Crown Point graduates intern at Indiana Statehouse
Amiah Alexanderson and McKayla Guajardo are serving as interns for the Indiana Senate Majority Caucus during the 2025 legislative session, according to a release from State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell.
Currently enrolled at Indiana University in Bloomington, Alexanderson, a Crown Point High School graduate, is the daughter of Amy Alexanderson and Lewis Harris. Guajardo, also a Crown Point grad attending Indiana University-Bloomington, is the daughter of Adam Guajardo.
As legislative interns, Guajardo and Alexanderson track and analyze bill data, provide constituent services, staff Senate committee hearings and meetings, and conduct legislative policy research, the release said.
Participants wanted for Valparaiso Citizens’ Police Academy
The Valparaiso Police Department is looking for 2025 Citizens’ Police Academy members, a release said. The department’s citizen academy provides an opportunity for community members to experience what it is like to be a police officer and is designed for attendees 18 and older to meet police officers and learn about their assignments, specialties, and daily operations, the release said.
The academy will meet from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning April 15 for six weeks, concluding with a graduation ceremony on May 20. All classes will take place at the Valparaiso Police Department,
For information, contact Capt. E.J. Hall no later than March 21 at info@valpopd.com, including full legal name, date of birth, address, phone number, and T-shirt size.
Virtual diabetes program planned
Franciscan Health will be hosting a virtual diabetes prevention program online starting at 5 p.m. April 8, a release said.
Franciscan Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have been proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Groups meet weekly for a total of 16 sessions, prior to six monthly follow-up sessions with a trained lifestyle coach, the release said. Throughout the course of the program, participants work with a certified healthy lifestyle coach who guides them in practices to lose weight, move more, reduce stress and build confidence.
The program is only open to participants ages 18 and older who have been diagnosed with prediabetes, not those who have previously been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the release said. The year-long program costs $99 and is covered for approved Medicare beneficiaries.
To register, please complete the DPP Qualifying Questionnaire online by clicking here.
Faculty member earns national recognition
Purdue University Northwest Associate Professor of Nursing Julia Rogers was awarded the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ (AANP) 2025 Award for Outstanding Contributions for the state of Indiana, according to a release.
The AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions recognizes nurse practitioners who demonstrate exceptional impact in advancing the NP profession at the state level. Selection criteria emphasize the nominee’s proven track record in fostering health care innovation through evidence-based practice, mentorship, strategic partnerships and advocacy efforts, the release said.
In earning her award, Rogers is specifically recognized by AANP in the core pillars of practice, education, advocacy, research or leadership (PEARL), the release said. In 2022, Rogers was named an AANP Fellow, the first PNW Nursing faculty member to receive the honor.
Franciscan Health Crown Point earns national notice
Franciscan Health Crown Point has been recognized as being in the top 100 in the nation for medical excellence in major cardiac surgery and coronary bypass surgery by CareChex® Awards by BluCareChex Quantros, a release said.
The 2025 quality awards from CareChex are based on their comprehensive quality scoring system that compares inpatient quality performance across general, acute and non-federal U.S. hospitals.
