Jeremy Herrmann says he started to really understand the potential of IU Health's new 3D printing technology when he was able to hand his infant patient's mother an exact model of the heart vessels he was preparing to operate on.

Why it matters: Patients can now see and understand complex surgeries before they happen, and surgeons are completing some operations faster.

• "I quickly realized the power of being able to hold this model of what we were proposing to do," said Herrmann, a pediatric cardio-thoracic surgeon, "and it truly was a significant moment."

Models like that one are changing how doctors communicate with patients and their families, Herrmann said.

• Plus, since the new 3D Print Studio opened in January, IU Health says surgeons using the technology have seen an average reduction in operation time of 62 minutes.

State of play: The 3D Print Studio received FDA clearance in January, making it one of the first hospital-based, FDA-cleared 3D printing programs in the country.

• What began as one employee's side project with two printers in a hospital basement is now a cutting-edge program housed in the 16 Tech Innovation District, being used by 16 IU Health departments.
• In the six months since receiving approval, the team has printed 92 models — everything from infant heart vessels to a full adult human spine.

What they're saying: "There's been so many movies where you see somebody hurt and all of a sudden they scan (them) and immediately they've got a new body part, they've got a way to cure them. And I thought, 'that'll never happen in my lifetime,'" Dennis Murphy, CEO of IU Health, said at a ribbon cutting for the studio last week.

• "Today we are seeing one more step towards that in our lifetimes, and I can't be happier to say that this innovation is occurring here."

Zoom in: Advanced imaging, generally already on hand in complex surgical cases, gets input to a software program by engineers who prepare the printing file.

• That process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several days, depending on how complicated the project is, says Hannah Cahill, a senior clinical engineer.
• During Axios' visit to the studio, a lower arm and hand bone model was four hours into a 20-hour print.

Keep reading

This will be the busiest July 4 week for travel since at least 2019, AAA predicts.

Why it matters: The right departure time could save you hours stuck in traffic.

The big picture: The worst July 4 holiday traffic is expected to hit starting Thursday, according to INRIX, a transportation data firm that works with AAA to calculate travel times.

By the numbers: AAA expects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Independence Day between June 27 and July 5.

• That's up from 71.8 million travelers last year but a smaller jump than in recent years.

Zoom in: A record 1.98 million Hoosiers will be among this year's Independence Day travelers, per AAA estimates.

• The majority — 1.79 million — are forecasted to drive this year, despite high gas prices.

What they're saying: Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA, says vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else.

State of play: To avoid the heaviest traffic, leave early in the day or consider driving today or tomorrow, per INRIX.

What we're watching: For those renting cars, AAA partner Hertz also expects Thursday to be the busiest day for pickups.

Share with a road tripper

🍺 Ash & Elm will close its taproom at 1301 E. Washington St. by the end of this year. Owners Andréa and Aaron Homoya said many factors went into their decision to not renew the lease on the space they've operated inside The Assembly Building since 2021.

• Ash & Elm which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, will continue to operate its production facility at 2112 E. Washington St., and the Carmel taproom. (FOX59)

🏥 Indianapolis-based Anthem is ending its relationship with Meridian Health Services for Medicaid patients on July 25. About 18,000 patients will be impacted by the change, which Meridian CEO Seth Warren called "a huge blow" to vulnerable patients. (IBJ)

💸 Indiana's payment error rate for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rose last year, qualifying the state for a potential $140 million annual penalty. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🏀 The Indiana Fever improved their record to 11-8 over the weekend by blowing out the Los Angeles Sparks 111-87 Saturday night behind a 26-point performance from Kelsey Mitchell. (IndyStar)

Planning a backyard cookout for July 4th? Don't forget about the vegetarians in your life!

The big picture: There are tons of meat-free burger, brat and hot dog options on the market these days, which can make it hard to choose — especially if you're shopping for guests and these aren't products your're eating yourself.

• So, it seems like a good time to bring back our guide to the best meatless items to toss on the grill.

🌭 Best hotdog: Field Roast Signature Stadium Dog

• Looks like a ballpark frank, grills well and has the most authentic taste and texture.

🔥 Best brat-style: Beyond Sausage Plant-Based Links, Hot Italian Style

• Super spicy flavor and great meaty texture. It's most likely to fake out your meat-eaters, too.

🍔 Best burger: Impossible Burger Patties

• Both the Beyond and Impossible brand burgers are ubiquitous at this point and it's for good reason — they're delicious. They look, grill and taste like a traditional beef burger.

🥦 Best burger that isn't pretending to be meat: Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burger

• Not every vegetarian wants a burger that looks and tastes like meat. In that case, consider this very green, but well-seasoned patty that holds up on the grill.

More items to consider (and a few to avoid)

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"It was awesome. Obviously it's a lot going on, but at the end of the day it ended up working out and being back home."

New Pacers guard Braden Smith spent some quality time with new teammate Tyrese Haliburton over the weekend, taking part in Hali's annual kids basketball camp.

• Despite having no draft picks in 2026, the Pacers snagged Smith in a trade that sent Kam Jones, cash and future pick swaps to Chicago.

What's next: Smith will take the court for the Pacers when NBA's Summer League games tip off this week.