As a social worker at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel, Amber Peck offers supportive counseling and helps patients access resources.

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

As a self-described old soul, Amber Peck always enjoyed spending time with her grandparents when she younger.

Those joyous memories would later inspire her to become a social worker. She first assisted older generations and their families as they navigated hospice or home care, becoming comfortable in listening to their stories and what mattered to them.

“Everybody is different. Their journey is different and their kind of care is a little bit different. I became more adept at working with them and their journey with their illness,” Peck said.

Now, more than 20 years later, she’s helping connect patients with cancer to resources and reach their goals at IU Health North Hospital.

Peck joined IU Health in 2016, first at IU Health University Hospital’s surgery outpatient clinic, and then IU Health North Hospital in 2019. A year later, she began working with patients in the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.

Though Peck is the only social worker positioned there, she is available to all patients at the facility for psychosocial needs. This includes supportive counseling for a cancer diagnosis and she also provides referrals to community resources for financial burdens and transportation needs.

“Sometimes it’s just being there at a moment when they feel kind of overwhelmed. Maybe their cancer is stable and getting better, but it’s the other life stressors,” Peck said. “It just becomes a little too much sometimes to handle, whether it’s family issues or just fears of being a burden, either financially or just caregiving wise.”

Her favorite part of her job is meeting with patients, no matter where they are in life—whether they’re receiving good news or bad news, she enjoys being with them in that moment.

When working with patients experiencing cancer, she sees hope, whether it’s hope for a cure, hope for quality of life and hope for not having pain.

“Hope is different. It ebbs and flows and changes. I think people are afraid of cancer and they’re afraid of seeing people in pain and in difficult situations” Peck said. “I’m not afraid of going there, sitting with them in that moment, and helping them find their way through all this.”

While Peck can be a source of hope for many, social work can still be a stressful job. It’s often under-resourced—no matter the industry. In the future, she hopes it can be more utilized.

March is National Social Work Month

Social workers can be found all throughout the IU Health Indianapolis Suburban Region (ISR), which includes IU Health North, Saxony, Tipton and West hospitals. They’re in the emergency departments, on surgical floors, primary care offices, mental health services, labor and delivery units, cancer centers and more.

“The social workers in the ISR have a wealth of information. I’m in contact with one of them almost daily, to reach out for information, their expertise or their validation,” Peck said. “There’s just a wealth of knowledge from social workers here in the ISR.”

Having social work as a component of care can bring so much to the table, she adds, because a patient is not just their diagnosis or health condition. Social workers are trained to identify a patient’s strengths and what they might need to help them come up with a plan.

For those who come into IU Health hospitals and feel they may want to speak with a social worker, she recommends they be open and honest about their situation.

“Just talking through situations or struggles they’re having sometimes can help them look at it from a different perspective. Social workers are great at identifying resources, offering that support and validating their feelings,” Peck said. “It really helps a patient in the long run to have a social worker involved, or even just knowing they have one if needed.”

This week construction crews enjoyed a luncheon ceremony at the
building site of IU Health’s future academic health center. The celebration marks
one year since the hospital project broke ground. “You are being respectful to
neighbors, being kind to those across the street, and making every effort to
advance high-quality work across the board,” said Jim Mladucky, IU Health’s
Vice President of Design and Construction. He also praised the team’s commitment
to safety and serving the community. “You can tell everyone you know that you
are part of this legacy in healthcare, construction, and community of
Indianapolis.”

Joe Curry was admitted to Methodist Hospital in December of 2022 with multi-system organ dysfunction and failure related to necrotizing soft tissue infection to his chest and arm. His stay started in the ICU where he was intubated and sedated for several days. He has had several surgeries, including four skin grafting surgeries to get rid dying tissue and muscle. From there he worked with the wound care team to debride and change his wound vac twice a week. After multiple medical procedures to attack a critical, life-threatening infection, Joe and his medical team, including emergency surgeons, plastic surgeons, wound care experts and nurses, have fought to help him recover.

“I have loved the challenge of working with the surgical teams, especially the Plastics team to help heal Joe’s arm fully and allow him to recover and get a second chance at life,” said Kristen Ballard, Joe’s physical therapist and wound care expert. “It’s rare that I get to follow a patient this long and to be with Joe when we didn’t know if he would survive… to now seeing his arm and chest almost fully healed is what makes what I do worth all the effort. Joe is a great patient who really is a miracle and this hospital is an amazing place for miracles to happen.”

“When he was little, I would make him wear stickers: ‘Please don’t feed me—I have food allergies,’” shares registered dietitian Carrie Anderson on raising her son. “He literally could have died by eating the wrong thing.”

A lifetime of managing food allergies started when a dairy exposure via ice cream at eight months resulted in eyes swollen shut. The doctor recommended keeping him away from milk. Anderson continued to breastfeed him past the age of one, slowly introducing foods to make sure no more allergens popped up. A misstep at daycare landed him in the hospital, and further testing was done. Spencer was allergic to dairy, eggs, wheat and peanuts.

“He ate a lot of mashed potatoes and refried beans,” says Anderson. There were not a lot of options that were egg-, milk-, dairy- and wheat-free that a toddler could eat. She bought a bread maker and learned to make bread from other ingredients.

Fortunately, Anderson had a degree in nutrition, and she knew she had to do her research. “You cannot trust food labels. It could still be processed in a facility with peanuts.”

The phrase “produced in the same facility as [insert allergen]” is not a required label. If the label says egg-free or peanut-free, it is regulated by the FDA and has to meet certain standards. Many prescription drugs may contain gluten. And the flavorings for antibiotics may contain peanuts.

Navigating life with a food allergy

Despite being diligent, Anderson knew there was nothing she could do about the emotional toll food allergies has taken on her son.

“It has definitely shaped his personality,” she says. “At birthday parties, he couldn’t have the cupcakes, so she would bring a safe treat. He probably wasn’t invited to a lot of parties due to his food allergies. At school, he sat at a peanut-free table with other children who had peanut allergies. Spencer had a friend that would make sure to not have peanut butter in his lunch so he could sit with Spencer. Your heart breaks because you want him to be like everyone else.”

People think a dairy allergy is just lactose intolerance. It is not.

His food allergies did not stop his love for baseball. They did keep him from the dugouts, sometimes, due to the peanut shells. His parents would erect a tent for him. During travel baseball, the family would search for hotels with kitchenettes or pack meals.

“Spencer is now 25 and is doing well,” says Anderson. “However, if he is invited out with friends and he doesn’t feel comfortable about the offerings at a restaurant, he could be hungry, but he won’t eat. He doesn’t like all the attention drawn to him when he starts asking about allergens.”

Using her experience for good

Anderson’s experiences made her passionate about making accommodations for students with food allergies when she worked in dining at Purdue (1996-2019). She knew what students had to experience every time they ate away from home to ensure there were no allergens present in their food. Food allergies were not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act until 2008, so no special arrangements were required. Anderson would reach out and work with parents and students to come up with allergy-safe meal plans for them during their time at Purdue.

All these things increased Anderson’s desire to become a registered dietitian. Her opportunity came in 2016, through an internship offered at Purdue called The Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway. She was able to complete the 1,200-hour internship under supervision of a licensed professional, graduating in May 2018. She joined IU Health in 2019 as an outpatient clinical dietitian—her dream job.

Supporting other parents

Anderson spends most of her time providing nutritional counseling to patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, weight loss, food allergies or any nutrition related issue. She also started a food allergy support group to help parents learn some tips and tricks on managing their child’s food allergies and the ability to share with other parents and feel supported. For more information, Anderson may be reached at 765.429.7748.

“I know how emotionally hard it is,” says Anderson on starting the support group. “It is a lifetime of worry. At any time, a mistake could be made. It’s hard. But, together, we are going to figure this out.”

“I want my kids too see it is never too late,” shares Veronica Quinones. “I will be the first in my family to graduate and walk across the stage at Purdue University.”

Quinones is one of six West Central Region team members taking a big step in building their careers with IU Health.

With the backing of their IU Health leader, colleagues and the IU Health Foundation, they are part of an accelerated program through Purdue Global to become certified medical assistants (MA II), at no cost. The second group to go through this program, this cohort, pictured, comprises:

• Jasmine Rustchak, unit support technician
• Abby Bullock, phlebotomist
• Nan Mayes, registration specialist
• Chelsey Lamson, Revenue Cycle Services associate
• Veronica Quinones, unit support technician
• Jackie McHale, registration specialist (not pictured)

The accelerated program includes four 10-week terms in which the participants take three courses per term — followed by an externship and a credentialing exam. Graduation will be on Tuesday, Sept. 12—a date circled on the calendar.

The group is currently in their second term.

“Term one was a nice easy pace—remember, none of us have been in school for a while,’ says Mayes. “Term two has been a major adjustment. Working together makes it so much better. Everyone is going through the exact same thing. If one of us falls behind, the rest of us are there to help them catch up.”

Each Tuesday and Thursday the cohort meets in a corner room in the basement of the Greenbush Street medical office to go over homework and assignments. Their three lectures take place every evening except Monday, from 8 – 11 pm, with discussion board assignments due on Sunday evenings. They must get an 80% on each mandatory assignment to continue with the program.

“Being a part of the cohort not only has given me the chance to advance my education, but I have gained a great leader and five lovely, hard-working coworkers I can truly call my friends,” says McHale.

The group also has a dedicated mentor — practice manager Monica Sanchez — to support, coach and encourage them throughout the program.

“Seeing these ladies grow in their educational goals gives me chills. They are not only an MA cohort; they’ve become ‘sisters;’ when one person has a problem, they all have a problem,” shares Sanchez. “The strength within this group is powerful.”

Helping support this program are IU Health Foundation donors Gary and Shelly Henriott, who stopped by on Valentine’s Day to encourage the group with a few treats.

All six have a ‘why’ that makes the challenging program worth it

Rustchak is looking for the balanced schedule that a medical office offers over being in a hospital-based role.

“I am getting married in a few weeks and looking to start a family,” she shares.

She is hoping for a position in OB-GYN so she can continue working with expectant moms and continue her child seat passenger safety technician work.

“I love working in healthcare,” says Bullock, whose day starts at 4 am after her 30-minute commute. “I enjoy taking care of people and the more you learn the better care you can provide.”

“I have always wanted to further my career,” says Mayes. “My son (14) and I take turns doing homework and supporting each other. Last term we were studying the same thing in science.”

Lamson was a certified nursing assistant when she graduated from high school. Her career goals were put on hold as she raised her three children. “My husband and my children have always come first, but now it’s my time,” she says. “I keep trying to better myself and expand my knowledge. I have always worked in healthcare, but I miss working hands on with patients.”

“I have worked in the same department for the past 14 years. I love my job, but I have watched other team members go back to school and move on. Now it is my turn,” shares Quinones who is bilingual and looking forward to helping patients who are non-English speakers.

“As a young mom at 17, I had to do an accelerated high school program to graduate on time with my class,” says McHale. “I was a single mom for the first few years, which didn’t leave time for college. Now I am married, older and have a supportive family and workplace, taking the opportunity to complete this program is worth the hard extra work. I look forward to being hands on with patients and being able to put my education to use to serve IU Health.”

At the end of each term, the group celebrates with a carry-in and remind each other that it is a marathon, not a race. Soon they will be walking across a stage in a cap and gown, celebrating their achievement with their families.

He’s still going through treatment and even from his hospital bed, this patient says he wants to educate and support others with a cancer diagnosis.

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

There are several chapters to Christopher “Chris” Curry’s story. A cancer diagnosis is only one.

At 41, Curry is a firm believer in the power of positivity, embracing a network of friends and family members, and taking care of his body. He’s an avid surfer, and he and his wife Elie own a health food restaurant.

On Jan. 16, 2022, Curry was diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer. The slow-growing form of testicular cancer is generally found in men in their 40s and 50s. Curry first saw his physician when he felt aggressive pains in his side. He then noticed his right testicle was enlarged. The pain kept him awake at night and wouldn’t ease up even after he took extra strength pain medication.

At one point he walked into a room and his wife said he was as white as a ghost. They made a trip to ER and within two hours he received his diagnosis. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and abdomen.

Curry began chemotherapy back home near Wrightsville Beach, N.C. and completed three rounds on April 28, 2022. Scans showed that the tumors were shrinking but were still noticeable.

By October 2022 the pain was back and was worse than Curry ever remembers. Two months later, scans showed the cancer had progressed. Testicular cancer starts in the testes, but can spread to the lymph nodes in other parts of the body.

“I remember feeling a wave of emotions, like here we go again,” said Curry. “For 24 hours my conversation with my wife was wild. My brain was going so many different directions but I wanted to keep calm.”

At one point, his oncologist in North Carolina referred him to IU Health and Dr. Lawrence Einhorn. Dr. Einhorn is known for his successful treatment of testicular cancer – germ cell tumors – using a mix of high dose chemotherapies and peripheral stem cell transplant. His patients come from throughout the United States and even from other countries.

“I didn’t know much about him so I started googling his name and the more I read, the more I knew I was being pulled to come to Indianapolis,” said Curry. “It just felt like the natural direction. And then Dr. Einhorn was in California when he called me and I knew this was someone who spoke casually but I also felt comfort and knew he was serious.”

Curry received his stem cell transplant on Valentine’s Day so he calls his cells his “love cells.” His reference comes naturally.

Five years ago, Curry met the woman he would marry. He didn’t know it at the time and neither did she. They learned quickly that they had a lot in common. She grew up in Ocean City, Md. and both of their fathers competed against each other in surfing.

“It was magical when I met her. I felt like my whole life changed in the blink of an eye,” said Curry. They were married in October 2020.

Together they opened a health food restaurant that caters to their coastal community. The eatery focuses on nutrition-dense food and beverages. It is also a “water diversion” restaurant. It was important to the Currys to use recyclable, reusable, and returnable glass and to serve food in biodegradable compostable packaging. They compost about 500-750 pounds of organic material a week – distributed to local farms in the community.

It’s all done in an effort to invest in the future of the planet for future generations – including their own.

When Curry was diagnosed with testicular cancer, the couple began looking to the future and starting a family.

“I banked my specimen and once I got through chemotherapy we started IVF. It was like we were going through a crash course in science,” said Curry. His wife is expecting a baby girl on June 2. “It was like we knew it would be a girl and we have two more embryos as we grow our family. I really believe all of this has come about in it’s own time. I am receiving the best care at IU Health and feel great in spite of my diagnosis. It’s all about a mindset and the company you keep.”

To say that Floyd Pinkston Jr. inspired his son, Trey’s career path might be an understatement. Floyd has been a paramedic since the early 1980s. Some of Trey’s earliest memories were when his dad would show up to his school in his flight suit and say hi to him at public engagement events. “He’d land doing a public relations event somewhere and I’d come. There’s a pretty good picture of me and him running up to each other right after he had landed and stepped out of the helicopter,” recalls Trey. “Because of him I’d like to become a flight medic. That’s my ultimate goal.” While Trey works on his goals, he’s also working as an EMT right alongside his dad at the IU Health LifeLine base in Muncie. “I get to see him grow, not only as a young man, but as a very qualified EMT,” said Floyd. “It’s a dream come true… and I’m so proud of him.”

Residents in three Indianapolis neighborhoods soon will be able to get heart screenings, cardiovascular health information and care referrals at barbershops, salons, churches and other local gathering spots as a result of a $3.1 million collaborative agreement between the IU Health Foundation and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The funding from the global firm will support the Indianapolis Health Equity, Access, outReach and Treatment (iHEART) collaborative, which IU Health has formed in conjunction with the Indiana Clinical and Translational Science Institutes, IUPUI Polis Center and the Fairbanks School of Public Health to address health inequities that drive higher rates of cardiovascular disease in underserved areas.

The Novartis funds will allow the three-year project to provide screenings, referrals and treatment for individuals living in three medically underserved Indianapolis neighborhoods: the Meadows/Martindale-Brightwood, the United Northwest Area/Riverside and the Near Southeast Side.

Medical, research and community engagement teams will go to neighborhood gathering sites to provide services such as blood pressure screenings, body mass index measurements and point-of-care testing for glucose, lipids and hemoglobin A1C. The teams also will provide heart-health education and resources as well as connections to follow-up clinical care and social services.

In addition, public forums in the neighborhoods will raise awareness about key health concerns such as high blood pressure and provide information about cardiovascular health, self-management tools and other resources.

“This is a great example of diverse organizations coming together to address root causes of poor health in the community,” said IU Health Foundation Grants Director Cassandra Tice. “Our partners in the IU Health Office of Health Equity Research & Engagement informed us of Novartis’ interest in addressing health inequities, we collaborated to forge a plan, and IU Health brought in partners to build a coalition that will have real impact for cardiovascular health.”

iHEART’s long-term goal is to create a model that can be replicated to address chronic diseases throughout the state and nation.

Learn more here about IU Health Foundation’s work to take care beyond hospital walls and into communities.

There are no doubts that Beth Rayfield is passionate about her job. As the director of Sterile Processing and Central Supply at IU Health North Hospital, her role also includes a concentration in quality and safety for IU Health North, Saxony, Tipton and West hospitals.

Her department makes sure surgical instruments are cleaned and ready for use in the operating room (OR). However, there is much more to the job than you might think.

This is National Nutrition Month and March 8 is Registered Dietitian Day. Katelyn Jensen talks about her role at IU Health Methodist Hospital.

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

She always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. It wasn’t until she started taking classes at Miami of Ohio University, that Katelyn Jensen turned her focus to an area that emphasizes food and nutrition.

“It’s a multi-faceted field. I can work with patients and I get to do something that is mentally challenging,” said Jensen. She completed both her undergraduate degree and dietitian internship with a master’s degree. Jensen started her career with IU Health three years ago.

At Methodist Hospital she works with some of the most vulnerable patients in cardiac medical critical care. She also has special training in placement of nasal feeding tubes.

“This is a task that is within the scope of a dietitian but not generally done due to staffing and ability to be at the bedside,” said Maria Browning, manager of clinical dietetics. “Katelyn has supported this initiative not only on her unit, but also other units. Most notably, she was able to place a feeding tube for a disordered eating patient on our behavioral health unit.” The patient was severely malnourished and needed the support of a feeding tube.”

Jensen said one of the best parts of her job is working with her team.

“I have a great team of doctors and they really listen to the dietitians. Most of the patients on our unit have experienced cardiac arrest and chronic illness. Most are intubated and sedated and on a day to day basis I attend interdisciplinary team huddles to discuss what is best for our patients,” said Jensen.

She has many patients that standout but one in particular who had an external heart device. “He came in and was intubated and sedated and I worked with him through acute critical care and helped optimize his nutrition for the procedure. Afterward, I got to watch him recover and even get married in the hospital,” she said.

“Almost daily I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be as a dietitian. I know that by providing proper nutrition, I’m impacting patients every day.”

Jensen is engaged to be married in June. In her spare time she enjoys playing pickle ball, working out and walking her dog. She also teaches classes at IUPUI.