Local Colleges and Health Groups Start New Programs to Help Community

Several local colleges and health groups are starting new programs to help people in northwest Indiana. Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University both got awards for their graduate programs. Franciscan Health is also starting a free walking program this spring. These changes will help students and community members learn new skills and stay healthy.

Northwest Health named Michael Okray as the new director of their Emergency Medical Services. Okray has worked as a paramedic for 30 years and helps make sure patients get good care. His team answers more than 8,000 ambulance calls each year. Porter County gave Northwest Health a new five-year contract to provide 911 and ambulance services starting December 31, 2025.

Both Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University received recognition from U.S. News and World Report for their graduate programs. PNW's nursing program ranked 69th in the country, and their business program also made the list. Valparaiso's MBA program made two special lists for business analytics and management. The schools' high rankings show they provide quality education for their students.

Franciscan Health is working with the Lake County Health Department to offer a free walking program called Path to Wellness. The program will meet on Fridays from 10-11 a.m. from April 24 to May 29. People should meet at the Pennsy Greenway Trail near Austin Avenue and Park Street in Crown Point. Each session will start with health talks, then do stretching, and finish with a group walk.

Purdue University Northwest is asking the community to help students by giving money on April 29 during their Day of Giving. This 24-hour event is the university's biggest fundraising campaign each year. The money helps pay for student scholarships and improves academic and sports programs. People can visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu to choose how they want to help students.

Valparaiso University is starting a new online master's degree program in organizational leadership this fall. Students can finish the 30-credit program in just one year. The program teaches people how to be good leaders and make positive changes in their organizations. Valparaiso is one of only 25 universities in the United States recognized for training leaders who help the public.

Eight professors at Purdue University Northwest got promoted to higher positions. Two professors, Jesse Cohn and Grethe Hystad, became full professors. Six others became associate professors in subjects like nursing, engineering, and criminal justice. One professor also received tenure, which means he has a permanent job at the university.

Family Express, a convenience store chain that started in Valparaiso in 1975, was named a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplace. The company received this award because their employees are happy with their jobs. Family Express has one of the lowest employee turnover rates in their industry. They keep workers happy by hiring carefully, training new employees well, and giving raises to people who stay with the company.