Pediatrician joins Franciscan in Michigan City

Dr. Adam Sergiwa, a pediatrician, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City, according to a release.

Sergiwa attended medical school at Al-Arab Medical University in Benghazi, Libya. He completed his residency at Columbia University at St. Luke Roosevelt Hospital in New York, the release said.

He is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Pediatric Health Center at 9856 W. 400 North in Michigan City. Call 219-878-0882.

Chamber leader retires in Hobart

The Hobart Chamber of Commerce is announcing the retirement of Executive Director Jay Harrigan, according to a release.

Harrigan was born and raised in Hobart, where his family has been in the real estate business for more than 75 years. He has served many community service positions including past Hobart Chamber of Commerce Board Member; past Hobart Kiwanis President; Maria Reiner Center Board Member; former Hobart Jaycee President and JCI Senator; former YMCA Board Member; and former Board of Zoning Appeals Member, the release said.

To learn more about the Hobart Chamber, call 219-942-5774 or email info@hobartchamber.com.

Elzinga joins Franciscan in Schererville

Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Ellen “Ellie” Elzinga is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Schererville, according to a release.

Elzinga earned her Master of Science degree from Purdue University Northwest in Hammond.

She is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Schererville Family Health Center, 221 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 1, in Schererville. In-person and virtual visits are available. Call 219-864-3950.

South Shore Arts, NWI Symphony leader retires

South Shore Arts & the Northwest Indiana Symphony Executive Director Dave Mika has announced his retirement, according to a release.

Mika served as a previous board member for both organizations prior to accepting his current role in 2020. Mika’s contract expires at the end of June, a release said.

South Shore Arts and the Northwest Indiana Symphony will form a Succession Planning Taskforce and to mount a nationwide search for the Executive Director role for South Shore Arts & the Northwest Indiana Symphony.

Interested persons should view the job description on South Shore Arts’ website at www.southshoreartsonline.org.

OE gets funding to for wheelchair-accessible golf cart

In an effort to fulfill its mission of creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for people of all abilities, Opportunity Enterprises (OE) recently purchased a wheelchair-accessible golf cart for use at its Lakeside property with funds awarded by The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, according to a release.

The accessible golf cart means OE clients with limited mobility can fully participate in activities on the 158-acre Camp Lakeside property in Lake Eliza.

This is the second year The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation has partnered with OE to provide accessible equipment, the release said.

Purdue Northwest nominations for 2025 Alumni HOF

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has opened its annual callout for nominations of university alumni to be inducted into the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame, according to a release.

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from across the 78-year history of the university’s campuses.

Nominations for candidates for the 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class can be completed by Dec. 6. To view specific criteria for each category and access the nomination form, visit pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.

Nominees will be inducted during the annual PNW Alumni Hall of Fame dinner on April 3.

Boys & Girls Clubs match campaign a success

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana recently announced the success of their 2024 Return to Learn match campaign, according to a release.

The Clubs not only reached its $100,000 match goal but exceeded it by more than double with a grand total of $211,799, the release said. This year marked the debut of the Clubhouse Heroes competition in which local figures represented the organization’s 10 Clubs in a social media fundraising campaign concurrent with Return to Learn. This year’s winning hero is Chelsea Whittington, owner of C WHITT PR and former Gary Club Kid, who raised $3,415 for the Gary Club, the release said.

Through their combined efforts, the nine Clubhouse Heroes raised more than $13,000.

The additional 2024 Clubhouse Heroes are: Carl Kurek, VP of Development at Lakeshore Public Media (Portage Club); Drew Sarkisian, owner of Modern Edge (Merrillville and Lake Station Clubs); Jessica Kish, owner of New Chapter Real Estate (Cedar Lake Club); Pete Trgovich, 2011 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (East Chicago Club); Robbie Hummel, sports broadcaster and former NBA player (Valparaiso Club); Ron Kittle, Goodwill Ambassador at Chicago White Sox (South Haven Club); Sasha Armstrong, School City of Hammond teacher (Hammond Club); Stephanie Jones, author of children’s book series “Giving Gal” (Duneland Club).