IU Health Fishers

10/09/2026

While some may visit their doctor or a hospital only once or twice a year, many patients may find themselves coming back more frequently for treatments and appointments. When that happens at IU Health Fishers, those patients often become familiar with the hospital’s team members.

As one patient battled cancer, they came across many excellent team members throughout several facilities. But Austin Brashear (pictured third from left), a registered nurse working in the IU Health Fishers Emergency department (ED), stood out as the “absolute gold standard of nursing.”

“His approach was personal and attentive,” says a family member. “He did not treat (the patient) as a diagnosis or a room number; he treated them with the same kindness and patience he would offer his own loved one.”

The patient and family member appreciated Brashear’s combination of sharp clinical skills and compassion. The family member says Brashear’s dedication was most evident when they were experiencing another high-stress visit to the Emergency department.

“Though he was not officially assigned to us that day, he recognized us immediately. His care extended beyond the patient to me. Seeing my exhaustion and fear, he stepped out of his way to check on me, listening without judgment and offering support that made me feel seen and less alone in one of the hardest moments of my life,” the family member says. “Talking about hard moments that are emotionally draining with a stranger is difficult, but Austin had a presence about him that made it seem like talking to a trusted friend.”

Because of Brashear’s attention to detail and compassionate care, he was recently honored with a DAISY Award. This award honors extraordinary nurses who bring compassion and care to their patients.

“While IU Health Fishers provides top-tier care across the board, Austin sets a bar that is remarkably high,” the family members adds. “The IU Health Fishers Emergency department is fortunate to have him as a nurse, and he is undeniably deserving of this honor.”

Help us celebrate Brashear’s actions in the comments.

10/02/2026

Medical-Surgical nurse builds connections through patient care -

Patients on the Medical-Surgical unit at IU Health Fishers are often greeted by a friendly and compassionate face: Michael Meer, a registered nurse who has been caring for patients on the unit for the past eight months. In his role, Meer helps monitor patients, administer medications and support individuals throughout their care journey.

For Meer, one of the most rewarding aspects of nursing is building meaningful connections with the people he serves.

"I enjoy sitting with patients and getting to know them," he explains.

Meer also appreciates the supportive culture among his colleagues.

"Our team is incredibly helpful and kind," he says.

Join a team where meaningful patient connections are at the heart of every shift. Explore nursing roles at careers.iuhealth.org.

09/25/2026

IU Health Fishers and North team members gathered at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel today for the hospital's 18th annual Days of Service. Volunteers spent the day enhancing the park through a variety of projects, including trail maintenance, improvements to flower and tree beds, facility upgrades and other efforts designed to help beautify and strengthen the community space.

Days of Service is an annual IU Health initiative that brings team members together across the state to volunteer their time and talents in support of local organizations and community needs.

According to Caitlin Vendely, Community Outreach consultant for IU Health's Metro Region, the event provides an opportunity for team members to make a meaningful impact beyond the walls of the hospital.

"We know that good health starts long before someone walks through our doors,” Vendely says. “Parks like Coxhall Gardens provide safe, welcoming spaces for physical activity, connection and recreation, all of which contribute to healthier communities. By helping maintain and enhance these spaces, our team members are supporting opportunities for residents to stay active and improve their overall well-being."

The Coxhall Gardens project is one of multiple Days of Service opportunities taking place this year across Hamilton County. Additional volunteer efforts include assembling meal kits for Million Meal Movement, preparing Safe Sleep kits for families and supporting other community-focused initiatives.

Through these projects, IU Health team members are helping create stronger, healthier communities while demonstrating that caring for people extends far beyond clinical settings.

Thank you to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation for partnering with us and helping make this year's Days of Service a success!

09/18/2026

NICU nurse embraces all sides of maternity care -

For registered nurse Kaity Wood, caring for newborns has always been a passion. Before joining IU Health Fishers, Wood worked in the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) at Riley Hospital for Children. When the Level II NICU opened at IU Health Fishers in October 2025, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to help build care for families closer to home.

Since joining the Fishers team, Wood has expanded her clinical expertise by becoming cross-trained in the NICU, labor and delivery as well as postpartum. The experience has allowed her to care for patients and families throughout multiple stages of their healthcare journey while continuing to grow professionally.

“I am beyond proud to be cross trained into that world and to get to split my hours each week between the different areas,” Woods explains. “I am thankful for a team that saw the ability within me to expand my skills and spent many shifts teaching me how to care for new and expecting mothers.”

As a cross-trained nurse, no two days are the same. Some days, Wood supports mothers through labor and delivery and helps parents gain confidence in caring for their newborns. Other days, she provides specialized care for infants in the NICU, performing screenings, monitoring vital signs and assisting with clinical procedures. Regardless of where she cares for patients, her focus remains the same: delivering compassionate, high-quality care.

“I love babies and getting to take care of them, but I also enjoy teaching their parents. In those super vulnerable moments, it can be really scary because things aren’t going the way they planned with the birth,” she explains. “We know that labor, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal care are some of the most intimate moments in a woman's and family's journey. Every single staff member from the lactation team, surgical technologists, nurses, management and doctors take the highest honor in being a part of that journey. I never doubt when I am at work that our patients are in the best hands.”

Join a team that invests in your future while delivering compassionate care. Explore nursing roles at careers.iuhealth.org.

09/11/2026

Newly graduated nurse found her calling in patient care -

For Melissa Nielsen, a career in property management left her wanting a greater sense of purpose. Taking a leap of faith, she returned to school to become a registered nurse. Today, she cares for patients on the Medical-Surgical unit at IU Health Fishers, helping them heal and recover.

Nielsen joined the unit in June after graduating from nursing school in May. As a new nurse, she says her team has been supportive and welcoming as she continues to learn and grow in her role.

“They're very welcoming and encouraging of the fact that I am a new nurse, and they never make me feel bad for asking questions,” she explains.

On the Medical-Surgical unit, many patients are recovering from surgery or other medical procedures. Nielsen helps administer medications, monitor vital signs and support patients throughout their recovery, helping them feel comfortable and cared for during their hospital stay.

“I know being in the hospital can be scary or just not fun. So, I just try to make the experience as good as possible while they're here with us,” she says.

At IU Health, nurses are supported from day one with a team that encourages growth, learning and meaningful patient connections. Explore nursing roles at careers.iuhealth.org.

09/03/2026

Answering the call: IU Health Fishers team member supports community during historic flooding -

For nearly a decade, Bryan Kercheval, Guest Relations team lead at IU Health Fishers, has dedicated his time to serving Hamilton County through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), one of the volunteer programs under Hamilton County Emergency Management. It a FEMA-supported program that prepares residents to respond during emergencies and disasters.

As a certified CERT program coordinator, Kercheval oversees training that equips community members with critical disaster-readiness skills, including first aid, search and triage, situational awareness, Stop the Bleed, CPR and AED use. The goal is simple: help people protect themselves and their families first, then assist their neighbors when disaster strikes.

That training recently became action when severe flooding impacted Hamilton County. Kercheval and fellow CERT volunteers shifted from preparedness to response, coordinating field observations, supporting the county's emergency operations center, managing volunteer efforts such as sandbag production and conducting house-to-house damage assessments alongside local, state and federal partners.

"When the flooding started, it never felt like an 'extra' job to me," Kercheval says. "I'd work my day at the hospital, then head straight into the emergency operations center until midnight because if my neighbors are hurting, I want to be there helping."

His commitment to serving others is rooted in a lifelong desire to help people when they need it most. Whether responding to a community disaster or assisting patients and families at IU Health Fishers, Kercheval sees a common thread: providing calm guidance during uncertain moments.

He believes his background in public safety strengthens his ability to support patients, visitors and team members through situations that can often feel stressful or overwhelming.

"Whether I'm helping coordinate a disaster response or helping a visitor find their loved one, I see both as sacred opportunities to serve," he says. "My badge may say 'Guest Relations,' but at the heart of it, I'm still doing what I've always done: showing up for people when they need it most."

08/27/2026

Former travel nurse found a place to call home -

When Twinkle Naik first arrived at IU Health Fishers as a travel nurse, she quickly found something she hadn't expected: a place that felt like home.

A registered nurse with four years of experience, Naik has cared for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across the country. But when she joined the ICU team at IU Health Fishers, she experienced a level of support that inspired her to put down roots and become a permanent team member.

“I was on travel contracts previously and it's hard to find leaders in other facilities that stick by your side. Having a closer relationship with the team members here just made it feel like home,” Naik explains.

As an ICU nurse, Naik provides around-the-clock care for patients facing critical health conditions. She cares for individuals with a wide range of needs, including those recovering from strokes, neurological conditions and other illnesses that require intensive support. The variety of patients and experiences is one of the aspects of her role she enjoys most.

“The patient population here is so nice. We’re slowly growing and it’s a nice mixture of patients,” she says.

For Naik, the sense of teamwork at IU Health Fishers has made a lasting impact. She values working alongside colleagues who are committed to supporting one another and delivering exceptional patient care.

“The team is very approachable. Everyone's willing to help. Everyone pulls their weight. If we ask for help, everyone's there,” she says.

Today, Naik is grateful to be part of a team that welcomed her, supported her growth and helped her find a place to call home.

At IU Health, support is part of the culture. Explore nursing careers at careers.iuhealth.org.

08/20/2026

Emergency nurse thrives in a fast-paced environment -

At the Emergency department at IU Health Fishers, no two days are ever the same. For registered nurse Tyler Thompson, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Thompson has cared for patients in the department for the past three years. As an emergency medicine nurse, he assesses patients, helps stabilize those in critical condition and provides care for a wide range of medical needs. While every shift brings new challenges, one constant stands out to him: teamwork.

“I like that we have cohesiveness, even when we bring in new team members,” Thompson explains.

Although Thompson always knew he wanted a career in healthcare, he wasn’t initially certain nursing was the right path. However, today, he values the variety and fast-paced nature of the role.

“I like not knowing what's going to come through the door, whether it's a cardiac arrest case or something less severe. I like the difference in acuity and the difference in the type of patients that you get on a day-to-day basis,” he explains.

For Thompson, each day offers an opportunity to care for patients when they need it most while working alongside a close-knit team committed to delivering exceptional care.

Bring your talents to a team that embraces new challenges, continuous learning and compassionate care. Explore nursing roles at careers.iuhealth.org.

08/14/2026

Playground injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries such as dislocations and broken bones. Here's how to avoid them.

08/13/2026

Riley Children’s Health offers expanded orthopedic and sports medicine services in Fishers -

Families in Fishers and surrounding communities now have greater access to expert pediatric orthopedic care close to home. Riley Children’s Health has opened a new Orthopedics and Sports Medicine suite at IU Health Fishers, offering expanded services, including convenient same-day care for orthopedic injuries through new walk-in hours.

The new space provides walk-in care from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, for patients up to age 18. No appointment or call ahead is required. Services available during walk-in hours include:

- Same-day evaluation of orthopedic injuries that have occurred within the previous seven to 10 days, including:
* Fractures and suspected fractures
* Sprains
* Strains
* Sports-related injuries
* Other acute injuries
- Onsite treatment options, including braces, splints and casts

In addition to walk-in hours, the new suite also expands access to specialty orthopedic services. Six providers will now see patients at the location, which offers pediatric nonsurgical and surgical orthopedic consultations as well as specialized nonsurgical care for skeletal malformations and congenital conditions, spine conditions as well as sports medicine and injury care. Lab, radiology and pharmacy services are also available onsite.

“We recognize that orthopedic injuries often happen unexpectedly, especially among children and teens,” said Dr. Christine Caltoum, division chief of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Riley Children’s Health and a provider at the new location. “When a child is injured, timely access to expert care can make all the difference. With walk-in availability, expanded services and additional providers in this new space, families in Fishers and the surrounding communities can receive specialized Riley Children’s orthopedic care close to home without unnecessary delays.”

With the opening of the new space in Fishers and existing orthopedic walk-in care at IU Health North, Riley Children's now offers two locations in Hamilton County for same-day pediatric orthopedic care. Riley Children’s Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Fishers is located in Suite 1300 of the IU Health Fishers Medical Office Building and is now welcoming patients.

Riley Children’s has continued to grow access to pediatric care in Hamilton County through expanded Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Primary Care and other specialty care services. In addition to the launch of Riley Children’s Emergency Medicine at IU Health Fishers last fall, families can access 24/7 pediatric emergency care, as well as a variety of pediatric specialty care and inpatient services, at IU Health North Hospital. Riley Children’s also offers primary care services in Fishers. This new location builds on that commitment, providing families with another convenient option to access expert pediatric care close to home.

Learn more: rileychildrens.org/practice-location/riley-pediatric-orthopedics-sports-medicine-iu-health-fishers

Riley Children’s Health provides access to pediatric primary and specialty care across Indiana, including at Riley Hospital for Children in downtown…