Healthy Steps: A New Walking Plan for Lake County

Northwest Health has chosen a long‑time paramedic, Michael Okray, to lead its Emergency Medical Services team. He has spent three decades helping people in the area and is known for focusing on real results, caring for patients, and improving overall service quality. The county’s health department just awarded Northwest Health a five‑year contract to run 911 and ambulance calls for many townships, with the agency handling more than eight thousand calls a year. Meanwhile, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is getting national attention for its graduate programs. Both the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice are listed among America’s best graduate nursing schools. The school’s MBA program also made the list of top business programs, preparing students for leadership roles that require strong managerial and analytical skills. In a fresh partnership, Franciscan Health is teaming up with the Lake County Health Department to host a free six‑week walking series called Path to Wellness. Every Friday from 10 a. m. to 11 a. m. , starting at the Pennsy Greenway Trail in Crown Point, participants will receive short talks on wellness, stretch lightly, and then walk together. Bad weather cancels the event. Those interested can call Franciscan Health’s community coordinator or Lake County’s health program manager for more details.Valparaiso University (VU) also received praise. Its MBA program ranked among the best in business analytics and management, while its Occupational Therapy course earned a spot on the national list of top programs. Earlier this year VU’s online MBA was named one of the best online options by U. S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. On April 29, PNW will hold its biggest fundraising day, inviting people to donate online for scholarships and other student resources. The 24‑hour event offers a chance to help students pay tuition, support athletics and academics, and improve campus life. In the fall, VU will launch an online Master of Organizational Leadership. The 30‑credit program is designed for busy adults and focuses on ethical leadership that can change organizations. It builds on VU’s recognition by the Carnegie Foundation for its commitment to public‑purpose leadership. PNW faculty are also advancing. Eight professors earned promotions, including new titles for English, Statistics, Nursing, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Biochemistry, Criminal Justice, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. The university celebrated these academic achievements. Finally, Family Express, a family‑owned convenience store chain that began in Valparaiso in 1975, was named one of USA TODAY’s Top Workplaces for 2026. Employees praise the company’s low turnover, careful hiring, structured onboarding, and clear pay growth for long‑term commitment.