Workshops scheduled for JJCL

East Central Indiana Regional Planning District will host a series of workshops through the end of the month.

The free workshops at John Jay Center for Learning begin with “The Art of a Side Gig” on Wednesday. “Mental Health of Business Owners” and “How to Create a Positive Customer Experience” will follow on Jan. 24 and 31, respectively.

Ted Baker, CEO/executive director of Innovation Center in Delaware County, will lead the workshops, which will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday.

For more information, visit ecirpd.org/jay-county-best-workshops.

New line

North Star Hardware & Implement Co. signed a contract last month to become a dealer of AGCO Corporation’s Fendt product line.

The company now sells and services Fendt tractors, Ideal Combines, RoGator equipment and Hesston hay and forage equipment. It is one of nine such dealers in Ohio.

“We’re excited to expand our line of products for our customers,” said Kevin Selhorst, North Star sales manager, in a press release. “We are getting ready to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2024, and becoming a Fendt dealer is a great way to show that we are committed to adapting to the innovations in the agricultural industry and that we plan on being a steadfast business in our community for years to come.”

Reid awarded

Reid Physician Associates was among several organizations announced recently to receive part of $5.8 million in United States Department of Agriculture investment to expand telemedicine and distance learning.

The funding for Reid will go toward equipping one hub site and 10 end-user sites in Randolph, Wayne, Union, Fayette and Franklin counties in Indiana and Darke and Preble counties in Ohio. It will be used to purchase FDA-approved telemedicine carts with peripherals for comprehensive assessments to provide complete patient exams while the patients are remote.

“USDA has long been committed to assisting rural communities with infrastructure improvements, including access to high-speed internet,” said USDA Rural Development state director Jonathan McCracken in a press release. “The Distance Learning Telemedicine grant program helps to bridge the ‘digital divide’ in rural areas by expanding the availability of telemedicine and digital learning for our hospitals and schools. These federal investments will ensure that the people and communities of rural Ohio have access to the technology they need to thrive.” 

Telecart locations will include Pineknoll Rehabilitation Centre, 160 N. Middle School Road, and Randolph Nursing and Rehabilitation, 701 S. Oak St., in Winchester, and Union City Health Care Center, 907 Central Ave., Union City, Ohio.

Adams offering

Adams Memorial Health is offering a specialized hip spica car seat.

The seat is available for children who have hip dysplasia or a fractured hip. It will be loaned to those in need.

For more information, contact the hospital’s rehabilitation department at (260) 724-2145.

Shifting to Ohio

Dr. Subha Raman is moving to OhioHealth from Indiana University Health.

OhioHealth announced last week that it has hired Raman as its new vice president of Heart and Vascular services. She previously served as IU Health’s vice president for cardiovascular services and Indiana University School of Medicine’s chief of cardiology.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with an all-star team to deliver the highest caliber prevention, diagnostics, and treatments that provide high value for patients, care teams, and payors across the communities that we are privileged to serve,” Raman said in a press release.

Before joining IU Health, she spent 17 years on the faculty at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Offering online

Eli Lilly announced recently that it has launched a new online service to provide telehealth prescriptions and home delivery for some drugs.

LillyDirect will offer delivery of weight-loss drug Zepbound, insulin products and a migraine drug. Plans call for offering other drugs in the future.

“We’ve noticed that patients often struggle to manage their disease not because of the medicine itself but because the pathway to getting the medicine can be really challenging,” CEO David Ricks of the Indianapolis pharmaceuticals firm told The Wall Street Journal. 

“Sometimes that’s the pharmacy experience where products are out of stock or markups in pricing are confusing.”

Sponsoring

Dollar Tree announced Thursday that it has entered into a multi-year agreement to sponsor Legacy Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will be part of all 38 races for the 2024 NASCAR season, including some with drivers Jimmi Johnson, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek.

“We are thrilled to sponsor LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and spotlight our brands to fans of the exhilarating and high-octane sport of NASCAR,” said Rick McNeely, chief merchandising officer for Dollar Tree, in a press release. “Watching Dollar Tree and Family Dollar take off into one of the most-watched sports in the country is a great start to the year.”

Pharmacies closing

CVS plans to close some of its pharmacies in Target stores during the first four months of 2024.

Reuters reported last week that closures will begin next month and run through April. Prescriptions from those locations will be transferred to other CVS Pharmacy locations.

The pharmacy closures are "based on our evaluation of changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs," CVS said.

CVS purchased Target’s pharmacies in 2015.

Temporarily closed

Tyson Foods temporarily suspended operations at its beef plants in Kansas last week because of a snowstorm.

Reuters reported that Tyson closed as the blizzard conditions left workers stranded on highways and other spending the night at processing facilities. The closures cut production by about 25% from the previous week.

“The roads are already treacherous and now we've got lots of vehicles that are all over the place, either stranded or waiting to get in or out of these plants,” Kansas Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Hale to Reuters.

Hosting events

The Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2024 Indiana Safety and Health Conference Feb. 26 through Feb. 28.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and current NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw will be the featured speaker for the conference. The event will also include the Indiana Forklift Rodeo, speakers, a 10-hour course for general industry, an innovation showcase and the governor’s workplace safety awards luncheon.

For more information, or to register, call (800) 824-6885 or email [email protected].