Hobart adds two firefighter/EMTs
The Hobart Fire Department recently welcomed two new firefighters to the department, a release said.
Firefighter/EMTs Samuel Stevens and Benjamin Casillas are new to the department, each joining with prior experience, the release said. The oath of office was administered by Mayor Josh Huddlestun, who welcomed
the new members.
Event set for women, heart health
Woman-to-Woman: A New Conversation about Heart Health invites women to come together for an evening of dialogue, connection and expert insight focused on living a longer, heart-healthy life, according to a
release.
The free event will take place beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 17 at Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton. A panel led by four Northwest Health cardiologists — Drs. Sabaa Ahmed, Maya Kommineni, Stella Kyung and Jessica Williams — will discuss practical guidance tailored to women’s cardiovascular needs. Registration for the event is required by visiting NWHinfo.com/Woman-to-Woman.
PNW hosts grad program showcase
Purdue University Northwest is inviting professionals interested in enhancing their career opportunities with advanced education and credentials to attend its upcoming Graduate Programs Showcase, a release said.
The event will be hosted from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 11 in Alumni Hall of the Student Union and Library Building on the Hammond campus, 2200 169th St. To view more information and register, visit pnw.edu/graduate-showcase.
The event will allow visitors to learn more about more than 20 graduate program offerings at the master’s and doctoral levels, the release said. PNW faculty and staff members, as well as students representing various graduate program cohorts, will be available to share more information.
Alumni honored at PNW
Purdue University Northwest has announced Deno Yiankes, former president and CEO of Investment and Developments with White Lodging, has been selected for induction into the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.
The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students, a release
said. Yiankes, who graduated in 1988, will be honored for his accomplishments and service during PNW’s 10th Anniversary Gala on May 29 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary. Ticket and sponsorship information for the gala can be viewed at pnw.edu/gala.
PNW will additionally recognize three outstanding alumni.
Ryan Elinkowski is the recipient of the 2026 Pride of PNW Alumni Award. Elinkowski is the CEO of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana.
Erin Okamoto Protsman is the recipient of the 2026 PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award. Protsman is a continuing lecturer of Communication and Creative Arts at PNW, where she has taught since 2013.
Spencer Summers is the recipient of the Power Onward Emerging Leader Award. Summers is an Economic Development Manager at Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
Conservation officer of the year chosen
Indiana Conservation Officer Tyler Brock, who serves Porter County, has been selected as the 2025 District 10 Officer of the Year, according to a release.
Brock has served as a conservation officer for 14 years. He served in LaGrange, St. Joseph, Kosciusko and LaPorte counties before transferring to Porter County, where he has served since 2015.
In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, Brock serves as a field training officer, background investigator, ROV/sonar operator, public information officer, Emergency Vehicle Operator instructor, and passenger for hire inspector for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement.
The district award puts Brock in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is presented to the top overall conservation officer in the state and is selected from the 10 district winners, the release said.
Methodist Hospitals leadership announced
Methodist Hospitals recently announced the appointment of James R. (Jamie) Mack as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, a release said.
Mack, who has worked in healthcare finance for nearly 30 years, joins Methodist from St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago, where he had served as Vice President of Finance since 2016. His extensive financial experience includes senior leadership positions at Sinai Health Systems in Chicago, Pinnacle Hospital in Crown Point and other health care organizations in Illinois and Northwest Indiana, the release said.
