Stoltzfus started volunteering in area hospice programs more than 30 years ago. Shortly after joining the Goshen Home Care and Hospice team, Jane Miller, Hospice Chaplain had an idea to start offering memory quilts to family members of Hospice patients. Miller remembered how much the memory quilt she received from her mother after her father passed away meant to her. Knowing what a passion Stoltzfus had for quilting, Miller knew just who to ask. After forming a committee and working out all the details, Stoltzfus began making memory quilts.

Connie Bauman, Interpreter and her husband Philip received a memory quilt after their son Jeff passed away earlier this year. Jeff was diagnosed with bile duct cancer, a quickly progressive cancer that didn’t show symptoms until it was quite advanced. Jeff lost his fight with cancer on February 26, 2011, just two days before his 26^th birthday. It was a difficult time for the Bauman family—to lose their son, brother and grandson at such a young age.

The Bauman’s joined the bereavement support group offered by Hospice. During the 13-month bereavement program, they decided to have a memory quilt made to remember their son. They provided T-shirts representing Jeff, his volunteer work and interests to the Hospice staff which were given to Stoltzfus to transform into the memory quilt. One of the shirts provided was a baby shirt that read “My Daddy Helped Born Me” which they received at the hospital when Jeff was born.

The quilt was presented to the Bauman’s on July 12, 2011 at their final bereavement support group meeting, which also happened be their 31^st wedding anniversary.  “We are so grateful for the gift of a beautiful memory quilt,” said Connie. “For us it is truly a work of art and a work of heart of the volunteer who designed and quilted it. It brings us many special memories of our son Jeff’s life.”

After seven years of volunteering for the Goshen Home Care and Hospice program, Stoltzfus has made over 20 memory quilts.

Generous Hearts Inspire Possibilities

One day an elderly patient came into the Retreat selling a large hand-made crocheted angel. Ashley Ganger, former Imaging Assistant, purchased the doll from the elderly woman in need. It quickly became a fun office tradition to pass the angel around amongst Colleagues to recognize when someone had gone above and beyond providing generous acts of kindness.

Angie Frey, Registrar, received the angel once when she helped an elderly patient in the parking lot by taking a wheelchair out to her. Vera Oyer, also a Retreat Registrar, saw the generous act and awarded Frey with the angel.

When a patient needed her mammogram films right away, Laura Hartman, Imaging Assistant, hand-delivered them to Elkhart General Hospital rather than mailing them. Just another example of the generosity, recognized with the sharing of the angel, that happens at The Retreat every day.

“The angel is given to Colleagues who do something extra for a patient – take extra time and escort them to their car after their procedure, make an extra effort to arrange schedules so the patient can get an appointment on a particular day, etc,” said Sharee Hartman, Interim Director. “We found that giving this small acknowledgment to each other helps remind us that people see and hear what we, as individual Colleagues, do every day.  And we want the extra attention to patients to continue!!

Generous Hearts Inspire Possibilities.

Last year the mother of Dr. Rao Betina, Intensivist on ICU/PCU passed away in India. When ICU Colleagues heard the news they wanted to do something special to show how much they cared. As a department they decided to plant a magnolia tree in his mother’s honor.

Amber Near, Administrative Assistant posted a picture of the magnolia tree they wanted to order along with an envelope for anyone wishing to donate. Near said, “The money just came in.” About three hundred dollars was raised to cover the cost of the tree and planting services.

On October 25, 2010 a surprise ceremony was held outside the physicians lounge where Dr. Betina was told about the generous gift ICU had gotten for him in memory of his mother. Dr. Betina said, “I was overwhelmed at the support, concern, and sympathy shown by the Colleagues by this wonderful gift, which brings memories of my loving mother everyday”.

Just before Christmas 2006, Rosa had to make a difficult decision, to move to the U.S. leaving his two children, Edgard and Carlos in Puerto Rico with their mother. A month after arriving Rosa began working at IU Health Goshen Hospital part time, now full time in Surgical Services. “My biggest dream was to come to the U.S. and work in a hospital, said Rosa. “It’s always a blessing to have Hiram here, he is a good person and Colleague,” said Melody Hamm, OR Manager.

Rosa usually sees his children once a year, but recently couldn’t afford to so he promised his children that for every c-section he helps with he’d take the newborn baby a gift in their honor. Rosa said he also takes gifts because as a child his parents weren’t able to buy things for him. “Some people say the best gift God can give is your life. For me it’s my kids,” Rosa said. “Every time I see a baby born it reminds me of my kids.”

Rosa has purchased shoes, onesies, teddy bears and balloons from the Maple Corner Gift Shop which he delivers himself. Sometimes the parents will look at him as if to say “Do I know you?” But after he explains, they are always very appreciative. Sometimes it’s the first gift the baby receives.

Generous Hearts Inspire Possibilities

“Coming here after everything was like coming to a resort—I knew everything was going to be ok.”

These heartwarming words spoken by Laura Nauman, a patient at IU Health Goshen Hospital, express her relief and gratitude for the exceptional health care she found in Goshen after years of bad experiences elsewhere as doctors tried to treat her health issues.

Laura is so grateful that she is determined to show her thanks and generosity to IU Health Goshen in ways that are benefitting both Colleagues and patients.

Laura’s health issues began in 2003 when she started to experience health symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing and weight loss. She was initially treated for asthma with regular breathing treatments—and at first the treatments seemed to help her life return to normal.

But soon breathing treatments weren’t enough and Laura’s health worsened. After multiple trips to different physicians and hospitals, Laura was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disease. This diagnosis was devastating to Laura and her husband Stephen. Steve was astonished when the physician informed him of Laura’s diagnosis. “It just didn’t seem possible,” he said. Today Laura’s disease has now caused her to be in a motorized wheelchair.

Before finding IU Health Goshen, Laura had a horribly traumatic experience following her first surgery—so bad, in fact, that it caused her to suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome. She knew she needed to be somewhere else. Her physician worked with Dr. Alan Bierlein, family practice physician, to transfer her treatment to Goshen. It took time, trust, and the care of compassionate physicians and nurses at Goshen for Laura to recover from that first experience.

Laura has now been coming to IU Health Goshen for treatment for about five years and has gotten to know many nurses on the 2^nd and 4^th floors, in the outpatient infusion area in the Emergency Department, and Dr. Jody Neer, who is overseeing her care.

“Dr. Neer is a God send, couldn’t find a better person,” said Laura.

When Laura learned she would need a second surgery in 2010, it brought back the fear and worry from her previous experience. At Laura’s request, Dr. Schwer of Gerig Surgical Associates performed the surgery.

“Dr. Schwer was like an angel,” said Steve. “He prayed with Laura. He put her at peace. The nurse prayed with her as well. It was the kind of care you just don’t get. The level of care at this hospital is unlike care you’ll find anywhere else.”

Laura calls the care she has received at Goshen extraordinary, noting that once Dr. Kevin Gerig, also of Gerig Surgical Associates, came on his lunch break to put in a new G-tube for her. “People take it for granted that they have a hospital like this here,” said Steve.

Laura has a goal of someday coming to the hospital by herself for treatment—and as part of achieving that goal she decided to have an automatic door opener installed at the north entrance of the hospital to allow her to open the door herself. “The only place I go is here and I want to be independent as much as possible,” she said. 

Steve said, “It was just necessary. I see vendors and others carrying things that could use the automatic door as well. I didn’t feel right about asking or complaining to the hospital about the door. I thought if I want it done, why don’t I just do it!” And they did just that. In February, 2010 Steve and Laura donated $4,000 to have the automatic door opener installed that is now making life easier for visitors and patients every day.

But the Naumans haven’t stopped there. When Laura was recently transported from the ED through imaging to get a PET CT scan, she watched as the Colleagues transporting her struggled with trying to both push her and prop open the door. Laura instantly thought “I’m going to have that fixed!” In January, 2011 they again donated another $4,000.

During Laura’s weekly visits to the hospital she enjoys visiting the bird sanctuary near the main lobby. In fact, she enjoys it so much that Steve contacted the company that provides the hospital’s and had one installed in their home. Aside from the extraordinary clinical care Laura has received from Colleagues, IU Health Goshen has also enabled Laura to relax and enjoy her love for the bird sanctuary at home as well.

IU Health Goshen Colleagues live generously every day, because they have a passion to be here, doing what they do. Steve and Laura said, “We’re glad to be able to give back to the hospital that has helped us so much.”

Colleagues that touched many lives.

During the holidays, Jared Beasley, ED Director, shared his wishes for a meaningful gift to Colleagues after such a tragic year – to use the department’s fun account money to commission a local artist to create a painting in Randy and Dorinda’s memory.

“We were glad to hear about the gift – losing them so close together was very hard,” said Jennifer Loutzenhiser, RN.

A Colleague memorial reception was held March 17 to unveil the painting, which will hang in the quiet room between the Chapel and ED.

Randy was a father figure to many. Colleagues remembered his joking personality most. Sheila Kantz, ED Secretary said “He always had fake spiders that would appear on desks. He liked to make people laugh.”

Many remembered Randy’s generosity, coming in on his days off to barbeque for everyone. The weekend after Randy passed away, his family barbequed for the department – knowing how much it would mean to the ED.

Dorinda was bubbly, cheery and always wore bright colors. Colleagues remember Dorinda as a beautiful person inside and out, and commented about her hard work and recent weight loss achievement.

“She was an exceptional friend,” said Bonnie Roberts, ED Technician, who knew Dorinda for 19 years. “She was a very generous person. She would have given anything to anyone,” said Loutzenhiser.

Each day IU Health Colleagues impact each other and the patients they serve.

Last year a group of O.R. Colleagues performed an extraordinary feat, they furnished an entire apartment for a fellow Colleague whose life had taken an unexpected turn. Colleagues secretly collected items that ranged from appliances to furniture. They issued a call for household goods by circulating flyers that generated an overwhelming response within the department.

“People here are not afraid to stand up and help out,” said Surgical Scrub Tech, Regina Willett. “When you work with people day after day you become friends with them. I like to think that it’s that way everywhere.”

It was the Colleague’s first experience as the recipient of such generosity. “She was in tears when we told her,” said Willett. “She said: ‘My little girl wanted toast this morning, and we didn’t have a toaster. Now I can make her toast.’ She was overwhelmed and grateful.”

This isn’t an isolated act of generosity within Surgical Services. Two years ago a special fund, administered by the Unit Practice Council (UPC), was created to help Colleagues in need. Colleagues place donations into a lockbox, which is monitored by Kathy Vanklaveren, who chaired the committee in 2010. When a Colleague notifies the committee of someone with a need, the committee decides what support to provide—sometimes cash, sometimes gift cards.

Although donations are anonymous, Vanklaveren estimates that 75 Colleagues in Surgical Services have contributed. So far approximately ten Colleagues have received assistance. “It’s not usually a large amount,” said Vanklaveren, “but it’s a small token to say we know you’re having a hardship and this is a small way to help a little bit.”

The Goshen Fund for Excellence would like to thank all Colleagues that live generously every day.

For Goshen patient, Jay Smith, sending a simple thank-you note to all of those who provided unparalleled care for him during his hospital stay just didn’t seem like enough. He wanted to do something more to express his sincere gratitude and appreciation.

“The nurses were of the highest caliber; the surgeons were absolutely phenomenal,” said Smith. “They worked as a team to get test results fast and to make my wife and me comfortable. Because of the treatment I received, I felt I owed them more than a card or letter. I wanted to say ‘thank-you’ by buying lunch for everyone, regardless of the cost.” And on Friday, May 28th, that’s exactly what Smith did.

The recently established Goshen Fund for Excellence worked with Smith to organize the gracious lunch for nearly 80 Colleagues from over a dozen departments who had cared for Smith during his three-week stay in the hospital. Those who weren’t on duty that day or unable to attend for other reasons were shown Smith’s appreciation with a voucher so they could enjoy a meal in the cafeteria at a more convenient time. The menu was designed and catered by the hospital cafeteria’s food service and on the day of the lunch, they transformed a meeting room into a fine dining atmosphere complete with china and tablecloths.

“Approximately 40 Colleagues attended the lunch and it was a nice time, a genuinely enjoyable reunion with caregivers and their patient,” said Dr. Larry Brooks, Vice President of Marketing and Fund Development.
“There are many more patients like Mr. Smith who are grateful for the care that they get and appreciate their caregivers,” said Brooks, “so we are hoping with the establishment of the Goshen Fund For Excellence we will be better prepared to respond more quickly in the future when people express a desire to give back in some way.”

The holiday season is a time for giving. We share special meals, purchase the perfect gift, and donate to charities. It’s a time when the spirit of generosity prevails. That spirit of living generously thrives year-round at IU Health Goshen Hospital.   

Giving back is a significant part of the lives of our volunteers. Marilyn Wenger is one of 330 volunteers at IU Health Goshen that gives of her time and talents. A retired mail carrier, Wenger helps visitors at the information desk, assists patients and families in Day Surgery, and serves as Auxiliary Board secretary. “We’re not looking for payment,” she says, “we’re just looking to do whatever we can for someone in whatever situation they’re in.” 

Last year alone, volunteers donated 51,000 hours—the equivalent of 25 full time positions. They assist in cardiac rehab by helping take blood pressures and put on heart monitors. They visit patients through hospice services. They perform countless tasks that contribute to patient and visitor care. Hospitality is their gift, compassion their motivation. 

Jennifer Haney, Director of Volunteer Services, is amazed at the dedication she sees from volunteers. “I have a true admiration for our volunteers,” she says. “They lift me up every day because what they do is selfless. These are people who want to give back. ” 

As volunteers freely give of themselves, they challenge us to live generously, too.

Providing over the top customer service to patients is a regular occurrence for Registration Colleagues. The following examples of their exceptional customer service set them apart. 

Susie Tope, Registrar

Susie Tope noticed a cancer patient in the lobby quite a while after finishing her treatment. When Tope asked if she needed anything, she began to cry. Finding out that she didn’t have any money or a way to get home, Tope offered to give her a ride at the end of her shift. Since then Tope has again provided the same woman a ride home when she was in need.    

Stacey Lutes, Registrar

After registering a patient for lab work, Stacey Lutes discovered the man had walked quite a distance in 3 degree weather to get to the hospital. Medicaid told him they would not pay for a cab. Lutes made several phone calls until she was able to get authorization from Medicaid to provide the man with a cab so he could have a warm ride home.

Bobbie Wogoman, Registrar

Bobbie Wogoman had not planned to stay an hour past her shift one Saturday night, but did so to help a patient. After closing up the front desk, Wogoman accompanied a patient to her room to register her when no one else was available.

“These are the things no one ever knows about,” said Teri Fisher, Registration Manager. “Registration Colleagues many times go over and above like this.”