Certified nurse commends colleagues’ compassion and continuous learning

As Certified Nurses Day approaches on March 19, it is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on dedicated professionals like certified nurse Brittany Chavez, whose passion for nursing and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring.

Chavez finds joy in exploration, cherishing the opportunity to embark on new adventures and focus on having fun while traveling. Additionally, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events, cheering on her son in baseball and her daughter in softball.

From her early aspirations sparked by family influence to her current role as a nursing professional development specialist in the West Central Region, Chavez exemplifies the IU Health values and the dedication of certified nurses everywhere.

“My mom always wanted to be a nurse, but she never became one,” says Chavez. “Because of this, she tried to inspire me to become one. She planted the seed in ninth grade. She said that I would never be bored as a nurse.”

Partially driven by her mother’s advice and partially by her own fascination with medical television shows, Chavez discovered her calling.

A lifelong commitment to learning

Chavez’s passion for education and sharing knowledge has been a driving force throughout her career. As a nursing professional development specialist, she has found her niche, relishing the opportunity to onboard new team members and witness their growth firsthand. She believes in the importance of continuous learning in nursing.

“You won’t stop learning,” says Chavez of what life as a nurse is like.

For Chavez, obtaining nursing certifications was not only a personal accomplishment but also a means of leading by example and enhancing her ability to support her colleagues. She views certifications as a testament to one’s dedication and proficiency in their specialty.

A home for nursing excellence

“I’ve never contemplated leaving IU Health,” says Chavez.

Throughout her career, Chavez has found a sense of belonging and fulfillment at IU Health, where she appreciates the organization’s commitment to its team members. She believes that the provision of tuition reimbursement for medical professionals underscores IU Health’s dedication to supporting its team’s growth and development.

The heart of nursing

As Chavez reflects on her career, she emphasizes the profound rewards of being a nurse and the importance of celebrating the selfless acts of kindness that define the profession. From small gestures of compassion, nursing embodies a spirit of generosity.

Chavez has witnessed countless instances of nurses going above and beyond their duties.

“I’ve seen nurses taking patients’ clothes home for a wash, offering their own money, giving patients homecooked meals and personally buying them things from the store,” says Chavez.

Despite their extraordinary gestures, nurses remain remarkably humble, embodying the essence of their profession as compassionate caregivers.

“Being a nurse is just an extremely rewarding career,” says Chavez.

Her journey exemplifies the spirit of Certified Nurses Day, honoring the dedication, compassion and expertise of certified nurses everywhere. While celebrating this day, remember to recognize and applaud the invaluable contributions of nurses like Chavez, whose commitment to excellence enriches the lives of patients and colleagues alike.

A nurse celebrates her peers’ excellence

Certified Nurses Day, celebrated annually on March 19, is an occasion to honor and celebrate the dedication, expertise and passion of certified nurses who play a crucial role in healthcare. Among these remarkable individuals is Arnett Hospital certified nurse Ashlee Stuart, an example of excellence in nursing.

From aspiration to achievement

Stuart’s journey into healthcare was not predetermined.

“Going into the medical field was a slow realization for me,” says Stuart. “Nobody in my family was in the medical field. Growing up, I always thought I would be a teacher. To this day, I’m not sure what the final spark was that led me to the medical field. Was it seeing my elderly grandparents be taken care of? Was it the love I had for trauma shows? I’m not sure.”

Embracing diversity in specialization

While Stuart initially envisioned herself working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), her path led her to the dynamic realm of medical-surgical (med/surg) nursing. Embracing the diversity of patients and conditions in this field, Stuart found fulfillment in the variety and challenges it offered.

“I remember playing ‘baby nurse’ as a kid and never dreamed of being an adult nurse,” says Stuart. “However, I’m a firm believer that every nurse should have at least a year of med/surg nursing under his or her belt before going into a more specialized field. I entered med/surg never intending to stay, but I like the variety, the range of medical conditions, the range of ages. Every day is different.”

A remarkable career path

Stuart, currently serving as the assistant manager for Acute Care Six at IU Health Arnett Hospital, has dedicated herself to the noble profession of nursing for over a decade. Her journey with IU Health spans twelve years, during which she has witnessed the organization evolve and flourish.

“I love being part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to improve the stay of each patient,” says Stuart.

Stuart’s commitment to her role as a certified nurse reflects her deep-rooted passion for patient care and continuous learning.

“I love the educational aspect of the field as well,” says Stuart. “It brings me back to my childhood dream of being a teacher, but in a different way. I love teaching patients and families and answering questions they may have, and I love welcoming new staff members to the building and teaching them the IU Health Way.”

Creating connections and inspiring commitment

For Stuart, the essence of nursing lies in the profound connections forged with patients and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their lives, especially during their most vulnerable moments.

“I love getting to meet some of the patients and hear their stories,” says Stuart. “Some of the people I have met have led fascinating lives.”

In celebrating Certified Nurses Day, Stuart urges nurses to persevere in the face of challenges. Certified nurses, she believes, should celebrate not only their achievements but also their ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care.

“Although not every day is easy, know that you are making a difference,” says Stuart as words of motivation for her fellow certified nurses. “Your passion and your experience are vital to this field. Keep on learning and keep on teaching.”

Runner is back on her feet thanks to new orthopedics space

Lauren Dunn, clinical dietitian at IU Health Ball, is a workout enthusiast. She loves lifting weights and going for long runs.

In 2021, she and some friends signed up for a local 5K challenge. While training for the race, she would often meet her friend for a jog in the morning. One day, she overslept and didn’t have time to fully stretch before their run, but with her active lifestyle, she didn’t think much of it.

When the pair started running down their first slope, she felt a pop and was flushed with instant pain in her knee. As a runner, she understood that knee pain is normal. She put on her knee brace and spent the next few years taking it slow.

“I was mostly doing okay, but I couldn’t do any advanced physical activity anymore,” she says. “After being almost a year postpartum, I was still struggling to lose my baby weight and I couldn’t exercise like I wanted to. I finally decided that enough was enough.”

Driving to and from work, Dunn couldn’t help but notice the new IU Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine building. It started to feel like a sign to finally address her knee issue. She called the office and made an appointment to see Kevin M. Doulens, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM, who after conducting an MRI, sat down with her to discuss the results.

“He was so thorough with his review,” she says. “He took the time to truly investigate what was wrong before he made his diagnosis.”

Doulens identified a medial meniscus tear and some bone bruising. He suggested conservative management for the bruising but mentioned surgery might be necessary for the tear.That evening, Dunn reviewed Doulens’ clinical notes on the My IU Health patient portal, contemplating the surgical option. After reflecting, she decided she needed to talk with him about the treatment plan more, so she made another appointment.“

“I was relieved to see that Dr. Doulens agreed that now was a good time for surgery since I need to rest anyway.” she says. Dunn scheduled an arthroscopy and meniscal clean up surgery for the underlying meniscus tear for a week after her follow-up.The surgery would remove the damaged tissue with two small incisions. The healthy meniscus tissue is left in place do its job of protecting the knee joint.

The outpatient surgery was only an hour, and she was one of the first patients to have a meniscectomy at the new surgery center.

“The place was amazing,” Dunn says, “The updated building was so nice, and all the staff were welcoming pre and post-op.”

After surgery and recovery, she was sent home with crutches, pain medicine and an ice machine. Only five days after surgery Dunn returned to work, and after two weeks, Doulens allowed her to return to exercise.

“Dr. Doulens impressed not only me, but also my husband, Caleb, who came to all my appointments,” says Dunn. “We both appreciated his in-depth discussion of treatment options and his recommendations on what I should do. My husband was especially impressed with Dr. Doulens thoroughness compared to other doctors he has been with.”

Now six weeks post-operation, Dunn is regaining strength, with a focus on weight training.

“If you are struggling with pain, I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider booking an appointment. There is no need to endure discomfort when Dr. Doulens can fix you right up,” Dunn says.

A big personality receives cancer care close to home

Kate Thompson is not your ordinary salon owner. Behind her vibrant personality and passion for music and hair lies a story of resilience, community engagement and unwavering spirit.

Originally hailing from Burlington, Ontario, Thompson’s journey brought her to Indiana in 2017. She met her husband at a music festival. They have a shared love for the soulful melodies of red dirt country music and host the genre’s artists in their backyard every summer for concerts.

Battling stage three gastric cancer

Thompson’s life took an unexpected turn when she started experiencing digestive issues. Despite experiencing symptoms for years, she initially hesitated to seek medical attention, a decision she would later regret.

Eventually, her condition deteriorated to the point where she could no longer ignore the signs; her stomach simply refused to digest food anymore. The food she ate piled up until she could not eat or drink, leading to a trip to IU Health White Memorial Hospital’s Emergency department. Her doctor suggested that she might have gastric cancer and referred her to IU Health Arnett for further testing. It was at Arnett where she received her life-altering diagnosis of stage three gastric cancer.

Finding strength in community

After already receiving compassionate care for many health issues in various departments at White Memorial, having the option of receiving cancer care there, close to home, was a godsend for Thompson.

“Everything I can do here, I would like to do here,” says Thompson. “It’s eight minutes from my house. They have everything here.”

Navigating the challenges of cancer treatment, she found solace and support with team members.

“It’s like I’m coming to see my friends,” says Thompson. “It’s where I feel safe. I trust them with my life—literally.”

She has become the go-to hairdresser for many members of the White Memorial team. Thompson has been known to do haircuts and colorings for off duty nurses after her treatments for the day are over.

She currently receives FLOT chemotherapy
treatments, along with potassium and magnesium infusions, and weekly blood tests administered by White Memorial Hospital’s Infusion Services. During a recent appointment, while a nurse draws blood from a port in Thompson’s chest, she discusses scheduling the nurse’s son for a haircut at her salon.

“The bougie suite”

“Those girls, they make it a cheerful place to be,” says Thompson. She describes the Infusion Services department at White Memorial as peaceful with occasional laughter.

Thompson has received an infusion at another hospital system in the past, describing the experience as scary and depressing, with a single room with rows of chairs full of very sick-looking people.

“I don’t feel like I want to be here,” says Thompson, reflecting on her previous infusion experience. “I just felt like, ‘yikes.’”

In contrast, White Memorial provided Thompson with a sense of belonging, with individual suites for each infusion patient, including one extra-large room, which Thompson refers to as “the bougie suite.”

“They work hard to work with my schedule,” says Thompson while discussing how the hospital tries to make appointment times as convenient as possible for patients. Schedulers also go out of their way to keep patients informed about when their upcoming appointments are, printing out an appointment schedule for each patient.

A testimony to compassionate care

Thompson’s journey with cancer has been marked by moments of fear, uncertainty and pain. Yet, through it all, she has found strength in the support of her community and the compassionate care of the White Memorial team.

From housekeeping to healing: Stormy’s story

Once Stormy Nantz got her foot in the door at IU Health, it didn’t take her long to start taking advantage of the growth potential.

In 2014, Nantz began her career with IU Health in environmental services. Soon after, she was promoted to the patient transport team, where she discovered her passion for patient care, fostering numerous relationships between floor staff and unit managers. This experience motivated her to pursue further education in patient care.

By 2015, she had become a patient care assistant (PCA) for the medical stroke unit. During her tenure there, she was constantly learning. Two years later, she transitioned to the medical diabetes unit, where she excelled in patient care, drawing labs, and mastering time management.

“As a PCA, I felt challenged and I love learning new things,” Nantz shares. “However, eventually, the routine became familiar, and I sought greater challenges, prompting my decision to return to school.”

Nantz enrolled in part-time classes at Ivy Tech in Muncie, juggling her studies with work. Her PRN position offered a flexible schedule, allowing her to balance work, study, and attend classes. On busy days, she had the option of working four-hour shifts, while on lighter days, eight or even twelve-hour shifts were possible.

“I have always been surrounded by incredible leaders,” she reflects. “The IU Health culture fosters a flexible, encouraging, and supportive environment for ongoing education and career advancement.”

In July, she celebrated her graduation as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). By February, she had joined the adult surgical unit (ASU) as a newly promoted LPN.

Her LPN role is a new addition to IU Health Ball, and the adult surgical unit is among the first to welcome this position. This role enhances support, allowing RNs to concentrate more on patient education and specialized tasks.

As an LPN, Nantz and her team are responsible for administering oral medications and managing IV piggybacks. They also engage in dressing changes, focused assessments, and collaboration with PCAs and RNs to optimize patient care. With her background as a PCA, Nantz brings a solid foundation in patient communication, now focusing on mastering new medications and routines associated with her position.

She credits her strong work ethic to her daughter, aiming to serve as a role model and emphasize the significance of education, dedication, and the pursuit of new experiences.

Protect your eyes during the upcoming eclipse

Indiana total solar eclipse band

On Monday, April 8, many parts of Indiana, including Bloomington, will experience a total solar eclipse while other areas in the state may see a partial eclipse.

The total solar eclipse is rare and you should make sure you know how to enjoy the event while staying safe in addition to wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated.

Follow safety precautions

Temporary or permanent eye damage can occur if you stare directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun without proper solar filters/viewers.

Direct viewing

Special eclipse viewers with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 filters are required for safe viewing during eclipse partial phases.

Not all solar filters/viewers are actually safe to use.

Visit the American Astronomical Society’s website for a list of reputable solar filter vendors or check your local library or science museum to see if they offer free viewers.

Do not use damaged filters. This includes tears, dents and scratches.

Do not use water, glass cleaner, baby/wet wipes, or any other solvents or liquids to clean the filters. The American Astronomical Society suggests using a soft, nonabrasive tissue or cloth such as a microfiber cloth.

Indirect viewing

With your back to the sun, look at the shadow cast by a pinhole onto white paper. Do not look at the sun directly through the pinhole.

Have eye discomfort or changes to your vision after viewing the eclipse?

Contact your local optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Additional resources

Visit NASA’s website for more information about enjoying the upcoming total solar eclipse safely. More resources, including a more detailed map, can be found here.

More information related to the 2024 total solar eclipse will be shared in the upcoming weeks.

Source: NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS).

20 years later: Patient with colorectal cancer trains for marathon

Debora Herold was 24 when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Now, she’s enjoying family life and a healthy lifestyle.

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

In the past two decades, Debora Herold finished grad school, got married, became a mother of two, started a teaching career, and traveled abroad.

To some, that may seem like a normal course of life’s journey. For Herold, that course became reality following a diagnosis of and surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). She was a 24-year-old graduate student at Emory University living in Atlanta, Ga. when, in 2004, Herold began having symptoms she thought were related to stress. Her boyfriend at the time (now her husband, Brad) encouraged her to see a doctor. On a Friday in February she went in for a colonoscopy and the next day received a phone call telling her she had colon cancer.

“The doctor called me on a Saturday and I thought it was so kind of him to call on a weekend and then I hear the words that I had cancer,” said Herold. Her mom flew to Atlanta to join Herold for follow-up appointments and then they returned to Indianapolis. On March 1, 2004, Herold underwent surgery at IU Health Simon Cancer Center to remove a tumor from her colon.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder that early detection increases the chances of treatment and a cure. Researchers with the American Cancer Society reported last year that CRC is swiftly shifting to a more advanced disease and in younger individuals. Last year, an estimated 153,020 people were diagnosed with CRC, making it the third most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States.

Through genetic testing Herold learned that she has Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition and the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer.

“It puts people at a high risk for various cancers and women at a greater risk for urinary tract, endometrial, and ovarian cancers,” said Herold.

The American Cancer Society recommends starting regular screenings at age 45. The screening can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool (a stool-based test), or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (a visual exam). Individuals are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about which tests might be the best options.

Herold’s colonoscopy revealed a tumor in the ascending colon. “I was incredibly lucky that it had not spread and that I did not require any additional treatment,” said Herold. She remained in Indianapolis for about a month before returning to Atlanta to complete her degree. She now continues her care with IU Health’s Dr. Douglas Rex and undergoes and annual colonoscopy.

“I remember the day of my surgery, March 1, hearing news anchor Katie Couric on national television talk about colon cancer,” said Herold. Couric’s husband, Jay Monahan died of colon cancer at the age of 42. In 2004, Couric established the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at the New York–Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, which offers screening and treatment for the disease.

Debora Herold colorectal cancer patient family

In the past 20 years, Herold has enjoyed a full and healthy life. She and her husband Brad have been married 18 years. They have two sons, Ari, 16, and Levi, 13. Herold works as a Teaching Professor in the Psychology Department at IU Indianapolis. She has enjoyed spending time with her family including travel to Israel, Paris, and northern Michigan.

After her diagnosis, Herold began researching diets to help reduce inflammation and eventually stopped eating meat. She began running and has completed both mini and half marathons.

What’s next for her: She is now marking her 45th birthday on May 25 by running a full marathon.

Happy pulmonary rehab week!

Happy pulmonary rehab week to all our rehabilitation therapists who positively impact the lives of their patients with chronic pulmonary illnesses. Respiratory therapist, Vikki Watts has been caring for lung patients for more than 40 years. “The best part is seeing them do better, be able to do more than they did the first day they walked in to [pulmonary rehab]. They quickly become part of our family, our pulmonary rehab family.”

Happy Healthcare Human Resources Week

As we step into National Healthcare Human Resources week, we want to recognize and thank all our human resources teams who bring empathy, compassion, and expertise to help IU Health leaders and team members succeed. Perhaps nobody carries that mission forward better than human resources consultant, Bret Cummins. “I started out in food services at IU Health Tipton… now to have a human resources team who really saw my potential and took a chance on me, I feel very fortunate.”

Women history-makers, close to home

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, and Women’s History Month, please help recognize a group near and dear to the foundations of IU Health Bloomington: The Local Council of Women.

The Council started in 1897 with a call to Bloomington women’s clubs to help promote items of community interest.

Moving forward to the early 1900s, the group took up the discussion of a new city hospital the day after a young man died after being struck by a train.

They worked with local leaders to find a location, eventually settling on a 4.5-acre parcel with a 10-room red brick house belonging to Isaac Hopewell. Through fundraising efforts including rummage sales, recitals, lectures, a theater benefit, bake sales and selling refreshments at the county fair and baseball games, the Council purchased the site and through extensive remodeling projects, converted the building into the much-anticipated hospital. On November 29, 1905, the doors opened, welcoming a new era of care for the community.

Five members of the Council were named to Bloomington Hospital’s first board of directors the following year, showing the continued importance of the group’s leadership.

Since then, the facility has undergone tremendous change with expansions, new buildings, medical advancements and even a move to the current IU Health Bloomington site on the North side of town.

What has remained unchanged is the Council’s dedication to this hospital and its mission to be a voice for community health and advocate for solutions to accessibility and delivery of health care.

Thank you to the past, present and future Council members for your dedication to doing good in the lives of others.