After experiencing irregular heart rhythms for most of their lives, a father and his son found expert treatment at IU Health Saxony Hospital.

By Charlotte Stefanski, cstefanski@iuhealth.org

Ronald Durbin had picked up basketball in his late 20s, playing five or six times a week. After an hour or two though, he could feel his heart begin to have an episode. 

His pulse would become rapid, feeling similar to palpitations, like it was trying to beat out of his chest. 

“My heart was just pounding like crazy, like it’s doing its own little drum solo, just for forever,” Ronald said. 

Ronald, who has been in local law enforcement for 31 years, had always been able to return his heart rate to normal, whether it be by drinking cold water or doing breathing exercises. 

But 10 years ago, things got worse after a few hours of basketball. His heart rate rose to about 240 beats-per-minute, and it remained that way until paramedics arrived at his house 45 minutes later. 

To restore a regular heart rhythm, they had to perform a cardioversion procedure using medication. He was later warned if the medication didn’t work in the future, they’d have to shock him with paddles. 

Between now and then, Ronald experienced a few more episodes during exercise. One of his physicians at IU Health Saxony—soon to be IU Health Fishers—Dr. Ali Iqtidar, raised his Cardizem dosage to help with the episodes.  

Something different happened this February though. While Ronald was working at the Sheriff’s Department, he walked from his office to use the restroom, went and picked up a bottle of water, and returned to his desk. As he sat down, he could feel his heart rate elevating. 

“I tried taking my pulse, but I couldn’t count that fast. I tried everything I knew of,” he explained. “I tried bearing down and that didn’t work. I drank a bottle of cold water, stood outside—and it was pretty cold out. None of that seemed to help.” 

He was about to take himself to the hospital, but a co-worker got worried and called an ambulance for him, and paramedics once again had to perform a cardioversion. 

It was the first time an episode had happened without exercise, and Dr. Iqtidar referred Ronald to Dr. Tony Navarrete, a cardiologist at IU Health Saxony, who focuses on complex procedures to treat arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and more. 

Ronald had been diagnosed with super ventricular tachycardia (SVT), an irregularly fast or erratic heartbeat (arrhythmia) that affects the heart’s upper chambers. To treat it, Dr. Navarrete performed an electrophysiology (EP) ablation on Ronald this March. 

“The heart has an electrical system; that’s the one that tells the heart how to contract and relax,” Dr. Navarrete explained. “A normal heart conduction system is a group of cells that start at the heart’s top chamber and generate an electrical current and stops with the bottom chambers.” 

“That’s the normal electrical activity. Some people have electrical problems where the electrical activity is not going to the right pathways,” he continued. “They can short circuit in the heart.” 

To fix that, an ablation is performed. During the procedure, catheters are inserted into veins near the groin area and up into the heart.  

The catheters have sensors at the top, which send electrical impulses to the heart. This helps physicians find and treat the area causing irregular rhythms. 

Dr. Navarrete added it is minimally invasive, and patients can be awake and sedated, or be under general anesthesia. Patients can go home the same day and are usually back to their regular activities after a few days. 

“The idea of the ablation is that we can take care of and cure patients, so they don’t have to be taking medication long-term,” Dr. Navarrete said. “Because a medication usually doesn’t fix this problem, it just kind of quiets it down.” 

Because of all of this, ablations have become very popular among cardiac patients. Twenty years ago, Dr. Navarrete said he might have performed one a week. Now, he’s doing four or five. 

This wasn’t his first time doing the procedure on a member of the Durbin family either. Back in 2016, Ronald’s son, Robby, underwent the same procedure at just 18 years old. 

While his father’s symptoms were typically exercise-induced, Robby was the opposite, with his heart rate going up while he was resting. He was also diagnosed with super ventricular tachycardia. 

The episodes would happen out of nowhere, even when he was just sitting down at dinner or playing video games. 

“It would feel almost like a snare drum, like from a marching band,” Robby explained. “Occasionally, it felt like my heart would send out a super hard punch.” 

While Ronald’s episodes were somewhat predictable being exercised-induced, Robby’s were not, and that worried Ronald and his wife, who is a nurse. 

“That was pretty scary with him,” Ronald said. 

After Robby’s heart rate spiked up to 180 one night, his parents took him to the hospital and he was given an electrocardiogram (EKG), which records the electrical signals in the heart. As they went home, he was given a portable EKG to keep track. 

“I think it was only a day or two, and they called my mom and told her that I needed to have an ablation—immediately—because of my resting heart rate while I was sleeping,” Robby said. 

Dr. Navarrete performed the ablation in August 2016. For an 18-year-old, it was a scary ordeal.  

“I was terrified. Everybody was saying, ‘We never have 18-year-olds in here,” Robby said. “It was mind rattling to do that and not really know what the outcome was going to be.” 

For both father and son, recovery time went by quickly, with just a few days of soreness and difficulty walking. Now 24-years-old, Robby has followed in his dad’s footsteps and is a Sheriff’s deputy at the same station. He added that his resting heart rate has remained in the normal range since the procedure. 

Since this spring, Ronald has also been episode-free, and regularly checks in with Dr. Iqtidar. He also has an app on his phone that monitors his heart for anything irregular. 

Both father and son wanted to thank Dr. Navarrete and the IU Health Saxony team for taking care of them. 

“For everybody and Dr. Navarrete, thank you for letting me get a good start on life and have a chance to do something that I love to do. Being a cop, that’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Robby said. “This definitely could have messed it up for me, so I’m thankful every day for that, and for my dad too, for helping him get out of surgery and making sure he was okay.” 

The Durbins have some advice for anyone experiencing the same issue or different heart health issues. 

For Ronald, he said the one thing he wishes he would have done differently is get his heart checked out sooner, and not just attribute the issue to physical activity. While super ventricular tachycardia (SVT) is serious, he knows he could have had a more serious or deadly condition. 

“If it doesn’t feel right, go get it checked out,” he said. 

Robby echoed that and advised that people make healthier decisions. While SVT can be genetic, he admitted to not always treating his heart well as teenager, recalling that he used to drink harmful energy drinks prior to working out. 

He’s also been listening to his body more and choosing healthier options that do not irritate his heart. 

“My blood pressure, whenever it goes up, I get a pain in my chest now. It’s a little bit more noticeable, but now I know that I have SVT,” he said. “If I’m pushing myself hard or working too much, I feel it. I know that I need to dial it back a little bit.” 

Dr. Navarrete added there are also many forms of cardiac care now, and not all of them involve medication. Instead, things can be helped or even fixed by procedures, like an ablation. 

“We need to be listening to our hearts; if our heart is pounding, beating fast, irregular, if we’re getting short of breath, if we’re not able to do the activities that we want to do,” Dr. Navarrete said. “We don’t have to be on a bunch of medications. There are potential options that could help with this and make your life easier.” 

While June may be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness month, IU Health makes it a yearlong focus working with patients who struggle with PTSD daily. It’s important to bring awareness to PTSD as many people suffer from this very treatable condition and don’t seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.

It’s important to know how to be supportive to someone who is experiencing PTSD. Listening is probably the best thing we can do as well as encouraging them to seek help. It can be difficult for families to understand their experiences as people with PTSD are often met with silence and misunderstanding.

If someone confides in you about their PTSD, acknowledge and validate their experience, give your support and listen.

Help someone with PTSD by letting them know it’s not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength to get help. For family members especially, it’s important to be Compassionate, non-judgmental, and validate their experience and their feelings.

If your family member or friend is scared to get help, offer to go with them to get started. It is not uncommon for a support person to join for initial treatment. Assist them in researching various treatment options and making decisions regarding which is best for them.

What to do When Someone with PTSD Pushes You Away

When we see someone we care about struggling, it’s natural for us to want to help. However, sometimes that help isn’t always welcomed by the other person.
If a loved one is showing signs of avoidance or pushes you away, it’s important to give them time. While it’s hard to see them experiencing this, it’s important to be patient and be there for them in ways that can help them continue everyday activities. Asking if there’s anything you can do to help, such as going to the grocery or cooking a meal for them may be the best thing you can do for them in that moment.

It’s also important to remember that it will often be their choice on when and where they seek treatment. Forcing this on someone can lead to resentment and distrust. It may even spark an argument that could leave you both hurt in the end. Gently encouraging them to continue going to therapy once they have started care is important. Acknowledge or celebrate the achievements they make.

Don’t pressure them to talk about their experience or what they discussed in their therapy sessions. It’s their choice regarding if, when or what they will share with you. Let them know you are there for them if they want to talk and even if they don’t.

Children and adolescents that experience a traumatic event may act out or experience physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches, or struggle in school. A parent or caregiver response can often influence a child’s response to the traumatic event. It’s important to give children a peaceful and supportive environment and lessen any stressors. Children need to know that they are loved and safe. Attempting to make a child talk before they are ready isn’t helpful. Consult a licensed mental health provider for help if your child’s symptoms persist longer than a month.

Resources

The National Center for PTSD has information and videos to help you understand the treatment options available and help you choose the treatment that’s right for you or a family member.

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, there are resources available to help:

• Veterans Crisis Line 800.273.8255 (press 1)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline 800.950.NAMI (6264)
• National Institute of Mental Health: Coping With Traumatic Events
• National Institute of Mental Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Caring for Children in a Disaster
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Indiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States, and a group of experts in the state across many fields are working together to address this complex issue.

Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a person during pregnancy or up to one-year post-partum that is due to a cause related to or made worse by the pregnancy. Among states that report data, Indiana ranks 3rd worst for maternal mortality.

Because of this high ranking, Indiana created the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) in 2018. The MMRC includes physicians, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and others. This diverse group of people brings different perspectives to case reviews.

What Causes Indiana’s Low Ranking?

Why maternal mortality is particularly challenging in Indiana is a difficult question. But the diverse perspectives have allowed the MMRC to zero in on some specific issues and create recommendations that could decrease those figures. Dr. Caroline Rouse, a maternal fetal medicine physician at Riley’s Children Hospital and member of the MMRC shared several:

• Early pregnancy care: The MMRC data from the last couple of years has shown there are higher percentages of patients who did not have access to early pregnancy care that results in maternal mortality, she said.
• Prenatal care deserts: Counties that do not have a delivery hospital or any prenatal care providers result in a higher rate of maternal mortality based on the number of people in those counties. If a patient cannot access care, they are not able to see a provider that will help identify risk factors in their history, Rouse said. If the providers in the county are not familiar with working with pregnant or post-partum people, this increases the risk of complications that could occur. Rouse said they are seeing this happening.
• Racial and ethnic disparities in health care: “People’s racialized experience in medicine impacts how they access care, whether or not they access care, how they experience the care they get, what they do with the care they get,” Rouse said. It is important to be mindful – even within this general devastating category of maternal mortality—there are some communities that are much more affected than others, she said. It is an important factor as well in searching for answers and ways to decrease mortality.

What Should Someone Who is Pregnant Know?

Dr. Rouse emphasized that “advocating for yourself and feeling comfortable bringing up concerns” is the first step.

Pregnancy is an anxiety-provoking time for a lot of people. Most of the time, concerns that people are feeling end up just being part of normal pregnancy – but sometimes it’s not. With that said, it is important for pregnant people to work with their care provider to be honest about things that are happening and concerns they have.

For More Information:

• https://www.in.gov/health/cfr/maternal-mortality-review-committee/
• https://blackmamasmatter.org/
• https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/maternity gclid=CjwKCAjwquWVBhBrEiwAt1KmwuX24GkAru9S0GhG5WK-0tVuVwNZO23wO1SOuoNufkMF7gbk8rQkfBoCRyoQAvD_BwE

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

In her younger years, Gabriella “Gabby” Hollman set up a makeshift classroom in her Fort Wayne, Ind. home and coaxed her sister to play “school.” Later, when she graduated from high school and headed to IU Bloomington, she set her sights on a career in the classroom.

During her senior year, Hollman, 25, had an opportunity to take that passion to Tanzania, East Africa as a student teacher. She spent three months teaching at a private school – students ages 12 to 16.

“I always looked up to my teachers. There was always something about the impact teaching had on others that drove me to the classroom,” said Hollman. Teaching in a far off place and experiencing a different culture, added to that impact, she said. “It helped me work better with students whose primary language was not English.”

Her three-month stint included volunteering at an animal shelter, experiencing a safari, and unexpectedly getting lost during a long hike and being rescued by local tribesmen.

As Hollman tells her story, her mother, Tiffany Hamill, sits beside her hospital bed in the transplant outpatient clinic at IU Health University Hospital.

Neither of them imagined that Hollman’s sojourn to a land more than 8,000 miles away would result in her near death – when she returned home to Indiana. But upon her return, she was so run down that she could barely enjoy her graduation party.

“I felt achy and feverish and went to bed early. The next day I had a 104 fever. It was my sister’s high school graduation and I ended up going to the hospital. If I hadn’t caught it when I did, I would have died,” said Hollman.

What she “caught” was malaria, a serious disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects certain types of mosquitos.

According to the World Health Organization, there were about 227 million cases reported worldwide, the year Hollman was infected. The estimated number of deaths were 627,000. The organization reports four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide. The United Republic of Tanzania was one of those countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines the various choices of anti-malaria drugs. The CDC includes the most effective medications based on the length of travel and other conditions such as age and if a traveler is pregnant. While kidney damage is considered rare with anti-viral medications; there are warnings that some of the drugs can lead to renal complications.

After going to her local hospital ER on June 2, 2019, Hollman was admitted to intensive care. She had developed disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC), her heart was surrounded by fluid, her kidneys, liver and spleen were failing, and her lungs were filling with fluid. Blood tests revealed that her body was also not responding to the malaria medication.

“A special request was made to the CDC to open its ‘vault’ and fly in a medication that was not FDA approved in the US, but used widely in areas of the world where Malaria exists,” said her mom. A pharmacist met the plane at an airport in Fort Wayne.

Hollman spent two weeks in the hospital near her hometown. When she left, her kidneys had failed and her body had deteriorated so badly that she was unable to walk, her mom relates in an online blog. During her final days in the hospital, the principal and vice principal of Fort Wayne’s Maple Creek Middle School came to the hospital to interview Hollman for a teaching position. She was hired as the school’s English teacher. Her dream of becoming a teacher came true and she was determined to give it her all in the classroom.

To prepare for the upcoming school year, she started dialysis three times a week, and began physical therapy to build her strength. Her first year in the classroom, she became known as, “Ms. Hollman” to her students. She was not without struggles. And then there were the challenges of a pandemic that caused delays for surgeries, such as transplant. Her mom relates that there were frequent hospitalizations, nausea, and low energy. In December 2019, she switched to home dialysis that helped free up her schedule somewhat and restored her energy.

“The irony of all of this is that I took Doxycycline, the medication that wasn’t as strong as the other that may have caused kidney failure. Then I get malaria which ultimately caused the kidney failure,” said Hollman.

A friend, who chose to remain anonymous, was tested and approved as a match for Hollman. Her blog shows pictures of her arriving on the IU Health Transplant unit at University Hospital. “Ms. Hollman” received a new kidney on May 18, 2022, in the care of IU Health surgeon, Dr. William Goggins. Back in her classroom, Hollman’s students wrote on her chalk board, “Kevin the Kidney.” From then on, her new organ was called, “Kevin” and her hospital room was filled with homemade cards from her students.

The day after transplant, Hollman’s mother wrote: “The doctor took a picture of Kevin. He’s a big healthy boy.” They continued to chronicle Hollman’s journey with photos of nurses helping her walk the hallway and leaving the hospital five days after surgery.

She’s spending the summer regaining her strength and working to put back on weight that she lost – enjoying banana cream pie ice cream in a waffle cone. For the time being she’ll remain in Indianapolis where she can be close to IU Health for her clinical visits.

“I think my clinic my experience with IU Health has been great,” said Hollman. “I really appreciate the nurses and all the attention they give to detail. And a bonus is they always know the best places to get ice cream.”

Caregivers throughout the state entered uncharted territory when it came to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2022.

During the last COVID surge, patients were getting very sick, staff was overwhelmed, and ICU beds were at capacity.

For a rural facility with a 6-bed intensive care unit like IU Health Bedford Hospital, it created even more challenges.

But thanks to a special technique and a group of helping hands from IU Health Bloomington, the team at IU Health Bedford Hospital began to see some relief, and patients hospitalized with severe COVID cases are still alive today.

Watch the video below.

While June may be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness month, IU Health makes it a yearlong focus working with patients who struggle with PTSD daily. It’s important to bring awareness to PTSD as many people suffer from this very treatable condition and don’t seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.

Stigma is a negative attitude or disapproval of an individual or groups of people based on conditions that are perceived to be ‘deficiencies.’

Mental health disorders have a long -standing history of being stigmatized. Persons with depression are often stigmatized as being ‘lazy’ and ‘weak’ and those with anxiety disorders are often seen as ‘dramatic’, ‘hysterical’ or ‘crazy’. These misperceptions result in people not seeking help for mental health conditions and keeps them isolated.

It’s important to note that stigma is often the result of lack of education and awareness as well as fear. Stigma blames people for their mental health problems, even in the face of years of research that supports a connection between a person’s biology, psychology, and social environment.

How to Break the Stigma

Healthcare has been moving towards trauma informed care which recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and the signs and symptoms of trauma and PTSD. It seeks to understand and meet people where they are; it is compassionate and avoids judgment and harsh words or actions that could be re-traumatizing to an individual. In healthcare organizations, the practice needs to happen throughout every person in the organizations, not just the direct providers of healthcare.

Language is key to breaking down stigma. Words such as ‘crazy’, ‘lazy’, ‘junkie’, ‘schizo’, ‘nuts’ and ‘addict’ are harmful and hurtful. Use appropriate person first language such as ‘person with mental illness’, ‘person with PTSD’, ‘person with a substance use disorder’ or ‘person in recovery.’ Remind others of this when needed.

Education is key to breaking down stigma related to PTSD and other mental health issues. In organizations and in our personal lives, we can gently challenge our co-workers, friends and family when we hear inappropriate language or judgment related to people with PTSD, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions. In the workplace, this could be related to staff burnout or stress. Creating a culture of awareness and feedback is critical to dismantling stigma.

You can also speak out and advocate for people with mental illness. Your local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter has several ways to help.

Resources

The National Center for PTSD has information and videos to help you understand the treatment options available and help you choose the treatment that’s right for you or a loved one.

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, there are resources available that can help:

• Veterans Crisis Line 800.273.8255 (press 1)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline 800.950.NAMI (6264)

Is it just a tree?

A tree is not just a tree when it is planted in honor of someone loved. That tree symbolizes a family’s strength and love, with sheltering guidance from above.

During the demolition of the legacy building at IU Health Frankfort in 2021, a tree stood in the path. A tree that had been dedicated to the memory of Harry Thompson Stout III, MD, a longtime physician in the Frankfort community.

Michele Tansey, RN, nursing supervisor, had worked with Stout for 31 years prior to his passing. She could not bear to see it torn down, so she had the tree moved to her property where it has taken up residence in a meadow with many other trees, living its best life.

This week, Stout’s children, Mark (wife Jamie), Anne (husband Tim), grandchildren and sister Susan joined IU Health Frankfort team members at the new Frankfort Hospital to dedicate a new tree in the memory of Harry Thompson Stout III.

Stout’s Frankfort legacy

Before the hospitalist discipline became commonplace, family doctors saw their own patients at the hospital. Tansey shares that since Stout saw the majority of the patients in town, he was often at the hospital doing his rounds bright and early, after office hours and on the weekends. She describes him as a tall and lanky man who took very big steps and had hard-to-read handwriting. He drove a yellow VW bug—a tall man in a little car.

“As a young nurse, he was a bit intimidating. I was shocked the first time he called me by my name,” shares Tansey. “He always got to know every person at the hospital. He was kind and generous.”

Stout also did home visits, often bringing patients and their spouse to the hospital himself when they needed inpatient care. He was also known to bring his patients to the hospital in a wheelchair from his office across the street.

“His wife Carol was a nurse, so he was always kind to the nurses, often thanking them for everything they did,” added Denise Scofield, RN, case manager, who joined the Frankfort hospital in 1977. Stout joined in 1978.

“Being a newer nurse, I would always start with ‘this might be a silly question,’ and he would always say there are no stupid questions,” recalls Sheena Kuyper, BSN, RN. “He listened to the nurses and spent a lot of time with us. Always mentoring.”

Like his father, Harry Thompson Stout II, he was a well-respected doctor and a leader in the community. The pair, along with a few other physicians had a practice located at 1305 S. Jackson St., the current home of the administrative office building of IU Health Frankfort. The difference, according to Tansey, is Harry (Stout II) was a big joker while Tom (Stout III) had a very dry sense of humor.

“He would order a glass of wine or beer for his patient which was shocking to the team. Stout felt it was part of the healing process if the patient was used to the drink and it wasn’t affecting the medical condition it would help them relax,” recalls Scofield. “Of course, patients used to stay longer. Times certainly have changed.”

“He was also the doctor who wanted to sit with his patients and learn about their life, asking “what do you do when you do what you want to’?” remembers Kuyper. “He considered himself the gatekeeper-– always kept track of his patients no matter where they were.”

In his free time, he loved his yard and was often seen cutting the grass and trimming trees. His children were married in his beautiful backyard full of trees.

There was also tragedy in his life, which often played out in the very place where he worked. Stout lost his wife to a brain tumor. When his son was in a tragic car accident, Stout had him moved to the Frankfort hospital for his final days, because no one could care for him like his father. When Stout was diagnosed with cancer, he closed his practice but continued to show up to the hospital until he could no longer.

“The closing of his practice was heart breaking,’ shares Scofield. “I will never forget the advice he gave me: Never stop working. Never take to the clicker, Denise.”

Stout passed away in October 2011. He was a graduate of Frankfort High School and Wabash College. He received his medical degree from the University of Louisville Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Alabama Birmingham.

“It was hard when he passed. It was like losing a member of your own family,” added Kuyper.

By Charlotte Stefanski, marketing associate, cstefanski@iuhealth.org

Since early spring, the United States has experienced a nationwide baby formula shortage, particularly of hypoallergenic varieties. The crisis has left store shelves empty and parents in need.

Two experts at IU Health North Hospital, Dr. Melissa Boling, a Riley pediatric hospitalist and medical director of the hospital’s newborn nursery, and Kathy Thomas, a registered nurse and lactation consultant with 35 years of experience, have offered advice for struggling families.

The two have outlined do’s and don’ts, community resources and how to help.

“You may hear people say, ‘Breastfeeding is free, natural, or easy,’” Boling said. “However, this does not take into consideration lactating parents’ time and effort that is put into breastfeeding.”

Both she and Thomas said there are a variety of medical factors that can prevent a mother from breastfeeding or producing enough milk, including breast development, a family history of infertility and even thyroid issues.

“I think women need to support women, and we can’t be judgmental, Thomas said. “What’s working for us may not work for another person. No two women are the same.”

HOW TO BE PREPARED DURING THE SHORTAGE

For mothers that have been struggling with breastfeeding during the formula shortage, Boling and Thomas recommend connecting with a pediatrician or lactation consultant to help with milk supply.

One key element is stress, Thomas explained, and she knows the shortage has caused a lot, both for women who can’t produce breast milk, and those who can.

Many moms have tried to pump extra milk to store in case of an emergency but pumping too much can have a negative effect.

“What that can actually do is increase their milk so much that the baby is not happy at the breast. It’s almost like somebody turned on a water hose,” Thomas said. “Babies often get a belly ache, they can arch at the breast or they can cough, so it’s uncomfortable for them.”

Instead of trying to produce a freezer full of milk, mothers who are worried about their supply can add an extra pump or two a day to their schedule.

Stress can also halt milk production, so Thomas recommends taking time to do relaxation and breathing exercises to help milk flow.

“It greatly reduces cortisol, and on the other hand, it increases oxytocin, which is the love hormone, and love hormone is what helps bring milk down to the baby,” she said.

Mothers who have previously breastfed but stopped, whether it be because they didn’t like it or had issues, can also try to gain the ability back, especially if it’s only been a few months.

“It takes more effort. You have to pump every two to three hours to re-initiate milk supply,” Thomas said. “We have had more calls about that lately, and it is possible to do that.”

CHECK WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN FIRST

With many families struggling during the shortage, some might look to new or unconventional ways to feed their child.

When it comes to generic brands of popular formulas, Thomas advised it’s best to check with your pediatrician first, especially if your baby is sensitive to formulas.

Parents can also carefully compare the labels of name brands to their generic versions, ensuring ingredients and percentages are an exact match.

“Unfortunately, not all generic forms are created equally. Sometimes they have more fillers,” Thomas said. “That’s where you’ve got to really read labels before making a change.”

According to Boling, parents should avoid using any homemade formula recipes or diluting formula with more water than directed, both of which can cause various nutrient deficiencies.

She added that alternative forms of milk, like cow’s milk, plant-based milk, goat’s milk, evaporated milk or condensed milk, should not be given to infants younger than 12 months old, unless directed by a physician. Water should not be given to infants less than six months old, and juice and tea should be avoided until after 12 months.

And if you’re considering donor breast milk, Boling advises that parents should only receive milk from trusted organizations, like The Milk Bank.

“Currently, it is not recommended to participate in informal milk sharing,” Boling said. “Avoid purchasing human milk from those that you do not personally know such as on social media groups or online.”

COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP

While shelves might be bare, there are plenty of community resources that have been a great help during the formula shortage.

For low-income households, both Boling and Thomas recommend reaching out to WIC with questions at the toll-free information line, 1.800.522.0874. Caregivers who are having trouble finding formula can also contact the Indiana Department of Health MCH MOMS Helpline at 1.844.MCH.MOMS for information.

And while formula might be sold out at stores in larger cities, Boling notes that smaller towns might have more items.

“If you cannot find formula, check smaller stores,” Boling said. “Try local social media groups online as well.”

IU Health North also has plenty of resources, and patients can always ask their pediatrician questions, make an appointment with a lactation consultant, or call the unit for any parenting advice at 317.688.2680.

The hospital has also partnered with The Milk Bank, an Indianapolis-based organization that receives human milk from carefully screened donors, and pasteurizes, freezes and distributes it throughout the country.

Thomas explained the hospital has an “express site,” and while the location does not accept donations, it has milk available for patients.

The milk is used in a variety of ways at the hospital, whether a new mom is struggling with breastfeeding or waiting for her milk to come in, or in emergency cases for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Mothers leaving the hospital can purchase up to 40 ounces of milk without doctor’s prescription. Patients struggling during the formula shortage can also contact the hospital to purchase the milk or reach out to any other Milk Bank location.

Both Boling and Thomas encourage mothers with a larger supply to consider donating to The Milk Bank, which has seen a greater need for donors during this time.

Jenna Streit, advancement director of The Milk Bank, said there was a donation shortage, even before the formula shortage. This was due to an increase in demand both from families at home and hospitals.

“The need is continuous. We must approve 82 new donors every month to keep up,” Streit said. “It’s an incredible pace, and moms continue to meet the needs of babies across our communities.”

To learn more, visit themilkbank.org.

MOTHERS HELPING MOTHERS

Jayme Melton, a registered nurse (RN) at IU Health North, began donating her breast milk to The Milk Bank in February after having her first child, Jack, in August 2021.

Last fall and into the winter, she began researching milk donation, as she was a new mother and wanted to give back in some way. She came across The Milk Bank.

“Being postpartum, I can’t donate blood,” Melton explained.” So, I was looking at other ways to help and ventured down this path.”

She did a bit of research and found out they support several hospitals, including IU Health North’s Express Site.

From there, Melton said the donation process at themilkbank.org was simple. Those interested enter their contact information and answer a few questions. From there, a coordinator reached out to Melton to ask a few more in-depth questions to made sure she qualified.

Potential donors are then asked to provide a blood sample at a lab, which is covered by The Milk Bank. Once approved, the donor will receive a unique number and be able to donate. The whole application process takes about 30 days.

“Everybody’s breastfeeding journey is different. In my journey, I have been fortunate enough that I am able to produce a little bit more than what my little one needs daily,” Melton said. “I worked on a little bit of a freezer supply, but then I realized I wanted a way to give back to those mothers that may not be able to produce, or those ones that really need the milk.”

For Melton, it’s been a surprisingly touching experience. When she mentioned she was donating to one of her supervisors, she became emotional, as her first child received donor milk. Other team members told Melton they’ve seen how donated milk saved their NICU patients’ lives.

“To be able to make an impact in that way, it’s something I will never be able to really put into words, honestly,” Melton said. “It’s a privilege to be able to donate, and because I do produce a little bit more, this is the way that I have found the most rewarding for my journey to be able to give.”

While donations cannot yet be given to IU Health North’s Express Site, Melton donates to another local Indianapolis office. When she first started in February, she was donating 100 ounces at a time, or five to six days of milk.

It fit right into her schedule, allowing her to pump a few times at home, freeze the milk while she’s at work, use what she needs for her own child and then drop off her donation.

For those who are able to have a little extra supply like her, Melton highly encourages them to connect with The Milk Bank online. The experience has been a powerful one for her, and she added potential donors won’t regret it.

Melton is hoping to make one more donation before her son turns one. Since this winter, she’s been able to donate more than 250 ounces, and would like to donate one last 50 ounces.

“It has pushed me to continue my journey of breastfeeding and pumping,” Melton said. “I really can’t put into words how meaningful it has been to see the impact.”

Two hundred and forty seconds — that’s the small window of time first responders have to revive a patient suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. What happens during those crucial four minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

But if first responders have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) — a portable, battery-operated device that can deliver an electric shock through the chest to the heart — that tight timeframe expands, and the likelihood of survival increases.

Like any other technology, AEDs can become outdated, and it’s recommended they be replaced every eight years — but new AEDs come with a high price tag. A new AED can cost anywhere from $1,275 to $3,000.

When it was time for the Lafayette Fire Department (LFD) to replace its AEDS, the unit had to crunch the numbers to see if it was even feasible.

“We have a limited budget,” said Richard Doyle, LFD chief. “When we spend money, we have to be strategic about what we purchase because inevitably some things always have to go the wayside.”

Fortunately for LFD, the generous donors of west-central Indiana made sure their local heroes had the tools they needed to keep their community safe. Their generous gifts to Indiana University Health Foundation’s Arnett Community Initiatives Fund enabled the Foundation to buy nine state-of-the-art AEDs for the department.

“We go out every day and try to save lives,” said Doyle. “This updated equipment will help us do just that.”

The Arnett Community Initiatives Fund benefits health initiatives in the greater Lafayette community, especially alongside partners such as first responders.

Past donations to the fund have also supported trauma and health education for healthcare professionals and community members.

“Gifts to the Arnett Community Initiatives Fund are important because they enable IU Health Foundation to care for Hoosiers outside the walls of our hospitals,” said Amanda Rardon, RN, CEN, TCRN, IU Health director of Emergency Services. “Those gifts also help us achieve our mission of making Indiana one of the healthiest states in the nation.”

If you’d like to support community initiatives in west-central Indiana, contact IU Health Foundation Philanthropy Director Julie Paolillo at 765.429.7525.