Hospice undergoing name change

Beginning next month, a local hospital will have a new moniker.

State of the Heart Hospice announced in a press release this week that it will become known as EverHeart Hospice beginning April 1.

The change is in name only. The organization's leadership and ownership are remaining in place.

“EverHeart Hospice represents both a continuation and a departure,” said State of the Heart executive director Kristi Strawser. “We will always be State of the Heart Care and carry a piece of that identity with us, but we are also growing and improving to better serve our communities moving forward. … Ultimately it is the work we do that will continue to define us, and that simple fact has made this process of changing our name much more reassuring. We are happy to be moving forward with a fresh look and a renewed mission.”

State of the Heart provides hospice services in Jay, Adams, Blackford, Delaware, Randolph, Grant and Wayne counties in Indiana and Mercer, Auglaize, Darke, Allen, Miami, Preble, Shelby and Van Wert counties in Ohio.



Helena awards

A Jay County High School student has been selected for a scholarship.

Helena Agri-Enterprises – Pennville announced this week that Maria Dirksen has been chosen to receive the $1,000 Helena Acre HomeGrown Scholarship.

Dirksen is a JCHS senior who will be attending Purdue University next year. She plans to pursue a degree in agribusiness.



Hosting webinar

Fort Recovery Insurance and Tomorrow’s Technology Today are partnering with Arlington Roe to host a webinar regarding cyber liability insurance for businesses at 1 p.m. March 24.

Lisa Niekamp-Urwin, president and CEO of Tomorrow’s Technology Today will host the event along with Connor Rammel and Amanda Hein-Siegrist of Fort Recovery Insurance. It will also feature Sonyia Townsend, professional liability and senior broker at Arlington Roe.

To sign up for the free event, visit tomtechtoday.com/free-executive-webinar.



Lifestream rebrands

LifeStream Services is rebranding with a new logo and mission.

The new logo features a blue-green script font in blue with the tag line — “for the young at heart” — and accent in lime green.

“It’s been more than 20 years since we’ve updated LifeStream’s logo and other visual elements of the brand,” said LifeStream president and CEO Jenny Hamilton in a press release. “I’ve been a part of LifeStream for over 20 years, so I’ve seen firsthand the changes we’ve gone through and changes to the aging industry in general. Updating our brand and visual identity enhances our place in the community and reaffirms LifeStream has the area’s aging expert.”



I&M names VP

Indiana Michigan Power on Friday named Katie Davis as its vice president of external affairs and customer experience.

Davis will lead I&M’s new external affairs and customer experience team. She will replace Marc Lewis, who is retiring at the end of June.

“Katie brings the skills and experience to enhance I&M’s commitment to excellent service for our customers and strong support of the communities we serve,” said I&M president and chief operating officer Toby Thomas in a press release. “Katie will continue the important innovation and expansion of our customer service programs lead our public policy team and ensure that I&M robustly communicates with our customers, other stakeholders and the public.”

Davis has previously worked for Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh and Pacific Gas & Electric.



New dean named

Ball State University announced this week that it has selected Scott Edward Rutledge as its new dean of its college of health.

He will take over the rule July 1.

Rutledge most recently served as associate dean for faculty affairs in the college of public health at Temple University. He had been with the Philadelphia university since 2005 and previously worked at Florida State University.

“This is an exciting time for our College of Health,” provost Susana Rivera-Mills said in a press release. “President Mearns and I believe Dr. Rutledge has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the region and state as we work to meet the needs of the healthcare community and educate the next generation of healthcare leaders.”



Blooming in Illinois

Invenergy’s newest wind farm is in operation.

The company, which has proposed constructing a solar facility in northwest Jay County, announced Tuesday that its Blooming Grove Wind Energy Center is in operation. The facility in McLean County, Illinois, produces 250 megawatts of energy annually.

“Blooming Grove Wind Energy Center is Invenergy’s 15th project to achieve commercial operations in our home state, signifying our continued commitment to a clean energy economy in Illinois,” said Invenergy executive vice president and chief commercial officer Jim Shield in a press release. “As a leading partner to corporate renewable energy purchasers, Invenergy is proud to celebrate this milestone with Verizon and Saint-Gobain, and commend their dedication to investing in clean energy and fostering resilient, sustainable communities.”



Comcast appoints

Comcast Advertising announced this week that it has appointed Pooja Midha as its first chief growth officer.

In the position, Midha will oversee global marketing for Comcast and its subsidiaries. Planned changes include shifting to audience-based advertising and a focus on reaching potential customers via a wide variety of platforms.

Midha most recently was president of advertising technology company true[X].

“Pooja has been a great partner and leader in the advanced advertising space for many years,” said Comcast Advertising president Marcien Jenckes in a press release. “Now that she has joined our team, we are beyond excited that she will channel her exceptional skills and vision to help us drive growth during this time of true transformation.”