IU Health is committed to being a trusted source of information for the public during the COVID-19 crisis. As part of that commitment, we are sharing with the community how COVID-19 is impacting our hospitals and team members.

IU Health is releasing key data related to the COVID-19 pandemic on a weekly basis. As always, patient privacy remains at the forefront of all decisions regarding data disclosure. The most up-to-date, comprehensive data for Indiana is available through the Indiana State Department of Health.

The holidays and the winter months can be lonely for people with limited access to family and friends. Add to that a pandemic that instills fear of the unknown and there’s a formula for isolation. One IU Health program is working to improve that isolation – here’s how.

By IU Health Senior Journalist, T.J. Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org

Some have faced extended illness. Some are without transportation. Some are in need of social services. Many are just lonely.

They are former patients who are now at home. Their health has improved but they still crave human connection. That’s where the IU Health Congregational Care Network comes in. The program is a bridge to hospital care and home.

Through the Congregational Care Network, members of faith-based congregations receive special volunteer training. They are then paired with IU Health patients that are back home. Essentially, the patients go home to get well physically, but they miss the other parts that improve their quality of living – social interaction.

“We currently have 120 active patients in the Congregational Care Network program; 138 patients have completed the program and we have an additional 27 patients pending, which means we are following them on our own a bit until they are ready for outreach by one of our congregations,” said Tricia Behringer, an IU Health social worker with the program. “This brings our total participants to 285 as Jan. 4, 2022. We are working with 15 congregations at this time, 13 of which are in Marion County and two in Monroe County,” she added.

The widespread pandemic has added more challenges to that interaction. But volunteers have found creative ways to connect through phone calls, personal notes and holiday gifts.

Working as a team that includes chaplains, social workers, and other hospital caregivers, the Congregational Care Network identifies patients who may benefit from the companionship. Once a patient consents, they are matched with a congregation and a volunteer – usually in close proximity to their home.

In addition to weekly contacts, the volunteers help connect the patients with social service agencies, or stipends for food, transportation or other necessities.

As special initiative during the holidays, members of one participating congregation – First Baptist Church North Indianapolis – provided 15 fruit baskets to their companions. The deliveries were part of the church “Feeding & Fueling” outreach.

“With COVID, some outlets have scaled back and perhaps ceased distribution of food/clothing and spiritual guidance to their surrounding neighbors,” said Stephanie Patterson, who heads up the Congregational Care Network for First Baptist North. “I’m proud to say, God blessed us to continue our ministry and with the help of IU Health we have enhanced our ministry to provide for our neighbors of the ‘companion’ program,” she said.

“I’d like to think while modern medicine can mend a broken body, a listening ear, or whispered prayer can sooth a broken heart. Our desire is to minister to clients, walking beside them as they heal – providing companionship and resources on their journey to feeling better.”

When Rachel Gonzales Pinto was admitted to IU Health West Hospital to give birth to her third child, she was intoxicated. As someone who struggled with alcohol use disorder since she was 14, and who drank during her pregnancy, this moment became her turning point.

Before being discharged, Gonzales Pinto was met by IU Health West Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center Director Trisha Palencer and IU Health Therapist Libby King. They convinced her that she could turn things around.

The next day, Gonzales Pinto went to work on sobriety with King as her primary therapist. She credits her progress to intensive, daily therapy sessions, accountability and being educated about her mental health.

Many of the programs Gonzales Pinto participated in are thanks to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who last year gave $1 million to IU Health Foundation in support of increasing access to addiction services for people in need across Indiana.

Because of the Irsay gift, the IU Health West program was able to double its staff and add evening classes. Almost 60% of patients who complete the program successfully reach their goals, compared to about 30% for similar programs. It helps people who have lost jobs due to substance use disorder: 51% of people have a job when entering the program, and 70% are employed when they compete it. And the percentage of patients who are sober jumps from 20% at intake to 76% at program completion.

Now part of that 76% is Gonzales Pinto who says the Center made it possible for her to recently celebrate a full year of sobriety.

Having tried a variety of programs over the years—sometimes making progress but inevitably relapsing — Gonzales Pinto lost custody of her two sons, places to live, a relationship with her dad and more because of her addiction.

But now, thanks to the Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, she has restored relationships with her family, is married and is happily raising her daughter alongside her sons.

“I can tell you now, I have the best life ever,” Gonzales Pinto says. “And I know it’s only going to get better.”

You can help patients like Gonzales Pinto find their strength and resilience by giving to the Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center at IU Health West Hospital. Once prompted, select IU Health West Hospital as your location. Then select “Other” under “Direct My Gift To.” Type “Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center.”

It’s a boy!

As people around the world celebrated the New Year, parents Momoko and Sadamori Kojaku celebrated their new bundle of joy.

Their baby boy, Eiji Tyler Kojaku, entered the world at 1:14 am Saturday, Jan. 1, making him the first baby of 2022 in Bloomington and the first New Year’s Baby to be born at the new hospital.

Little Eiji weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces and is 20 inches long!

We all here at IU Health wish the Kojaku family well on their new addition!