Tamika Hinton has been a nurse on Methodist Hospital’s neuro trauma surgical unit for two years. Prior to that she was a nursing assistant, but then decided to follow in her mothers footsteps to become a nurse.
“I had shadowed [my mom] in high school and I saw what a difference she was making. I saw that is was rewarding and also challenging as well, but she liked that, and I like it too.”
Earlier this year IU Health’s histology team moved into an expanded space with additional equipment to help patients who are waiting anxiously for cancer results. When a doctor removes a piece of tissue from a patient, also known as a biopsy, that tissue makes its way to the histology lab where experts prepare that sample for analysis and diagnosis. Come take a look behind the scenes at the new and improved space.
Kim Weist is the Gift Shop Project Coordinator for Riley Cheer Guild. She’s also a cancer survivor who looks for the best in every situation.
By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org
Kim Weist says the best part of her story is this: Her manager promoted her when she was sick at home with cancer. But her story extends beyond the boundaries of her diagnosis.
Consider this: For more than a decade Weist performed a humorous skit about Victorian undergarments; she and her husband of 35 years, Mike Weist, once packed up and moved to the East Coast on a whim; she received a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from Ball State University, learned to sew and pursued a career as a seamstress while raising a young son; and she repurposes gently used wedding dresses into gowns for “angel babies.”
“As I look at all the physical and emotional issues that have happened throughout my life I have always been able to pull through, using humor about my situation to get me to the other side,” said Weist, 60.
At IU Health, Weist serves as the gift shop project coordinator for the Riley Cheer Guild supporting seven gifts shops at IU Health University and Methodist Hospitals, IU Health North, and Riley Hospital for Children.
“I love my job because I love seeing all the people and the proceeds go back to the Riley kids,” said Weist. It was focusing on her job that helped Weist get through one of her toughest days.
In 2021, after a routine screening, she received a call telling her she had colon cancer. “I distracted myself by taking care of customers,” she said. “My boss at the time said, ‘I believe in you and I will cover for you until you get back.’ He motivated me to be the best person and the best patient,” said Weist. Two weeks after surgery, she was back at work. She was in the care of oncologist Dr. Andrew Greenspan. Surgery involved removing 32 lymph nodes, 18 inches of her colon, some small intestine, and her appendix.
Afterward, tests showed the cancer was circulating in her blood and she had a 90 percent chance of the cancer metastasizing. She began chemotherapy and joined an online support group, “ColonTown.”
“It was so new that I couldn’t really research it. No matter what, I’d come to work with a smile. I was determined to get through this because I wanted the cancer cells gone,” said Weist, describing the side effects of chemotherapy. “When I first got the diagnosis my whole identity changed. It’s like no one has a premonition that they’ll get cancer and then you have to decide, ‘am I a patient or a survivor.’”
She chose survivor. In the middle of the storm, as the side effects of chemo continued – peeling skin on her feet, tingling hands, and even skin cancer – Weist saw light at the end of the tunnel. Her husband works for a company that manufactures a test that detects Circulating Tumor DNA. It turned out the test was what may have saved her life. Her oncologist agreed to the test. The initial tests came back, “positive.” Others followed and she finally heard the word, “negative.”
Weist says she considers it a miracle that her husband worked for a company that made a specific test for colon cancer.
“I thought I’d have a big party when I got the results but I haven’t had the freedom to fully process it. I think it’s more about living my life to the fullest,” said Weist.
Part of that is giving back to others. She does that through her job with IU Health and also through her seamstress work. Over the years, Weist estimates she’s stitched together 50 “Little Angel Gowns,” for infants.
“You need to use fabric that is appropriate for sensitive skin and then you decorate them and make sure they are washed just right. It’s a labor of love. I’ve seen letters from people who have thought they were taking their baby home and then they were faced with the unthinkable,” said Weist. “After I sew each one I lay them out on the bed, and ask my husband to come and see them. Then I pray over them with tears coming down my cheeks. I love volunteering and in most cases I love to see people smile, but I also feel deeply when someone else is in pain.”
At the beginning of the pregnancy, everything seemed normal. Amanda Cragun went in for her standard anatomy scan thinking everything was fine. She had gone through the process once before, giving birth to her healthy baby girl, Kynslee. But three weeks after the appointment, she received a call from her doctor. She needed to find a specialist as soon as possible.
“When we finally got the ultrasound results back, the doctors could tell there was something going on, they just weren’t sure exactly what,” says Cragun. They initially thought she was missing a stomach and could tell other things were going wrong. She and her family went to the Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis for additional testing.
From the tests, they were able to detect Kamdyn, their not-yet-born daughter, had two equally large Choroid Plexus cysts in her brain. It’s common for only one side to have a large cyst, not both. She also had a healed VSD in her heart. They were able to confirm she had a stomach. “I remembered thinking we had a good chance, that my daughter would be okay” says Cragun. But then, the Riley doctors were able to establish a 99% chance that Kamdyn had Trisomy 18.
Trisomy 18 is a condition when there are three copies of the 18th chromosome. Many people are familiar with Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome, which is three copies of the 21st chromosome. “The chances of having Trisomy 18 are completely random, and it is typically incompatible with life.” Says Cragun. “However, I had a few friends and saw on social media kids and adults with Trisomy 18. During the majority of the pregnancy, I really thought everything was going to be okay, at least for several months.”
After the diagnosis, the family moved from Riley to IU Health Ball to be closer to home. They received care and created a birthing plan with Joseph Landwehr, MD, and Sarah Porter, NP, FNP-C. “I loved Dr. Landwehr,” says Cragun. “I felt so well cared for and listened too.”
Every week, Cragun went in for an ultrasound. “They were constantly checking to make sure she was still growing, and she was, just very slowly,” says Cragun. “I had started the grieving process because I knew at some point, I was going to lose her. The doctors offered early termination options, but I wanted to give her the best chance at life. I wanted Kamdyn to tell her story, because what if she could end up being one of those fortunate to live with Trisomy 18. I didn’t want to get in the way of my daughter.”
On March 10, 2021, Cragun went into labor. She had an extremely low Bishop score, meaning her likelihood of a successful induction was low, and her labor lasted 36 hours. Kamdyn arrived quickly once Cragun was fully dilatated. “When it was time, I knew shew was coming out, and there was no stopping her.” Says Cragun. Kamdyn was born at 4am on March 11 at only three pounds, 14 ounces.
When she came out, she wasn’t breathing. Cragun wanted to avoid the ventilator knowing it would be too hard to take her off. Her doctors accommodated this request and decided to give her oxygen. At birth, they knew only three things for sure. Her hands were clenched, she had rocker bottom (club feet) and she was extremely small. “We honestly thought she had a good chance of making it at least six months,” says Cragun. “My goal was to take her home.”
Because the family wanted to spend as much time with Kamdyn as possible, Kamdyn did not stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit like most babies born under five pounds. Instead, the team cared for her in the family’s room. “That’s why I love IU Health Ball, the staff was so compassionate and willing to support us through every step of this.” Says Cragun. “I want others to know that communication is so important. Your team needs to know what you need, that’s why they are there. If they’re not doing what Dr. Landwehr and Porter did for me, then that’s not who you want on your care team. Make sure you are advocating for yourself and for your baby.”
After 24 hours, the family took Kamdyn home with the nasogastric tube and oxygen. The doctor had been straightforward telling the family that she was struggling to breathe, and they wouldn’t have much time left with her. Cragun says, “I liked how straight to the point all of the doctors were. We already knew the situation wasn’t great, so by not sugarcoating it, we stayed within reality.”
Cragun woke up every two hours to feed Kamdyn. At 2:30 in the morning, Cragun’s mother woke Cragun up having noticed Kamdyn was not doing well. The whole family gathered in the living room to watch over Kamdyn as her heart made its final beat. “Her heart stopped beating, and we looked at the clock and it was 3:18am, the number associated with Trisomy 18 for the three chromosomes,” says Cragun.
While Cragun stayed on maternity leave, she continued to grieve her daughter. She bought a digital art pad and started designing. Two and a half years later, the family has started a non-profit, Courage for Kamdyn and Kamdyn’s Beehive Inc. The non-profit raises funds by selling the art Cragun makes. “I began by drawing faceless portraits, sticker designs and bracelets that incorporates a bee for Kamdyn,” says Cragun. Now they sell everything from t-shirts to puzzles as well.
“Bumblebees aerodynamically shouldn’t be able to fly because they are too heavy for the size of their wings,” says Cragun. “The legend goes that bees shouldn’t fly, but they don’t know that, so they go on flying anyway. It reminds me of how Kamdyn wasn’t supposed to live, but she didn’t know it, so she was born anyway.”
The nonprofit supports families in understanding a child’s life-limiting diagnosis. They send a book to families with a life limiting diagnosis and Trisomy babies called, “Just In Case You Ever Wonder” by Max Lucado. It was the book the Cragun family would read to Kamdyn in the womb. It goes, “just in case you ever wonder…this is the story about you.” They also send birthday presents, Christmas gifts and engraved cards to other families going through what the Cragun family went through.
“I want people to understand the joy that we found in meeting Kamdyn,” says Cragun. “There was a lot of pain in losing my child, but I also was able to have some closure by being able to meet her. Today, I want to provide other families with support by sending birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts to families with a child loss. I also want them to know I am a friend and resource for them.”
Kamdyn’s Beehive on TikTok and Facebook spreads awareness, love and uplifts other parents going through a similar situation by sharing Kamdyn’s story. Cragun is working to build a community for Trisomy babies and their families. “By giving back, I feel that I can continue Kamdyn’s legacy which in turn, helps me through my own grieving process,” says Cragun.
In 2019 Kelsey Miller’s friend was one of five people who died in a Michigan plane crash. The care she and other loved ones received at that local hospital inspired Kelsey to start a program at Methodist Hospital that aims to care for the families of dying trauma patients. “It’s called the family support program and we just launched in July. It provides supplies and services to family and friends of actively dying trauma patients here at Methodist. I feel super passionate about this project… and even if we only help one family then I will feel like it’s been successful.”
2023 GLCA graduates who are now IU Health team members. Tanijah Taylor, second from the left; Connor Villalobos, third from the left; and Sydney Copeland, fifth from the left.
The next generation of Indiana healthcare professionals is getting an early start—beginning in high school. With projected shortages of healthcare workers over the next several years, training individuals early to fill these open positions is an important step in ensuring Hoosiers continue to have access to the care they need.
One way that IU Health is working to reduce this shortage while also helping students find their passion for healthcare is through a partnership with the Greater Lafayette Career Academy.
The Greater Lafayette Career Academy (GLCA) supports multiple school corporations in Tippecanoe County and offers programs for high school students that lead to in-demand certifications for positions like certified nursing assistant (CNA), medical assistant (MA) and emergency medical technician (EMT).
Through the partnership with IU Health, GLCA students get hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting during their studies through experiences like clinical rotations—and IU Health gets to build a connection with students who may want to join the IU Health team after graduation.
This year, 11 students from GLCA’s 2023 graduating class were hired by IU Health in patient care assistant, EMT and MA roles.
“The one thing that inspired me to work in healthcare is being able to help those in need and being able to help make someone feel better—even if all I can do is put a smile on their face,” says Tanijah Taylor, medical assistant at IU Health Arnett Hospital who graduated from GLCA this June.
Through the real-world experience students gain through GLCA, something that might be hard to come by in the average high school classroom, students are set up for success when they move into full-time roles or pursue further education.
“Having that hands-on experience has helped me boost my confidence when taking care of patients and relaying information to the patients,” says Taylor.
Connor Villalobos is another graduate of GLCA and an EMT with IU Health LifeLine. He was inspired to work in healthcare because of family members who work in a variety of emergency services. Through this program, Villalobos learned how to react to medical emergencies, patient care and so much more.
“This specific program also introduced to me new real-world examples of different types of medical emergencies and situations that I would never have been exposed to in a regular high school setting,” says Villalobos.
Graduates of GLCA have big plans for their futures. Villalobos is working to reach the rank of flight medic, while Taylor hopes to open her own practice one day.
“My future career goals are to become an orthopedic or transplant surgeon,” says Sydney Copeland, EMT with IU Health LifeLine and graduate of GLCA. “I hope to work as an EMT throughout my college and medical school years.”
It’s never too early or too late to become part of the healthcare field, whether starting in high school or switching careers later in life.
“Don’t be afraid of trying something new,” advises Copeland. “There are a million different directions someone in the healthcare field can go.”
Christine Dunham has been an IU Health nurse for nearly 30 years. She’s spent most of that time caring for patients before and after bone marrow transplant. “I try to treat every patient as if they were my family and think about how I would want my family member to be treated,” said Christine. “It can be very emotional here at times, but I just try to think of the [positive] impact I’m making on them.”
In 2017 Brian Overshiner started the 3D Innovations Lab at IU Health University Hospital. The department, that began with one person and two 3D printers, has now grown from the hospital basement to a new and expanded space at 16 Tech Innovation District. “To see it get to this point is kind of surreal for me personally because this was just kind of a hobby of mine that turned into a full-time thing. What’s satisfying is to be able to see that this department really does help [our team members and patients].
By Emma Avila, epackard1@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region
Team members grow produce and herbs in a garden at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center to benefit patients.
Ann Bredensteiner, manager of integrative health and volunteers at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel, doesn’t garden at home. She’s learned everything she knows about caring for plants at work, in the garden she tends to for cancer patients.
The idea started as a farm-to-table option for a cooking class the cancer center offers. Bredensteiner originally pictured the greenery on the roof of the building, but she found out that was not a structurally sound option. After meeting with the Facilities team, they decided to create a space outside the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center bistro.
“It was a collaborative idea,” Bredensteiner explained. “It’s nice to be able to share the bounty with patients.”
And that’s exactly what she does. For extra produce or food items that won’t last until the once-a-month cooking class, Bredensteiner offers them to patients.
She washes the items off, puts them in a basket and leaves them with a note, telling people to take what they would like. If she has some extra time, she walks around the departments to see if any infusion or radiation patients are interested.
This leads to a personal connection with the people who come to the facility for care. Bredensteiner even picks up additional gardening tips along the way.
“It’s nice to connect with other people at the hospital who garden,” she said. “It’s a lot of love and a lot of learning.”
The garden contains tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, flowers and a variety of herbs. Bredensteiner tends to the plants at least once a day. Sometimes, fellow team members or patients will stop by outside and strike up a conversation.
“I’ve really appreciated the mindfulness of coming out here and interacting with patients,” Bredensteiner said. “Almost every morning someone stops by and asks about the garden.”
Sarah Dutkevitch, a clinical research nurse, stops by regularly to check on the plants and do a little weeding. Her family has a garden.
“It just makes me happy, seeing the colors, seeing the growth. It’s a live symbol of hope and renewal,” she said.
“It’s nice to see people excited,” Bredensteiner added. “This is just a labor of love.”
Though the garden began to get fresher food into the monthly cooking class, Bredensteiner is grateful for what it has grown into: a way to form deeper connections with the patients the cancer center was built to serve.
Indiana University Health North Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s SilverPlus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
“IU Health North is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Susanne Crotty, RN, stroke and quality coordinator at IU Health North. “Our teams work diligently every day to ensure our stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.”
Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize IU Health North for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”