Neurosurgeons gear up with augmented reality

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.

Endometrial cancer doesn’t stop this woman on the path to nursing

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.

Christina “Tina” Jones endometrial cancer nurse

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 shine

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.”

From small town to big city, social worker knows importance of community

When Tricia Behringer moved from a community of about 3,000 people to a city of more 800,000, she turned to her small-town roots to navigate her career in social work.

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

Growing up in Corydon, Ind. Tricia Behringer said she learned something early on: “Everyone takes care of one another and makes sure no one is alone.”

That lesson serves her well in her role as Social Worker for IU Health’s Community Care Network. The initiative launched in 2020 to partner Indiana congregations with patients experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The idea was to train congregational members to offer companionship to patients discharged and at home.

Since its beginnings, the program has partnered with more than 30 diverse congregations and touched the lives of more than 500 patients. Sometimes, those contacts are a phone call away from connecting someone living alone from feeling
alone.

Behringer started her career in social work at IU Health in the late 90s. She worked as a renal social worker and spent a large part of her career with the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana developing and managing programs for patients with kidney disease.

“As with all social workers, I have seen far too often the negative impact loneliness can have on someone and just how far a little bit of support can go,” said Behringer.

Early in her career she said she had a patient in his 90s who had lost several loved ones due to illness and tragedy. “He spent three days a week in a dialysis chair surrounded by techs and patients, and countless days in the hospital in his final year. He would light up when I visited with him and would always say how grateful he was every time I stopped to talk with him,” said Behringer.

After he passed, she attended his calling and said she quickly learned that she was the only person to visit. “I was overwhelmed by emotion. I was angry because he deserved so much more. He had a life of memories but no one to share them with, lessons to pass on, and so much love left to give. He was a beautiful soul that never asked for anything and never complained. All he really wanted was just a few minutes of someone’s time to feel as if he mattered and yet, so few took that opportunity.”

The experience affirmed Behringer’s career path in social work.

“I was called to do this work, to bring community and support to others where they need it most, and to make sure our patients, especially those that have no one, know that they do in fact matter to at least one person,” said Behringer.

March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize those practitioners serving as part of a patient’s care team.

For Behringer, joining the Community Care Network has provided an opportunity to serve on a broader scale. “By connecting and offering a few minutes of their time, our volunteers are showing our patients that someone truly cares about them,” said Behringer. Sometimes that care is listening; sometimes it is a bridge to such issues as financial concerns, transportation issues, grief counseling, or food insecurities.

As the CCN Social Worker, Behringer collaborates with many interdisciplinary teams and oversees the patient placement process. This includes recognizing their unique needs, connecting them with the most appropriate congregation equipped to address those needs, and tracking their progress throughout their engagement with CCN.

“One of the important things my small community instilled in me is a strong feeling of connection and support that I never knew I needed,” said Behringer. “The other was a strong desire to help others experience the wonderful blessings that connection can offer, especially for those have no one.”

Cancer care closer to home for Frankfort patients

IU Health Frankfort Hospital recently launched chemotherapy and immunotherapy services, bringing cancer care closer to home for many patients in that area, including Jill Spaulding. “I had been doing my immunotherapy in Lafayette at the cancer center there, which is a wonderful place. I got a phone call in January of this year saying that they were going to start doing blood draws and immunotherapy here in Frankfort. That made it so much easier for me since I live in Frankfort.”

Certified nurses share their “why”

Nurses from across the IU Health Indianapolis Suburban Region—which includes IU Health North, Saxony, Tipton and West hospitals—share why they became certified and what they’re most proud of.

By Charlotte Stefanski, cstefanski@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region

March 19 is Certified Nurses Day—a worldwide day of recognition to honor certified nurses everywhere and thank them for their dedication, achievements and commitment to patient safety.

Certified nurses across IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region share why they became certified nurses and what they’re most proud of in their careers.

IU Health North:

Ashley Bridges

Ashley Bridges, registered nurse (RN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), registered nurse-board certification (RN-BC).

Why did you become a nurse?

Initially, I thought I would go into veterinary medicine because I really loved animals and caring for them. But after some thought, I realized people have pets, likes rats and snakes, that I’m not too fond of. So, I switched my focus to people. Nursing is a career that will always be in demand, has multiple avenues to take, and no matter what role you play in the field, you will always be helping someone else.

What do you do in your current role?

Currently, I am the clinical operations manager of the 5B Medical unit at IU Health North.

What’s a nursing initiative you’re proud to be a part of?

During my time as a manager, one initiative I have been part of was a partnership with Carmel High School to hire their certified nursing assistant students as student patient care assistants. These students get to work alongside our nurses and techs, all while gaining clinical experience. It’s been great to see them grow and become more and more comfortable with patients and our team. Soon, we will be bringing in our next group of students as the current ones prepare to graduate and go to college.

What does being certified mean to you?

Being a certified nurse shows dedication to the field and continuing my education. Initially, it was a way for me to challenge myself and now it pushes me to seek out learning opportunities on topics that interest me as I work to maintain my certification.

IU Health Saxony:

Marci Pittenger

Marci Pittenger, registered nurse (RN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and certified perioperative nurse (CNOR).

Why did you become a nurse?

I just love taking care of people. I like to make a positive impact in both my patients’ and their families’ lives. 

What do you do in your current role?

I am a night shift coordinator in the Emergency department. I work beside with the nurses and serve as a resource to all of them. I also help with orientation when new nurses start in our unit.

What’s a nursing initiative you’re proud to be a part of?

I like that, at IU Health, our voices are heard as nurses. We have a governing council that we can bring issues to and also look into new research of evidence-based council.

What does be certified mean to you?

I am currently certified in the Operating Room, which is where I spent the first half of my career. I think it is important to be certified in your specialty area. My goal is to become certified in the Emergency department within the next year. 

IU Health Tipton:

Melissa Baxter-Standridge

Melissa Baxter-Standridge, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), registered nurse (RN), certified emergency nursing (CEN).

Why did you become a nurse?

I became a certified nurse because I wanted to challenge myself and stay up to date on education and learning. I feel that I can be a better nurse and mentor if I push myself in this direction. I want to lead others to become certified.

What do you do in your current role?

Currently, I am the shift coordinator of Emergency Services at IU Health Tipton. For two days a week, I work in direct patient care in the Emergency department. For one day a week, I have administrative duties where I manage the daily schedules of all the team in the Emergency department. I am a member of the Professional Governance Council, of which I was the chairperson for the last two years.

What’s a nursing initiative you’re proud to be a part of?

I have been involved with IU Health Tipton’s two Pathway to Excellence committees.

What does being certified mean to you?

Be certified means going above and beyond to excel at having the knowledge to give the best care to my patients. I feel that I hold myself to high standards because of it. It gives me pride in my daily work.

IU Health West:

Erica Newkirk


Erica Newkirk, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), registered nurse (RN), adult-gerontology certified nurse specialist – board certified (AGCNS-BC), gerontological – board certified (GERO-BC), certified medical-surgical registered nurse (CMSRN).

Why did you become a nurse?

I wanted to be a nurse because I wanted to improve the lives of others and advocate for patients. 

What do you do in your current role?

As a certified nursing specialist, my goal is to advance the practice of nursing. I work to ensure nurses are practicing at the bedside using the most up-to-date evidence available. That requires me to look at the literature and evaluate if our current practice matches best practice. If not, then I work with the healthcare team to implement and sustain best practices. This work could be from a system-wide, patient or nursing standpoint.  If a best practice does not exist, or we want to use it in a different way, then I would conduct a research study to test our hypothesis. I am always advocating for nursing and to make sure that nursing has a voice at the table in all matters. Our healthcare system could not survive without nurses!

What’s a nursing initiative you’re proud to be a part of?

I am proud to be leading the IU Health West Care Model Redesign. This will be done in phases. First, we are partnering with the bedside nurse and patient care assistants to eliminate workload burden—They have a lot of it. Second, we will look at how we can be innovative and change the way we deliver care to our patients. Another initiative I am proud to be a part of is preventing of workplace violence.

What does being certified mean to you?

Being certified means that I am an expert in those areas. This is important because being an expect will impact the care we give to our patients.  


A nurse celebrates her peers’ excellence

Certified Nurses Day, celebrated annually on March 19, is an occasion to honor and celebrate the dedication, expertise and passion of certified nurses who play a crucial role in healthcare. Among these remarkable individuals is Arnett Hospital certified nurse Ashlee Stuart, an example of excellence in nursing.

From aspiration to achievement

Stuart’s journey into healthcare was not predetermined.

“Going into the medical field was a slow realization for me,” says Stuart. “Nobody in my family was in the medical field. Growing up, I always thought I would be a teacher. To this day, I’m not sure what the final spark was that led me to the medical field. Was it seeing my elderly grandparents be taken care of? Was it the love I had for trauma shows? I’m not sure.”

Embracing diversity in specialization

While Stuart initially envisioned herself working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), her path led her to the dynamic realm of medical-surgical (med/surg) nursing. Embracing the diversity of patients and conditions in this field, Stuart found fulfillment in the variety and challenges it offered.

“I remember playing ‘baby nurse’ as a kid and never dreamed of being an adult nurse,” says Stuart. “However, I’m a firm believer that every nurse should have at least a year of med/surg nursing under his or her belt before going into a more specialized field. I entered med/surg never intending to stay, but I like the variety, the range of medical conditions, the range of ages. Every day is different.”

A remarkable career path

Stuart, currently serving as the assistant manager for Acute Care Six at IU Health Arnett Hospital, has dedicated herself to the noble profession of nursing for over a decade. Her journey with IU Health spans twelve years, during which she has witnessed the organization evolve and flourish.

“I love being part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to improve the stay of each patient,” says Stuart.

Stuart’s commitment to her role as a certified nurse reflects her deep-rooted passion for patient care and continuous learning.

“I love the educational aspect of the field as well,” says Stuart. “It brings me back to my childhood dream of being a teacher, but in a different way. I love teaching patients and families and answering questions they may have, and I love welcoming new staff members to the building and teaching them the IU Health Way.”

Creating connections and inspiring commitment

For Stuart, the essence of nursing lies in the profound connections forged with patients and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their lives, especially during their most vulnerable moments.

“I love getting to meet some of the patients and hear their stories,” says Stuart. “Some of the people I have met have led fascinating lives.”

In celebrating Certified Nurses Day, Stuart urges nurses to persevere in the face of challenges. Certified nurses, she believes, should celebrate not only their achievements but also their ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care.

“Although not every day is easy, know that you are making a difference,” says Stuart as words of motivation for her fellow certified nurses. “Your passion and your experience are vital to this field. Keep on learning and keep on teaching.”

Certified nurse commends colleagues’ compassion and continuous learning

As Certified Nurses Day approaches on March 19, it is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on dedicated professionals like certified nurse Brittany Chavez, whose passion for nursing and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring.

Chavez finds joy in exploration, cherishing the opportunity to embark on new adventures and focus on having fun while traveling. Additionally, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events, cheering on her son in baseball and her daughter in softball.

From her early aspirations sparked by family influence to her current role as a nursing professional development specialist in the West Central Region, Chavez exemplifies the IU Health values and the dedication of certified nurses everywhere.

“My mom always wanted to be a nurse, but she never became one,” says Chavez. “Because of this, she tried to inspire me to become one. She planted the seed in ninth grade. She said that I would never be bored as a nurse.”

Partially driven by her mother’s advice and partially by her own fascination with medical television shows, Chavez discovered her calling.

A lifelong commitment to learning

Chavez’s passion for education and sharing knowledge has been a driving force throughout her career. As a nursing professional development specialist, she has found her niche, relishing the opportunity to onboard new team members and witness their growth firsthand. She believes in the importance of continuous learning in nursing.

“You won’t stop learning,” says Chavez of what life as a nurse is like.

For Chavez, obtaining nursing certifications was not only a personal accomplishment but also a means of leading by example and enhancing her ability to support her colleagues. She views certifications as a testament to one’s dedication and proficiency in their specialty.

A home for nursing excellence

“I’ve never contemplated leaving IU Health,” says Chavez.

Throughout her career, Chavez has found a sense of belonging and fulfillment at IU Health, where she appreciates the organization’s commitment to its team members. She believes that the provision of tuition reimbursement for medical professionals underscores IU Health’s dedication to supporting its team’s growth and development.

The heart of nursing

As Chavez reflects on her career, she emphasizes the profound rewards of being a nurse and the importance of celebrating the selfless acts of kindness that define the profession. From small gestures of compassion, nursing embodies a spirit of generosity.

Chavez has witnessed countless instances of nurses going above and beyond their duties.

“I’ve seen nurses taking patients’ clothes home for a wash, offering their own money, giving patients homecooked meals and personally buying them things from the store,” says Chavez.

Despite their extraordinary gestures, nurses remain remarkably humble, embodying the essence of their profession as compassionate caregivers.

“Being a nurse is just an extremely rewarding career,” says Chavez.

Her journey exemplifies the spirit of Certified Nurses Day, honoring the dedication, compassion and expertise of certified nurses everywhere. While celebrating this day, remember to recognize and applaud the invaluable contributions of nurses like Chavez, whose commitment to excellence enriches the lives of patients and colleagues alike.

Runner is back on her feet thanks to new orthopedics space

Lauren Dunn, clinical dietitian at IU Health Ball, is a workout enthusiast. She loves lifting weights and going for long runs.

In 2021, she and some friends signed up for a local 5K challenge. While training for the race, she would often meet her friend for a jog in the morning. One day, she overslept and didn’t have time to fully stretch before their run, but with her active lifestyle, she didn’t think much of it.

When the pair started running down their first slope, she felt a pop and was flushed with instant pain in her knee. As a runner, she understood that knee pain is normal. She put on her knee brace and spent the next few years taking it slow.

“I was mostly doing okay, but I couldn’t do any advanced physical activity anymore,” she says. “After being almost a year postpartum, I was still struggling to lose my baby weight and I couldn’t exercise like I wanted to. I finally decided that enough was enough.”

Driving to and from work, Dunn couldn’t help but notice the new IU Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine building. It started to feel like a sign to finally address her knee issue. She called the office and made an appointment to see Kevin M. Doulens, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM, who after conducting an MRI, sat down with her to discuss the results.

“He was so thorough with his review,” she says. “He took the time to truly investigate what was wrong before he made his diagnosis.”

Doulens identified a medial meniscus tear and some bone bruising. He suggested conservative management for the bruising but mentioned surgery might be necessary for the tear.That evening, Dunn reviewed Doulens’ clinical notes on the My IU Health patient portal, contemplating the surgical option. After reflecting, she decided she needed to talk with him about the treatment plan more, so she made another appointment.“

“I was relieved to see that Dr. Doulens agreed that now was a good time for surgery since I need to rest anyway.” she says. Dunn scheduled an arthroscopy and meniscal clean up surgery for the underlying meniscus tear for a week after her follow-up.The surgery would remove the damaged tissue with two small incisions. The healthy meniscus tissue is left in place do its job of protecting the knee joint.

The outpatient surgery was only an hour, and she was one of the first patients to have a meniscectomy at the new surgery center.

“The place was amazing,” Dunn says, “The updated building was so nice, and all the staff were welcoming pre and post-op.”

After surgery and recovery, she was sent home with crutches, pain medicine and an ice machine. Only five days after surgery Dunn returned to work, and after two weeks, Doulens allowed her to return to exercise.

“Dr. Doulens impressed not only me, but also my husband, Caleb, who came to all my appointments,” says Dunn. “We both appreciated his in-depth discussion of treatment options and his recommendations on what I should do. My husband was especially impressed with Dr. Doulens thoroughness compared to other doctors he has been with.”

Now six weeks post-operation, Dunn is regaining strength, with a focus on weight training.

“If you are struggling with pain, I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider booking an appointment. There is no need to endure discomfort when Dr. Doulens can fix you right up,” Dunn says.

A big personality receives cancer care close to home

Kate Thompson is not your ordinary salon owner. Behind her vibrant personality and passion for music and hair lies a story of resilience, community engagement and unwavering spirit.

Originally hailing from Burlington, Ontario, Thompson’s journey brought her to Indiana in 2017. She met her husband at a music festival. They have a shared love for the soulful melodies of red dirt country music and host the genre’s artists in their backyard every summer for concerts.

Battling stage three gastric cancer

Thompson’s life took an unexpected turn when she started experiencing digestive issues. Despite experiencing symptoms for years, she initially hesitated to seek medical attention, a decision she would later regret.

Eventually, her condition deteriorated to the point where she could no longer ignore the signs; her stomach simply refused to digest food anymore. The food she ate piled up until she could not eat or drink, leading to a trip to IU Health White Memorial Hospital’s Emergency department. Her doctor suggested that she might have gastric cancer and referred her to IU Health Arnett for further testing. It was at Arnett where she received her life-altering diagnosis of stage three gastric cancer.

Finding strength in community

After already receiving compassionate care for many health issues in various departments at White Memorial, having the option of receiving cancer care there, close to home, was a godsend for Thompson.

“Everything I can do here, I would like to do here,” says Thompson. “It’s eight minutes from my house. They have everything here.”

Navigating the challenges of cancer treatment, she found solace and support with team members.

“It’s like I’m coming to see my friends,” says Thompson. “It’s where I feel safe. I trust them with my life—literally.”

She has become the go-to hairdresser for many members of the White Memorial team. Thompson has been known to do haircuts and colorings for off duty nurses after her treatments for the day are over.

She currently receives FLOT chemotherapy
treatments, along with potassium and magnesium infusions, and weekly blood tests administered by White Memorial Hospital’s Infusion Services. During a recent appointment, while a nurse draws blood from a port in Thompson’s chest, she discusses scheduling the nurse’s son for a haircut at her salon.

“The bougie suite”

“Those girls, they make it a cheerful place to be,” says Thompson. She describes the Infusion Services department at White Memorial as peaceful with occasional laughter.

Thompson has received an infusion at another hospital system in the past, describing the experience as scary and depressing, with a single room with rows of chairs full of very sick-looking people.

“I don’t feel like I want to be here,” says Thompson, reflecting on her previous infusion experience. “I just felt like, ‘yikes.’”

In contrast, White Memorial provided Thompson with a sense of belonging, with individual suites for each infusion patient, including one extra-large room, which Thompson refers to as “the bougie suite.”

“They work hard to work with my schedule,” says Thompson while discussing how the hospital tries to make appointment times as convenient as possible for patients. Schedulers also go out of their way to keep patients informed about when their upcoming appointments are, printing out an appointment schedule for each patient.

A testimony to compassionate care

Thompson’s journey with cancer has been marked by moments of fear, uncertainty and pain. Yet, through it all, she has found strength in the support of her community and the compassionate care of the White Memorial team.