IU Health Bedford Hospital

03/06/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!

Colon cancer is expected to affect more than 108,000 people in the U.S. in 2026—nearly every case beginning as a silent, slow‑growing polyp.

We spoke with gastroenterologist Bret Spier, MD, about why colonoscopies matter. “Early detection is critical because colon polyps typically cause no symptoms,” he explains.

A colonoscopy allows physicians to find and remove polyps before they ever have the chance to turn into cancer. At‑home stool and blood tests can be helpful, but they can’t detect polyps the way a colonoscopy can.

Most adults should begin screening at 45, and some may need it earlier based on family history or other risk factors.

A single screening can make a life‑saving difference. Don’t wait to prioritize your colon health.

For the full story and more education on colonoscopies, check out https://iuhealth.org/thrive/bloomington-gastroenterologist-bret-spier-md-shares-why-colonoscopies-matter

03/04/2026

More than 150,000 people are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, leading to roughly 41,000 deaths from the disease or related complications. The good news is there’s a vaccine designed to help reduce these numbers.

“Studies have shown that getting the pneumonia vaccine helps to prevent the most common type of bacterial pneumonia in many adults and this leads to less hospitalizations, missed days of work and death due to the infection,” says IU Health South Region emergency medicine provider, Robert (Bob) Adams, DO.

Learn more in the Q&A with Dr. Adams below:

IU Health South Region emergency physician Robert Adams, DO, shares information on how the pneumococcal vaccine can help reduce the risk of pneumonia.

03/03/2026

Chances are you know someone affected by dementia. After all, one in nine people over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia.

If you're interested in learning more about dementia, sign up for the "Getting to know dementia: Foundational Teepa Snow training" series:
• Time: 11 am – 1 pm
• Location: Stonegate Arts and Education Building (931 15th St., Bedford IN, 47421)
• RSVP: Please call 812.276.4279 or email lscott24@iuhealth.org to reserve your spot. No registration fees required.
• Lunch: Lunch is provided to registrants. Please inform the team of any dietary restrictions when registering.

Session details are as follows:
• Tuesday, March 17 | Looking at the progression and seeing more than loss
• Tuesday, April 14 | The GEMS State Model
• Tuesday, May 19 | New skills for helping and supporting
• Tuesday, June 16 | Being an advocate and building a support team

02/27/2026

Cancer patients and cancer survivors are invited to join the monthly Cancer Connections Support and Education Group, facilitated by Cancer Support Community. No registration is necessary.

When: 3 – 4:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month
Where: IU Health Bedford in the Bass Conference Center behind the cafeteria

The meeting has a different topic every month, with some meetings facilitated by a licensed social worker.

For more information, please reach out to Brynn Parkinson (317-981-2260, brynn@cancersupportscin.org) or Beth Shew, RN, nurse navigator (812-277-3847, ncoffey@iuhealth.org).

02/05/2026

Congratulations to DAISY Award winner Kasandra Dobbe, RN, with our Emergency department!

"I thought Labor and Delivery was where I was meant to be, until I joined this amazing team,” she shares. “They opened my eyes to how much I love providing care to the entire general population, offering resources and education.”

One of her nominators said, “I am nominating my nurse because she went above and beyond in every possible way during my care. From the moment she entered the room, she brought a sense of calm, compassion, and professionalism that immediately made me feel safe and cared for. Her bedside manner was nothing short of amazing — she didn’t just treat my condition; she treated me as a person.”

Please share your kudos below.

02/04/2026

WALK-IN HOURS UPDATE:

Please be aware that the Bedford walk-in clinic will be opening at 8am tomorrow (2/5) instead of 7am.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

02/03/2026

Chances are you know someone affected by dementia. After all, one in nine people over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia.

If you're interested in learning more about dementia, sign up for the "Getting to know dementia: Foundational Teepa Snow training" series:
• Time: 11 am – 1 pm
• Location: Stonegate Arts and Education Building (931 15th St., Bedford IN, 47421)
• RSVP: Please call 812.276.4279 or email lscott24@iuhealth.org to reserve your spot. No registration fees required.
• Lunch: Lunch is provided to registrants. Please inform the team of any dietary restrictions when registering.

Session details are as follows:
• Tuesday, Feb. 17 | Brain changes and shifts in ability are noticed when dementia happens
• Tuesday, March 17 | Looking at the progression and seeing more than loss
• Tuesday, April 14 | The GEMS State Model
• Tuesday, May 19 | New skills for helping and supporting
• Tuesday, June 16 | Being an advocate and building a support team

02/02/2026

The next Cancer Connections Support and Education Group, facilitated by Cancer Support Community, is tomorrow, February 3.

Cancer patients and cancer survivors are invited to join, no registration is necessary.

When: 3 – 4:30 pm
Where: IU Health Bedford in the Bass Conference Center behind the cafeteria

For more information, please reach out to Brynn Parkinson (317-981-2260, brynn@cancersupportscin.org) or Beth Shew, RN, nurse navigator (812-277-3847, ncoffey@iuhealth.org).

01/29/2026

Congratulations to Being Excellent Everyday (BEE) Award winner Raeleen Ellis, a tech with our IU Health Bedford Emergency department who is dedicated to being there for her patients!

“We do make a difference in our patients' lives, even if it's only a warm blanket or glass of water,” she says. “Sometimes it's just listening to them.”

Her BEE Award nominations showcase the appreciation people have for these efforts, one of which says, “RaeLeen did an amazing job…being a health care HERO and truly advocating for a patient who could not advocate for themselves.”

Please share your kudos below!

01/26/2026

Getting sick or feeling unwell can really interfere with your daily routine. IU Health offers on-demand virtual visits 7 days a week from 8 am – 8 pm EST for patients in Indiana 2 years and older.

This team can assist with conditions that aren't life-threatening and don't need in-person treatment.

Learn more at https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/virtual-visits.

Connect with an IU Health doctor online, without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Start your virtual visit now.

01/24/2026

CLOSING EARLY:
Due to deteriorating road conditions and travel advisories, we have closed our Paoli and Bedford walk-ins for the rest of the day. Please continue to watch our social media for weather related closures.

01/23/2026

UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28:
All IU Health Medical Group—South Region locations will be operating on normal hours on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

UPDATES FOR TUESDAY, JAN. 27:
• Owen County (Spencer and Gosport): Offices will be closed on Tuesday
• Morgan County: All offices will open 2 hours later for in-person visits.
• Brown County: Nashville office will be closed on Tuesday
• Monroe County: all offices will open 2 hours later for in-person visits.
• Lawrence County: All offices will open 2 hours later for in-person visits.
• Orange County: Paoli walk-in/primary care will open 2 hours later for in-person visits.
• Bloomington, Bedford, Paoli and Morgan Outpatient Labs will resume regular operating hours
• Sleep lab will have a 2-hour delay for in-person appointments
• Outpatient rehab will have a 2-hour delay at Morgan, Bloomington (including Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine Center and Children’s Therapy), Bedford and Paoli
• Outpatient rehab in Spencer will be closed
• Bloomington Oncology/Palliative Care/Infusion to resume normal operating hours
• Bloomington Radiation opens at 9 am
• Bedford Oncology/Palliative Care/Infusion has a 2-hour delay (opens at 10 am)
• Bedford Radiation has a 1-hour delay (opens at 9 am)
• Morgan Oncology/Palliative Care/Infusion/Radiation has a 2-hour delay (opens at 10 am)
• Paoli Infusion has a 2-hour delay (opens at 10 am)
• Neurodiagnostic Testing at Neurology Office has a 2-hour delay
• Outpatient Labs at 550 S. Landmark, 350 S. Landmark, and Arlington open at 10 am

Not all offices are included in the list above. If you have questions about your appointment, please call your healthcare provider’s office.

EDITED 1/25:
Due to the approaching weather and out of an abundance of caution, some of our IU Health offices are planning for alternative operative hours on Sunday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26.

Saturday clinics are expected to operate as normal.

Some of our offices with alternative operative hours are listed below. Please contact your provider’s office if you have questions. This post may be updated.

Urgent Care:
• Bloomington Woodcrest location will remain open Sunday until 5pm, and will open at 10am Monday
• Bloomington Liberty Drive location will be closed Sunday, and will open at 10am Monday.

Primary Care and all IUHMG offices:
• All outpatient offices will be closed on Monday. Some appointments may be converted to virtual.

Cancer Services:
• On Sunday, Jan. 25, Infusion will have a delayed opening and will see patients from 10 am – noon.
• On Monday, Jan. 26, Bloomington and Bedford Radiation offices will be closed, and the Oncology and Palliative Care Clinics will be moving to virtual visits if possible.
• The Bloomington Infusion Center will have a delayed open at 9am on Monday, an non-essential infusions will be rescheduled.

Outpatient Labs:
• The Bloomington Outpatients Labs at Arlington Road, 350 S. Landmark Ave. and 550 S. Landmark Ave. will be closed Monday.
• The Bloomington Outpatients Labs at the hospital will open at 9am.
• All Beford, Morgan, and Paoli labs will be closed Monday.

Other offices with delayed openings for Monday, Jan. 26:
• Bloomington Endoscopy Center will be closed Monday
• Bloomington Advanced Pain Center will open at 1pm
• Bloomington Wound Care Center will be closed Monday
• Bloomington Pre-Admission Testing opens at 10 am

Paoli Endoscopy and Infusions are canceled for Monday.

Morgan Infusion will be closed on Monday.

If you are concerned about your appointment and haven’t heard from anyone, please call that office.