IU Health Ball, Blackford & Jay

08/15/2026

Growing up in a rural area, Lauryn Farney, PA-C, understood the important role healthcare providers play in their communities.

From an early age, she was drawn to science. In high school, biology became her favorite subject, and she realized a career in medicine was in her future. She began studying pre-medicine at Taylor University in Upland before transferring to Grace College. While there, her advisor introduced her to the physician assistant profession after sharing that his son was enrolled in Butler University's graduate PA program.

Farney switched to the pre-physician assistant track because of the flexibility the profession offered.

"I fell in love with the ability to change specialties and spend more time with patients," she says.

While living in her hometown of Shipshewana, IN, Farney gained experience working with both rural residents and a large Amish population. As a medical assistant at a genetics clinic during college, she helped patients better understand their healthcare and addressed common misconceptions about medical treatment.

"I think that really shaped why I'm so interested in becoming a healthcare provider and, especially, why I was interested in the PA profession," she says. "It allowed me to help patients better understand their care and the reasons behind it."

After graduating from Butler University, Farney knew she wanted to serve a rural patient population.
Her search led her back to a familiar community. She joined IU Health Primary Care – Upland, a clinic she visited as a patient while attending Taylor University.

As she begins her healthcare career, Farney's focus remains centered on building relationships with patients and meeting them where they are.

"It is important to me that patients understand we are both people. There is no hierarchy in the exam room," she says. "They're coming to me because I have expertise in an area of life where I can help them. At the same time, we're two individuals getting to know one another, and I'm there to build a relationship with them and support them."

When she is not seeing patients, Farney enjoys staying active with her husband, whether that means going for runs or taking their puppy, Moose, on walks. Currently in her sourdough era, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and plans to make her first apple pie this fall. Now that she has graduated, she is also looking forward to spending more time reading books that are not textbooks.

For Farney, returning to a rural community isn't just the start of a new job. It's a chance to give back in the same way healthcare providers once invested in her. By building trust and helping patients better understand their health.

08/07/2026

Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in the United States, making access to high-quality care more important than ever.

That’s why we’re proud to see IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to improving care for patients with heart disease and stroke through its Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement programs.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and their ongoing commitment to delivering evidence-based care that helps make a difference for patients and families every day.

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association for their commitment to improving care for patients with heart disease and stroke through Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement programs. The programs help

07/28/2026

For children entering middle school or teenagers in the midst of it, independence is high on the list of priorities.

For parents, however, peace of mind comes from knowing their children will be safe in situations such as staying home alone, looking after siblings or earning extra money through babysitting.

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital will offer a Safe Sitter® course on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Spots are still available. To register, visit https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0026-0021-3a1744166474463abdeaee1192ef5400&wp=182

Safe Sitter is a medically accurate program that teaches incoming sixth through eighth graders how to prevent and handle emergencies while caring for children. During the class, participants learn behavior management techniques, safety precautions, how and when to call for help and basic childcare skills.

For Nico Hammond, participating in the Safe Sitter course at Ball Memorial Hospital provided a boost of confidence the summer before sixth grade.

Nico, who initially signed up for the course so she could begin babysitting, quickly realized the class offered much more.

“I think they taught us a lot of valuable things, not only in babysitting but in things we can use throughout our lives,” she says. “I also had so much fun with my friends and made some new ones there.”

For her mom, Mary Hammond, the class provided an opportunity to equip her daughter with the tools needed to take on new challenges as she entered a new stage of adolescence.

“Nico has always been confident, responsible and independent,” Mary said. “Having someone else, especially a certified instructor, reiterate what we had taught her helped us feel more at ease leaving her home alone or caring for others while babysitting.”

For families throughout Delaware County, Safe Sitter offers a foundation of confidence, responsibility and peace of mind as children take on greater independence.

07/23/2026

After the death of a loved one, kids often think:
- They won’t feel good again.
- No one understands.
- There is no other young person to talk to who has lost someone special.

Camp Good Grief can help with these feelings, emotions and thoughts. Facilitated by IU Health team members, primarily nurses and other clinicians, the no-cost, one-day camp is open to children ages 6 to 16 and provides education about grief and how to cope with it.

Camp Good Grief returns to Muncie on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Minnetrista Center.

Register by next Monday, July 27: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0026-0021-db8ecf1469fb409e8fc00ed53012ba48

https://www.ballstatedailynews.com/article/camp-good-grief-to-return-to-muncie-in-august-for-children-coping-with-loss-20260611

A free one-day camp hosted by IU Health and Redcrest Healthcare will provide children ages 6 to 16 with support, connection and coping tools as they navigate grief after the loss of a loved one.

07/21/2026

In Muncie, some places and people are woven into the community. From the iconic purple hippo that once stood on McGalliard Road to the Ball brothers’ homes that surround the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens campus, certain landmarks are instantly recognizable. For many residents, the Voss Center for Women holds a similar place in the community.

Founded by Gert Voss, MD, the Voss Center for Women was one of the first OB-GYN practices in Muncie. For generations of families, the practice is connected to stories of new beginnings, trusted relationships and compassionate care during life's most important moments.

Pete Voss, MD, Gert Voss's son, watched firsthand the impact his father had on local families. An obstetrician who delivered generations of babies in the community, Gert Voss lived just three minutes from the hospital and was always available when emergencies arose.

After graduating from Northside High School in Muncie, Pete Voss attended Brown University, then returned to Muncie to take part in the Medical Education program and met his future wife, Franky Voss, MD.

After completing their residencies, Pete and Franky returned to Muncie from Indianapolis in 1991 to raise their growing family and join the team at the Voss Center for Women.

In 2012, the Voss Center for Women joined IU Health, continuing its long tradition of providing trusted care for women and families throughout the Muncie community.

Voss's willingness to embrace new opportunities and advocate the best interests of his community eventually led him into leadership roles at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

“People always ask me, ‘Well, how did you get into leadership?’ and the answer is I always just said, ‘Sure, I’ll try that,’ or ‘Sure, I’ll do that,’ whenever someone asked me to take on a role,” he says.

That openness to new challenges proved especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, Voss represented Ball Memorial Hospital and led a community-wide weekly virtual forum where physicians and other clinicians could openly share experiences, discuss best practices, seek advice and support one another.

Ryan Johnston, MD, chief medical officer at Ball Memorial Hospital, worked alongside Voss for nearly 20 years. Johnston says Pete’s leadership during the pandemic left a lasting impression on the medical community.

“His leadership not only guided our response to a historic crisis but also strengthened the bonds of our medical community,” Johnston says.

As the calendar switched to 2026, Voss officially announced his plan to retire from his role as chief physician executive. Since then, he has continued to recruit, onboard and welcome new physicians to the area, as well as oversee the 52 outpatient offices in the area.

He’s especially excited to see the next generation continue the family legacy. His son and daughter-in-law, both obstetricians at IU Health Obstetrics & Gynecology – Muncie, are carrying forward the tradition of caring for families in the community.

When asked what has had the greatest impact on his life and career, Voss points to the same thing that drew him to obstetrics and gynecology decades ago.

“It’s the trust that our patients have in us to care for them and deliver their baby,” he says. “Delivering babies is still one of the most remarkable things, and getting to witness medical students and residents experience it for the first time is amazing.”

Looking ahead, he plans to spend more time gardening with Franky, entertaining friends and making memories with his grandchildren. After a career spent helping families welcome new life into the world, he’s embracing a new chapter of his own.

07/17/2026

Meet the newest Erskine Green intern, Austin Miller

Austin Miller is training in Inventory Distribution. During his time at the hospital, he will learn all aspects of the role, gaining skills he can apply to a variety of positions after graduation.

When asked what he enjoys most about his experience at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Miller shared his excitement about the independence he has gained.

“I’m going out to eat on my own, which is exciting,” he says. “I can hang out and chill with the part-time staff in the breakroom.”

Miller, who is originally from Frankfort, Indiana, will train at the hospital through Friday, Sept. 4.

When he is not working, he enjoys watching TV, working out and listening to music.

Miller’s enthusiasm for learning and growth has already made a positive impression, and the team looks forward to all he will accomplish during his time at Ball Memorial Hospital.

07/15/2026

Team provides support to help children start school strong

In June, team members from across the North Region took time out of their day helping patients to support children in the community.

The group volunteered at Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana, an organization that provides educational resources to K – 12 classrooms. The program primarily serves educators in schools where at least 50% of students qualify for federal assistance programs. By supplying essential items, Classroom Connections helps ensure teachers can teach and students can learn.

Along with donations from local businesses and community partners, Classroom Connections relies heavily on volunteer support. IU Health team members filled more than 500 backpacks with essential school supplies. These backpacks will be distributed to children throughout the community, helping set them up for success on the first day of school.

07/10/2026

Team members from IU Health Jay recently participated in the Fort Recovery Jubilee Parade in Fort Recovery, Ohio, sharing health and wellness resources, information about IU Health services and goodies with parade attendees.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate—we’re grateful for opportunities to connect with and support our communities.

07/03/2026

Healthy Beginnings team distributes diapers to dozens of families

When the Blackford County 4-H Fair came to town last week, the IU Health Jay Healthy Beginnings team was there with diapers in hand.

The team hosted a free diaper distribution event during the fair, serving 23 families in a single afternoon.

The event reflects Healthy Beginnings’ ongoing commitment to improving maternal and infant health by making essential resources and support more accessible.

Established to improve the health and safety of moms and babies in the Blackford and Jay County communities, Healthy Beginnings focuses on expanding access to prenatal care, coordinating navigation services and strengthening emergency care for pregnant women.

The program provides a range of services—from maternal-infant navigation and breastfeeding support to childbirth education, car seat safety resources and connections to community programs.

Now in its sixth year, Healthy Beginnings continues to expand its community presence and strengthen partnerships with local organizations, all in service of one shared goal: improving the health and well-being of families in the region.

07/01/2026

“I cannot tell you how powerful it was to have someone in the healthcare system not only see me, but explicitly tell me that I deserve to be seen,” says a recent patient at Ball Memorial Hospital, cared for by nurse Bemi Aluko.

Aluko’s calm presence and thoughtful connection helped make a stressful time more manageable for this patient, and made a difference when it mattered most.

“She made me laugh and put me at ease…I will not forget her kindness,” says Aluko’s patient.

In recognition of of Aluko’s compassion and care, she received a DAISY Award.

Please join us in congratulating Bemi Aluko on her award!