News in brief

Indiana’s only osteopathic hospital to close

Westview Hospital, which merged with Community Health Network five years ago, will close at the end of this year.

Three years ago, Westview Hospital, located on the west side of Indianapolis, had almost 70 beds. But amid falling demand, the osteopathic hospital stopped offering inpatient care a year ago. This week, Community Health Network, which became affiliated with the hospital five years ago, announced it will close Westview at the end of this year. It was the last remaining osteopathic hospital in Indiana.

In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, Charles Henley, DO, MPH, noted that in a sense, the closure is a testament to DOs’ acceptance within the American house of medicine. Dr. Henley, who serves as associate dean for clinical affairs at the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, told the newspaper: “It is a shame. We like to maintain some individuality. We like to see our facilities utilized and maintained, but osteopathic physicians no longer need to be in an osteopathic hospital. They are accepted everywhere.”

Westview Hospital’s closure also reflects the struggle smaller hospitals can face to stay afloat, Dr. Henley noted. “[Westview Hospital] has a history. I think a lot of the osteopathic physicians who have been here a long time are sad to see it go,” he told the Star. “Community Health has been a good steward of the program. They came into this in good faith, but I just think the economics of health care are such that sometimes there are a lot of headwinds and you sometimes have to make hard decisions.”

To learn more, read the Indianapolis Star’s coverage of the hospital closure.

4 comments

  1. John R. Hawes, Jr. D.O.

    I spent 4 months at South Bend Osteopathic and my Internship in an all D.O. hospital in Florida. Both are no longer present. There’s nothing like that today where doctors, working and conferring together in more of a brotherhood, share such a bond. It’s sad…..just so we could say “We are on a par with all other American doctors” we gave up such a unique club.

    1. Mindy Lorenzen

      Many years ago, in the late 60’s, I worked as a Medical Technologist at the South Bend Osteopathic Hospital.

  2. James E. Lemons

    I’m sadden this has happen, I had just rediscovered your Hospital a couple of years ago. My Father had two slipped discs in his back in the last 70’s. Dr. Halstead did wonders with him without surgery. My Father is in his late 80’s now and still going strong. Dr. Halstead diagnosed my problems with food allergies and has not only helped me but opened my eyes with taking the time to educate me. I’m currently looking for someone to fill Dr. Halstead’s shoe’s but have had no luck. Thank you for helping all of the people you have helped over the years Westview Hospital you will not be forgotten.

    1. Mike K

      I also had Dr. Halstead. He was an amazing physician. After being treated by Dr. Halstead, I moved to Bloomington and had a great DO. But, upon returning to Indy, I found that Westview has closed. In this day and age, where pain medication is frowned upon, we need more Osteopathic Physicians.

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