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CAREERS & TRAINING:

It’s time for Salute to Nurses YOUR WORLD:

New location for Wishard Hospital

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Nursing the most vulnerable patients

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POINT YOUR CAREER IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

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Nurses & CNAs

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Inside 4-7

On the Pulse

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Salute to Nurses Cover Story Nurses on the run

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Careers & Training A ffordable health

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Your World Nurses with roses The new Wishard Q&A with Cathy Ash

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Cover:

Cathy Ash, RN, is a staff nurse at Midtown Community Mental Health Center

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Content Indiana Nursing Quarterly is a product of Star Media, 307 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Ind. It’s distributed electronically to nurses throughout central Indiana.

Submit news items to pubs@indystar.com.

Contributing writers

Madelyn Morgan Shauna Nosler Ashley Petry

Graphic designer

Joe Soria

Photos

Marc Lebryk

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Make a difference. Build a career.

Join the team that is leading the way in clinical care, education, and research. We’re recruiting for: Case Managers – IU Health RN with BSN required 2-5 years nursing experience OR Clinical Manager – IU Health University Hospital 3-5 years OR nurse and/or management experience Demonstrated leadership ability

IU Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pediatric Med/Surg Clinical Manager – Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health BSN required; MSN preferred 3-5 years pediatric experience Demonstrated leadership ability Talk to a recruiter at 317.962.2600. Learn more at iuhealth.org/careers.

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On the Pulse

Promotions, workshops, awards

■ News Of Note

A newly renovated Franciscan St. Francis Health Education and Support Services Center (ESSC) is a welcome addition and economic boon to the local community and surrounding area, according to Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers.

Myers was among the invited guests attending the Jan. 7 blessing and dedication of the 135,000-square-foot property at 421 N. Emerson Ave. More than 200 hospital leaders, staff and local business and civic leaders were on hand for the event.

“St. Francis’ decision to locate its education and administrative services and to significantly invest in the renovation of this facility is a boost and brings new vitality to our community,” said Myers. “We welcome you.”

Located two miles south of Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis hospital, ESSC long had been emptied when the former Alpine Electronics shut its doors in 2006 and shipped its operations to Mexico. That facility remained mothballed until late 2011, when hospital officials announced the acquisition of the sprawling property and unveiled plans for its $14 million renovation.

With Education Services leading the way,

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Greenwood mayor lauds St. Francis Health move to education, support center

Father John Mannion blesses the hallways of the St. Francis Health Education and Support Services Center in Greenwood.

more than 250 employees from several hospital departments began migrating to the facility late last fall.

Additionally, about 100 students daily visit ESSC for classes and hands-on clinical training.

As with the grand openings of all hospital facilities and centers, the property was formerly blessed by the spiritual care staff.

Father John Mannion was joined by Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Franciscan Alliance, and Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission, for the dedication of ESSC.

■ Recognition

The local chapter of Emergency Nurses Association sponsored the third annual Academic Challenge in November to promote professional growth, education and professional growth, education and professional certifications within the emergency department nursing community.

The Academic Challenge is a quiz bowl where participants are asked questions about the emergency department nursing community. The Academic Challenge is a quiz bowl where participants are asked questions about emergency department nursing.

The questions are similar to questions that might be seen on a professional certification exam. Wishard ED also took home the prize for having the most spectator support.

Wishard nurses also competed in the 4

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Wishard ED nurses compete in CNE Challenge

Wishard ED nurses recently participated in the CNE Challenge last November.

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses MedSurg Bowl at Franciscan St. Francis Health on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and won second place. The team members who competed were Dorvanta Magsby, Tsegheweini Tzeggai, Shangling Liang, Darcy Hatton and Shelly Shields. Alternates were Jean Braun and Thealyn Lewis. The team was coached by Jennifer Kitchens and Margie Hull.

On the Pulse Three IU nurses honored with DAISY Awards

Nurses at three IU Health hospitals in downtown Indianapolis were recently honored with DAISY Awards for their demonstration of compassionate patient care and exceptional service. The Academic Health Center award winners for the third quarter of 2012 are:

Jennifer Mitchell, BSN, RN

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ACC at IU Health Methodist Hospital

Mitchell has worked in adult critical care for 15 years. She was nominated for a DAISY Award after providing care to a patient on life support.

The patient’s family was out of town during the patient's hospitalization, and Mitchell's caring and compassion allowed them to make the necessary arrangements to get to the hospital and say goodbye to their loved one.

Mitchell stayed at work past the end of her scheduled shift to care for the patient while the family traveled from out of state to the hospital.

Her skill and expertise helped the family navigate the difficult end-of-life transition for their loved one.

Melissa Roesch, BSN, RN

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IICU at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

Roesch began her Riley nursing career in 2010 after previously working as a special education teacher. She was nominated based on her ability to establish meaningful bonds with the family of an 11-year-old patient, building trust as their child was hospitalized.

Roesch’s manager said “Melissa makes such a difference for all the families she cares for. No matter what roadblocks are seemingly laid in her way, she is able to find a solution.

For this family, she created the possibility for them to go home. She went above and beyond expectations each and every shift.”

Jennifer Spors, RN

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4 Medicine, IU Health University Hospital

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Spors graduated from nursing school in August 2011 and begin working with 4 Medicine in February. She was nominated by an IU Health employee who was hospitalized and placed in Spors’ care. The nomination submitted by the employee recognized Spors for her compassion, attentiveness and overall quality of care.

The employee said: “Jennifer never seems to let the stress of her day show through to her patients. IU Health is rich for have acquired such an amazing asset. She is loving and great to her patients.” Spors’ manager agreed, saying Spors has an amazing bedside manner that easily shows patients they are her top priority.

New IU health partner and senior partner nurses named

A group of 26 IU Health nurses recently gathered to celebrate achievements in the Career Advancement Program as they are named new Partners and Senior Partners at their respective hospitals.

This marks the first time IU Health Arnett Hospital nurses are advancing as new program participants.

Congratulations to the following nurses for demonstrating professional expertise and exceptional levels of clinical skill to advance in their careers:

PARTNERS

■ IU Health Arnett Hospital Christina Hoaks, Shelley NewtonMarshall and Michele Ream ■ IU Health Methodist Hospital Amy Blackwell, Renee Good, Deborah Kreppein, Rebecca Shaffer and Autumn Thomas ■ IU Health North Hospital Julia Cuney ■ Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health Dana Carr, Gina Madsen, Amanda Murphy and Rachel Rissot ■ IU Health Saxony Hospital Heather Hayes ■ IU Health University Hospital Mary Ann Geberin, Katy Long, Stacia Patarino and Sarah Walker ■ IU Health West Hospital Lisa Richardson, Amy Scott and Jennifer Zollars

SENIOR PARTNERS

■ IU Health Methodist Hospital Tiffany Rader and Nicole Trinkle ■ Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health Dawn Boys-Sibley ■ IU Health University Hospital Stacy Nance and Melissa Schurr

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A hospital you can believe in.

Winter 2013

David Wilson

On the Pulse ■ Achievement

Community Hospital honors nursing excellence

Gallup Poll results on ethics

Community Hospital’s Society for Nursing Excellence recently presented its 10th annual Nursing Excellence Awards.

Honorees were selected in five categories that represent the key characteristics of nursing excellence with 106 nominations submitted on behalf of 84 outstanding Community nurses.

Therapeutic Relationships:

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Here are the categories in the Nursing Excellence Awards: Suzi Schoon, R.N., PhD, who works at

Communty Regional Cancer Center.

Community Hospital Nursing Excellence Awards were recently presented to Suzi Schoon, Diane Gray, Jill Janson, Sonia Smyth and Deborah Lyons.

Facilitative Leadership: Diane Gray, R.N., director of the orthoneuro-spine unit at Community North.

Here are the categories in the William J. Tierney M.D. Awards:

Patient-Focused Care: Jill Janson, R.N., who works on the intensive care unit at Community North.

Art and Science of Nursing:

Sonia Smyth, R.N., MBA, CPHQ, quality resources manager at Community Anderson.

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Evidence-Based Practice:

Deborah Lyons, R.N., MSN, network integration disease management executive director, Community Anderson Hospital.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Americans gave nurses higher marks than any other profession in Gallup's annual poll on honesty and ethical standards, released in December. When asked to rate the honesty and ethical standards of people different fields, 85 percent of respondents gave very high or high marks to nurses.

Others ranking among the most trusted professions are pharmacists, doctors, engineers and dentists.

Nurses have topped the list every year since they were included in the survey in 1999 with one exception: after the September 11 terrorist attacks when firefighters were included on a onetime basis.

Gallup conducted the telephone survey in late November. View all poll results here. www.gallup.com/poll/159035/ congress-retains-low-honesty-rating.aspx

Lori Keith, R.N.

pubs@indystar.com.

former patient, who is doing well in her new home.

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Careers Training Clips & & Tips

By Madelyn Morgan

By Madelyn Morgan

The 2012 Salute to Nurses was held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom with a near capacity crowd.

It’s about time for a ‘Salute’ When Beth Tharp, RN, BSN, MBA, was named 2012 Nurse of the Year, she said she felt a “huge responsibility to our profession.”

She wanted to do all she could, she said, not only for the staff of Community Hospital Anderson, where she was CNO and vice president of patient care services, but for the much larger community of nurses and nursing students and for the community of Anderson as well.

A few months later, she was named CEO and president of the hospital.

She has been making good on that wide-ranging promise ever since.

Tharp is adjusting well to her new role and especially enjoys being more of an ambassador to the community.

“It’s been over the top,” she said. “It was also the 50th anniversary of the hospital, so it’s been a wonderful year of celebrating our heritage.”

It’s been an amazing year for Tharp.

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Beth Tharp was named the 2012 Nurse of the Year.

And soon, another nurse will begin a year both inspired and awed by the honor of being Nurse of the Year.

Salute to Nurses | On Wednesday, April 24, The Indianapolis Star will host its 11th annual Salute to Nurses luncheon, starting at 11 a.m. in the

Clips & Tips

Research, trends, tips

MARC LEBRYK / Custom Publications

Indiana Roof Ballroom in Downtown Indianapolis.

With sponsorship from nearly every major hospital corporations throughout Central Indiana, this formal awards ceremony recognizes the tireless care, commitment and compassion of nurses in communities across Indiana. Even when faced with staffing shortages and increasing demands on time and resources, they manage to serve their patients with kindness and enthusiasm.

Hundreds of nominations have been received from friends, patients, families and colleagues in honor of special nurses around the state.

Nominees come from all service settings, from elementary schools to hospitals, home care to public health.

What unites them is their compassion for their patients and their dedication to their communities.

Nominations under review | All nominations will be reviewed in February by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, who will select winners in five categories: community outreach,

lifetime of compassion, advancement of nursing, inspiration, and nurse educator of the year.

The board then will name one of these winners 2013 Nurse of the Year.

Organizers also will recognize a Student of the Year in conjunction with Indiana schools with nursing programs. School administrators select the top student in their program, who then writes an essay and submits it to the Indiana State Board of Nursing.

The board reviews all applications and chooses the winner.

This year’s Student of the Year will receive a $3,500 scholarship.

All nominees and winners are notified prior to the Salute to Nurses.

Nurse of the Year is announced at the luncheon.

Happy surprise for all | Many Nurse of the Year winners are as surprised as Tharp to hear their names announced.

While Tharp says she is still humbled by the honor, she says she is often surprised by the turns her life takes. “When I got out of nursing school in 1980, I never thought I

Anne Ryder was the featured keynote speaker at the 2012 Salute to Nurses.

would be spending my entire career in one hospital,” she explained. “But I’ve always had high passion for Anderson!”

This is an invitation-only event.

Winners and sponsors are invited as well as many nominees and nominators. If you want to be guaranteed a seat, tables are available for purchase. If interested, call 317444-7350.

All winners will be announced in the May issue of Indiana Nursing Quarterly and May 5 in a special pullout section of The Indianapolis Star. ■

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Cover Story

By Shuana Nosler

MARC LEBRYK / Custom Publications

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Spotlight on Nursing Run Walk for Tomorrow’s Nurses How this 12th annual event is helping Indiana’s nurses of tomorrow Continued on Page 12

Cover Story

Photo Illustration: Joe Soria

Continued from Page 11

Spotlight on Nursing is working to raise funds for scholarships, support statewide initiatives and grow awareness of critical shortages within the profession.

Spotlight on Nursing will host its 12th annual run and walk event in October.

Since 2002, the local event has raised more than $391,000 to benefit undergraduate and graduate students in Indiana nursing programs, said Jennifer Cvar, vice president, RN & Allied Specialties.

“These funds are crucial to the Spotlight on Nursing scholarship recipients,” she said.

“Many would not be Cvar able to fulfill their dreams of becoming a nurse or leader in the education of future nurses

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without this support.”

The nonprofit organization is working to raise funds for nursing scholarships, support statewide initiatives and grow awareness of critical shortages within the nursing profession. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing attributes the shortage to a lack of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space and clinical preceptors. In 2011, nursing schools nationwide turned away 75,587 qualified applicants — including about 2,500 in Indiana.

Spotlight on Nursing is focused on training more nurse educators and helping student nurses afford the cost of tuition.

The Spotlight on Nursing runs have been a continual success and have included activities for all ages.

Running for our future | Donna Boland, a nurse and longtime Spotlight on Nursing Run/Walk participant, has seen the event’s popularity increase over the years. And while she used to be a runner, she’s now more likely to walk with colleagues and friends.

“Walking with colleagues gives us a chance to talk and really enjoy conversation,” she said. The event is an opportunity to connect with peers — one of the greatest benefits of participating, she added.

Boland’s roots in nursing run deep.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The State University of New York in Utica, followed by a master’s degree from Russell Sage College and a doctorate in nursing education administration from The

University of Utah.

At that point Indiana University School of Nursing recruited her as its associate dean for undergraduate programs — a position she held until retiring a year ago. Today she is an associate professor emeritus and runs a consulting business. “It’s important to raise awareness about the shortage in nursing,” Boland said. “Events like this one can help bring it to the forefront.” While the event is fun, Boland said its significance extends far beyond one day.

“This is a great race,” she said.

“It presents our diverse community an opportunity to come together for a great cause and helps encourage people to study nursing by supporting scholarships for students around the state.”

MARC LEBRYK / Custom Publications

The run/walk course is designed to suit all fitness levels. In fact, race organizers regularly solicit feedback from participants to ensure the route appeals to all levels of runners and walkers. “Faster runners will like the 10K. And if you don’t want to go that far, there’s also a shorter fun run/walk as well as a 5K,” Boland said.

For those who prefer to become involved in other ways, Spotlight on Nursing recruits volunteers to

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Cover Story

Continued from Page 13

the first four recipients each were awarded $5,000 scholarships for committing to teach future nurses in Indiana. This year, another $20,000 in scholarship funds will be given to eligible recipients. Applicants must:

Submitted

1. Have an unencumbered Indiana RN license.

A team of IU Nurses show their pride in last year’s Spotlight on Nursing Run/Walk.

help set up, clean up, design and direct the course, take photos and provide refreshments for up to 700 participants.

“This event is unique in that every major hospital in Indianapolis helps to underwrite it each year,” Cvar said.

“We are able to bring the community together to celebrate nursing and raise money for a great cause: nursing scholarships.”

Scholarships for Indiana nurses | In 2009, Spotlight on Nursing created the statewide Graduate Nursing Student Scholarship program. In May 2010,

2. Be a graduate nursing student enrolled in a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and be qualified to teach in an Indiana nursing school.

3. Agree to teach in a NLNAC or CCNE school of nursing in the state for at least one academic year.

4. Agree to support Spotlight on Nursing’s development programs. For full requirements and an application, visit www.spotlightonnursing.org.

The 2013 scholarship winners will be announced at the Spotlight on Nursing Run/Walk on Oct. 12. ■

Run/Walk

When: Saturday, October 12th, 2013 Where: Start and finish at IU Health Fairbanks Hall, downtown Indianapolis Info: www.spotlightonnursing.org (317) 715-9144 Cost: $30 with t-shirt or $25 without

Race day schedule of events 7:00 – 8:45 am: Packet pick-up & registration 8:00 am: Health fair & vendor expo 8:15 - 8:30 am: Zumba pre-race warm-up 8:30 - 8:45 am: Opening ceremony remarks by Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard 8:45 am: 10K competitive run 9:15 am: 5K run/walk 9:30 am: 1 mile “fun” walk 10:00 am: Awards ceremony & free breakfast Source: www.spotlightonnursing.org

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With 200+ sites of care and affiliates across Central Indiana, Community Health Network is able to provide nurses with a variety of outstanding career choices.

Due to our continued growth, Community Health Network has immediate opportunities available for experienced Registered Nurses. Full-time, part-time, weekend option, PRN, and float pool positions are available.

Our competitive benefits package includes wellness benefits, fitness centers, local merchant discounts, and a matching 401K. To view all of our opportunities for experienced RNs and to apply online, visit our website at employment.eCommunity.com. EOE. 14

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By Ashley Petry

Careers & Training

Affordable Care Act creates opportunity and uncertainty Few pieces of legislation have been more controversial than the Affordable Care Act, commonly called “ObamaCare,” which changes the business landscape for insurance companies and health care providers.

Now that implementation has begun in phases, heated debates are giving way to specific questions about how the law will be implemented — and how it will affect nurses in their dayto-day practice.

“In the simplest terms, you’re going to have more people with health insurance, which means more people are going to use health care services, which means you’re going to have a higher demand for nurses,” said Blayne Miley Miley, director of policy and advocacy for the Indiana State Nurses Association.

The federal government estimates that health care coverage will be extended to about 30 million formerly uninsured Americans next year, although that figure is subjective.

New nursing opportunities may not be in traditional health care settings, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. The ACA encourages the development of more flexible delivery models.

“It’s greatly expanding the opportunities and environments that nurses are going to be able to work in, and it really does present an opportunity for nurses to be involved in interprofessional health care teams that are navigating uncharted waters,” Miley said.

Employers — or small groups of employers — may be more likely to open urgent care clinics to help manage health-related costs, for example.

The law has eliminated some lifetime caps on health insurance coverage and has boosted benefits for certain preventive care expenses. Students can be covered on their parents’ insurance policies until age 26.

SHUTTERSTOCK The next implementation date More is Jan. 1, 2014, when paperwork? | Another the portion of the law possibility is school-based urgent-care requiring most Americans to have clinics that serve the community, health insurance goes into effect. Tax not just the student population. In credits may offset some of the cost for Central Indiana, at least four pilot individuals who purchase their own programs are testing that model. plans. Jan. 1 also is the deadline for Industry analysts expect an uptick companies with at least 50 workers in home care services provided by to begin providing health insurance nurses. That’s because government coverage that meets affordability reimbursements for programs like standards and includes certain Medicare and Medicaid increasingly mandated benefits. are being tied to performance Some policymakers are fearful metrics, with penalties for patient of unintended consequences that readmissions. could result in more — not fewer “Hospitals will be making sure they — Americans without insurance get important education and home coverage. Employers have said they care benefits to prevent relapses,” will be forced to lay off workers to stay Miley said. “You’re going to have a lot under the 50-employee threshold. of nurses who have the opportunity to Others, especially those with 50 to work in nontraditional environments 100 employees, may cancel their as home health services expand.” existing health insurance options New performance metrics could because the penalty mean an increase in paperwork for for noncompliance nurses. Proponents of the legislation costs less, said Jennifer say eventual improvements in Skinner Mitchen, electronic medical records may owner of Hoosier simplify the process.

Benefit Plans.

Such calculations Unanswered questions | One key Mitchen may not factor in the takeaway, Miley said, is that “softer” employee benefits, such as implementation of the ACA is higher retention, better recruitment, staggered over several years. Many reduced absenteeism and higher details remain to be sorted out. productivity.

A few aspects already have been “I think there’s some hope among implemented. Insurance companies our group that (the employers) are required to reserve at least 80 would see that it’s not always the percent of their revenues for claim best decision to make the cheapest payments, and they must issue decision,” Miley said. “But there’s coverage to children who apply for certainly a great deal of uncertainty insurance but have pre-existing that we’re monitoring.” ■ medical conditions.

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Your World

By Madelyn Morgan

Rebecca Schafer of Sigma Theta Tau International stands in front of the nurses-sponsored float that was part of the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena CA.

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Nurses coming up roses As president of the Tournament of Roses, Sally Bixby determined the 2013 parade theme — “Oh, the Places You’ll Go’’ — and approved all of the floats, musicians and equestrian units in the parade.

She traveled the country visiting every band slated to march on Jan. 1 and served as chair of the Bowl Championship Series games.

She also trained national attention on the wide and varied field of nursing and the importance of nurses to patients and families everywhere.

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Bixby, RN, MSN, CNOR, was the second woman and first nurse to serve as Tournament of Roses president.

Her appointment rallied her friends and nurses around the country to honor their colleagues and celebrate their calling in the most fitting manner possible Bixby — by creating a nurses’ float for the 2013 Rose Parade.

It started in 2007, when five of her professional associates approached Bixby with the idea of creating such a float.

“It gave me goose bumps,” she

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Tournament of Roses Parade president and nurse Sally Bixby takes a ride in a 1940 Packard during this year's parade.

recalled. “They had no idea what they were doing, but they were a driven group.”

While none of her colleagues had any experience with creating a float — they were RNs and knew one another through membership in the Association of Operating Room Nurses — they were inspired to learn. And they had some advantages because their collective nursing skills — in management, marketing, education, and clinical expertise — also were talents necessary to running a nonprofit organization.

Bare Roots breaks ground | Soon

after they found out that Bixby would be Roses president, her colleagues founded Bare Roots Inc., a nonprofit organization, to oversee development and creation of the nurses’ float, as well as a fund-raising branch, Flowers 4 the Float. Then they dived into the hard work of coming up with a representative design, tracking down the expertise and volunteers needed

to undertake such a huge project, and raising the necessary funds — at least $300,000.

They were tested but never discouraged.

“I don’t think we would have moved forward if Sally hadn’t been a nurse,” said Suzanne Ward, treasurer of Bare Roots. “The entire project has been passionate about nurses and the profession finally having its day in the spotlight.”

All of them believed in their mission: To honor and thank nurses for what they do for patients and families; to educate the public on the duties and services provided by nurses, and to raise interest in nursing as a career.

“The message was about nurses written by nurses and reflected the qualities that nurses bring to the patient experience,” said Ward, MA, MN, RN, CNOR (E), GC-C. And if they could pull off a float, they could bring that message to 70 million people watching the parade

on the streets of Pasadena and on televisions worldwide.

As Roses president, Bixby could not help build the float. She said her biggest contribution was going to different nursing organizations to educate them about the float and the reach of the Rose Parade. But she agreed with her colleagues that this was a critical time to turn attention to the services and care that nurses bring to all communities.

“As we make changes in health care, nursing needs to have a pivotal role and be well-represented at the table,” Bixby said. “Our voices need to be heard.”

Devotion to nursing | Nursing has been the centerpiece of Bixby’s life. She graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing from Pasadena City College in 1972. While in school she worked as an aide in a post-op surgical floor and found she didn’t like the crowded conditions. “I couldn’t do nursing like I wanted to do,” she said.

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PUT YOUR CAREER ON TRACK… …with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for registered nurses who have a diploma or associate degree in nursing: • RN-BSN Completion Program …or with a Master of Science in Nursing degree focused on your area of interest: • MSN Informatics track • MSN Administration track • MSN Education track • MSN-MBA program

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Your World She heard about an opening for a surgical nurse and decided to see what it was like, despite being cautioned about a nursing supervisor there. She liked the pace and the challenges of the operating room. “I found my niche.”

Thus started a career that spanned 38 years, first as an OR nurse and supervisor and then as director of surgical services, first at Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia and then at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif. She retired three years ago as director of surgical services at City of Hope and the affiliated Beckman Research Institute.

During that time she saw several firsts at those hospitals — the first

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open-heart program, first total hip replacement, first robotics program — and always welcomed the next challenge, including helping to move whole surgical departments into new buildings “not once but twice,” she said.

She also saw many changes in operating room procedures, mainly with the introduction of new technology. For example, she said, cataract removal used to be performed with a surgical microscope, then with an ultrasonic device.

Now it’s done with the help of a robotic arm.

Of course, surgical nursing changed with technology, too, and it wasn’t always easy. There were cords to watch, microscopic lenses to keep fog-

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A building that will finally be as impressive as the values of the people inside.

The new Wishard is Eskenazi Health, a totally new hospital opening in December 2013.

As impressive as the new hospital is going to be, what’s equally impressive are the people who currently fill Wishard’s halls. People who truly believe in Wishard’s mission to advocate, care, teach and serve. For more information about what Eskenazi Health will mean for the people of Indianapolis, visit EskenaziHealth.org. To join our team, visit Wishard.edu/Careers.

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Your World free, and required computer training for nurses.

“It was a challenge for all nurses to embrace technology, especially in operating rooms,” Bixby said.

But computers came to other areas of hospitals as well. Bixby said many nurses were concerned that technology created a distance between them and their patients, especially floor nurses who had to input information about patients in computers stationed outside of the patients’ rooms.

Technology is coming to the rescue there, too, with the introduction of tablet computers, which are transportable. For nurses, and Bixby, they have been a breakthrough in patient care.

“A nurse’s role is at bedside, and we’re getting back to that,” she said.

Devotion to Tournament of Roses |

Through most of her nursing career, Bixby also was a volunteer for the Tournament of Roses, starting in 1989.

A native of Pasadena, her family’s home was near the end of the parade route, and she recalled how she and her siblings used to watch the parade from their front yard, on a homemade bleacher they created by inserting a plank between two upright ladders.

She has served on numerous Roses committees and was chair of three of them before being elected to the executive committee in 2005. With that appointment, she was in line to be president in 2013.

While nursing may be a behind– the-scenes occupation, Bixby was no stranger to a more public role. As director of surgical services, she had been used to dealing with an array of people — patients, administrators, public, staff — so she felt prepared for the problem-solving and publicspeaking requirements of the Roses presidency, she said.

In fact, she enjoyed it. “Now I can talk to anybody about anything.”

One of the best parts of the past year, she said, was meeting so many

people throughout the country and around the world. As president, her duty was to visit the hometowns of all of the marching bands that would be performing in the 2013 parade.

The goal of such visits was to help the bands raise money for parade expenses, which are sizable.

In the process, Bixby said she made her first visits to many places, including South Dakota, Iowa and West Virginia. And while she appreciated the warm welcome that was always waiting for her at every stop, she especially liked the camaraderie that would develop after spending a few hours with the local residents.

“Everywhere we went, we were treated like we were something special. But by the time we left, we were treated like regular people, which we are,” she said.

Morning of the big day | New Year’s

Day starts early for the Tournament of Roses president. There are details to address, people to meet, and awards for the finest floats to announce.

Despite having a lot to do, Bixby appeared to be having a great time, according to Rebecca Schafer, global

chapter adviser of Sigma Theta Tau International, an honor society of nurses based in Indianapolis.

Schafer and a friend were on the parade grounds early that day looking at the floats, which were still in the buildings in which they were assembled. At one point, she saw Bixby trying out her seat in the 1940 Packard convertible that would be used to transport her and her husband, Harlan, through the parade.

She was laughing, Schafer said.

At 8 a.m., the parade started. Sally and Harlan Bixby were in place near the front, in the Packard.

Once they started to move, it became clear to Bixby how much her presidency has meant to nurses, she said. “All along the parade route, nurses would yell out, ‘I’m a nurse,’” Bixby said. “Sometimes they would say where they worked or what their specialty is.”

“It felt so good to be a nurse.” ■

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This year's Nursing float in the Rose Bowl parade was built with the help of many nurse volunteers.

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Your World

By Shauna Nosler

New floor plan to enhance environment and ensure fine care for its patients

New location, new workingworld, new name for Wishard the 1860s, 13,000 men were treated there.

Today City Hospital is called Wishard Health Services. Staff members now tend to more than 19,000 inpatients and 1.2 million outpatient visitors each year.

The aging facilities and high demand combined to create a need for newer resources.

“Some of the buildings are over a hundred years old. They’re decrepit,” said Lee Ann Blue, chief nursing officer of Wishard Health Services.

“This is an exciting and busy time for the staff, preparing for the move.”

The actual move will occur in one well-planned day on Dec. 7, 2013.

MARC LEBRYK/Custom Publications

The gift of health | The new facility

Lee Ann Blue, Chief Nursing Officer of Wishard Health Services stands in front of a aerial photograph of the new Eskenazi Hospital.

A century ago, City Hospital opened its doors to care for victims of the smallpox epidemic that had swept through Indianapolis.

A few years later the hospital was commandeered by the Union Army to accommodate sick and wounded soldiers. During a five-year period in

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will be named Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital to honor the couple who donated what may be the largest philanthropic gift ever to a public hospital. In recognition of the $40 million endowment, the new buildings and health system will become Eskenazi Health.

“The Eskenazi gift is incredible news for ‘the people’s hospital,’” said U.S. Rep. André Carson of Indianapolis.

“Renaming Wishard in their honor is a fitting tribute to generosity that will result in even better medical care for the entire community.”

Why was the decision made to replace the facility, rather than to remodel or refurbish certain parts?

“The current hospital’s structure is unable to accommodate the standard equipment needed for patient care, and its utility passageways would not be able to handle the required mechanical and electrical systems upgrades,” said Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO

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The new Eskenazi Health campus will feature an open public space that is the approximate size of Monument Circle.

to relay information about project design and development and to report employee suggestions.

“One of the things nurses are most excited about is the number of windows that will allow the flow of natural light throughout the hospital,” Blue said.

Plus, each private patient room will have a sink located right inside.

By the numbers | The Eskenazi Health campus will feature approximately 1.2 million square feet of facilities, including a 327-bed inpatient hospital, 18 operating rooms and four interventional labs, 12 labor and delivery rooms, a 110-bed treatment room emergency department with a 20-bed clinical decision unit and an ambulatory clinic with more than 200 exam rooms.

The project will also include a faculty and research facility housing offices for Eskenazi Health’s physicians, 99 percent of whom are on the IU School of Medicine Faculty, as well as administrative offices and

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and medical director. “Physically, it’s simply not feasible, and where there are solutions the cost is prohibitive.”

Positive reaction helps recruitment, retention | In the spring of 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the health care sector was responsible for one in five new jobs.

The largest segment within the health care workforce, RNs are needed to fill many new positions.

To maintain adequate staffing levels, a key is to redesign deficient processes and adopt new technology to increase efficiency, effectiveness and employee satisfaction, according to Hospitals & Health Networks’ digital magazine.

Throughout the design process, Wishard leaders remained receptive to staff members.

When the new floor plan was presented, for example, nurses commented that the sinks were not properly placed. To consider staff comments and help direct feedback, hospital leaders asked individual departments to designate one “change agent” — a person who’d be willing

Wishard Hospital was originally named City Hospital in the early 20th century.

research areas. The campus will feature an approximately 2,700-car parking garage, central engineering facilities for utility services and open spaces including a patient garden, an open public space plaza called Eskenazi Health Place (approximately the size of Monument Circle at the main entrance) and healing gardens.

The facilities will occupy 37 acres west of the current facility on West 10th Street on the IUPUI campus. Eskenazi Health will open in 2014. ■

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Your World

By Ashley Petry

with Cathy

Ash

Cathy Ash monitors a blood pressure device in her office at Midtown Community Mental Health Center.

Position: Staff nurse, older adult services, Midtown Community Mental Health Center Education: L PN from Ivy Tech Richmond, ASN/RN from Ivy Tech in Lafayette Experience: 3 7 years of experience including 18 in psychiatric nursing.

Background: Cathy Ash worked in hospitals and long-term care facilities before becoming a staff nurse and unit director at a private psychiatric hospital. She spent 14 years at three long-term care facilities, most recently Eagle Creek Rehab in Indianapolis.

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Cathy Ash, RN, has been a nurse for nearly four decades, including 18 years serving psychiatric care patients. At Midtown Community Mental Health Center, she serves older patients who are home bound due to physical or mental limitations.

What originally fueled your interest in health care career?

I was raised in a nursing home. My grandparents owned a nursing home, and I got to go there every single weekend. I had my own room at the nursing home, and I just kind of fell in love with it.

Why psychiatric care?

I loved it when we did our

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MARC LEBRYK/Custom Publications

psychiatric clinicals. That was my absolute favorite thing to do. The state hospitals were still open, and there was something about that environment and those types of patients that I just enjoyed. It seemed that they were the neediest.

What is your typical day like?

I visit (my clients), and I’m able to look around, peek in the refrigerator, make sure they have heat and air conditioning, make sure they’re safe. I just make sure they’re coping and still in a safe environment. I have about 50 patients that I see very regularly.

What is the biggest reward of your job?

When you’re able to be there at the right time for whatever reason, and you know that the patient probably would not have survived if you hadn’t

Mental illness is a diagnosis, just like diabetes or heart disease. There are medications that can manage it.

There are mental illnesses we can’t cure, but there are many medical problems that we can’t cure, either. It’s a treatable illness.

— Cathy Ash, RN

been there at the right moment. It happens so many times, not just for me but for different folks here. That probably is the biggest reward.

Describe a time you experienced that.

I was seeing a lady once a week.

She didn’t want to see me — she was very paranoid — but she would always be there because she knew it was the right thing to do. I went to see her and she didn’t answer the door.

That was so unlike her. I called the case manager, and they hadn’t seen her that particular week. So I called the police and said, ‘I want you guys to know I’m going to break into this house, and if you want to come out you can be there.’”

At one point someone had sealed an air conditioner into a window, and we pushed the air conditioner into the house. Then we pushed another staff member into the hole, and she went in and opened the front door. I saw the client’s silhouette in bed and thought, ‘Bless her heart, she’s gone.’ But then I heard her take a big gasp of air. She was alive but she had been there for at least five days, just lying on the bed, and was very dehydrated. If we hadn’t gone in, she would have passed away.

How is it different visiting patients at home compared with a clinical environment?

You don’t have a backup person to talk to or to help you if the situation should escalate. And I have to carry a bag with me with everything I might need that particular day.

What is your biggest challenge?

(Safety) is always an issue. At

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Cathy Ash works on her daily schedule of preparing medications for her patients.

the same time, everybody is very supportive and very much aware of the environment I’m going into. A lot of times I’m going into unsafe areas, and they promote safety first for employees. Any time you have that gut feeling that things aren’t right, you have the freedom to drive on by and not go in. You’re never to put yourself in harm’s way.

What would you say to people who stigmatize individuals suffering from mental illness?

MARC LEBRYK/Custom Publications

Mental illness is a diagnosis, just like diabetes or heart disease. There are medications to manage it. It’s a treatable illness.

What resources are needed to address mental illness as a public health issue?

There’s a very great need for more state hospital beds because folks need longer-term, secure, structured treatment. But we do have a lot of wraparound services, so it’s a matter of coordinating care and making sure everyone knows. ■

pubs@indystar.com.

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The Indianapolis Star’s

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Work alongside the greatest healer of all time The people, the faith-based ministry, professionalism and compassionate care are what make St. Francis Health a great place to have a rewarding career in health care.

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