Four join Franciscan Crown Point OB/GYN
The practitioners with Crown Point OB/GYN are now part of Franciscan Physician Network and are accepting new patients, according to a release.
The practice includes physicians and nurse practitioners including Dr. Nicole Cataldi, Dr. Mary Eileen McCormack and nurse practitioners Amy Marciniak and Abigail Reardon.
Cataldi attended Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois. McCormack also attended medical school at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago.
Marciniak earned her Master of Science degree in nursing from Purdue University Northwest in Hammond while Reardon earned her Master of Science degree in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Franciscan Physician Network Obstetrics and Gynecology is located at 800 W. Burrell Drive in Crown Point. Call 219-663-9913.
Report: Northwest Health treated more than 884K patients in ‘24
Northwest Health has released its annual Community Benefit Report. The health system provided care to thousands of area residents in 2024, with 884,700 patient encounters across its network of physician offices and other outpatient sites of care, according to a release.
In addition to delivering healthcare, Northwest Health’s impact totaled an estimated $422,387,000 overall benefit for the region in 2024, the release said.
Northwest Health’s five emergency rooms provided care in more than 83,000 patient encounters each year, the release said, and provided $57 million in charity and uncompensated care and provided resources to help patients in need of secure medications and medical support devices, the release said.
Northwest Health is one of the area’s larger employers with a payroll of $284.7 million, the release said. In addition to supporting the local economy through jobs, Northwest Health paid
$54.2 million in taxes in 2024, the release said.
Physician joins Franciscan Health in Cedar Lake
Dr. Lynn Vattathara, a family medicine physician, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting patients in Cedar Lake, according to a release.
Vattathara attended medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his residency in family medicine at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, New York, a release said.
Vattathara’s clinical interests include dermatology, nutrition and fitness, preventative medicine and public health, sports physicals and minor sports injury management.
He is accepting new patients at the Cedar Lake Health Center, 6831 W. 133rd Ave. Call 219-374-5970.
Valparaiso University to celebrate Valpo Day on April 9
Valparaiso University’s annual Valpo Day, a spirited celebration of the University’s mission, that brings together supporters in a day of activities, competition and philanthropy, is planned for April 9, a release said.
As VU’s largest fundraising event of the year, Valpo Day highlights what it means to be a beacon of light in the community and a champion of the university’s legacy, the release said. The university encourages community members to take part in the celebration by visiting the campus as well as sharing Valpo memories using in #ProudToBeValpo, visiting local businesses or making a gift to support university programs.
To learn more, visit valpo.edu/valpoday.
Valparaiso University MBA program recognized
Valparaiso University has been honored as the top institution in the region for earning an MBA, receiving the “Best University to Obtain an MBA” award from Northwest Indiana Business Magazine’s 2025 Best of Business Awards, a release said.
This recognition is based on reader survey responses evaluating the leading business schools across seven categories. The award is one of several acknowledgments Valpo’s MBA program has earned for its excellence and impact.
Valpo’s MBA program prepares students for leadership with a values-driven approach, emphasizing ethical decision-making and global awareness. This “triple-bottom line” perspective encourages graduates to consider social, environmental, and financial impacts in their careers, the release said.
For more information about the Valpo MBA program, visit valpo.edu/mba/.
