IU Health Ball, Blackford & Jay

04/22/2026

In celebration of Earth Day, take a look at one of IU Health Ball’s longstanding commitments to sustainability: the South Tower Green Roof.

This feature was made possible through support from the American Electric Power Foundation, the Ball Brothers Foundation and the Muncie Sanitary District, who contributed to IU Health Ball’s 2008 Annual Campaign. Their support helped bring a project to life that continues to provide long-term environmental and economic benefits to the community.

Installed in October 2009, the 23,171-square-foot green roof supports a number of environmental benefits, including:

• Reduced stormwater runoff
• Improved water quality
• Lower energy costs
• Extended roof lifespan
• Mitigation of the urban heat island effect
• Cleaner air
• Habitat for birds and beneficial insects

The modular-style system includes pre-planted trays containing drought-resistant vegetation, a root barrier and engineered soil tailored to the regional climate and sustainability goals.

More than a decade later, the green roof continues to quietly support a healthier environment — right from the top of IU Health Ball’s South Tower.

04/16/2026

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans projected to develop skin cancer by the age of 70. It's also one of the most preventable cancers.

Ahead of an upcoming free skin cancer screening at IU Health Ball, Becky Butts, coordinator of community education for cancer services, shares what she’s seen firsthand and why these screenings matter.

In your role, what have you seen that reinforces the importance of regular skin cancer screenings?

“I have been involved in the free skin cancer screening at Ball for 25 years. We have screened thousands of people over that time. Every year we find skin cancers. Maybe they were areas that individuals were concerned about and would have had checked on their own, but many times that is not the case. I am so grateful we have the partnership with our local dermatologists. They and their staff donate their time to help our community.”

What do you wish more people understood about skin cancer and getting their skin checked?

“Skin cancer screening is easy but so important and effective. Most moles and little things on our skin aren’t anything to be concerned about, but often we dismiss things. Having a dermatologist perform a screening can find abnormal areas early, even ones you may not notice or can’t easily see. Earlier diagnosis often results in more effective and less invasive treatments.”

What are some of the biggest barriers that prevent people from getting screened?

“I think typically it’s finding time for an appointment, concerns about co-pays and getting in to see a provider. Our goal with the free screening is to eliminate those barriers. It’s in the evening so most people don’t need to take time off work, and it’s free.”

What should people expect at the screening?

“People should expect to be well taken care of. It’s a fast-paced, busy evening, but dermatologists, their staff and hospital team members have donated their time to ensure excellent care. It’s a chance to have one or two areas looked at or, my recommendation, a full body screening. If there’s an area of concern, they’ll let you know if follow-up is needed.”

Who should consider attending?

“Everyone—ideally adults who have never been to a dermatologist or haven’t been in over a year. Anyone can get skin cancer. While we often think of those with fair skin, screening is important for all skin types.”

What would you say to someone who’s been putting it off?

“This is your sign to get it done! It’s an easy process. You just need to call to get an appointment time.”

IU Health Ball, in partnership with area dermatology offices, will sponsor a free skin cancer screening on Thursday, May 14, with appointments beginning at 6 pm at the IU Health Ball Cancer Center.

Space is limited. To make an appointment or for more information, call 765.751.2727.

04/15/2026

Behind every call, alert and response is a team working to keep our hospital safe and connected.

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we’re recognizing Jessica Allen, customer service representative, who supports that work every day in IU Health Ball's Communications department.

“We have several different responsibilities as operators,” says Allen. “Besides taking calls from inside and outside the hospital, we also dispatch for the IU Health Ball Department of Public Safety, dispatch maintenance calls and perform overhead paging and monitor alarms. There’s always something going on."

From routine requests to urgent situations, the Communications team gathers information, creates reports and connects team members with the support they need.

“We take calls of all types for anyone needing security in the hospital, from locking your keys in your car to more serious situations," she says. "Our team gathers the information, creates reports and then dispatches officers accordingly.”

For Allen, the most meaningful part of the role is supporting others across the hospital.

“I love being able to support all of the team members who provide important patient care every day," she says. "I also love talking to people from all across the hospital. I’ve made so many friends from other departments that I have never even met in person."

Thank you, Communications team, for the critical role you play in supporting the safety, connection and care that happens across our hospital every day.

04/14/2026

A continued commitment to excellence at IU Health Wound Care – Muncie

Tucked inside the IU Health Jackson Street Medical Office Building, IU Health Wound Care - Muncie is driving the mission of compassion and excellence.

Patients at the center receive comprehensive, advanced care under one roof. Some of the treatments offered include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound debridement, skin grafts, negative pressure wound therapy and a wide array of advanced wound dressings.

Although the center operates in an outpatient setting, it works seamlessly with inpatient teams across the hospital. This collaboration ensures continuity of care and smoother recoveries for patients.

For the second year in a row, IU Health Wound Care - Muncie has been named a Healogics Center of Distinction.

"Maintaining this level of excellence is not an easy task," says Summer Bertram, program director for IU Health Ball and Jay Wound Healing Centers. "We measure four important metrics with the clinic and work as a team each day to evaluate our plan of care to maintain the standard of care for each patient."

Centers that achieve this award have had these results over 12 months:

- Patient satisfaction scores average greater than 92%.
- Wound-adjusted comprehensive healing rate of 72% or greater.
- All team members have completed their annual competencies.

The award demonstrates the team's continued commitment to excellence and focus on creating an exceptional patient experience.

With the complexity of wound care, the team will see patients sometimes daily or weekly.

"We really get to know the patient and their family members," says Bertram. "We build a high level of trust with our patients, and our team advocates for them when needed with other teams outside our office."

Beyond the metrics, awards and models of care lies something harder to measure: genuine connection.

"Teamwork is our greatest strength," says Bertram. "We come to work each day to provide excellent patient care. Our patients come first, and our coworkers are a close second."

04/07/2026

World Health Day, a day to raise global awareness about critical health issues and promote healthcare access for all, is observed annually on April 7.

Year-round, IU Health Urgent Cares embody the essence of World Health Day by offering patients a wide range of support for their immediate health needs each time they visit one of our 11 locations across the state.

Read more:

Committed to providing the best care for Indiana families, Indiana University Health is the most comprehensive healthcare system with a personalized approach.

04/06/2026

The power of a familiar voice

When a patient was discharged from IU Health Ball, one thing mattered most: making sure they had the support they needed for a safe recovery at home.

The next step, a timely follow-up visit, plays an important role in helping patients stay on track and avoid complications.

In this case, reaching the patient and securing that follow-up took a little extra coordination. Rather than letting that delay care, teams across the region stepped in to find another way forward.

Care management, scheduling, practice operations and the IU Health Primary Care – Yorktown team quickly aligned, working together to ensure the patient could be seen as soon as possible. The team made multiple outreach attempts – calling, leaving messages and adjusting their approach along the way to ensure the patient felt supported.

The difference came through a familiar voice.

Raynelle Miller, medical assistant to Bachar Al Khatib, MD, had an established relationship with the patient and reached out directly. That connection made all the difference. Within days, the patient arrived for their scheduled visit with Dr. Khatib.
It’s the kind of connection she works to build with every patient.

“I want them to trust me and know that I truly care," she says. "I always listen, validate their concerns and respond quickly when they need something."

What could have been a missed connection became a coordinated effort grounded in compassion, persistence and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for the patient.

For Miller, that’s what teamwork looks like in practice.

“What I love about my team is that we truly work as a team,” she says. “We’re always willing to help one another, no matter the circumstances.”

That same mindset carried across every department, staying connected, adjusting along the way and making sure the patient could get the care they needed.

04/02/2026

IU Health Primary Care – Upland recently welcomed Daryen Carothers, NP, who brings both clinical experience and a strong connection to the community he now serves.

Originally from the area, Carothers has spent more than a decade working in healthcare across emergency, critical care and outpatient settings. His path to becoming a nurse practitioner was shaped early on by his mother, a nurse whose work inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I always remember growing up and hearing stories about how she helped people,” he says. “That was pretty inspiring.”

Carothers initially thought he would pursue inpatient care but found his passion in primary care through clinical rotations. He was drawn to the opportunity to build relationships with patients and care for individuals and families over time.

“I like the idea of seeing people in the community, seeing families and really getting to know them,” he says.

His approach to care is rooted in understanding each patient as a whole person. He focuses on listening first, learning how patients define health and working together to set realistic, personalized goals.

“I don’t like to talk at people,” he says. “I would much rather have a conversation, meet the patient where they’re at and go from there.”

Practicing in Upland is both personal and meaningful. Having grown up nearby, Carothers sees his role as a way to give back and support the health of the community he knows so well.

“I want to do everything I can to contribute to the health of this community,” he says.

Carothers is currently accepting new patients. Learn more at https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/daryen-p-carothers-np-4239809.

03/30/2026

Today is and we’re proud to recognize the physicians who care for our communities every day.

Bobby Doggette, MD, leads emergency medicine across IU Health’s legacy East Region, serving as medical director at IU Health Ball and co-director at IU Health Jay.

The path to emergency medicine began long before medical school, shaped by early experiences in healthcare and time spent in the outdoors.

Much of that early influence came from his mother, a nurse. In middle school, he began volunteering at the hospital where she worked, gaining insight into patient care at a young age. He was also introduced to first aid and safety through his time in Boy Scouts. His mother spent summers working as a camp nurse at local camps near their home, reinforcing his connection to both medicine and the outdoors.

“I had a lot of exposure to medicine at a young age," Dr. Doggette says. "It helped mold me into that interest.”

His dad worked for a natural gas company, so through his childhood the family lived in several states including Texas, Kentucky and Mississippi. He stayed in Mississippi for college, but his move to Indiana started with a chance meeting.

While completing his medical school rotations in New York City, he went out to dinner with friends and ended up meeting a group of students from Purdue University. Among them was his future wife, a lifelong Hoosier.

Since coming to Indiana, Dr. Doggette has grown within his role in emergency medicine. While his day-to-day looks different than when he first started as an emergency department physician, the reasons he chose the field—and continues to love it—have remained the same.

“It means so much that I am helping people on potentially their worst day,” he says. “The emergency department can be high intensity and high energy. You must think and act quickly to help manage those patients, a component of it that almost gives you a rush.”

Dr. Doggette is always looking for his next adventure, and for him and his brothers that adventure is coming in September 2026. The group is planning a 12-day backpacking trip in Alaska. While preparing for this trip, he has been focusing on physical fitness in preparation for the unpredictable weather and terrain.

That emphasis on wellness is something he wishes he had focused on earlier in his career.

“Take care of your health and wellness so you can be your best self, not only for yourself but to care for your patients and support your team, whether that’s physicians, nurses, techs or the entire department.”

Outside of work, Dr. Doggette is a waterfowl hunter, and his yellow lab, Baker, is trained and competes in retriever field trials. Twice a year, the American Kennel Club hosts the International Grand competition, where Baker has earned the title of Grand Champion.

He’s also a big podcast fan and enjoys deep dives into lesser-known historical figures. With his upcoming trip to Alaska, he’s been listening to more wilderness-focused episodes.

03/30/2026

03/29/2026

Tomorrow is and we’re proud to recognize the physicians who care for our communities every day.

Making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives is one of the most important parts of being a physician for David Rizk, MD. As the medical director of the Hospitalist program at IU Health Ball, he works each day to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of hospitalized patients.

Dr. Rizk’s interest in healthcare began early. During a visit with his uncle, a clinical pathologist, he watched him diagnose cancer from a small tissue sample under a microscope. That moment sparked a passion for medicine.

In college, he worked as a pharmacy technician, which deepened his interest in patient care. He later earned a degree in diagnostic imaging. He worked as an ultrasound technologist at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, an affiliated hospital of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

“Each step of my experience strengthened my appreciation for teamwork in healthcare and widened my perspective on how various roles collaborate to support patients,” he says.

Collaboration remains one of the most meaningful parts of his role today. Each day, he partners with nurses, specialists, pharmacists, case managers and rehabilitation professionals to ensure coordinated, compassionate care.

“I enjoy contributing at both the patient and system levels. Helping patients recover is deeply rewarding and working with teams to improve processes benefits thousands across the health system.”

Care beyond the bedside

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Rizk mentors physicians, fosters collaboration and leads quality initiatives to improve patient outcomes and the care experience.

He plays a key role in operational and clinical improvement initiatives, applying structured project management and change management principles to strengthen hospital processes.

Currently, he is part of a team focused on implementing and optimizing the Epic electronic health record. Through this work, the team is streamlining workflows to enable care teams to deliver more personalized, efficient care.

A message to his younger self

Reflecting on his career journey, Dr. Rizk says the advice he would give his younger self is simple: take more psychology classes.

“My experience in medicine has confirmed my belief in a holistic approach to healing,” he says. “Providing emotional support alongside physical care yields the best results.”

Food for thought

When he’s not caring for patients or leading teams, Dr. Rizk loves to travel with his family. One thing he especially enjoys while traveling is exploring local food. He often takes cooking classes, buys spices and seasonings or brings home recipes to recreate.

On a trip to Alaska, he learned how to cook salmon properly and brought home local spices to replicate the dish.

Food isn’t the only thing that catches his attention. He also appreciates architecture. During a trip to Spain, he enjoyed maneuvering a tiny car through narrow streets and steep hills, even as his family was a bit panicked in the passenger seats.

Forward through healthcare

Dr. Rizk’s motivation each day comes from the patients and families he serves.

“Their trust inspires me to improve my practice and the systems supporting their care,” he says.

He also finds great purpose in supporting his colleagues.

“Healthcare works best when clinicians are engaged and united in delivering compassionate care to our communities.”

Fun facts

Dogs or cats: I’m a cat person, although my family prefers dogs, so I am outvoted at home.

Chocolate or vanilla: I prefer chocolate without hesitation.

Favorite kind of vacation: I enjoy the beach. The ocean helps me recharge.

03/25/2026

We recently marked one year since the ribbon cutting of the IU Health Mobile Lung Screening Unit. In that time, the unit has traveled to 39 counties across Indiana, screening more than 740 Hoosiers.

If you or someone you know currently smokes or has quit within the last 15 years, a quick two-minute lung scan could help save a life.

Find a screening near you: https://tinyurl.com/mpjktswb

03/23/2026

Since joining the outpatient rehabilitation team on the IU Health Ball Memorial campus in August 2025, physical therapist Abbey Lauver has made an immediate impression. Her fellow team members say she brings new energy, advanced clinical skills and a collaborative mindset that strengthens care for patients.

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Committed to providing the best care for Indiana families, Indiana University Health is the most comprehensive healthcare system with a personalized approach.