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.

Happy National Hospitalist Day

Happy National Hospitalist Day to all our hospitalist teams who work tirelessly to care for patients during their inpatient stay. “Medicine is a team sport. You can think of hospitalists as the quarterback [for patients admitted to the hospital],” said Abby Wegehaupt, a hospitalist at Methodist Hospital. “Sometimes we direct the care and other times we coordinate between our different specialty services to move patient’s care forward.”

From a deer stand, to more than 100 hospital stays; patient battles leukemia

Dustin Flanigan has made more hospital visits than he cares to count. Each time, he returns home with hope for healing.

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

During a recent hospital stay, Dustin Flanigan, 37, worked with IU Health Art Therapist Valeria Guzman to create a mosaic. As Flanigan chose colorful pieces of glass, Guzman asked:

“What broken pieces of your life would you like to put back together?” Flanigan thought and then responded: “I want to stand again. My mind tells me to get up but my body won’t let me.” When Guzman asked who helps Flanigan he said, his mom, his teenage son, and a few friends. They all live in New Castle, Ind. – an hour from IU Health.

dustin flanigan leukemia

Yet, Flanigan has become all too familiar with IU Health Simon Cancer Center. His first stay was in December 2015.

“I was out deer hunting and I passed out in the woods for five and half hours. When I came to there was a buck and two does staring at me,” said Flanigan. With no cell service he crawled on his hands and knees for two hours, pulled himself up into his jeep and drove two miles to his mother’s home. He was rushed to a local hospital .

“My spleen was the size of an NFL football and my white blood count was over 90 million,” said Flanigan. Additional testing showed he had cancer. Further testing was done at IU Health Simon Cancer Center where it was discovered that he has Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a slow progressing blood and bone marrow disease; and also Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer that starts in the white blood cells.

“When I first got to Simon Cancer Center, they couldn’t even start my chemo because the cancer was eating my teeth away. I had to have them all pulled,” said Flanigan. He went in for three bone marrow biopsies where cancer was discovered in his spine, traveling up to his brain. Thirty-five spinal taps with chemo infusion followed.

In November 2016, a University of Pennsylvania Sophomore football player, named Sam Philippi made headlines when he organized a “Be The Match” Donor registration drive. In his efforts to help build a nationwide base for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), Philippi became the face of the cause. He was a bone marrow match for Flanigan.

Three days after the transplant, Flanigan’s body began to reject the donated marrow.

“Since 2016, I’ve been in the hospital around 100 times – probably more,” said Flanigan, who has been in the care of Dr. Jennifer Schwartz. The disease has caused severe skin conditions, taken 30 percent of his vision, and caused blood clots in his lungs. During one of his hospital stays he learned he has a rare blood disorder. His most recent hospital stay came when he had difficulty breathing and learned he had pneumonia. He said he ended up in ICU and was on the verge of coding.

Inside his hospital room is a heart with the question: “What matters most?” Inside the heart is written the word, “Jesus.”

“I used to be an avid hunter and fisherman. I loved mudding and everything outdoors. Now I pray every day and stay focused on my mom and my son,” said Flanigan, who has spent his life working a variety of jobs. His last was a manager of a rental center. He has 18 certifications including those in dog grooming, pet training, fork lift operation, brake repairs, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

He enjoys woodworking and arts and crafts. During his days-long hospital stays he has taken part in music, yoga and art therapies, offered through IU Health’s CompleteLife Program.

While he worked on his mosaic, Flanigan talked about the meaning behind his art. He chose a blue piece of glass because blue is his favorite color.

The center of the piece showcased a bold red tile – illustrating him as the head of his household; blue for his mother, as an overseer like the clouds; and dark gray for his son, who has experienced a rough year but remains bold.

“Right now I just try to take one day at a time and take the good with the bad,” said Flanigan.

Fight for Air Climb helps fight lung disease

It’s almost time to start your climb at the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb at the Salesforce Tower in downtown Indianapolis. Online registration is open through Thursday, March 7th. IU Health respiratory therapist and climb participant, Mike Meska is climbing for his mom, who was a tobacco user for decades. “As a result of her tobacco dependency and nicotine addiction, my mom developed lung cancer which involved undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy. She also developed COPD and was oxygen dependent in her later years. I’m climbing because she and people like her can’t.

Chaplain’s compassion tugs at the ‘harp’ strings

He grew up in a church family of 10 and realized his spiritual calling after a fatal plane crash.

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

There is so much peace when Alan Mincy plays the harp. Few would guess that it was chaos that lead to his calling as a chaplain.

He grew up in South Bend, Ind. the son of the late Mamie Wigfall Mincy and Sewonie Mincy, Sr. Alan Mincy was born the youngest of eight children including six brothers and one sister. He attended South Bend’s Washington High School and grew up a Notre Dame football fan. After high school Mincy attended Indiana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and a Master of Public Administration degree. He went on to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where he completed a graduate certification in Biblical Studies, and Liberty University where he obtained a master’s degree in divinity.

“My parents and church family ingrained in me at a young age the value of caring for others because they are human beings created in the image of God,” said Mincy, who said church was a place to grow spiritually and socially as he met new friends.

It was a devastating plane crash that ultimately led to Mincy’s spiritual calling.

Three decades ago, Mincy was working for USA Group as a loan guarantor, traveling the country conducting financial aid workshops on college campuses. On one trip to Houston, Tx. a last-minute flight change also changed the course of Mincy’s life. His original flight left Indianapolis and was headed to Chicago when it was placed in a holding pattern due to inclement weather. Ice formed on the plane’s wings. Two minutes after taking off, the plane crashed in a field in Roselawn, Ind., killing all 68 people on board.

“My coworkers were unaware of the fight change until I arrived in Houston and they assumed I had suffered a horrific death on flight 4184. When I called the office, they were shocked and told me about the plane crash,” said Mincy. His initial reactions were disbelief, followed by sadness for the people on board and confusion about why he had been spared.

“I felt incredibly thankful to be alive. I had no idea what my future occupation would be after that, but I knew in my heart that God had kept me alive for a reason, and I believed that my purpose was to dedicate my life to helping people in trauma,” said Mincy.

His mother worked at St. Joe Regional Medical Center in South Bend for 40 years, so Mincy was familiar with the hospital setting.

He completed his internship and residence with IU Health Methodist, University and Riley Hospital for Children in 2019-2020 and worked as a part-time resource chaplain. Four years ago he became a full-time chaplain for the State of Indiana Department of Correction working in Plainfield, Ind. In 2022 he became a full-time staff chaplain at IU Health Methodist Hospital.

As a result of his religious upbringing and the influence of his parents, Mincy said he has cultivated an inner channel of compassion that allows him to inspire and support others.

“My family was not one to openly discuss feelings and emotions, so I grew up talking very little about them. However, I felt at ease sharing my feelings with my parents, especially my mother. I was the youngest; she always called me her baby son. That made me feel loved and appreciated on the inside,” said Mincy.

“On the other hand, my parents grew up in the segregated South between the 1920s and 1950s,” said Mincy. His parents moved to South Bend in 1953 where his father worked in construction. “When I was a child, my parents shared many stories about the hardships they faced – growing up in the South, where their first job consisted of working on a farm and picking cotton. During that time, they were subjected to the horrors of racism, during which they were frequently called obscenities, including the ’N’ word, which was highly offensive.” They went on to celebrate 70 years of marriage in June of 2020. Mincy’s mother died in October of that year and his father died two years later.

Throughout his life, Mincy said he’s always been involved in outreach services to help others, including providing food for shelters and joining his church choir on community outings. He also played saxophone in his high school band and bass guitar in a rhythm and blues band with is older brothers. As an avid reader of scriptures, Mincy found solace in the book of Psalms and began noticing a repeated reference to the harp as a therapeutic instrument thousands of years ago.

“I began listening to harp music for self-care and soon after I wanted to learn to play the harp and share the soothing and relaxing effects,” said Mincy. Only a few short month ago, he began taking lessons with Christy-Lyn, an online teacher and has already had public performances at a nursing home, IU Health special events, and a family church.

He specifically performs on a 34-strong “Music Makers” versatile harp designed for both a concert stage and at home. His harp is “Angelite Blue,” because blue is his favorite color. He eventually hopes to incorporate his harp into his chaplaincy by become certified through “Harps for Healing.”

“I like everything about hospital chaplaincy. I believe hospital chaplaincy is my spiritual calling because it allows me to care for people who have experienced trauma. This can involve providing a listening ear, emotional support, and a compassionate presence,” said Mincy. “I believe one of my greatest strengths is maintaining composure with individuals during trying and traumatic circumstances. These result from the characteristics that make up my personality. I think of myself as a calm and sympathetic person, and it brings me great satisfaction to help others feel genuine love, safety, and security. I am quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. My personality impacts how I care for patients and family members.”

From graduation caps to nurse scrubs

Nurse is much more than a title—it’s a promise of skill, knowledge and care. And when a student reaches their goal to take on this role, it’s time to put all that hard work into practice.

For new nurses in the IU Health South Central Region, they are guided into the force via the nurse residency program, “Transition to Practice.”

“Nurse residency programs are crucial in nurturing and honing the skills of new nurses,” says IU Health South Central Region Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Herrington, DNP, FNP, RN. “It is vitally important that nurses are provided a supportive environment where they can transition smoothly into their roles, fostering confidence, competence and a strong foundation for their nursing careers.”

Program participants receive that essential support through structured learning, mentorship and hands-on experience as they grow and find their footing in their field. Transition to Practice also ensures they have dedicated time for these resources.

Every other month for a year, the cohort of nursing graduates meets for a full day to focus on vital topics including interprofessional communication, informatics and healthcare technology, resources, quality and safety, evidence-based practice and quality improvement, person-centered care, leadership development and work life balance. Below are photos from some of these full-day events.

By the end of the year, participants will create evidence-based projects related to current hospital policies.

“We intend for our nurse residency program to serve as a cornerstone in cultivating the next generation of skilled and compassionate nurses, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care,” says Herrington.

Nurse residency program
Nurse residency meetings

Team spotlight: Karen White

Karen White is a unit secretary in the behavioral health area of Methodist Hospital. “A lot of our patients are here for 30 days so you get to know them and they get to know you. That’s the part of my job that I love. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

Books, Nooks, and Kindles: While they pass the time, they read

Whether they are in a hospital bed or sitting in the waiting room, patients and family members pass the time with a favorite hobby – reading. Here’s a look at what is popular.

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

Sarah J. Maas, David Grann, and Colleen Hoover were some of the top-selling authors in 2023. There was also an eclectic mix of favorite reads at IU Health hospitals.

Laura Andrew passed the time at IU Health Simon Cancer Center turning the pages of Kelly Rimmer’s “The Things we Cannot Say.” The love story focuses on a Russian refugee during WWII.

“I like historical fiction,” said Andrew. One of her favorite authors is Isabel Allende, whose novels are sometimes based on her personal experiences and pay homage to the lives of women.

Author Tom Clancy is a favorite for patient Robert Lane. Clancy is best known for his espionage storylines set after the Cold War. Clancy died in 2013, but his books continue.

“What some people don’t know is that his publishers hired ghostwriters to write in the ‘Clancy style’ after he died,” said Lane. “I especially like the Jack Ryan character.” The fictional character came to life from book to screen by such actors as Alec Baldwin (“The Hunt for Red October”), Harrison Ford (“Patriot Games”) and Ben Affleck (“The Sum of all Fears”).

Patient Elissa Vernon reads about four books a week. One of her favorite reads for 2023 was Nora Roberts’ “Dark Witch,” the first in a trilogy. Vernon likes to read anything with an exciting twist and said she has one piece of advice for avid readers: “Never start a new book before bedtime or you’ll never put it down.”

According to YouGov, an online research data group, 54 percent of Americans read at least one book last year; 82 percent read 10 or fewer books last year. The research also indicates that physical books are more popular with Americans than e-books or audiobooks. However, people who read digital books have read more books than those who read in other mediums.

What were the most popular genres in 2023? Mystery and history books.

James Glad has spent hours with his son in the transplant unit of IU Health University Hospital. While he waits, he reads Clive Cussler’s American adventure novels. Glad estimates he has read a book a week.

As she waited on a family member, Linda Hoffman focused on her e-book and, “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Story.” The book takes readers through the working-class neighborhood of Jewish, Black and European immigrant families in Pottstown, Pa.

“I like a variety of books and find it’s a great way to relax,” said Hoffman.

Aside from reducing stress, research shows reading may strengthen your brain, build your vocabulary, prepare you for a good night’s rest, and may even extend your life.

A special friend: She’s behind-the-scenes of transplant, a ‘mom’ to many

She doesn’t perform life-saving surgeries, but Ruth Ann “Ruthie” Duncan has been a lifesaver for many.

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

Her co-workers say Ruthie Duncan connects well with patients. She often is one of the first faces they see when they come into the transplant area of IU Health University Hospital.

At age 72, Duncan says she just “loves helping people.” That may mean offering directions to a specific office or waiting room, or navigating them through their daily lives.

A long-time Eastside resident, Duncan graduated from Howe High School. She is the mother of two adult children and grandmother of two granddaughters.

“I’ve been a mom to so many of my kids’ friends. Even today they’ll come up and hug and kiss me. It makes me feel so good,” said Duncan. When her granddaughters were younger, their friends came to her home swimming and she often heard her summoned as, “Mom” or “Nana.”

So it came as little surprise to many of her coworkers when Duncan came to IU Health three years ago and formed a special friendship with a transplant patient and volunteer.

More than 30 years ago, Daniel Moore, 31, came to Riley Hospital at a year old to receive his mother’s kidney. He was one of the youngest patients to receive a transplant. He overcame various health challenges and graduated from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. For several years, Moore has navigated the hospital halls with the assistance of a mobility cane, serving as a dedicated volunteer.

Shortly after Duncan joined IU Health, Moore walked into her office and introduced himself. He continued volunteering in the transplant department and, overtime, the two formed a special friendship.

“He’s really attached to the transplant department,” said Duncan. Even though Moore has moved to different areas of the hospital, he still checks in with Duncan every morning he volunteers, promptly at 7:30 a.m., during his lunch break and as his shift ends at 4 p.m.

“He’s so intelligent and often uses big words so I’ll just say, ‘Daniel, tell me what that means,” said Duncan. Once when someone asked Moore how he finds his way around the hospital he said: “I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles to get where I am. Finding my way around the hospitals was the easy part. I even know the tunnels.”

After spending so many hours volunteering, Moore said, “I don’t take this job lightly. It’s the closest thing to a real job I’ll ever have and it’s taken me a long time to build trust with everyone.”

The more Duncan got to know her new friend, the more she learned about his interests and even his “bucket list.” Duncan met him two years before he turned 30 and Moore told her he wanted to celebrate his milestone birthday by renting a limousine and inviting a bunch of friends to dinner. With Duncan’s help, that party happened and among the guests were IU Health’s Dr. Asif Sharfuddin, who specializes in nephrology; Trysha Miller, transplant social worker and Mary Taber, transplant nurse coordinator. They gifted Moore with a cake, balloons, and an IU Health jacket embroidered with his name.

Also on Moore’s “bucket list” was attending the Indianapolis 500. He has fond memories of watching the race with his late grandfather.

Through a friend, Duncan was able to secure race tickets. Moore was given VIP treatment with golf cart transportation and a tour of the pits. During the holidays, when Moore mentioned that he’d like tour the downtown lights, Duncan again helped him fulfill a wish by taking him through the Indiana State Fairground’s light display.

“I just love my job and the opportunities I’ve been given,” said Duncan. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her dogs and cats, and getting “wind therapy” on the back of a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle any chance she gets. She also enjoys sewing and stitched a homemade green flannel blanket for Moore when he moved into his apartment. Green is Moore’s favorite color and also the color symbolizing hope through transplant.

How does Moore feel about his friend?

He tells others: “She’s my best friend at the hospital.”

Team member empowered through a path of wellness

Heather Brandt produces remarkable results with the guidance of her health coach.

Heather Brandt, Revenue Cycle Services quality expert, was 22 years post gastric bypass surgery when she began to experience health complications. When she realized she needed to make a change, she turned to Healthy Results — IU Health’s wellness program that offers a variety of programs to improve your physical health and emotional well-being.

Healthy Results served as a solid foundation for Brandt. After completing her initial health screening, she knew exactly what she wanted to target on her health and wellness journey—weight loss and lowering her blood sugar. The various course offerings and challenges allowed Brandt an opportunity to take control of her health. Earning money to help pay for her insurance was a bonus.

“I initially began participating in Healthy Results for the financial incentive,” says Brandt. Team members who are benefits eligible and participate in Healthy Results programs can benefit financially. Participating in the programs awards points that contribute toward a bi–weekly financial incentive of up to $1,000/year. “Once I decided I wanted to make lifestyle changes, I knew I needed to sign up for health coaching.”

Brandt began meeting with Healthy Results coach, Jill Dodson, in 2021.

Throughout Brandt’s health coaching journey, she approached each session with innovative ideas to improve her health. Dodson served as a sounding board, providing advice, serving as a listening ear and ultimately encouraging Brandt every step of the way.

“I enjoyed meeting with my coach because she provided unconditional support,” says Brandt. “She’s supported all of my ideas. We both learned from each other.”

Brandt’s dedication, combined with Dodson’s guidance, has yielded remarkable results. At the end of 2023, Brandt celebrated a significant milestone: 50 pounds lost and stable blood glucose readings.

“I don’t have to take any prescribed medication now,” says Brandt. “I’m saving money while also earning money.”

Through health coaching, Brandt also experienced a greater awareness of her personal health, increased time spent participating in health activities and improved overall well-being.

As Brandt looks ahead to 2024, she’s excited to dive back into the new learning opportunities, peer challenges and celebrating more success with Dodson.