The vibrant community of Greenwood, Indiana, is bustling with various business news and developments, reflecting growth in healthcare, real estate, and professional organizations. This August, local business leaders are invited to an enriching networking event designed to foster connections and collaboration within the Old Town Greenwood community. Scheduled for August 25th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Folktale Event Center, located at 243 S. Madison Ave., this gathering offers a unique opportunity for business owners, employees, and representatives to connect. Attendees will gain insights into the ongoing initiatives of Old Town Greenwood, Inc., explore avenues for promoting their businesses, and even receive a complimentary professional headshot courtesy of Photog Boss, LLC. The organizers encourage registration to secure a spot for this invaluable event, accessible via otginc.org/business-meet-and-greet.
Further demonstrating regional expansion, Franciscan Physician Network Center Grove Family Medicine has significantly bolstered its medical team by welcoming four new physicians who are now accepting new patients. Dr. Madison Stemmler, a board-certified family physician and an alumna of the IU School of Medicine, completed her residency at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. Dr. Rebecca Smock, also a board-certified family physician, is a graduate of Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Community Health Network in Indianapolis. The practice also added two board-certified internal medicine specialists: Dr. G. Mitch Cornett, who graduated from and completed his residency at the IU School of Medicine, and Dr. Andrew Houston, another IU School of Medicine graduate who completed his residency at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. These additions reinforce the commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the Greenwood area, with the clinic conveniently located at 1703 West Stones Crossing Road, Suite 200, just east of State Road 135. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 317-859-3737.
The local real estate market in Johnson County is also experiencing notable shifts. According to F.C. Tucker Company, a part of the Howard Hanna family of companies, July 2026 saw a significant increase in available housing inventory, offering prospective buyers more choices and improved negotiating leverage. Pended home sales in Johnson County rose by 4% compared to the previous year, while the housing inventory expanded by a considerable 17.8%. Despite the increased availability, the median home sale price remained stable at $325,000, consistent with the previous year’s figures. Homes spent an average of 22 days on the market, an increase of six days from the previous year, suggesting a slight cooling in the rapid pace of sales. This indicates a more balanced market, benefiting buyers with more options and stable pricing.
In a significant move to enhance healthcare delivery, Franciscan Alliance and Millennium Physician Group have forged a strategic partnership. This collaboration merges Franciscan Alliance’s established presence and trusted physician network in Indiana with Millennium Physician Group’s physician-led operational model, advanced analytics, and expertise in practice management and value-based care. The synergy aims to empower physicians, optimize care coordination, and ensure patients receive more integrated, high-quality care, all while advancing a healthcare model focused on quality, positive outcomes, and affordability. This initiative also aligns with Indiana’s broader efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, transparency, and affordability for its residents through innovative, value-based care delivery. Franciscan physicians will continue to be part of the Franciscan Alliance network while benefiting from enhanced operational support, sophisticated analytics, care coordination resources, and technology designed to reduce administrative burdens and elevate clinical performance. This partnership underscores a mutual commitment to supporting physicians in value-based care while preserving Franciscan Alliance’s core mission, local relationships, and enduring dedication to the communities it serves.
Leadership from the local community is also making waves on a national and state level. Ashley M. Smith of Bargersville has been re-elected to serve as the Speaker of the House for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for the 2026-2027 term. Her re-election occurred during the ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting in Albuquerque in June. This marks her second year in this prestigious role, which also places her as a member of the ASRT Board of Directors. Smith’s extensive volunteer experience within ASRT includes roles such as Vice Speaker of the House, Commission chair, delegate of the Magnetic Resonance Chapter, and a member of the Practice Standards Council Magnetic Resonance Subcommittee. She also represented the Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists as a delegate. Currently, Smith serves as a clinical imaging specialist at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous roles as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist and radiology educator.
Furthermore, Governor Mike Braun has appointed Amber R. Van Til, the President and CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA), to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Her term is set to run through June 30, 2030. Van Til brings a robust background to this role, having previously chaired and currently serving as a trustee for the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its Herbert V. Prochnow Educational Foundation. She is also actively involved with iLab, an organization focused on establishing youth apprenticeship programs across Indiana, serving on its governance and industry committees. Notably, Van Til was instrumental in the IBA launching its own apprenticeship program, the Financial Services Academy, as part of this initiative. Expressing her honor at the appointment, Van Til emphasized the importance of aligning higher education with workforce needs, stating, “Strong partnerships between educators, employers and policymakers are essential to preparing the next generation of leaders and keeping Indiana competitive.” Established in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is the state’s coordinating agency for higher education, dedicated to enhancing economic and social mobility for Hoosiers through postsecondary education and training. The Commission also manages Indiana’s state financial aid programs, including the vital 21st Century Scholars program, demonstrating its crucial role in the state’s educational landscape. These developments collectively underscore a dynamic and evolving landscape in Johnson County, ranging from local community engagement to significant advancements in healthcare, real estate, and professional leadership.
