By Emma Avila, epackard1@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region
The new space will combine multiple specialties in one convenient location for oncology patients.
The IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center opened a new space within the facility, focused on supportive care for patients. The new Supportive Care Oncology Suite will centralize services such as Palliative Care, Cardio Oncology, Genetic Counseling and many other services within one unified location. This initiative will offer patients a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop,’ facilitating integrated health support throughout their journey.
“We’re bringing many of the disciplines we already had upstairs to a new, convenient space on the first floor,” explains Ann Bredensteiner, manager of the Supportive Care Oncology Suite and Integrative Health at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center. “Not only does this make things convenient for the patient, but it also allows room for future growth within the cancer center.”
The new space contains five exam rooms, two consultation rooms and one combined physician work room. The suite is designed to improve seamless collaboration between different specialists, leading to more comprehensive and streamlined care for oncology patients. This can result in enhanced efficiency, better treatment outcomes and a more holistic approach to patient care.
“This space is beneficial because patients will have all of these providers in one area that’s readily available to the patients,” says Kali Harrison, nurse navigator for Palliative Care.
“It’s much more efficient for the patients to be able to get all of that care in one place,” adds Elizabeth Cox, nurse navigator for High-Risk Breast Care.
The team celebrated the April 15 opening with a ribbon cutting. The previous week, team members gathered in the new space for a Day in the Life event. The team ran through mock patient scenarios to make sure processes and procedures are efficient for patients and team members.
“There have been so many people behind the scenes who have worked very hard to bring up the space and set us up to succeed,” says Bredensteiner.
Bringing together these services will not only enhance patient access and convenience but also create space for expanding the facility’s medical oncology and surgical oncology offerings on the second floor of the cancer center. The IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center is located at 11645 N Illinois St, Carmel, IN 46032. For more information, call 317.688.4800.
