They trace their history back to the 1960s. This family spans four generations of providing service to IU Health patients and families.

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

She can tell you a few things about nurses dressed in crisp white uniforms with the starched caps. She can also tell you little bit about historic diseases and viruses such as HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. She also knows the date the first organ transplant was performed.

Margie Helton has seen a lot in her 44 years with IU Health. She’s also seen it through the eyes of three other family members beginning with her mother, Lucy Reeves. It was in the late 60s that Reeves joined IU Health working as a dietary aide.

Even at a young age, Helton was familiar with IU Health. She often came to work with her mom and sold candy in the Coin Cafe in the basement of Methodist Hospital. The funds supported her membership in the Bluebird Campfire Girls.

In 1978, Helton began her own career with IU Health Methodist Hospital as a file clerk. She eventually moved into the area of Revenue Cycle Services, working with self-pay patients and sometimes filling in as a hospital cashier. She’s also worked in financial counseling, helping uninsured or underinsured patients enroll in assistance programs.

In addition to her work with IU Health, both of Helton’s children were born at Methodist Hospital and she and Reeves were at one time hospital patients.

Her daughter, Tara McKinney started her career with IU Health in 2019, working in radiology scheduling and now is an administrative assistant. Helton’s grandson, Denver Helton, also joined the IU Health team in 2019 and works with physician scheduling.

What does it mean to carry on her mother’s legacy?

“I have a passion for helping others. I’ve known people in my family and friend groups who have put off healthcare because they are afraid of the cost. I want to be a caretaker of people in this situation, to not let finances be a barrier to obtaining good healthcare,” said Helton.

“It can be stressful going to the hospital – even in the happiest of times. I’m proud to work at IU Health and be a helper for others,” said Helton, who works at the Shadeland Avenue offices.

Her daughter has never known a life without her mother working at IU Health and her grandson shares the same familiarity. McKinney remembers coming to work with Helton and being referred to as “Margie’s baby.” In her role with IU Health, McKinney says she is one who brings people together and promotes optimism and positivity with her team.

Denver Helton earned a degree in journalism from IU Bloomington and first worked in registration. He quickly recognized his purpose and ways to grow in the field of communication.

Although she doesn’t see her family members at work, Margie Helton shares a home with McKinney and her husband and youngest child. Outside of work, the family members enjoy, traveling, attending sporting events and participating in health and fitness activities.

Both professionally and personally, Alesha Arnold was well aware of one cancer. But, when she heard her own diagnosis, it was a complete shock.

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

She is a nurse and she lost her mother at a young age due to complications from breast cancer. Alesha Arnold was vigilant about self-care. She was followed by the high-risk breast cancer clinic, and had regular screenings.

Her mom passed in 1996 and Arnold became a nurse the following year. For the past 13 years she has worked in the Clinical Trials Office of IU School of Medicine, specializing in breast oncology.

“I wanted to be a nurse because I’ve always enjoyed helping others and after losing my mother to breast cancer, I had a real desire to make a difference. There are so many opportunities in nursing,” said Arnold, 48.

In 2019, she was met with some unexpected news. After experiencing a chronic cough and intense pain in her back and side, she visited her primary care physician. Tests followed and showed a mass. She was diagnosed with Stage Four lung cancer. Years earlier, Arnold’s grandfather had also been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Married, and the mother of two daughters, Arnold has been a non-smoker throughout her life, At IU Health, she is in the care of oncologist Dr. Shadia Jalal. Since her diagnosis, Arnold has gone through TKI therapy and is currently taking a chemo medication.

“Right now we’re trying to stabilize my disease or get it to improve,” said Arnold.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and Arnold shares her story hoping to educate others that non-smokers are also at risk for lung cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer (not counting skin cancer). In men, prostate cancer is more common; in women, breast cancer is more common. About 236,740 new cases of lung cancer (117,910 men and 118, 830 women) were predicted this year. Most people diagnosed are 65 and older with a small percentage diagnosed younger than 45.

In an article from Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Health Dr. Nasser Hanna, talks about an initiative, “End Lung Cancer Now.” Dr. Hanna specializes in Multi-D oncology and is an advocate for education and awareness.

“We know through data on stigma that breast cancer is viewed as victimizing women. Lung cancer is viewed as, ‘You got what you deserved,’ which is beyond cruel,” Dr. Hanna stated. “No one deserves lung cancer.” In 2020, Indiana was ranked fifth among the states with new cases.

For her part, Arnold, has partnered with “End Lung Cancer Now” advocating for education. Key to her platform is eliminating tobacco use in Indiana, making screening available to all eligible patients, and increasing participation in lung cancer research. Arnold recently received the Lung Cancer Hero Award, at the International Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2022 North American Conference on Lung Cancer.

Her nominator wrote: “Arnold is a quiet strength and an amazing fortitude that attracts so many of us to her. She is an advocate for always doing what’s right and moving the educational bar of awareness forward in her community. She has brought awareness of lung cancer to her family, sorority, colleagues, church family, friends, and even those she doesn’t know.”

In addition to sharing her personal story, Arnold, her husband and daughters organized a wood cutting event to create white ribbons. The White Ribbon Project started two years ago to build community, reframe education, increase awareness, and remove the stigma against the lung cancer community.

“The thing that gets me is lung cancer is the number one killer and we don’t get as much awareness as other cancers. I think it’s partly because of the stigma that people have – like lung cancer is associated with smoking,” said Arnold. “Hopefully, when people see people like myself who have never been smokers, then they will realize that anyone can get lung cancer.

“It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention. But no one asks, ‘so who is the father?’ Frustration is the father,” quips Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP.

Frustration is what has driven Ash in the treatment of kidney and liver diseases. His life-long pursuit has been to make hemodialysis technology simpler, safer and more suited for use in the home.

Hemodialysis is a treatment to filter wastes and water from the blood, as kidneys do when they are healthy. In patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), hemodialysis also helps control blood pressure and balance important minerals, such as potassium, sodium and calcium in the blood.

The first time Ash saw a hemodialysis machine in operation was as a medical student in 1970. He was amazed by how the machine replicated the human kidney. But his undergrad training in physics told him there had to be a simpler way.

Ash joined the Arnett Clinic (now IU Health Arnett) in 1975 after completing his internship, residency and fellowship at the Indiana School of Medicine.

Nephrology—the treatment of diseases and complications of the kidneys—was his specialty, and he implemented the first dialysis program in Lafayette. He also opened the Hemodialysis Laboratory within the newly formed Bioengineering department at Purdue University—searching for that simpler way.

“The tools, drugs or devices I use in my practice to treat patients often are not simple, safe or best for the patient, so I am going to look for a better solution,” shares Ash, who has developed many medical devices and therapies to combat catheter-related bloodstream infections.

For example, Ash’s hands-on experience showed him that the traditional dialysis catheter was not optimal, so his own solution–The Ash Split Cath™–which is now widely use due to improved reliability of blood flow, the design became widely popular.

In 1983, Ash developed a detoxification device—BioLogic-DT—for treating liver failure and drug overdose. Developed to make home hemodialysis easier to perform, the BioLogic-DT removed toxins from the blood and acted, in effect, as an artificial liver. It had applications to both reverse the symptoms of acute liver failure and to stabilize a patient until recovering liver function or receiving a liver transplant.

In 1995 the BioLogic-DT was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for drug overdose. It later was approved to treat patients with liver failure. The same year, Ash developed the BioLogic-HT system which was used to balance blood chemistry during whole-body hyperthermia treatment of patients with AIDS or advanced cancer.

“Looking back, I realize that most of the projects were started because of my frustration with dialysis as a therapy for ESKD and other conditions,” shares Ash. “Some projects started because we lacked any therapy for serious diseases, such as support of patients with liver failure. A great deal of thought and planning went into the decision to start each project, and a great deal of enthusiasm (and money) was invested in each one.”

Ash is a prolific inventor. His life-long pursuit for a better way led him to author of over thirty U.S. patents, over one hundred publications and 15 textbook chapters in the areas of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, vascular access devices, extracorporeal medical devices, computerized medical charting and sorbent chemicals. He is co-founder of several biomedical device and drug companies including Ash Access Technology, HemoCleanse, Renal Solutions and ZSPharma.

Ash has been an adjunct associate professor of comparative medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University and a clinical associate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Ash retired in July 2022, although he is often still seen at Arnett Hospital. He lives on a horse farm with his wife Marianne, a respected veterinary specialist in her own right. He often applies his natural instincts to solve problems to troubleshooting around the farm, such as GutterShed™, an invention that arose when his existing gutter covers simply weren’t working to his standards.

Ash’s lifelong focus has been on improving medical practice. His inventions have helped save and extend lives. His definition of success is when he sees a device or drug he helped to develop in widespread clinical use.

Want to read more about Ash’s life-long work?

• A lifelong quest to make home hemodialysis simple, safe and effective: A review of outcomes of 12 major projects: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/aor.14107
• Vascular disease management interviews with Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP: https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/vdm/content/vascular-disease-management-interviews-stephen-r-ash-md-facp
• Predicting the progress of chronic kidney disease; combining eGFR and Proteinuria – http://slideplayer.com/slide/12113961/

Read more about the history of Arnett at https://iuhealth.org/thrive/celebrating-100-years-of-arnett

It’s no secret that EMS providers across the state and country have experienced major staffing challenges due, in large part, to the pandemic. “Our leaders came together and said, ok let’s get creative and let’s recruit. Let’s pay people to come to school and then they can work for us,” said Brent Schnepp, an IU Health LifeLine EMS instructor. LifeLine has since established its own training institution for aspiring EMTs and paramedics. “It’s been a very successful program and we are narrowing down those major staffing gaps and we’re seeing a lot more retainment while creating that pathway to encourage people to stay with us.”

Ken Lemler is a clinical lung transplant coordinator at Methodist Hospital. He’s passionate about his role to guide patients through the rigorous pre-transplant process. “With these folks, a lot of times it’s their first understanding that they might need a transplant so they’re scared to death,” said Ken. “Part of my job is to really try to make them feel at ease. They’ll see all these faces [along their journey], but the one constant for them pre and post transplant is their coordinator. That’s my patient. They are always going to be my patient.”

Amie Blumling, pictured above with her father, urges everyone to get a quick, easy and affordable lung scan.

Amie Blumling lost her dad, Michael “Buck” Buchmiller, to lung cancer in 2015. Now, she is on a mission to make sure that no other family has to go through that loss.

“My dad had lung cancer. We found out when it was stage 4, and we only had six months with him after that,” shares Blumling, a senior associate on the IU Health Arnett switchboard and My IU Health patient portal teams. “He had regular chest X-rays, as recommended for those who have a history of smoking, but they never showed signs of cancer.”

It wasn’t until his hands started to swell up (“like The Nutty Professor movie,” Blumling describes) due to a rare condition called hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy, that their family received the devastating diagnosis.

If he had undergone a lung scan sooner, Blumling’s story and her father’s outcome might have been different.

“If you have any risk at all of developing lung cancer, get a lung scan,” urges Blumling. “It is easy, quick and painless, and if you can catch the cancer or even a lesion early on in stage 1 or 2, we can prolong your life or in many cases, help get you in remission. It doesn’t have to be terminal if detected early.”

IU Health offers lung scans for just $49
for patients in the Greater Lafayette area, and Blumling wants to everyone to know that this simple, affordable screening can help other families avoid the pain and heartbreak of a late-stage diagnosis.

“Anyone can get lung cancer. If you have lungs, you can get this horrible disease,” reminds Blumling.

In fact, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Indiana. This year alone, 1 in 16 Hoosier men and 1 in 17 Hoosier women will be diagnosed with lung cancer—well above national averages. It is the number one cause of cancer deaths in America.

IU Health’s lung scanning technology has the ability to detect smaller nodules than X-rays or standard CT scans. Getting a scan and catching it early can mean a 20 percent decrease in lung cancer mortality.

Most people who endure the hardship of a cancer diagnosis or losing a loved one to cancer don’t go on to be advocates for the cause—and who could blame them, dealing with cancer is exhausting enough. But for Blumling, this is a way to honor her dad by spreading awareness and, hopefully, saving lives.

“He made everyone laugh! He didn’t know a stranger,” shares Blumling, a self-described daddy’s girl. “He was not only my dad, he was my best friend.”

One of Buchmiller’s oncologists, Nasser Hanna, a hematology-oncology physician at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center, champions early scans and detection as part of his work with the End Lung Cancer Now initiative. Read more about Dr. Hanna’s research and how you can contribute here.

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

He wears two bracelets on his wrist – one is the red, white, and blue colors of the American flag. The other is the red, white, and green colors of the Kenyan flag. The bracelets are hand-beaded and were made by women in Kenya.

Like the American flag, the Kenyan flag is symbolic of Sam Mwangi’s life journey – spanning two continents. He was born 60 years ago in Kenya. He moved to the United States to study nursing, earning his degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Ohio. He began his career working in senior community care and also medical/surgery. Seven years after becoming a registered nurse, Mwangi earned his master’s degree from Boston University.

This week, IU Health joins other healthcare systems across the country celebrating the quality care provided by Nurse Practitioners. Mwangi joined IU Health in 2014 and began supporting the Virtual Care Wellness and Health Program during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.

Through the Virtual Care program, qualifying individuals may receive annual health visits in their home. The program focuses on providing in-person visits that access preventative health needs, along with preventing and managing diseases.

Mwangi connects virtually with clinicians who go to patients’ homes to provide another layer of personal care. He averages between three to six patients daily from around Central Indiana.

“This is something I always dreamed about doing. When I was young I fell and a piece of metal cut my knee. I had to go to a wound care clinic for three months and I was fascinated watching the nurses dress my knee,” said Mwangi. It wasn’t until he was in his 30s that he realized that dream.

“Back home, healthcare wasn’t available to all and only the cream of the crop landed in a university,” said Mwangi, who is the third of 13 children. “We came from a poor background and my mother would always tell us to dress up when we went into the city to look for a job so people wouldn’t feel sorry for us. She always said that I had a bright future and I should not let my humble beginnings deter me from realizing my dreams.”

Mwangi’s parents have both passed but he has several brothers and sisters still living in Kenya. He and his wife, Margaret, also from Kenya, married 34 years ago. They have one son, two daughters, and one grandchild.

For the past seven years, Mwangi, has honored his mother by building a clinic in Nairobi named after her, “Sarah Indiana Clinic.” He and his wife return every year to oversee the construction of the site that also includes apartments.

“Our goal is to hire a clinic officer like a nurse practitioner and provide outpatient care. The building can be self-sustaining through the apartment rental,” said Mwangi. Before his mother passed, she was able to see the building site. “I know she would be very proud,” said Mwangi. Back in Indiana, Mwangi and his wife are active with the Kenyan community and fellowship regularly with about 150 local residents. He hopes to eventually help create a community center for the group.

“I want to encourage people to work to achieve their goals. I know where I came from and I know where I am now and it’s my time to give back to my people.”

<p><em><strong>If Brian Calvert has learned anything over the past decade it’s this: “Sometimes things don’t go as planned.” A house fire and a hunting accident brought him where he is today.</strong></em><br></p>
<p><em>By IU Health Senior Journalist, TJ Banes, </em><a href=”mailto:tfender1@iuhealth.org”>tfender1@iuhealth.org</a></p>
<p>She’s toured the globe, been kissed by babies, snuggled by veterans, and photographed with celebrities and everyday people. She has more than 12,000 Instagram followers, and posts dozens of events on her Facebook page. </p>
<p>Dixie the Praying Dog is a celebrity in her own right. Her owner also sees Dixie as a therapy dog for himself and others. </p>
<p>Dixie came into Brian Calvert’s life six years ago as a pup. She traveled cross country with one of Calvert’s friends and was delivered to his Camby, Ind. home wrapped in a camouflage blanket. It wasn’t the dog he first chose. Through a mix-up, the breeder had given away his first pick of the Bluetick Coonhound litter. But the mix-up turned out to be just another unexpected event that worked out in the long run. </p>
<p>On Sept. 28, 2012, Calvert lost his Camby home and two of his dogs – including a Bluetick – to a fire. He rebuilt his home on the property and had in the back of his mind the gentleness of that breed. A year later, on Oct. 8, 2013, Calvert was in a deer stand, cutting branches for the upcoming hunting season, when he fell 18-feet to the ground. Alone in the woods, he knew he had to rally and find help. He crawled to his ATV, drove to the road and flagged down a county highway worker. He was transported by ambulance to IU Health Methodist Hospital where he suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken clavicle, bruised kidney, and a concussion. He remained hospitalized for two weeks. </p>
<figure><img src=”{asset:2989022:url||https://cdn.iuhealth.org/news-hub/dixieweb3.jpg}” data-image=”2989022″ style=”opacity: 1;”></figure>
<p>“I remember so well how nice the nurses were. I was in so much pain and I knew I wasn’t the best patient,” said Calvert, 49. After his release, Calvert began looking for a dog that he could offer up to others – someone to give them hope. </p>
<p>“My neighbors were volunteers with Honor Flights and I thought it would be great if I could train a dog to somehow honor veterans,” said Calvert. That’s when “Dixie the Praying Dog” was born. </p>
<p>As a puppy, Calvert trained Dixie to put her paws together in a praying stance. He now says, “Downward Dog,” and she assumes the pose. When he tells her to “thank the veterans” she barks. </p>
<figure><img src=”{asset:2989023:url||https://cdn.iuhealth.org/news-hub/dixieweb2.jpg}” data-image=”2989023″ style=”opacity: 1;”></figure>
<p>“I’ve recovered from my fall for the most part but the doctors tell me I have some PTSD from my collapsed lung and Dixie acts as my therapy dog,” said Calvert, who works as a truck driver. </p>
<p>Since her introduction, Dixie has traveled on numerous Honor Flights dedicated to transporting United States military veterans to Washington, D.C. to tour various war memorials. From the day she arrived at Calvert’s home wrapped in camouflage, the military apparel – along with an American flag – has become her signature. </p>
<figure><img src=”{asset:2989020:url||https://cdn.iuhealth.org/news-hub/dixieweb4.jpg}” data-image=”2989020″ style=”opacity: 1;”></figure>
<p>Dixie has traveled to various US States and outside the United States to such places as Mexico, Ireland, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Her social media account is filled with photos of Dixie sitting in a mini car leading a parade with the Gordon Pipers with a line of veterans. Her photos show her in front of Lucas Oil Stadium, Lucas Oil Estates, posing with Disney princesses, bowing at car shows, concerts, athletic events, festivals, and fundraisers. She has made countless media appearances, including a “leading character” on “Mayberry Man.” She and Calvert appeared on billboards promoting the Amazon Original “The Pack Twelve.” They were one of the human-dog teams that ventured through various continents to compete a number of challenges. </p>
<p>But most of her time is spent pouring out love for veterans and her owner. Dixie has been Calvert’s faithful companion through career changes, relationship breakups, and a pandemic. </p>
<p>Since his accident, Calvert spends time speaking at hunter education courses talking about safety measures – including the importance of using harnesses in tree stands. </p>
<p>“I tell people that Dixie is my full-time job,” said Calvert. “It doesn’t pay in money but in other ways. She’s my best friend and she’s given back to lots of people. The key to a therapy dog is making others smile.” </p>

Serving overseas was just the start of his passion and dedication to patient care.

Peter Hemmerling, a nursing professional development generalist at Arnett Hospital, served in the U.S. military prior to his time with IU Health. Hemmerling joined the United States Navy at the age of 18 as a Hospital Corpsman (enlisted medical specialists who provide support with combat operations, humanitarian missions and providing the best care to others by performing medical duties).

Hemmerling’s first assignment included working as a corpsman in a hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, where he assisted with labor and delivery.

“I was able to have my first assisted delivery, that I completed with a nurse midwife, when I was 19 years old,” shares Hemmerling. “It sparked my passion for nursing, and the nurses that I worked with on the labor delivery floor really helped set me up on my path for nursing school.”

Following his time in Japan, Hemmerling went to a field medical training battalion with the Marines in North Carolina. While there, Hemmerling became trained to be a field medical technician with the Marine Corps.

Hemmerling (pictured second from right in the image at the top of the page) then did a tour in southern Afghanistan in Marjah from 2010-11. On these combat missions, the military would host health checks for the community. Hemmerling’s platoon provided care for 13 marines in addition to supplying medical coverage for the locals who would come to the outpost base. He would evaluate patients and either send them to receive higher levels of care or he would provide medical care on the spot.

After his time in the Marines, Hemmerling realized he wanted to return to school. Using his G.I. Bill (benefits for veterans that help pay for education), Hemmerling went to Indiana University Kokomo. Then he came to IU Health Arnett for his nursing clinical capstone. While completing his capstone, Hemmerling was paired with another nurse who is now the manager of Acute Care (AC)5, the sister unit to Hemmerling’s unit—AC 6.

“It is definitely a full circle moment, seeing how we have grown individually and together as a team. I worked with this nurse during my capstone and now she has progressed into a management role, and I’ve progressed into an educational one.”

When reflecting on how his time in the service has impacted his current perspective, Hemmerling shared that it has provided him a broader global sense and understanding in how he serves the community.

“When it comes to dealing with difficult patients, I feel that I have grace with understanding. I can pull from my nursing toolbox to make sure that our patients get the best care that’s designed for them.”

Hemmerling’s global understanding can be attributed to his experience working with other cultures, specifically the Japanese. Living in Japan and working within the Japanese culture exposed him to different cultural behaviors, specifically the idea of perfection. These ethics became instilled into Hemmerling and how he approaches his practice today.

Additionally, Hemmerling found that his time working with the Afghan National Army has translated into his current educational role.

“When I was in Afghanistan, along with treating the locals, I would help train the medics in the Afghan army. I would work with an interpreter to ensure that they understood the basics and understanding as far as emergency medicine goes,” shares Hemmerling. This experience taught him how to be more patient and understanding with people from different backgrounds and education levels to make sure that they understand the information and can retain it and execute that information effectively.

“My time in the service has greatly helped me with truly understanding all facets of a patient, whether that is a patient in an extreme trauma situation or a patient who is expecting a child for the first time. It has given me that global perspective that has helped me in my role here with IU Health to ensure that our patients get everything they could possibly get.”