer
Owner Jenn Seffrin caters to the mind, body and spirit with Indy Holistic Hub.
Great things happen every day, all around us in our communities. Jeanne Britt and her husband Tom recognized that, so in 2004 they started Britt Interactive, LLC, which led to Towne Post Network, Inc,. wherein with their franchisees and staff they publish monthly community magazines that spotlight all things local.
“Connecting people and businesses in the community is a source of pride for us,” Jeanne says. “It’s our hope to bring a publication to readers’ coffee tables that is as enjoyable to read as it is filled with positive information showcasing all that makes each community great.”
The Britts initially operated their business out of a spare bedroom, with Tom focusing on sales, Jeanne managing the finances, and their small children folding and sealing the newsletters as they were back then - just six pages. As the company started to grow, the pair saw the potential for this model to work in other communities. Therefore, in 2015 they converted Towne Post to a franchise system. To date, they have 18 publications and 10 franchisees (some publishers own multiple territories).
“It’s been exciting,” says Jeanne, who has been working in the accounting side of the publishing industry for more than 25 years. “It was our hope to put out a publication that readers loved and held onto - not one they pitched into the recycling bin on their way from the mailbox through the garage.”
As president of Towne Post, Jeanne’s duties are numerous. She considers supporting Tom in business strategy, developing efficient processes, and the management and reporting of network franchise finances to be the foundation of her daily role. “The franchisees’ individual successes, as well the success of our network, is our top priority,” she says.
Though Jeanne considers herself to be a bit of an introvert, being part of the Towne Post team has helped to coax her out of her shell. As a result, she has been involved with a number of community events such as co-founding Vines for Life to benefit local cancer charities in Geist, and working with the Geist Half Marathon organizers in its early days.
Through the years, Jeanne has taken part in women-owned business groups, and has found that many women
agree that the primary challenge most women face is striking a healthy worklife balance. “I love being a part of a community of women supporting one another,” she says. “I’m in awe of women business owners who do it all on their own. Balance seems to be the one thing that I’m consistently pursuing, and not just because I’m an accounting person.”
She resolves to place some focus each day on the areas of life that are most important to her, which include health, family, spirituality, creative development and socializing. Jeanne, an avid reader, is part of a neighborhood book club and has just become a Little Free Library steward, installing a book exchange in her front yard. She also loves painting and mosaic art, travel, yoga, and walking her dog, River.
“Over the past 18 years, this journey has given Tom and I the opportunity to work beside each other and with our family in our community, taught us the value of teamwork, brought us new friends, and taught us many valuable life lessons,” Jeanne says. “Mostly, however, it’s given us a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude.”
“Connecting people and businesses in the community is a source of pride for us.”
— JEANNE BRITT
For over 70 years, Central Indiana Orthopedics has been delivering compassionate, expert orthopedic care to the residents of Fishers and other central Indiana communities. Like you, we are part of the Fishers community and committed to offering personalized care to every patient.
When it comes to treatment, you’ll find the following services at our Fishers location:
• General & Specialty Orthopedic Care (treatment of all ages)
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• 1,500+ Surgeries Performed Using Mako SmartRobotics™ Technology
• Outpatient Surgery Center
• Physiatry (EMG & spinal injections)
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We know you have choices when it comes to your healthcare providers. Our state-ofthe-art technology, personalized care and staff-wide commitment to getting you back to doing what you love is what makes us the leading choice in orthopedic care.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
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• Walk-In Clinic for Sudden Injuries (no appointment needed)
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“From start to finish of my successful shoulder replacements, the entire CIO staff was great! Pleasant, e cient, sweet, professional, attentive…superlatives elude me! I highly recommend these folks, no question.”
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Visit ciocenter.com/Fishers to learn more about our services and find the hours of our Walk-In Clinic or call 800-622-6575 to schedule an appointment.
Owner Ed Martin Automotive Kathy Martin Harrison as
Women entrepreneurs like Kathy Martin Harrison are gaining power and influence, especially in traditionally male-dominated industries. As the owner and CEO of Ed Martin Automotive Group, Harrison succeeded her father, Ed Martin, and has established herself as an innovative thought Accordingleader.
to a 2019 article in Forbes magazine, “the momentum is growing for women-owned family businesses, having increased by 58% since 2007, and nearly 25% of family businesses are led by a woman CEO or president.” While the success rate is typically at 30% for second-generation business owners, Harrison is thriving.
Harrison has helped build the company into the largest woman-owned business in the Indianapolis area, with 9 dealerships representing 12 manufacturers in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Anderson.
Ed Martin Automotive Group was her father’s life and Harrison spent the better part of her childhood at the dealership. Harrison had her own plans after college, and worked in other careers before her father asked her to come into the business and succeed him when he was gone. Harrison joined him and never looked back.
“My father was my mentor and I knew he regarded his employees as family,” she says. “I made my father a promise in his final years that I would keep his legacy going. We had 500 employees and I didn’t want to let them down. We actually have 23 employees that have been with us for 35 years. We are really proud of that. What motivates and inspires me every day is my father and carrying on his legacy.”
Harrison has been committed to finding and creating opportunities for people to work for her company and in the automotive industry. She realized that many technicians were beginning to age out, so she decided
to be part of the solution. In addition to a partnership with the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, she established the Ed Martin Automotive Group Careers Training Center, to bring career opportunities to students. She then went a step further and invited academic counselors to come learn about the Harrisonprogram.
recently created a new partnership with Ivy Tech that will allow her to use a fully customized trailer, called the Dream Trailer, to help spread the word about auto careers. It will involve a realistic view of a day in the life of an auto body technician, and is expected to be operational by January of Thanks2023.to
her perseverance, ingenuity, and commitment made to her father to keep the business growing, the Ed Martin legacy is a vibrant and growing business that will be felt for generations.
Among many local charities and causes that the Harrisons support are the Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High School athletics programs. They recently presented a $500,000 check for the naming rights of their outdoor stadiums. (Photo by Darnell Scott)
1. Surround yourself with smart people who know more than you, because it is hard to run a business and you need a strong team.
2. Let your employees do their job. Don’t micromanage them.
3. Every single day, make customer satisfaction your number-one goal.
4. Follow the golden rule, and be kind to your employees. It’s not that hard.
5. Be passionate about what you do, and be all-in.
6. Support and give back to your community.
FOR WOMEN WHO ARE CURRENTLY BUILDING A BUSINESS OR WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS, HARRISON OFFERS THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:
“WHAT MOTIVATES AND INSPIRES ME EVERY DAY IS MY FATHER AND CARRYING ON HIS LEGACY.”
— KATHY MARTIN HARRISON
When each of their partner’s journeys with addiction landed them in the same family support group, three women banded together to offer each other support and share their deeply personal stories.
Fishers resident Katie McHone-Jones was blindsided by the discovery of her husband’s nine-year addiction. When her husband entered treatment in 2015, she found a safe place to share her very private grief.
“I thought this support group was the perfect place for me because there is so much shame and stigma surrounding addiction,” McHone-Jones says. “I wasn’t telling friends or family what was happening in my household. This was a place where I could deal with all the anger and pain I was going through at the time with others who
Shortlyunderstood.”intoher relationship, Westfield resident Jessica Miller-Bock learned her then-boyfriend, who had returned home from Iraq as a veteran, had an addiction to pain pills. He attended a recovery program through the VA but quickly relapsed after leaving. He then entered a different, local treatment facility where Miller-Bock learned of the same family support group.
Indianapolis resident Shannon Sullivan noticed things were off in her relationship but couldn’t quite pinpoint why. When her partner’s addiction started crashing down on him, Sullivan was partially blindsided but partially relieved to finally learn the truth.
“When I started attending the support group, I was one of the younger members,”
Sullivan says. “Many of the members were parents of people with addictions. So when I met Jessica and Katie, we quickly connected because of our similar stories.”
The three women would meet for lunches to discuss what each was dealing with, as they were also recovering from their partners’ journeys with addiction. After five years of dishing about their very private lives, the trio decided to start a podcast. Using pseudonyms, they started the podcast “Boy Problems” in 2019.
“I’m the least open of the three of us,” Miller-Bock says. “In the beginning I found sharing my story particularly challenging because, let’s be honest, there is a lot of shame and guilt associated with addiction. However, when we started anonymously it took much of the stress off me. I knew how valuable that group was to me and how valuable it could be to others.”
After a few years of anonymity, McHoneJones pushed the group to rebrand the podcast using their actual names. She realized there were many resources available for addicts but felt there were very few for family members.
“It was important that we start sharing more than just our stories, but also resources and education for those who might not have them,” McHone-Jones says. “For every one addict, there are about five or six family members who are wrapped up in their care, so we felt this was a very underserved
Thecommunity.”womenhave started an open support group for anyone dealing with a loved one and their addiction and/or recovery, on
the third Tuesday of each month. Sullivan says the support group was essential for her to provide because of how instrumental the one she attended was in her recovery process with her partner.
Miller-Bock says one important distinction she wants to share with others is that addiction affects almost everyone. She says drug addicts can be anyone, including friends and neighbors. It’s vital for her to normalize the disease.
Sullivan adds that addiction doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. She says there are many portrayals of people in active addiction, but fewer visuals associated with
“It’srecovery.important
for people to see that addicts can recover and go on to lead happy, healthy, successful lives,” Sullivan says.
The podcast is a passion project for each woman, but McHone-Jones sees an expansive future for the group. She would love to add a care component for single mothers seeking treatment.
“A big dream of mine is to offer some type of care for children of single mothers who are in treatment,” McHone-Jones says. “I’d love to offer a place where the kids can get dropped off for a few hours while their mother can attend recovery meetings. I’d also love to figure out a way to provide legal assistance to those moms who may have lost their kids due to their addiction.”
Learn more at recoveringtoo.com. For additional resources, visit naadac.org.
Shannon Sullivan Katie McHone-Jones Jessica Miller-Bock
lana Thompson is a renaissance woman who has reinvented herself numerous times over the course of her lifetime, all the while learning, growing and smiling. She’s worked in pharmaceutical sales and at universities in recruitment and retention, done a good deal of fundraising, engaged in diversity and equity training, worked as a Gallup strength coach, and been involved with a number of
nonprofit organizations. Now she is Arts for Lawrence’s new executive director.
“When I first started working, I would say, ‘I think I’m going to try this,’” Thompson says. “It was always so exciting to be able to create and start something different. I’m a learner.”
Encouraged by her parents and others to be creative, Thompson has had a love and
appreciation for art ever since she was a little girl.
“I have a big imagination,” she says. “I see big things. It used to be, you’d go out and build something with sticks using your imagination. It concerns me that in our society today there is so much tech that there is not a lot of downtime to be with your thoughts and get creative.”
Writer Christy Heitger-Ewing Sam ZachrichHer imagination and drive make her the perfect person to step into the executive director role at Arts for Lawrence, now that Judy Byron has retired as longtime director. When the job description was posted, Thompson’s jaw dropped because it was everything she loved to do. With ample experience as an inspiring communicator,
motivational manager and fundraising expert, she was eager to jump into this role feet first.
“I love energizing people, and I’ve been involved in a lot of community-focused partnerships as well as leadership programs throughout the community,” says Thompson, who officially started her role on September 6. For several weeks she overlapped with
Byron, who worked alongside her, which Thompson appreciated.
“I loved soaking up and learning everything I could from her,” says Thompson, who applauded her predecessor for leaving at a time when Arts for Lawrence is in great shape, with no loose ends to tie up. “Judy is wellrespected in the community and I plan to continue to build on the relationships she
offers plays and programming on a weekly basis, and also participates every week in the Farmers Market. There is also Fridays at the Fort, a free concert series that includes live music and food trucks. In addition, it offers various art classes, a summer camp, line-dancing classes, drawing classes and more. While Thompson is thrilled that Arts for Lawrence offers diverse programming, she would like to find ways to pull in more diverse audiences to appreciate it.
She wants the public to understand that arts appreciation is for everyone, and she wants to find ways to break down barriers to make art accessible to everyone. She plans to go into various communities and ask what they would like to see, and what would draw them in. She also wants to meet community stakeholders in Lawrence to hear their thoughts.
“As children we create and paint and draw, and never worry what anyone else
Elana Thompson officially took over as Executive Director on September 6.thinks, but unfortunately as we get older, we begin to worry that what we create will be judged,” Thompson says. “I want to create a space where artists can be comfortable in their skin to do and see and enjoy what everyone has to offer.”
The reason she is so passionate about art is because she recognizes that it sustains us in good times and bad.
“Art is an expression of life,” she says. “Art can be a bridge that allows people to communicate and connect to areas that may not easily be verbalized. Art allows us to have tough conversations, and to explore issues that are not talked about or are taboo. Art opens up lines of communication that may not have previously been there.”
This is true whether the artistic expression involves music, writing, painting, sculpture, theater or another medium. Art helps us process, heal and feel. It’s the reason we play that go-to song when we need to get pumped up, and why we reread a certain poem or story when saddled with grief.
“Art comes into play in so many different ways,” Thompson says. “It’s pertinent and important in so many ways. It’s creative innovation that’s indefinable by words.”
Thompson has two sons, Dylan, 17, and Devin, 14, and an energetic Doberman. She has other passions too. In her spare time, she loves to design and decorate spaces for weddings, parties and other events. She also stages “That’shomes.myfun
creative outlet,” she says. Her friends tell her that she should get a business
card that lists all of her skills, but there might not be a card big enough to print all of Artsthem.forLawrence
is located at 8920 Otis Avenue in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-875-1900 or visit artsforlawrence.org.
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For years, the team at Hancock Health has been on a quest to elevate themselves by focusing on patient safety and quality patient experience. In an effort to take that a step further, CEO Steve Long reached out to Mayo Clinic late last year to ask about joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which is a select group of independent health-care providers, carefully vetted by Mayo Clinic and granted special access to Mayo’s clinical, educational, research and operational knowledge, expertise and resources.
“I knew this was an exclusive group so I didn’t even know if they’d have a conversation with us, but they looked at our quality scores and our culture, and were impressed,” says Long, noting that Hancock was the second hospital in Indiana to partner with the Mayo CreatedClinic.in2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has 47 member organizations across the U.S., Asia, India, Mexico and the Middle “HancockEast.
Health has always been an innovative health-care organization,” Long says. “This relationship with the Mayo Clinic elevates our ability to take care of the sickest of patients right here close to home with no additional cost to them.”
Hancock Health, along with Hendricks Regional Health and Johnson Memorial Health, are part of a collaborative called Suburban Health Organization, which is comprised of communitybased Indiana hospitals who work together to improve access to the highest-quality health care. They all work together to increase their ability to provide excellent local care. It made sense, then, for Hendricks Regional Health and Johnson Memorial Health to join the dialogue and coordinate with the Mayo Clinic as well.
Hancock is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. This, of course, means that people coming into the county may not be familiar with Hancock Health’s history or level of quality. Mayo Clinic’s reputation, however, is golden as it is one of the top hospitals in the world, and it has been recognized globally as the world leader in high-acuity health care.
“That immediately gives us elevation of the brand, but what really matters is what it does for our patients,” Long says.
Suppose a patient sees their primary-care physician at Hancock and is told that they suspect they have cancer. After being referred to the oncology center and getting advice on next steps, most patients would seek a second opinion. In the past, the patient might go downtown to IU Health, St. Vincent or Community Health. Now, however, Hancock can send records electronically to Mayo Clinic.
“Who wouldn’t want the Mayo Clinic to look at their case?” Long says. “It brings an additional level of expertise that we didn’t have access to before. Now our experts have experts at the Mayo Clinic.”
Through Hancock’s membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network,
Jason Wells, Director of Gateway & Mayo Clinic Network Relationship with Hancock Regional CEO Steve Long.their physicians have access to Mayo Clinic clinical solutions and services, including AskMayoExpert, a database of clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions; eConsults, which enable physicians to contact Mayo Clinic specialists for second opinions on specific patient cases; health-care consulting, which provides access to Mayo’s extensive experience, knowledge and subspecialty expertise; and eBoards, live video conferences that enable medical teams to virtually review and discuss complex cases with Mayo Clinic specialists.
Jason Wells, director of Gateway and Mayo Clinic network relationship, notes that the Mayo Clinic is who first established the collaboration of care.
“They are the model that does it best, [recognizing] that the patient is at the center of it all,” says Wells, who describes a recent eBoard that involved 12 highly specialized experts all weighing in on a patient’s cancer.
“There was some banter back and forth as an oncologist shared what he thought was the best route,” Wells says. “Then the radiation expert shared her thoughts. Then the pharmacist jumped in. It was really impressive.”
SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE STEVE LONG AND Hancock Health Center is making health 8535 N. Clearview Drive. at 317-335-6963.
The process is fairly simple. Hancock physicians put in an order requesting help. Then a team at Hancock Health compiles the necessary information on that patient and the doctor asks specific questions. All info is sent to Mayo Clinic. Mayo schedules a doctor’s appointment with that specialist. They review the case and send back a response. As of early September, Hancock has arranged 13 e-consults, including several oncology cases, three gastrointestinal issues, two for neurology and one for wound care.
This relationship allows patients to get a second opinion without leaving Hancock County. Not only that, but people in the city are now traveling to Hancock Health for expert advice.
“We used to go to our providers in Indianapolis, but now our patients are coming to us instead for that close-to-home, highquality care and kindness that we are known for at Hancock Health,” Wells says. “We aren’t a big system, but now we have the resources of the Mayo Clinic to feel like all of the education and highly specialized stuff is here. We are a little bit bigger now with the Mayo Clinic behind us.”
For more info, visit hancockhealth.org.
GOOD VIBES ABOUND AT THE GROOVY CAT CAFE
Owner Lisa Sweeney with her husband Steve and kids Jackson and Grace.
Family is paramount to Lisa Sweeney. She and her husband Steve homeschooled their children, Grace and Jack, so working together is a family characteristic. When she retired last April, she decided to embark on a 30-day hiking and camping adventure with Grace. During the time spent communing with nature, she felt compelled to open a cafe with her son and daughter.
“I used to work in small cafes and coffee shops, and I always loved that vibe,” Sweeney says. “When we got home I said to Grace, ‘I think we’re supposed to do this.’ She agreed and suggested we give it a ’70s theme because she’s a hippie at heart. As a ’70s kid, I had such fond memories of that time that it seemed like a no-brainer.”
The close-knit family opened the Groovy Cat Cafe on August 13, and it’s been going groovy ever since. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch, providing freshly baked, in-house goods, locally sourced products and farmfresh produce.
“We make everything here before we open,” Sweeney says. “Every baked good is made in-house. We also work with local farmers to procure our produce. We love being able to support local farmers and local companies. Because of this, we can provide amazingly fresh food. Nothing in our cafe is frozen, processed or fried.”
Breakfast choices include fancy toasts, a
berry quinoa breakfast salad, a breakfast hash, sandwiches and wraps. Lunch dishes include a homemade quiche, soup, salads and sandwiches. The Groovy Cat Cafe partners with local brands like Broad Ripple Chip Co., Tinker Coffee Co., Sidedoor Bagel, and Tea’s Me Cafe, owned by retired Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings.
“We love to collaborate with other local businesses,” Sweeney says. “Our menu stays the same but we do run specials based on what we can get from local farmers, to feature that produce. We have a signature cake we’ve been selling like crazy. It’s a blood-orange-infused olive-oil cake. We also make our own pretzel buns.”
Sweeney says she wants the cafe to be a place that brings people together to bond over good food, eclectic vibes and music. She and her kids have built the business with their own hands, and she’s proud of the work they have done in such a short amount of
and I have lived in this community for over 31 years,” she says. “It’s where we chose to raise our kids and we love it. I know my family bonds over food, and I want others to come in and bond over it here. Right now it’s just the three of us, but we’d love to get Steve involved
Cat Cafe is located at 11659 Fox Road in Indianapolis. For more information, visit the business on Facebook and Instagram.
