Chris Perrott says he’s a walking miracle. On April 18, 2023, he didn’t know if he’d walk out of IU Health Methodist Hospital ER.

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

As he recently sat through an occupational therapy session, Chris Perrott shared the accident that brought him to IU Health. He also shared the progress that he never thought possible.

Perrott, 41, was 25 feet up a ladder, working on a dryer vent outside his Greenwood home when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. The father of two, was rescued by neighbors and transported by ambulance to IU Health Methodist Hospital. He remained hospitalized for eight days and was out of work in software sales for 10 weeks.

The injuries of that April 18, 2023 tragic accident included a broken back, ribs, and heavily fractured left wrist.

“I am very fortunate. When I was in ER the doctors and nurses said I could have been paralyzed or even dead. The good Lord was looking out for me,” said Perrott. He credits IU Health’s Dr. Jesse Savage for completing a spinal fusion that included placing two rods and screws in his back, and Dr. Anthony Archual for a successful hand surgery. Since May of 2023, he Perrott has been working with IU Health Occupational Therapist, Mamta Barmeda, who is certified in hand therapy and dry needling.

During a recent therapy session, Barmeda used Astym treatment to stimulate tissue growth, specifically with scar tissue in Perrott’s hand.

“When I first came out of the cast, she wanted me to try to touch all of my fingers with my thumb. I couldn’t do it,” said Perrott, demonstrating the progress. “We focus on specific areas each time. They’ve taught me the difference between a great recovery and a mediocre recovery. I am given exercises and I’m sticking with it,” said Perrott.

As he recovers, Perrott looks forward to coaching his kids’ sports and attending their activities.

“I’m now able to start jogging, and golfing is next. Every day is something new. Even walking up steps was a big thing. Cutting my meat with two hands was not a thing at all. The basics we take for granted were things I couldn’t do – playing catch, hitting baseballs and softballs and running up and down the basketball court – I just couldn’t do,” said Perrott.

“I am relieved and pleasantly surprised by the care I have received through IU Health,” he said. “You don’t know what you don’t know until you go through something like this. I’ve faced each day with the attitude of ‘what can I do next?’ and I appreciate all the guidance from the surgeons and therapists to keep me moving ahead.”

Aaron Padgett started having abdomen problems in 2019, and with a family history of colon cancer, he had concerns that his symptoms could be pointing to a big issue.

He went to a doctor with his concerns, but the physician thought he was too young for colon cancer. After all, he was only in his late 30s at the time.

“October of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage two colon cancer,” says Padgett.

The following month, an IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians surgeon removed the tumor and 26 lymph nodes and resected his bowel. Afterward, everything looked great, with all signs pointing to no more cancer.

Still, Padgett started coming in for labs every three months to keep an eye on things. After seeing his CEA level steadily rising over the last year, his latest CT scan found a new tumor in the same spot as his previous.

“I’ve taken care of cancer patients, a bulk of my nursing career, and just never thought that I would be on the opposite side of the table,” says his wife, Carly Padgett, RN. “So it was a shock to the system when we found out the cancer returned.”

He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy at IU Health Bloomington before his next surgery and is very thankful that he kept going to his regular checks after his first remission.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be cured and go into remission from this,” says Aaron Padgett. “But we caught it early.”

It was a patient who asked: “Have you met Pam Bradley? She’s the best.”

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

Pamela “Pam” Bradley likes to say: “I love to love.” She’s one of the first faces patients see when they visit Multi-Disciplinary Oncology at IU Health Simon Cancer Center.

“You come in here scared and she makes you feel comfortable. She really does practice the IU Health Values,” said one patient. The system values include “Purpose,” – work to do good in the lives of all; “Excellence,”- do our best at all times in new ways; “Compassion,” – treat people with respect, empathy and kindness; and “Team” – count on and care for each other.

One of Bradley’s co-workers, Trena Hunt, described Bradley as “the most welcoming person in the hospital.” When Hunt started her job at IU Health she saw a prayer posted next to Bradley’s desk and she was so inspired she posted it near her desk.

The prayer reads: “Lord as I start the day, let me remember how blessed and lucky I am. Remind me to be grateful for the work I do, the people I meet, and the wage I receive. Keep me cooperative with colleagues and friendly to people I serve . . . “

What some patients don’t know about Bradley is that she has walked in their shoes. On April 5, 2022, she lost her husband of nearly 23 years. He was part of her life for 30 years and was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma cancer. He was treated in the same area of IU Health Simon Cancer Center where Bradley began working three years ago. They raised three children together, and have three grandchildren.

“It was sudden and he didn’t make it a year,” said Bradley. “I am very close with his doctor and nurse and I bring a different perspective to this role after going through it with my husband,” said Bradley. “‘I love to love’ is my favorite phrase and being here and going through what I went through I can empathize a little more. I know what the patient is feeling and the spouse is feeling.”

She’s been known to wrap her arms around patients that are nervous or upset, and giving them an extra dose of encouragement on their worst days. Bradley started at IU Health almost 27 years in neuro ICU and then moved to medical ICU doing tech work before taking on her administrative role.

“Pam encompasses what a truly engaged team member is,” said her supervisor Bill Straiton. “She enjoys what she does – that makes all the difference in the world. She is dedicated to IU Health and in doing so, brings the best with her every day. She has a personal commitment to the Simon Cancer Center patients. She has a conversations with almost everyone she serves everyday. The fact that she is aware that taking care of the patient at their first encounter with an IU Health team member sets the tone for the rest of their visit and drives her behavior.”

Bradley says she loves to put a smile on a patient’s face.

“When I worked as a tech, I was bedside and I could still make them smile but I couldn’t actively communicate with patients. In this role, I can actually see them light up. I love the attitude of my coworkers and managers. We are like a family.”

Terressa Sipes delivered her first child at 30 weeks. For more than two months she and her husband put their child and their trust in the hands of the NICU team at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Terressa, a dance choreographer, felt inspired to create a piece reflective of their time in the hospital.

“I wanted the dance to start with spoken word so I looked up some different poetry online and kind of compiled a poem… the very last line of the poem is, nurses are angels who walk on the earth. That just really struck me… so that’s what we chose for the title of the dance- Angels on Earth.”

A link to the full dance routine can be found here: https://youtu.be/5da1SDNNIa4

“Diabetes Alert Day” is March 26, a one day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes. One nurse offers insight into the diagnosis.

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are more than 38 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes. That’s more than 11 percent of the population.

IU Health Pediatric Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Cindy Youngman responded to five myths about diabetes. Youngman grew up in northern New Jersey and obtained her associate degree in nursing from SUNY Rockand, NY and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University. She has been with IU Health for three years and works at the Riley Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in Fort Wayne.

Youngman said she has wanted to be a nurse since she was a child because she wanted to help people and she finds medicine fascinating.

“I became interested in becoming a pediatric diabetes educator when my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999 at the age of 8. Even though I was a nurse, gave injections, and checked blood sugars regularly on my unit, it was still an overwhelming diagnosis,” said Youngman. “I thought about the people who have no medical background trying to learn about diabetes and wanted to help. It has become my passion and one of the greatest joys of my life.”

Following are five myths about diabetes that Youngman addressed:

1) Eating sugar can cause type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder and is not caused by anything the child has eaten or the parents have fed them.

2) A person with diabetes is handicapped/disabled.

We have patients who play all kinds of sports and are in many different types of activities. They can grow up to do whatever they want. People with diabetes have become professional football players, race car drivers, entertainers, swimmers, actors, and more. We encourage our kids to reach for the stars.

3) People with type 1 diabetes have to be on a special diet.

We encourage a healthy diet, as we would for anyone. If there are special treats, like ice cream, they need to cover it with insulin.

4) “You have diabetes? But you look like you are in shape.”

Many people do not realize there are different types of diabetes. Additionally, it is possible to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes even though the person is at a healthy weight.

5) People with type 2 diabetes brought it on themselves.

Some people think that being overweight is the cause of type 2 diabetes. Family history is a large contributing factor as well as age, race, and other conditions that play a role in whether someone is diagnosed with diabetes. Weight gain is only one risk factor.

For Youngman, a typical day may be meeting with a child and their parents. She described meeting with one family she’d never met before.

“The parents were upset at the start of the visit because it was possible that DCS might get involved. I reassured them that there was no judgement and we all agreed that we were working towards the same goal – improved diabetes care, said Youngman. She helped the family develop a plan and followed up with them again days later. “The day before the appointment with the provider, they were feeling anxious and called to review the blood sugar data, so they would be prepared for the visit. After the appointment they called again to say they had a great visit and were so pleased,” said Youngman.

With her guidance, they were counting carbs, giving insulin as directed, and the blood sugars were improving. “I could hear the excitement, happiness, and pride in their voices. They asked me to continue to stay in touch with them. I am so honored to be a part of their journey and to be able to help other families as well.”

Youngman is married and is the mother to two boys. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, growing flowers in her garden, photography, cooking, and going to farmers markets.

Nancy Strange is a senior clinical dietitian with Methodist Hospital’s comprehensive wound center. She works with physicians, physical therapists and other clinicians to help patients understand how important nutrition is to wound healing. “What we are currently seeing here in the clinic is a really high rate of micronutrient or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. All of those deficiencies create issues in the body’s ability to heal.”

Following a comprehensive review process that began more than three years ago, Indiana University Health West Hospital has attained Magnet with Distinction recognition. This is the third time IU Health West has achieved Magnet, and the first time the hospital has earned Magnet with Distinction. This achievement from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Less than 10 percent of hospitals across the United States have earned Magnet status. Even fewer have earned Magnet Recognition with Distinction, a new ANCC designation recognizing the highest performing Magnet organizations around the world.

Magnet with Distinction celebrates hospitals and healthcare organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet designation. It raises the bar to recognize top-tier organizations that have achieved the highest level of nursing excellence while addressing emerging challenges and changes in health care moving forward.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Kapri Ames, chief nursing officer at IU Health West. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and source of pride for our team. Our repeated achievement of this credential showcases the excellence and values that drive our team to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

“This is the gold standard for nursing excellence,” Ames continued. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work it’s taken to accomplish this. It goes beyond nursing – it’s truly been a collaboration of all disciplines within the hospital. Magnet recognition raises the bar for patient care and inspires every member of our team to achieve excellence every day.”

IU Health West Hospital was also awarded eight exemplars, including four in nurse-sensitive clinical quality in inpatient units for care in falls with injury, hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI’s), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s) and device-related HAPI’s. Three other exemplars were awarded in ambulatory care, as well as an exemplar in an inpatient patient experience. Magnet exemplars are stories that highlight excellence in nursing practice.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread engagement from leadership and staff. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet standards and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

An organization reapplying for Magnet designation must provide robust documented evidence that showcases high quality nursing care, which is demonstrated through exemplary patient outcomes. The Magnet standards must be met throughout the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition. After document submission, the Magnet Program Office sends an appraiser team to an organization for a multi-day site visit, where they validate and verify everything shared in the document. Finally, the Commission on Magnet performs a thorough review and makes a final decision regarding re-designation.

Magnet with Distinction will compel higher levels of evidence-based practice, care delivery excellence, and optimal patient outcomes. It will give hospitals and healthcare organizations another way to demonstrate the value of nursing care to their communities. Magnet with Distinction is determined based on the review process. Organizations apply and are reviewed in the standard document submission manner.

Having the right tools is essential for making any project better from start to finish.

That’s why IU Health neurosurgeons Jason Voorhies, MD (below, left), and Bryan Wohlfeld, MD (below, right), added augmented reality to their toolkit.

Check out the Q&A below from Voorhies and Wohlfeld to learn more about this revolutionary technology that looks at spine surgery from another angle.

What is augmented reality (AR)?

AR combines real-world and computer-generated information to create an enhanced, interactive experience for the user.

How is AR used for spine surgeries?

A CT-like image is taken in the operating room and formed into a virtual 3D model of the patient’s anatomy. A special headset then projects the model for the surgeons to guide them during the surgical placement of screws that need to be incredibly precise.

Benefits to the patient? Surgeon?

AR can allow for extremely precise, minimally invasive spine surgery, which typically leads to faster patient recovery times. And having this service in Bloomington means individuals can have the procedure close to home rather than having to drive to Indianapolis.

This tool allows surgeons to streamline their surgery and increases their visibility of the patient’s anatomy. Compared to driving with GPS, AR allows surgeons to have GPS in front of them, where they can precisely line it up with the anatomy.

What type of surgeries do you perform this with?

Typically, the Bloomington team uses AR for surgeries focused on back and nerve pain relief.

Primarily, they’ve used it for spinal fusions in the neck and lower back, but this technology can be utilized for the entire length of the spine.

Where are these surgeries performed?

IU Health Bloomington is the only facility in the region that offers AR-guided spine surgeries.

How does AR impact the future of spinal surgeries?

Robotic assistance continues to grow more common for spinal surgeries. In part, that’s due to developments in augmented reality, which increase precision and surgical efficiency while improving patient recovery.

Voorhies and Wohlfeld look forward to seeing even more advancements in the near future that will further enhance spine surgeries at IU Health Bloomington.

Christina “Tina” Jones knows about persistence. She has met more than a few trials completing her nursing degree.

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

For two decades Christina “Tina” Jones has dreamed of a career in nursing. Once she made up her mind she said nothing would stop her.

For the last 12 years, Jones, who works at IU Health Arnett, has pursued a career as a medical assistant. The single mother of a 17-year-old son was accepted into the Ivy Tech nursing program in August of 2021.

“I just love helping people and I wanted to do more,” said Jones. She was working, going to school, and parenting full time when her father passed on Jan. 1, 2023. Schooling was put on pause for a semester. She was back on track to graduate in December 2023 when she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, an opportunity for women to learn about symptoms, treatments, and options. Jones first experienced side effects from what she believes was the use of an IUD, a reversible contraception inserted into the uterus through the vagina. She was treated for an ovarian cyst, pre-cancerous cells, and at one point received iron infusions for excessive bleeding.

In August of 2023, after experiencing weight loss and a painful menstrual cycle, she went to her primary care provider for a checkup. An ultrasound followed and on Oct. 24, 2023, a biopsy.

“I went on about my business – back to school and work – and on Oct. 31, 2023, I received notification that there was a result in my chart. I didn’t think I was reading it right so I called the nurse practitioner and heard her say, ‘I’m so sorry,’” said Jones. The words she heard were “endometrial cancer.”

A week later Jones was in the care of Dr. Lisa Landrum, an oncologist with IU Health’s Schwarz Cancer Center. She had a hysterectomy on Nov. 14, 2023, and began six rounds of chemotherapy at IU Health Arnett.

Through all the pauses, Jones has remained on track to become a nurse and recently passed her state boards.

“I worked with the Dean at Ivy Tech and was able to finish my clinicals and graduate in February. I could not have done this without the support of my job, my oncologist, and my school,” said Jones.

She also credits her mom, Sharon Hinton, brother, Lawrence Jones Jr., son Gabriel Wynter, boyfriend, Kwanta Crawford, and sister, LayToya Perry for encouraging her. Perry started a “GoFundMe” account “Support Tina’s Cancer Battle.”

As she looks ahead at her future as a nurse, Jones said she plans to focus first on her health and building up her immune system.

“I love my job and it’s been a dream to become a nurse. No matter what, I’ve kept pushing forward. Nursing school was tough and life gets tough, but I’ve had some amazing nurses helping me and it’s given me a different perspective,” said Jones. “This has not only benefitted me as I view nursing, it also benefits those I care for.”

Social workers play a significant role in planting the seeds of change for individuals going through challenges, but how much do you know about these essential team members?

“Social workers are in most areas of the hospital,” says Maddy Magyar, MSW, LSW, IU Health Bloomington Integrated Care Management medical social worker. “Our day-to-day activities may differ, but the main role stays the same—we’re here to help patients and families.”

Diana Fox, MSW, LSW, is also in Integrated Care Management and loves how there is no “typical day” for a social worker.

“Every day is a new adventure,” explains Fox, whose duties range from providing community resource information to crisis de-escalation.

She helps patients complete advanced directives, facilitates care conferences between family members and the care team, and helps locate loved ones of ventilated Critical Care Unit patients.

Magyar’s duties cover Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, Pediatrics, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Medical Observation.

“I mostly see newly postpartum mothers,” she says. “My role is to make sure they have everything needed for a new baby and are set up with resources to create a successful home environment.”

She also supports parents during hard times, such as having a child admitted to the NICU or an infant being removed by the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Ashley Beeler, LSW, PMH-C, a social worker with the Bloomington Obstetrics and Gynecology team, often works with outpatients.

“I meet five to eight patients a day for various needs,” she says. “I also have a small caseload of perinatal therapy patients I support here in the clinic setting.”

Beeler’s duties include connecting patients to needs-based resources that set them up for parenting success. She also works on projects to support her local and system teams.

“I think I’m proudest of my work around trauma-informed birth planning,” she explains. “We’ve developed a system between outpatient and inpatient to anticipate cases with higher risk for birth trauma and work with the patient to develop a plan that meets their mental and emotional needs.”

These social workers all work with people experiencing challenges, and they’re dedicated to doing good by serving others and showing compassion.

“I was drawn to social work because I’ve always wanted to help people see there’s hope even when they feel the world has given up on them,” says Fox.

And even if their efforts don’t result in a full resolution, they know they’ve helped provide a starting point.

“The most rewarding and difficult cases I see are domestic violence cases,” explains Magyar. “Postpartum mothers are admitted to the hospital for 2 – 3 days, on average, which doesn’t give a lot of time to solve these complex issues. However, it gives time to validate the victims’ experiences and help them get out of danger.”

“Don’t underestimate the importance of the seeds we’re planting,” says Beeler. “Little things make big differences, and good change moves slow.”