For Denise Hauser, RN, a 30-year career in nursing has brought more twists and turns than she can count, taking her from the medical/surgical unit to the Critical Care floor to the Emergency department (and back again). She’s worked at the bedside in direct patient care, led hospital-wide nursing teams and taught as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College.
But what’s remained the constant throughout her career’s journey has been her love of her profession and her passion for caring for her community.
Today, Hauser is a nurse in the White Memorial Hospital Emergency department, where she considers it a special privilege to be a familiar face to the patients she sees.
“They come in and say, ‘Ah, Denise, I’m so glad you’re here,’” she says. Caring for the people she knows in the community, the people she goes to church with, is a point of pride.
“Not only do I love getting to serve my community, I also love, love the team,” she says. “I know just about everyone here. I am blessed to call so many of them not just my peers, but my lifelong friends as well.”
In her 27 years at White Memorial, she’s worked with many of the same people for that time, and she’s quick to share praise for her fellow nurses.
“I’ve learned more from my peers than from any class over the years,” she says.
A calling for rural healthcare
“When I was little, my mother would ask me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ The answer was always the same: ‘I want to be a nurse,’” she says.
She’s never doubted that decision (a brief stint studying accounting notwithstanding—it just wasn’t where her heart was at).
Now, she’s helping other young nurses fulfill their dreams as an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech in Lafayette and while mentoring students who are on clinical rotations at White Memorial.
“I want them to see the atmosphere here at a small-town hospital,” she says. “We sure do a lot of good here.”
She hopes that her work will inspire the future generation of nurses to consider building their careers at community hospitals like White Memorial.
“I want them to know they don’t have to go to Lafayette or Indianapolis to have an awesome career.”
IndyCar driver, Graham Rahal hit the brakes on prepping for this year’s Indy 500 to visit team members at IU Health University Hospital. He took photos, signed autographs, and thanked those who stopped by for their dedication to caring for others. “I’ve always been amazed at folks who go into this career path because it’s not for the faint of heart in any regard,” said Rahal. “It gives us drivers a lot of peace of mind when we have a great [healthcare] staff behind us. It means a lot.”
Molly Whitman has cared for patients with cancer her entire career. For the past two and a half years she’s worked in outpatient infusion at Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. “A lot of people, when I tell them I work in oncology, they’re like oh that must be so sad and depressing. Sometimes it can be, but a lot of time it can be positive. We have a bell that people can ring when it’s their last treatment and seeing patients go from the beginning to when they ring that bell is amazing.”
National Nurses Week, May 6 – 12, is a week-long celebration dedicated to honoring nurses and their contributions to healthcare.
This year’s theme is “Nurses Make the Difference” and nurses across the IU Health Indianapolis Suburban Region—which includes IU Health North, Saxony, Tipton and West hospitals—are sharing their nursing journey and what they’re most proud of in their careers.
Greg Livingston, RN, IU Health North
Greg Livingston is a registered nurse (RN) working in the hospital’s Endoscopy and Pre-Admission Testing department. He grew up in Nashville, IN, and loves animals, movies, music and being outdoors. He began working at IU Health in 2012 and began working at IU Health North in 2014.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
My path has not been that easy, but it’s the one I needed to be on to make me the nurse I am today. Before I became a nurse, I worked several years as a cosmetologist. In a way, I was helping people with self-care, but I always felt something was missing. I ended up going to medical assistance school to break into the medical field. Though I enjoyed being a medical assistant, I still felt something was missing. I started applying for nursing programs and got into a licensed practical nursing (LPN) program first. I transferred positions from a medical assistant to a patient care assistant on a Medical-Surgical unit so I could attend school. I worked as an LPN for 10 months and then returned to school for my RN degree. You know how people ask you what you want to be when you grow up? When I was asked, I never got the chance to answer, because they would tell me I was going to be a nurse. Everyone else saw it before I did. When I told my mom I was going to nursing school she said, ” I’m not surprised, you’ve always taken care of everyone else and you’re very calm under pressure.”
What are you most proud of in your nursing career?
I am proud of all I have accomplished to become a nurse. I’ve had an opportunity to work on different levels of the care team. It makes me respect each team member and their role in caring for patients. I appreciate all the different departments I have worked with over the years because it has given me great experiences. I have been able to share these experiences with others.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Unfortunately, I am in Stage V kidney failure awaiting a kidney transplant. I go to hemodialysis three times a week. That takes a lot out of me, so I look forward to a good nap afterward. When I am not doing that or working, I enjoy going to the movies, going to dinner with friends, watching an assortment of streaming services and taking walks in nice weather.
This year’s Nurses Week theme is “Nurses Make the Difference.” How are you making a difference at IU Health?
I feel the way I make a difference is by showing up. I cannot help others if I am not present. When I care for someone, I am not just helping them—I’m also helping myself. Having the fulfillment of knowing you made a difference in someone’s day makes me want to continue doing what I do.
MaHnin Tun, RN, IU Health Saxony
MaHnin Tun is a registered nurse (RN) working in IU Health Saxony’s Medical-Surgical unit. She has been at the hospital for a year and a half and describes herself as a curious individual who thrives on learning and exploring new skills.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
While I was an undergraduate student, I learned more about the scope and role of a nurse. What I learned about nursing connected with my values of compassion, empathy and service to others in a way other medical specialties did not. I was captivated by the holistic approach to patient care, the opportunity to form meaningful connections with people of diverse backgrounds and what I can do to help create a positive impact on each patient’s health and well-being.
What are you most proud of in your nursing career?
When I was still a newer nurse, I had a patient who typically was very quiet, sad and did not engage much. I came in to do my assessment and noticed that they needed help getting their mouth and face cleaned. After I was able to help them, they looked at me, smiled and told me, “Thank you”. This simple gesture from this patient has stuck with me and moments like this are why I am a nurse.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When not at work, I love spending time with my family, cooking lots of different types of foods of various cultures as well as reading books of various genres and discussing them with friends.
This year’s Nurses Week theme is “Nurses Make the Difference.” How are you making a difference at IU Health?
I believe that I am making a difference at IU Health Saxony by taking what I have learned both in school, as well as the transition to practice classes, to grow into a nurse who looks beyond the disease and treats the whole person.
Pam Riley, RN, IU Health Tipton
Tell me a little about yourself and your current role at IU Health Tipton.
Pam Riley is a registered nurse working in IU Health Tipton’s Emergency department. She began working in the hospital in 2008, when the new Emergency Room opened. She then moved on to work in dialysis on a pro re nata (PRN), or an as needed, basis. She taught both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis to patients, allowing them to be independent at home. She came back to IU Health Tipton’s Emergency department part-time in 2001 and accepted a full-time position in 2022. Riley isn’t the only healthcare professional in her family, with her daughter in-law working as a Labor and Delivery nurse, her son working at a healthcare company that provides kidney dialysis services and her granddaughter plans to be a Pediatric nurse.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
I am the only girl in my family, with three accident-prone brothers. I have always been a “fixer.” I started nursing school in my early 20’s while living in Kentucky. However, my parents lived in Kokomo and my dad worked at Chrysler and helped me get a job there to support my young family. We moved our family to Indiana and I postponed school to raise a family. Though I was very thankful for the opportunities I had, factory life was not for me. I wanted a stable job where I never had to worry about being laid off. I wanted a job that made me feel I could make a difference in other people’s lives. At age 32, I resumed taking prerequisite classes and graduated from nursing school at age 38. While in nursing school, I actually did two of my clinical rotations at IU Health Tipton with Debbie Bennett as my clinical instructor. That is how I fell in love with the hometown hospital environment. As far as how I came to the Emergency department, it was not on purpose, but it’s perfect for me. I think the ED chose me. Some might say this would relate to my slight Type-A personality.
What are you most proud of in your nursing career?
I am proud of many things in my career and all I have been blessed to be a part of over the years. I am most proud to have had the pleasure of precepting the capstone programs for three Indiana University – Kokomo senior baccalaureate nursing students in their final semesters. I absolutely love seeing the new graduates learn so much in the ten shifts they get to be with us in the ED. I am excited for the next seniors to come our way. I am also honored to have been chosen for the Nurse Excellence Award in 2023 and I can’t wait to see who this award is given to in 2024.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’m busy—I love family time. I enjoy every second with my kids and grandkids. I listen to audiobooks while doing everything. I love to be outside, working in the garden or with flowers. My favorite place is anywhere with my husband that has sun, sand and the ocean.
This year’s Nurses Week theme is “Nurses Make the Difference.” How are you making a difference at IU Health?
Birthdays are my favorite holiday of the year. It’s the one day of the year to celebrate just that person. It’s my pleasure to initiate birthday (and other special events) cards for team members to sign to recognize our team member’s special day. I have recently joined the Patient Experience team. I am excited to play a part in trying to make our patient experiences here at IU Health Tipton the best they can be. As mentioned above, I love sharing our ED with the capstone students, to help develop some skills while they’re still in school and hopefully recruit some new graduates to IU Health.
Cheyanne Pritchard, RN, IU Health West
Tell me a little about yourself and your current role at IU Health West.
Cheyanne Pritchard is from Plainfield, IN, and has been a nurse for almost 11 years. For about four years, she was a travel nurse, working across the country in California, Iowa, Texas and Arizona. During that period, she took an assignment at IU Health West. She fell in love with the nightshift team and ended up taking a permanent position in 2019. Since then, she’s worked at IU Health for five years, journeying through different experiences. She started out on night shift on the Med-Surg 3B unit, transitioned to day shift, and then took a shift coordinator position. Once she was ready for something different, she transitioned to the hospital’s Cancer Center in the Infusion Center.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
My grandfather had pancreatic cancer when I was young. I remember my mom really struggling with my grandpa’s fight and mentioning several times how the nurses were a source of kindness for her and helped ease her pain. It inspired me to do the same. Once I was going through school, I found I enjoyed science and the human body, so it felt natural to follow this career path. I think overall in life, when humans take good care of humans, we all end up better and the world a better place for it. The best thing about being a nurse is that you will always have a life filled with passion and purpose.
What are you most proud of in your nursing career?
There have been so many moments and so many patients that resonate with this question. I think I am very proud of my travel nurse career, the ability to work so flexible and the skills it takes to be so adaptive in travel nursing was something I did well, and I was very proud of that. Second to that, I would say it was my role as day shift coordinator for the team I served on Med-Surg 3B. Being in leadership and helping young nurses to grow and develop was so fulfilling to me. I had so much fun pouring into them and knowing that just having that one nurse, leader or friend can change a nurse’s entire outlook on their career—especially new nurses—they need an environment that is safe to learn and grow, and I loved being a part of creating that space. Being a shift coordinator in the IU Health leadership format also allowed me to sit at a lot of important tables. I was able to be a voice for the nursing bedside team members and advocate for them in places and spaces they weren’t in while they were working bedside. Having a voice and bringing that bedside view into the light of leadership has always been something I will be proud of. When bedside nurses and leadership come together with common goals and common ways to meet said goals, magic can happen. The Med-Surg 3B team changed me and helped me grow as a person and a professional and I will always be so grateful for those people.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my fiancé, Tyler, and my 2-year-old golden retriever, Jack. We love traveling anywhere we can to have a new adventure. I like to read and hike as well. The outdoors really fills my bucket.
This year’s Nurses Week theme is “Nurses Make the Difference.” How are you making a difference at IU Health?
I feel that I make a difference at IU Health by working through the values and I try to hold the nursing profession to a high standard. The COVID-19 pandemic really took the importance of good, quality, excellent nurses to the forefront of healthcare issues. Without passionate and competent nurses, the system as we know it cannot function. It is so important to connect back to why we became nurses, the reasons we find passion and purpose in our careers. My fiancé always reminds me of how cool it is, to live a life with such purpose through my career. I truly have been blessed in my career to work alongside some of the best nurses ever.
Her mother describes her as “upbeat.” Karina Ontiveros has been through more than many 24-year-olds.
By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org
She had been working out and lost 50 pounds. Karina Ontiveros wasn’t overly concerned when she had some back pain. But when it began traveling up her neck, she thought something must be wrong.
Then she doubled over in pain.
“I thought I was having a heart attack. My arm was tingly and the pain was sharp,” said Ontiveros. At the time she was 23. She was working as a bartender, helping with her family’s restaurant, a wedding planner, and raising a toddler.
She saw three doctors and had three x-rays at healthcare centers near her Portage, Ind. home. She was given muscle relaxers and steroids and told to go home and relax. When she got a cough, she was told it was a side effect of the steroids. Ontiveros never took the muscle relaxers. She didn’t have a good feeling about them.
After her third x-ray she left thinking everything was fine. A few hours later she received a call from the urgent care doctor telling her to go to the ER immediately and ask for a CT scan.
“I waited a little because I had to settle this in my mind what was actually happening,” said Ontiveros. She went alone to the hospital, even though her fiancé had offered to accompany her.
“I honestly just thought I’d go in and they’d say everything is fine because I already had x-rays,” said Ontiveros. An hour later she learned she had a tumor behind her sternum. It had been hiding in previous x-rays. It was Dec. 16, 2023. She was transferred to a bigger nearby hospital for a biopsy and then waited.
Doctors initially described her cancer as a germ cell tumor. They referred her to IU Health Simon Cancer Center where Dr. Lawrence Einhorn specializes in germ cell tumors. She was in the hospital for three days and also underwent genetic testing. Her results wouldn’t be back for a few days so they sent her home for Christmas. Two days after Christmas she found she was pregnant and also had non-Hodgkins lymphoma, not a germ cell tumor.
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system.
“I had been trying to get pregnant for a year and had started taking progesterone pills. With everything going on, it hadn’t hit me that I hadn’t started my period,” said Ontiveros. “When I was in the hospital, I found out I had cancer and I was also pregnant. I was worried. I had already a CT scan with dye and a biopsy with other medications.”
With her new diagnosis, Ontiveros began her care with IU Health’s Dr. Rita Assi who specializes in cancer treatment at the IU Simon Cancer Center Hematology Clinic. She also has experience with women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
“They said I had an excessive amount of fluid around my heart that needed to be drained before I could begin chemotherapy the beginning of January. They drained 50 millimeters and sent me home with a drain. Another 50 millimeters were drained and she returned to IU Health to begin treatment.
“I got an ultrasound, there was a heartbeat and they decided I was six weeks along. I couldn’t start chemo until I was 12 weeks pregnant,” said Ontiveros. “I wanted to get through this and there was no way I was going to have an abortion.” Not long after the ultrasound, Ontiveros miscarried the pregnancy.
She met with a fertility specialist at Riley Hospital and talked of freezing eggs; she looked at all options. “Dr. Assi was the sweetest. She knew my whole story and she has given me confidence that I can get pregnant again,” said Ontiveros.
She started chemotherapy the first week in February and will complete six cycles.
“At one point I wanted to be a doctor and now I’m seriously considering going back to school for nursing. The nurses here have been so supportive to me,” said Ontiveros.
“I feel like she’s been so positive through all of this. She speaks up for herself and is stronger than you can imagine,” said her mother, Angela Mendoza.
Nick Callahan has been living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for more than two years. He recently had the idea to record an audition tape for the television show- Worst Chefs in America. “I just made a quick, 30-second video and sent it in,” said Nick, who’s goal is to show viewers that LVAD patients can still live a fulfilling life. “Before my operation I would have liked to see someone like me, like, here’s my device and here’s what I have to do.” Nick also wants to develop a signature dish he can pass down to his 14-year old son, Landon. While Nick waits to learn about his reality TV fate, REV Indy chef, Youssef Boudarine is showing Nick how to make the classic Moroccan breakfast dish, Shakshukka.
Bianca Taylor is the unit secretary for one of Methodist Hospital’s critical care units. Before stepping into this role she worked in environmental services for close to 20 years. “My supervisor asked me if I wanted to [make the move to unit secretary]. He thought I would make a good candidate and I just said yea, I’ll go for it.”
The City of Indianapolis recently awarded IU Health a $250,000 grant to establish an Opioid Engagement Team, consisting of an IU Health social worker and a police officer from IU Health’s Department of Public Safety. The new team, modeled on other cities’ crisis intervention team concepts, will pilot a program focused on immediate crisis response as well as long-term prevention and support efforts for people experiencing a substance use crisis or other emergencies in and around IU Health’s downtown Indianapolis medical campus. The program will prioritize people at high risk for overdose.
The grant funding, secured by IU Health Foundation, will cover salaries, training and benefits for the police officer and social worker, plus a vehicle and additional equipment. The team will work 40 hours a week, during shifts to be determined by need.
“New approaches are desperately needed to treat opioid and other substance use disorders, instead of just sending people to jail,” said Cassandra Tice, Director of Grants at IU Health Foundation. “IU Health is grateful to the City of Indianapolis for its vision.”
In addition to addressing immediate health needs, the team will offer long-term services including detoxification programs and abstinence-based treatment, as well as wraparound services focused on social determinants of health such as inadequate housing and poor nutrition that result from addiction and related mental health challenges.
The team will work closely with internal and external partners to build relationships with referral partners so they can make appropriate recommendations to the people they encounter. They will also be trained to identify and understand cultural and systemic barriers that lead to distrust of law enforcement, particularly in historically marginalized communities. The project is funded for a year, with benchmarks and metrics established to gauge success and guide discussion of a broader implementation of the program.
To learn more about how government grants as well as individual gifts are helping to make Indiana healthier, visit allthedifferencein.org.
Written by Joni Fiscus, clinical dietician and certified diabetes educator at IU Health West
Living with diabetes requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to dietary choices, and a clinical dietician plays a pivotal role in guiding individuals towards optimal health and wellness. Understanding the dietary needs of someone with diabetes is crucial for managing blood sugar levels, preventing complications and enhancing overall well-being.
It’s all about balance.
One of the key principles in managing diabetes through diet is maintaining a balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates directly impact blood sugar levels, and a dietician helps individuals with diabetes choose complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. This includes whole grains, vegetables and legumes, which provide sustained energy without causing rapid spikes in blood sugar. Portion control is emphasized, ensuring that meals are well-balanced and tailored to individual needs.
Proteins help the muscles.
Proteins play a crucial role in muscle maintenance and repair, but the source matters. Lean proteins such as poultry, fish, tofu and legumes are recommended, as they contribute to satiety without causing significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels. A clinical dietician assists in creating meal plans that incorporate the right balance of proteins, considering the individual’s preferences and dietary restrictions.
Not all fats are bad.
Healthy fats are an essential part of a diabetes-friendly diet. Dieticians educate individuals on incorporating sources of unsaturated fats, such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil, while limiting saturated and trans fats. This not only supports cardiovascular health but also aids in blood sugar management.
Don’t forget to count carbs.
Monitoring carbohydrate intake is a fundamental aspect of diabetes management, and dieticians educate their clients on the importance of counting carbohydrates to maintain blood sugar control. This involves understanding portion sizes, reading food labels and utilizing tools to track daily carbohydrate consumption. Dieticians work closely with individuals to develop practical skills for managing their diet in real-life situations.
Fiber is important.
In addition to macronutrient balance, a clinical dietician addresses the importance of fiber in the diet of someone with diabetes. Fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, contribute to digestive health and help control blood sugar levels. Dieticians guide individuals in incorporating a variety of fiber sources into their daily meals.
The dietary needs of someone with diabetes are multifaceted and require a comprehensive understanding of nutrition. A clinical dietician plays a vital role in empowering individuals to make informed choices, achieve a balanced diet and manage their diabetes effectively. Through personalized guidance, individuals with diabetes can embark on a journey towards improved health and well-being, fostering a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. To learn more, click here.
When Wayne Hasell arrived at Methodist Hospital he was in agonizing pain due to a flesh-eating soft tissue infection. Surgeons were able to save Wayne’s life, but he was left with a massive abdominal wound. “It was such a big area that I didn’t want to jump to using his own skin grafts because you want to make sure that when you use the patient’s own skin that it’s really going to work,” said Rachel Danforth, an IU Health plastic surgeon. “For him I decided to use a fish skin graft, [cod from Iceland]… that requires minimal processing because there is no risk of viral transfer from this kind of fish’s skin to humans. We put it on as a temporary thing and then we applied the patient’s own skin graft on top of that.”
