PARIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Horizon Health announced Thursday that long-time Terre Haute physician Dr. Darren Brucken has joined to lead its hospitalist service.
Dr. Brucken, who specializes in hospital medicine, has been named Director of Inpatient Medical Services. Three advanced practice nurses who previously worked with Dr. Brucken as hospitalists in Terre Haute have also joined the Horizon Health hospitalist team.
“Collectively, we’re excited,” Dr. Brucken said. “Everyone does a great job and is familiar with each other.”
In addition to Dr. Brucken, the hospitalist team consists of Manish Gorasiya, Lynne Adams, Tabbitha Gilman, Ashley Stakeman and Jennifer Likens.
A hospitalist, a news release defined, is a physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. They are unique from other physicians in that they are not office-based, but practice solely in an inpatient setting and are available 24/7.
Dr. Brucken, the release said, has been a physician for 24 years. He began as a family medicine physician in private practice and over the last 13 years has worked as the director of hospitalist services at two Terre Haute-area hospitals.
“Dr. Brucken has the background and expertise to successfully lead our hospitalist service,” Ollie Smith, Horizon Health president & CEO, said. “He has a great team and patients will receive the best care possible.”
Dr. Brucken said working in Paris, Ill., reminds him of his childhood in Rockville, Ind.
“When I came to Horizon Health, I was impressed by the amount of growth and the potential for growth,” he said. “The environment reminds me of small-town values and growing up in a small town.”
In his free time, Dr. Brucken said he enjoys playing competitive baseball. He is president of the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League.
He is also the co-founder and president of P.I.N.K, Inc., a non-profit organization serving breast cancer patients, caregivers and their families. The organization covers a nine-county area that includes Edgar and Clark counties in Illinois.
Dr. Brucken lives in Terre Haute with his wife, Holly, and daughter, Gia.
