IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial

03/21/2026

Before Benjamin (aka, “Benny”) and his twin sister, Vinnie, were born last week, their parents knew there was a chance that one or both of them would have Down Syndrome, also known as trisomy 21.

When they were born, Benny’s diagnosis became official. Now, he is spending some time in the NICU before he heads home to join his sister, and his parents have found a level of support from their care team that they didn’t anticipate as they navigate this new journey for their family.

“They are so amazing,” says Benny’s dad. “I can’t even say how great everyone has been.”

From NICU nurses with extensive experience caring for babies with Down Syndrome to nurses from other units who heard about this family’s diagnosis and stopped by just to offer support, resources and insights from their own families’ experiences with Down Syndrome¬—Benny’s entire family has been surrounded by supportive care.

Benny’s mom says that while it’s easy to feel alone when facing a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, there are other people navigating that journey who you can rely on.

“Don’t be scared to have people talk to you about it,” she says. “The amount of support that we have, I didn’t expect it. It’s like he was born into a little community, a little family, that is going to be there for him and for us as well.”

03/19/2026

Join us in celebrating a major milestone for Jamie in his fight against cancer—and in thanking our incredible Arnett team who went above and beyond to support him every step of the way.

During Jamie’s three-week stay on AC6, the adult inpatient unit on the sixth floor of Arnett Hospital, our team didn’t just provide healthcare, they built meaningful connections with Jamie and his family to bring some light to a tough three weeks.

From coordinating daily trips from the hospital to the cancer center for treatments to making space for moments of joy and celebration — including a celebratory party on his last day of treatment, complete with balloons and a hard-earned special beverage — this journey reflected the very best of who we are at IU Health.

Please join us in congratulating Jamie on completing his treatment and in thanking the entire AC6 team for the heart, dedication and teamwork they bring to their patients every day.

03/18/2026

Nurses do good in the lives of us all day in and day out. When you come across a stellar nurse, you can feel the effect they have on caring for those around them. This is the presence that nurse Olivia Slickers radiates when caring for others.

“Focusing on specific actions like efficiently managing staffing, improving protocols, mentoring new grads and ensuring team collaboration for better patient care and outcomes, make [her] a vital and supportive asset to the unit,” says one of Slicker’s colleagues.

Because of her efficiency and quality while balancing leadership, mentorship and day–to–day nursing duties, Slickers received a DAISY Award.

Please join us in congratulating Olivia Slickers on her DAISY Award!

03/16/2026

Living out the IU Health Values is exactly what medical assistant Kendra Langkop is known for by colleagues and patients. By balancing purpose, excellence and compassion, Langkop performs her best patient care.

“Kendra showed the kind of communication and relationship building that makes an unforgettable impact. Even though the office was clearly busy, she took extra time to sit with us and talk through resources ... She balanced compassion with clarity, explaining things in a way that was easy to follow while still making me feel supported,” says the parent of one of Langkop’s patients.

Langkop recently received a Magnolia Award—a special recognition for medical assistants—for her purpose, excellence and compassion.

Please join us in congratulating Kendra Langkop on her Magnolia Award!

03/10/2026

Helping patients stay safe at home often starts with the right support—and the right tools.

At IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation – Lafayette, team members Katie Hedrick, PT, and Heather Robertson are working together to support patients through an outpatient fall prevention closet made possible by an injury prevention grant.

Hedrick and Robertson oversee the program, which makes recommended safety equipment available at no cost to qualifying patients. They also developed a process to identify patients at risk for falls and ensure they receive items recommended by a healthcare provider.

“This program has helped patients gain confidence, independence and improve their outcomes,” Hedrick shared.

Read more: https://iuhealth.org/thrive/preventing-falls-through-partnership-and-purpose

03/07/2026

March is National Athletic Training Month, a time to recognize athletic trainers and the critical role they play in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries.

A recent news story highlights one of our own, IU Health Athletic Trainer Jill Noblitt, who also serves as the athletic trainer for McCutcheon High School.

When McCutcheon gymnast Gracie Holle experienced ongoing pain and eventual numbness, Noblitt helped identify a rare condition called compartment syndrome—a diagnosis that ultimately led Gracie to the treatment and surgeries she needed to recover.

Today, Gracie is continuing her recovery and rebuilding her strength in gymnastics and track—with continued support and guidance from Noblitt.

We’re grateful for Jill and all of our athletic trainers at IU Health, and we’re proud to partner with local schools to help care for student-athletes in our community.

Read the full story below.

Leg pain bothered McCutcheon gymnast Gracie Holle for seven years before trainer Jill Noblitt helped diagnose a rare muscular condition.

03/06/2026

When Environmental Services (EVS) team member Shelley Yost was assigned to a patient’s room, her joy and vibrancy made a lasting impact on the patient and their family during difficult times.

“Yost went above and beyond her responsibilities, bringing warmth, encouragement and joy to my mother every single day. She treated my mother as though she had known her for years—cheering her on, celebrating her milestones and making her feel seen and valued. I will never forget the day Shelley was cleaning the room and began clapping and jumping with excitement because my mother was walking on her own,” says the patient’s daughter.

Because of Yost’s vibrancy and positivity, she received an Aspen Award.

Please join us in congratulating Shelley Yost on her award!

03/05/2026

High patient volumes, fast turnaround times, challenging insurance requests and lots of direct consumer interactions are some of the things that the IU Health Arnett Retail Pharmacy not only accomplishes, but excels at.

By providing exceptional patient care and an effective team working environment, the IU Health Arnett Retail Pharmacy team received a team Aspen Award.

Please join us in congratulating the Retail Pharmacy team on their Aspen Award!

03/03/2026

Access to specialized dermatologic care is expanding in Frankfort with the addition of Rudy Schmiedecke, MD, who recently joined IU Health Dermatology – Frankfort. With expertise in medical and surgical , Schmiedecke brings advanced skin cancer treatment options closer to home for patients in the region.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Schmiedecke’s path to medicine began in engineering before evolving into a calling for clinical care. During his undergraduate studies, he discovered a strong interest in anatomy and the complexity of the human body.

That experience ultimately led him to medical school—and eventually to dermatology.

In addition to general dermatology services, Schmiedecke will perform Mohs micrographic surgery, a highly specialized procedure for the treatment of skin cancer. This service was previously limited in the region, and its availability in Frankfort will help expand access to precise, advanced skin cancer care closer to home.

As the sole dermatologist based in Frankfort, Schmiedecke is excited about shaping and building the practice while collaborating closely with colleagues across IU Health.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Schmiedecke to the team!

02/27/2026

February is American Heart Month—a time to focus on the importance of cardiovascular health.

When Martha Fletcher began feeling short of breath on her daily walks, especially uphill, she knew something wasn’t right. What she discovered was a heart valve condition that required specialized care.

Thanks to the heart valve team at IU Health Arnett, Martha was able to undergo a minimally invasive Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure—without having to travel far from home. Today, she’s doing well and breathing easier.

This American Heart Month, let Martha’s story be an important reminder: your heart health matters.

Watch Martha's journey from shortness of breath to renewed vitality with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) at IU Health Arnett.

02/19/2026

A friendship formed on the night shift 15 years ago has grown into a lifelong bond for White Memorial nurse Melissa Knapp and Pediatrics nurse practitioner Mallori Walker.

The two first met in 2011 as charge nurses on the night shift at IU Health Arnett Hospital — Knapp in the Progressive Care Unit and Walker in Pediatrics — and quickly connected during a difficult time.

“Mallori’s dad was in hospice care, and I had lost my dad 12 years before,” says Knapp. “We bonded over that. I helped her through the death of her dad, and we became an instant bond.”

Their connection has only grown stronger over the past 15+ years, often going on vacations together. Knapp’s children have even gained an “Aunt Mal” through their closeness.

They credit IU Health with bringing them together and think of themselves as the sisters they never had.

“I do not really refer to her as my best friend because she is so, so much more than a friend. She is my sister. She is my family. Her family is my family,” says Walker. “I have a forever sister who will always have my back, support me and hype me up when I need it. And I will always do the same for her.”

02/17/2026

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and cards—it’s also about celebrating the people who make your days brighter. This month, we’re highlighting work besties and the meaningful connections they bring to our teams.

Avia Dow and Aurora Lopez met in May 2023 while working in Patient Transport at IU Health Arnett. Dow, a project coordinator and patient transporter, and Lopez, a patient transporter, quickly bonded.

Their friendship makes work more enjoyable and helps ease the stress that comes with fast-paced shifts.

“I love Avia and we have such a great time together,” says Lopez.

When they are not busy transporting patients at the hospital, they love days off watching scary movies and building Legos with Lopez’s daughter.

“During our Lego-building sessions, there are sometimes sporadic screams because we forget we’re watching a movie and a jump scare scene comes on,” says Dow. “The screams are mostly from me; she takes jump scares like a pro.”