Business news: High School pitch winners announced and Franciscan welcomes comfort dog

Chicago Tribune

16-03-2025

Gastroenterologist joins Franciscan in Crown Point
Dr. Eric Steinberg, a gastroenterologist, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point, a release said.
Steinberg attended medical school at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York. He completed his residency at Emory University in Atlanta and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Specialty Center, 12750 St. Francis Drive, Suite 410, in Crown Point. Call 219-769-8340.
Society of Innovators winners announced
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has announced the five winners of the 2025 Northwest Indiana High School Pitch Competition – Hammond, a release said.
The five winners were selected from 16 student teams that presented their startup pitches at Purdue University Northwest's Hammond campus Feb. 26.
Each winner was awarded $200 to invest in their business idea. Winners include:
Flip-E, Munster High School, an automatic page turner that is paired with a facial recognition app; team members include Brandon Walker and Omar Aftab.
Septo, Munster High School, Septo is the simple solution to noninvasive infection tracking and prevention; team members include Alexis Karahalios, Abby Mena and Jocelyn Aguirre.
Filet Twist, Hobart High School, Filet Twist is a filet knife attachment that connects to a fishing pole; presented by Cameron Hutson.
LeafAway, an automatic robot that acts like a vacuum for leaves; team members include Miranda Gutierrez and Mi'Shawn Dawson.
SafetyGlow, an attachable hazard light that is powered by LED that goes on the back of vehicles and trailers that are disabled on the sides of roadways; presented by Ashton Verbish.
Birth centers recognized by state hospital group
Franciscan Health Family Birth Centers across Northwest Indiana were recognized recently by the Indiana Hospital Association, in partnership with State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver, for its commitment to infant and maternal health at the fifth annual INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program, a release said.
INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health's Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health.
The Family Birth Centers at Franciscan Health Dyer, Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Michigan City earned an INspire Hospitals of Distinction recognition based on implementing best practices in key areas, including infant safe sleep, breastfeeding, perinatal substance use, social drivers of health, obstetric hemorrhage and maternal hypertension, the release said.
Indiana Hospital Association serves as the professional trade association for more than 170 acute care, critical access, behavioral health and other specialized hospitals in Indiana.
Land trust welcomes new board members
The Board of Directors of Shirley Heinze Land Trust recently elected two new board members to three-year terms, a release said.
Andrew Moats, of Valparaiso, is a health care building markets leader for Shive-Hattery with more than 35 years of experience, the release said. Zack Wellsand, of Chesterton, is the founder and Vice President of Wellsand Landscaping and Hardscapes.
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has preserved and restored natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana, including some of the rarest landscapes in the state, the release said.