Kristen Young studied theater in college, but after marrying and having three kids, she traded the limelight for scrubs and the chance to help new moms.

By Maureen Gilmer, IU Health senior journalist, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

Kristen Young used to think she wanted to have a career on the stage. She loved performing and public speaking, so she decided a degree in theater would be the perfect fit for her.

Young earned that degree, but her career took a sharp turn after college. She married her college love, Mitch, and within a few years, the couple had three children.

Those kids, now ages 10, 9 and 6, are her world. But five years ago, this pastor’s wife – Mitch leads a church on the Northeastside – wondered what her next act would be.

Her youngest was 1 when Young began thinking about going back to school to follow another passion – nursing. As the daughter of a nurse, she initially resisted the idea of following in her mom’s footsteps, but then embraced the challenge.

“I went back to school with the support of my husband, with three little ones at home and a mother-in-law who made dinner once a week so I could study, and I did it.”

After a year as a student nurse at IU Health University Hospital, she started as a labor and delivery nurse at IU Health Methodist Hospital two years ago.

Already, she has collected two Daisy nominations for outstanding nursing and won a Daisy the first year she was on the job.

She knew then that she had found her calling.

“It was the best decision I’ve made and the hardest thing I’ve done ever,” she said. “But I love it. Every day I thank God that I get to come in and do my job.”

When she entered nursing school, she didn’t know for sure that she wanted to do labor and delivery, though she says she loved the nurses she had when she delivered her children.

“I was interested in the area, but I was also interested in NICU. Then I did a little bit of time in the operating room in nursing school and I really enjoyed that. I was also interested in working for Riley.”

All of her passions came together in a way she couldn’t have imagined.

When she interviewed at Methodist, she learned how as a labor and delivery nurse, she might get to be in the OR sometimes, she might do some triage and care for women who’ve had C-sections. When they told her the entire unit would soon be moving to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health when the Mother-Baby Unit opens, she knew this was the job for her.

“It’s everything that I kind of wanted that I didn’t realize could all be in one job.”

While she looks forward to the move to Riley, there is some anxiety about how patients will respond to the transition.

“We just want the best for our patients,” Young said. “But being under the Riley umbrella, there’s a lot of benefit. We deal with the sickest moms and the sickest babies in the state, and having the high-risk OB LifeLine allows us to take care of really sick patients, which means we have NICU babies frequently. The fact that we’ll be able to put mom and baby together (at Riley) is a blessing.”

Other than doing some spoken-word performances for Easter and Christmas pageants at her church, Young doesn’t get to indulge in her love of theater anymore, but her new role as a nurse suits her perfectly.

The health and safety of our patients has always been and continues to be our highest priority. We value the trust you have placed in us and our skilled physicians, nurses, and team members who provide you with the compassionate, safe and quality care you deserve. To ensure the health and safety of all our patients and team members during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we’re making adjustments to some of our outpatient appointments.

What will happen with upcoming appointments?

At this time, for the safety of our patients, some appointments may be rescheduled so that our care teams can be available to patients who have immediate needs. If you have an appointment that needs to be rescheduled an IU Health care team member will contact you with more information. For those appointments that cannot be postponed, options will include virtual visits through IU Health Virtual Visits, visits by phone, as well as in-person visits. If we do not contact you to reschedule, please plan to arrive for your appointment at your scheduled time.

Don’t have an appointment in the next few days?

To allow our care team to focus on patients with appointments in the next few days, we kindly ask that patients who do not have appointments within the next 3 days to wait until closer to their appointment day before contacting us. We realize that this can feel frustrating and we are working hard to support all of our patients.

If your appointment is within the next 3 days and you have questions or would like to confirm your appointment please call your doctor’s office. Our full-provider directory can be found here: iuhealth.org/find-providers.

What COVID-19 resources are available?

As COVID-19 continues to impact a growing number of people both here in our communities and abroad, we want you to know we are here for you. To help answer your questions, we’ve created an online resource center. There, you will find helpful information from our expert doctors and clinical team members about steps you can take to prevent the spread of the virus and how to get a free screening if you begin to experience symptoms.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and rest assured that IU Health is monitoring the evolving situation to provide the best possible care for you, your family and your community.

Indiana University Health continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To ensure the safety of team members and conserve resources necessary to meet emerging health needs, the following guidance was given to all IU Health providers and team members:

• Effective immediately, IU Health is rescheduling elective, non-urgent surgeries and procedures at all hospitals and facilities.
• Primary care and specialty follow-up visits will be conducted virtually or rescheduled.
• Well-child visits for children 2-years and older will be conducted virtually or rescheduled.
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy visits will be conducted virtually or rescheduled.
• Health screenings and elective imaging will be rescheduled.

At this time, newborn and well-child visits for children younger than 2-years old will continue in order to complete the primary immunization series.

IU Health began informing team members and patients this morning. Work is also underway to train additional providers to use virtual visit technology.

This weekend, IU Health announced temporary visitor restrictions to protect patients and team members and prevent further spreading.

Keep your “worry meter” in check during the coronavirus outbreak by taking care of yourself and others. “We know that one of the things that helps with anxiety and depression is when we find a way to be benevolent toward other people. It gets us outside of our own fears.”

By Maureen Gilmer, IU Health senior journalist, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

The word pandemic strikes fear in many of us. And just like disease, fear is a contagion – quick to spread through families, communities and countries.

We’ve heard the recommendations from health professionals about proper hand hygiene and social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but how can we calm the fear and anxiety that many of us feel as the world shifts beneath our feet?

Vern Farnum, director of Spiritual Care & Chaplaincy for IU Health-Academic Healthcare Center, has some common-sense ideas for quieting our minds in the midst of this crisis.

“We have a tendency to awful-ize – to ramp things up in our minds,” he said.

That’s especially true during uncertain times when we don’t know what the next public announcement will bring.

“Do whatever you can to resist that because it usually leads to poor decision-making. Find any means of reassurance that is helpful,” Farnum said.

During times of crisis in the past, we often turned to sports, theater, concerts and other diversions to help us cope. Now those same options are not available to us. Even many houses of worship have closed out of an abundance of caution. How then can we keep our anxieties at bay?

A few ideas still within reach:

1. Go for a walk. The fresh air and movement are good for us.
2. Listen to music. “I’m a big rock and roll person, but sometimes I need to listen to some elevator music,” Farnum said.
3. Practice yoga or another form of exercise at home.
4. Meditate.
5. Pray. The Lord’s Prayer and the 23^rd
   Psalm are particularly powerful, Farnum said.
6. Perhaps most important, stay connected with friends and family either by phone, video chat or social media. Social distancing does not have to mean social isolation, he said.
7. Reach out to help others. Offer to go to the grocery for older people or for parents of young children, particularly those whose immune systems are compromised. “We know that one of the things that helps with anxiety and depression is when we find a way to be benevolent toward other people,” Farnum said. “It gives us purpose and meaning when we’re feeling anxious. It gets us outside of our own fears.”
8. Maintain a normal meal and sleep schedule. Fatigue and a poor diet will negatively affect our mood.
9. Stay informed, but don’t obsess over the news.
10. If you get anxious, talk with someone who is a calming presence. Avoid feeding off of others’ anxieties.

Jennifer Touw, certified health and wellness coach with Healthy Results, says that while the “right amount” of worry can sharpen our focus and help us anticipate and prepare for danger, too much can make us feel anxious, out of control and even sick.

To keep our “worry meter” in check, she advises the following:

Put a name to your feelings. For example, “I’m having a moment of fear.” Follow that with a compassionate message for yourself such as “hang in there.”

Deep breathing can help trigger your relaxation response. It will give you a moment to pause and separate from anxious thoughts.

Move. If you are feeling keyed up, take a walk or go for a run.

Laugh. By all means, give yourself permission to take a break from the news and have some fun – play a game with your kids, watch a favorite TV show, laugh.

Ask for help. If you are an IU Health employee, consider connecting with a Healthy Results coach to work on stress management (317-963-WELL). If you are a patient or a family member, reach out to your physician.

These are uneasy times, but Farnum remains hopeful.

“The virus will eventually dissipate,” he said. “It will not disappear, but we will get back to a more normal routine. We will recover.”

During a recent visit to IU Health Frankfort, president and CEO Dennis Murphy delivered a values-based compliment to Ann Powell and Raimie Wainscott based on a letter received from a patient signing their praises.

The letter read:

I am not much of a writer, a 66-year-old woman with an important message to share. I smoked for 50 years. I managed to stop last December (2018). Of course, not without doing much damage to the lungs. A disease called COPD. I was in the hospital at least 6 times last year. The heart does not react well with sick lungs. At times, I was very sick and frightened.

Dr. Diamond encouraged me to join pulmonary rehab at IU Health Frankfort. The best decision I have made for myself in years.

I was welcomed first by Dawn, the secretary. What a calm heart she has. Then to my surprise came two special women: Ann and Raimie. There is no doubt these ladies were there to not only teach but to comfort. That they have done!

I have been in rehab since December (2018). My breathing has improved, I haven’t been in the hospital this year (2019), and I look forward to the camaraderie twice a week. The vitals are checked first, if they aren’t satisfied, the ladies are right there watching. The workouts are provided for endurance, expansion of the lungs and for easier breathing and much more.

I cannot say enough about the program and Ann and Raimie. Not enough. To let a person with lung disease, know that there is help. The kindness, encouragement and education have pointed me in the right direction of wellness. Thanks ladies!

Thank you, Ann Powell and Raimie Wainscott, for making pulmonary rehab your purpose and for providing such compassionate care. Through our values, you are delivering the best care, designed for our patient.

Latest on COVID-19:

– IU Health is preparing to begin doing its own testing
– Updated visitor restrictions are now in place to protect patients
– IU Health virtual clinic for free Coronavirus screenings has been used more than 1000 times
– Top IU Health experts are in regular communication with state officials and closely monitoring all CDC guidance

<p>Due to a rise in the number of reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, IU Health is limiting visitors at some of its healthcare facilities to prevent further spreading, and to protect patients and staff.</p>
<h2>Facility and Start Date</h2>
<ul><li>IU Health Ambulatory Surgery Centers* – Jan. 20</li><li>IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital – Dec. 13</li><li>IU Health Bedford Hospital – Dec. 30</li><li>IU Health Blackford Hospital – Dec. 13</li><li>IU Health Bloomington Hospital – Dec. 30</li><li>IU Health Jay Hospital – Dec. 13</li><li>IU Health Methodist Hospital – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health Morgan – Dec. 30</li><li>IU Health North Hospital – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health Paoli Hospital – Dec. 30</li><li>IU Health Saxony Hospital – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health Simon Cancer Center – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health Tipton Hospital – Jan. 6</li><li>IU Health University Hospital – Dec. 20</li><li>IU Health West Hospital – Dec. 20</li><li>Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health – Dec. 20</li></ul>
<p><em><strong>*Only the following locations are limiting visitors:</strong> Ball Outpatient Surgery Center, Beltway Surgery Center, Beltway Surgery Center – Spring Mill, Eagle Highlands Surgery Center, East Washington Surgery Center, Glen Lehman Endoscopy Suite, Indiana Endoscopy Center – Methodist, Indiana Endoscopy Center – Avon, Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, Meridian South Surgery Center, Multi-Specialty Surgery Center, ROC Surgery Center, Saxony Surgery Center and Senate Street Surgery Center</em></p>
<h2><strong>Visitor restrictions* include:</strong> </h2>
<ul>
<li>Only spouses, significant others, parents or legal guardians (18 or older) will be allowed to visit and be on the patient unit (exceptions can be made for end-of-life-situations).</li>
<li>Siblings and children younger than 18 years will not be permitted on patient units.</li>
<li>Patients with flu-like symptoms will be asked to wear a surgical or isolation mask.</li>
<li>Patients will not go off their unit, except for testing or therapy; at Riley in Indianapolis, evening visits for inpatients may be arranged in the Child Life Zone.</li>
<li>Visitors who have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills or muscle aches, will not be allowed to visit patients.</li>
<li>Visitors and parents should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before entering the building.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>*IU Health recognizes the role that family plays in a patient’s recovery. Exceptions to the policy may be made under special circumstances.</em></p>

She was raised in Bloomington. Her daughter, Stella, has been dubbed the “office mascot.” She refers to Susan Shick, a fellow women’s health nurse practitioner, as her “work wife.” There is no doubt that Indiana University Health – Southern Indiana Physicians Women’s Health at McIntire is Melissa Colman’s home. But what led her there?

Aside from the influence of her older sister, who practices as a midwife in Indianapolis, Colman says her experience working with sexual assault survivors was a factor.

During her time at Indiana University Bloomington, Colman volunteered for a local non-profit called the Middle Way House—an organization that provides services for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking.

“At its core, it is a domestic violence shelter with a crisis line,” Colman explained. “Originally, I was just doing the domestic abuse crisis line while I was in college.”

After a while, Colman took the additional training to become a sexual assault advocate—a role that involved responding to calls specifically related to sexual assault. In that role as an on-call advocate, she dealt with many different types of cases.

“Sometimes it was somebody who experienced an assault years ago and just needed someone to talk to … or often times it was someone who had just recently been assaulted and needed additional support in the hospital,” Colman said.

When asked how this has impacted the work she does today, Colman was quick to explain how working with survivors taught her the importance of compassion.

“There are so many women who have been sexually assaulted … it has made me even more aware of making sure that the patient knows that they are always fully in control of the exams,” she said.

Colman expresses the importance of communication—letting patients know exactly what is going on and telling them that though these exams are important, “they aren’t do or die,” she says. “If you are uncomfortable, we can stop.”

She also attributes her ability to educate and listen well to her years volunteering.

“Sometimes people don’t want us to solve a problem, especially when it comes to their sexual health,” Colman said. “Sometimes they just want to talk about it and hear what is normal and what isn’t.”

What is Colman’s favorite part about her job?

“The education aspect … knowing that when women leave here, they feel fully heard, educated and comfortable with the plan of care,” she said. “There is a lot of apprehension about the OB/GYN world and sexual health in particular. It is nice to help people feel comfortable with everything.”

In her free time, Colman loves to travel with her husband of six years, Gabe, and 1-year-old daughter, Stella. This year, they plan to take Stella on her first trip to the beach.

Caption for photo: “Colman and her daughter, Stella, during a lunch break at work.”

<p><em><strong>It’s been a year since she received a new kidney from one of her co-workers and now Cathy Woodard said she can’t believe how much energy she has.</strong></em><br></p>
<p><em>By IU Health Senior Journalist T.J. Banes, </em><a href=”mailto:tfender1@iuhealth.org”><em>tfender1@iuhealth.org</em></a></p>
<p>It’s hard to tell who has the biggest smile. One year after Tina Scott donated a kidney to her co-worker Cathy Woodard, the two stand side-by-side wearing matching t-shirts that read: “Kidney Buddies for Life.” To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the gift of life, they share a white cake decorated with a purple kidney.</p>
<p>Their story is somewhat unusual. They worked together in the same Lafayette Hospital but it was a social media post that brought the two together. </p>
<p>Woodard was added to the transplant list in July of 2018 after being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. She began dialysis in December 2018 – her body was on a fast track toward renal failure. </p>
<p>A month after she was listed for transplant, Woodard turned to social media in hopes of finding a match. Or rather, her cat named “Gracie” turned to social media. The message: “My owner needs a new kidney.”</p>
<p>Woodard explained in the post: “My best option is to find a living kidney donor instead of waiting up to five years for a transplant from a deceased donor. I am O positive. I don’t feel sick. I don’t look sick. I work three, 12-hour shifts a week. I do dialysis at home. I am tired all the time, I have a decreased appetite, and sometimes my blood levels are low. It could be a lot worse.” </p>
<p>Two months passed and she still had no response. She increased her posts and by chance, the request caught the eye of Tina Scott. Not only was Scott a registered organ donor, she was the nurse who helped orient Woodard when she began working at the same hospital. </p>
<p>Once Scott completed testing and learned she was a match, the two became instant “Kidney buddies.” </p>
<p>On Feb. 22, 2019 Woodward was in OR under the care of IU Health Dr. William C. Goggins. Scott was in another OR nearby under the care of Dr. Chandru P. Sundaram. The surgery was a success and four days later Woodard was released to go home. </p>
<p>Since then, the two women continue working at the same hospital – Scott floats on night shift and Woodard has taken a position educating patients in cardiac rehab. </p>
<p>“How has life changed in the past year? I can’t believe how much energy I have. I didn’t realize how tired I was before transplant,” said Woodward, who is married to Ross Woodard. </p>
<p>She has started back up with one of her favorite hobbies running, and she and her “kidney buddy” are training for a half marathon. </p>
<p>Before her illness she joined an annual mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. She sat out last year, but recently left for a two-week trip – her seventh. Pictures show her holding infants and surrounded by children at a primary school. </p>
<p>“In the first few weeks after surgery Tina and I exchanged text messages daily. She returned to work after just six weeks,” said Woodward. “Now we see each other at work and catch up on what we’ve missed. She’s not just a new lifelong friend; she’s family. “</p>