IU Health Fishers

05/28/2026

Pediatric nurse is here for children and their families -

In emergency medicine, no two days are the same, and that’s exactly what registered nurse Kendra Kirby loves about her work.

Kirby began her IU Health career at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in 2021 before joining the team that helped launch Riley Children’s Health emergency medicine services at IU Health Fishers in August 2025. Each shift brings new challenges and new opportunities to care for children and families in need.

“It's always different. We have a lot of children with colds, respiratory issues or sports injuries. We also have more chronic patients who come back to our unit often because it's closer to home,” she explains.

Before transitioning to pediatric emergency care, Kirby worked in both the adult Emergency department and as a nursing case manager. While those roles helped shape her nursing foundation, she found her passion in caring for pediatric patients.

“I love taking care of kiddos because we meet them where they're at. We work with the kids and their family to support them while they are here, especially because kids don't understand what all is going on,” she says.

Kirby credits the strength of the team for making the fast-paced environment both supportive and rewarding.

“I love the people that I work with,” she says. “We have great teamwork, especially in this department, and they definitely make coming to work an actual treat.”

Looking to make a difference in life while surrounded by a supportive team? Visit careers.iuhealth.org to learn more about nursing careers.

05/22/2026

Registered nurse has compassion in every interaction -

On the IU Health Fishers Medical-Surgical unit, patients and team members alike are often greeted by a welcoming smile. Chloe Millican, registered nurse, has been part of the unit for about eight months and is already making an impact through compassionate care.

Millican graduated from nursing school in May 2025 and began her nursing career at IU Health Fishers. In her role, she administers medications, reviews lab results and supports patients throughout their care journey, work that’s made easier by a strong, supportive team.

“Everyone has an ‘all hands on deck’ mindset. If you ever feel like you're getting overwhelmed or have a lot going on, you can find someone to help you out,” she explains.

Millican finds the greatest meaning in the personal moments she shares with patients.

“I like being able to take the time to talk with patients and get to know them, and hopefully make them feel a little bit better,” she says. “Whether it's just that they're able to vent or feel like somebody's listened to them, I’m there.”

Start your nursing career with support. Visit careers.iuhealth.org to learn more.

05/15/2026

Hip replacement surgery: From daily pain to miles on the trail -

Susan Hunt enjoys staying active. She began hiking and running in her 40s, but over time, she started experiencing pain in her left hip.

“I’d been having discomfort for several years,” she says. “I was not able to go on the longer hikes with my friends. I was missing out on social contact. I was becoming frustrated that my body couldn’t do what I wanted it to do.”
As a nurse practitioner for IU Health West Neurology, the discomfort affected both her personal and professional life. Her job requires a great deal of sitting, standing and walking between patient rooms—movements that became increasingly difficult.

Doing the research

Hunt previously saw an orthopedic specialist and was diagnosed with arthritis in her hip. She knew she would eventually need a hip replacement, but she wanted to explore her options before moving forward.

“I investigated anterior and posterior approaches,” she explains. “I knew I wanted someone who would use the anterior approach.”

That research led her to Dr. Leonard Buller, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at IU Health Fishers.

“With the anterior approach, the front-side approach, it can be a muscle-sparing surgery, meaning I’m able to move two muscles out of the way and look directly at the hip joint,” Dr. Buller says. “As a result, there is data showing it can speed up recovery and may reduce post-surgery pain.”

Dr. Buller adds that because the anterior approach is muscle sparing, it can also reduce the risk of the ball coming out of the socket.

“I think for her, being as active as she is and the type of work she does, it gave her more peace of mind because she didn’t have to have restrictions, per se, after surgery,” he says.

A patient-centered experience

That reassurance was important to Hunt. She didn’t want to be sidelined for long after surgery and appreciated that Dr. Buller took her lifestyle and goals into account.

“My first impression was that he sees a person, not a patient,” she says. “My biggest concern was post-op, and it was much smoother than I anticipated.”

Her surgery, which took place on February 18 at IU Health Fishers, exceeded her expectations.

“It was so much easier than I anticipated,” Hunt says. “They did a very good job with pain control. I didn’t need to take opioids, and I was off everything by day seven.”

“She didn’t take a single pain pill after surgery,” Dr. Buller adds. “This is not uncommon with patients who undergo the anterior approach. I frequently hear, ‘I just took Tylenol. I didn’t take a single narcotic pain medication.’”

A faster return to what she loves

Just one week after surgery, Hunt was walking three miles. By April, she had worked back up to six.

“It was safe for her,” Dr. Buller says. “I do notice anterior-approach patients are up and moving more quickly. If the patient’s body tolerates it, there really aren’t many limitations.”

“He just told me that if there was any pain, I needed to back off,” Hunt adds.

She also notices a significant difference in her professional life.

“I can hop up out of chairs and walk down the halls with no discomfort,” she says.

Looking back, Hunt wishes she hadn’t waited as long to have the procedure and encourages others to seek care sooner rather than later.

“Had I known a year ago, I would have done it a year ago,” she says. “I would encourage anyone who needs this to do it while they can. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

To learn more about IU Health’s Orthopedic care, visit iuhealth.org/ortho.

05/14/2026

National Hospital Week, May 10 – 16, is a time to recognize and celebrate the hard work that goes on in IU Health facilities, every day.

At IU Health Fishers, team members enjoyed some sun and a barbeque picnic as part of the week's festivities.

Happy Hospital Week to all of our IU Health Fishers team members!

05/12/2026

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6 – 12, is a time to celebrate the profession of nursing. Each year, several activities and treats are planned for the nurses at IU Health Fishers.

As part of this year’s festivities, nurses at IU Health Fishers were gifted marigold seedlings to take home.

The idea for flower plants was suggested by Julia Cuney (pictured left), clinical operations manager of the hospital’s Medical-Surgical unit. Kimberly Hodge, clinical operations manager and clinical nurse specialist of the hospital’s Adult Intensive Care and Progressive Care units, reached out to her son, who works in the agronomy and horticulture industry, to see what could be grown and ready by Nurses Week.

“He shared he already had more than 800 marigolds started and felt they would be a great option—hardy, cheerful, and timely,” Hodge says.

With the help of Hodge’s son, the seedlings were delivered to IU Health Fishers at the beginning of Nurses Week and passed out to units.

“Helping pass the plants out to our nurses has been a truly meaningful experience. Seeing their reactions—smiles, surprise and genuine appreciation—has been incredibly rewarding,” Hodge says. “It created moments of connection during busy shifts and served as a simple but heartfelt way to say, ‘thank you,’ for the care they give every day.”

05/11/2026

Healing doesn’t stop at hospital doors. During National Hospital Week, Dr. Michele Saysana, president of IU Health's Metro Region, reflects on the teams and community partners who help extend care far beyond our walls every day—and why that continued support matters for the patients and communities we serve.

To the 20,000 team members across the IU Health Metro Region: this week and always, thank you for all you do to care for patients, support one another and strengthen our communities with heart.

This National Hospital Week, IU Health is celebrating the people behind care and the work to make healthcare more affordable, accessible and community‑driven.

05/08/2026

Meet Dr. Elaine Cox: A non-traditional mom and a non-traditional leader —

When Elaine Cox was a child, she wanted to do one of two things: to be a writer or a doctor.

When it came time for college, Cox knew she wanted to help others and enrolled in medical school. She tried out several specialties and she found the right fit in pediatrics.

“I love kids and I love development,” she says. “When you go into pediatrics, it’s not just taking care of the sick—you're developing a person in every aspect.”

In April 2026, Cox was named interim chief operating officer of IU Health Fishers and North hospitals.

Throughout her extensive career, she’s also raised three children, which has positively impacted the way she interacts with her patients.

“I learned that parenthood is hard. I think that made me a better doctor. You may tell patients, ‘This is how you should do things, because that's what the books taught me to do,’” Cox explains. “Then you become a parent and realize we're all just doing the best we can. I think it’s an important trait, not only in a mom, but in a doctor and a leader.”

Pediatrics, infection prevention and more

Cox joined the IU Health team in 1993, following her pediatric residency with the IU School of Medicine.

She was recruited by her mentor, Robert Kleiman, MD, a world-renowned infectious disease specialist. At the time, Cox and her husband, who is also a physician, had one child, and another on the way.

Later, Cox served as chief physician executive at Riley Children’s Health, overseeing strategic initiatives, including the development of an international business plan and growth of pediatric destination services in the Middle East and China. In addition, she has also served as the chief medical officer for Riley Children’s Health, medical director for infection prevention and control and pediatric antimicrobial stewardship, and has worked as a senior advisor with U.S. News and World Report to set national standards in pediatric quality.

“I thought, ‘I'm going do this, have my kids and figure out where I want to be,’” Cox says. “I ended up with three kids, and suddenly, it had been five years, then 10 years.”

Being a parent and a practitioner

Cox always knew she wanted to be a mom. But being a practitioner and a parent hasn’t always been easy.

“When I first moved back to Indianapolis, I worked part time, and that was hard. It's like I had two jobs and didn’t feel like I was doing either one very well,” Cox says.

Two things helped her through—flexibility and community.

“My kids will tell you they spent a lot of weekends in the hospital, sitting in the training room, drawing when my husband and I were rounding,” she says.

Cox also leaned on the support of the women around her, whether it be the family’s nanny or other moms at her children’s school.

“At that time, there were a lot more moms who didn't work, and they surrounded me and said, ‘We have you,’” Cox recalls.

While it wasn’t always easy, Cox says her children become resilient and problem solvers early on.

Cox’s three children are grown now. Her eldest daughter lives in Boston with a doctorate in physical therapy. Her middle child, a son, lives in Chicago and works in human resources at the Northwestern University School of Medicine. Her youngest daughter is a medical malpractice defense lawyer.

“They're all thriving, they're all doing well—except for still being on our phone bill,” Cox jokes. “We feel really, really lucky.”

A message to mothers

As a mom herself, Cox knows there’s a ton of pressure to be a parent.

For many, parenthood or careers can easily become a large part of someone’s identity, but Cox stresses it’s important for women to hold onto the piece of themselves that sparks joy.

“The information superhighway is out there, and people see things and they think, ‘Oh, I should be doing this,’ and that’s hard,” she says. “But I think acknowledging it's hard and making sure that you do something that feeds your individual passion is important.”

Self-care is also crucial. For Cox, it’s about making sure she, as an individual, is maintained.

“When you're in the middle of it, you’re just doing it, and you don't think about, ‘How am I? Am I taking care of myself? What is my identity?’ because it will come back to you,” she says. “Keep the faith, but also, it's ok to feed your soul.”

Moving forward in the Metro Region

As Cox continues to get more comfortable with her COO role at IU Health Fishers and North, she’s excited to meet more team members and learn about the environment.

Transitioning her leadership scope to two suburban community hospitals has been a big change for Cox.

Reflecting upon her leadership within the IU Health Metro Region executive team, Cox says, “It’s helping me understand what ‘the Metro’ actually means—the different parts of it, the different challenges, the different assets that we have,” Cox says. “I think when my interim role is over, it will afford me the ability to go back and be a better advocate for the entire region.”

As a leader, Cox knows long-term success takes engagement, and it’s all about asking the right questions to inspire teams. She considers herself a non-traditional mom and a non-traditional leader, approaching both with a little controlled chaos and charisma.

“Longterm success takes people wanting to be a part of the vision you're casting,” she says. “In healthcare, the mission is often so strong that when people can see the vision, they will go all in and they will achieve beyond what you even thought.”

As always, she’s considered herself a lifelong learner.

“I thought I knew our system so well, but again I’ve learned there's a lot of layers and perspectives,” Cox says. “I found myself going home and thinking about work again. I never want to be bored, and IU Health never allows me to be bored.”

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Cox and all mothers. Happy Mother’s Day from IU Health Fishers!

05/07/2026

Registered nurse has a lifelong commitment to quality care —

For Kara Cornelius, a passion for nursing began at an early age. She started as a hospital volunteer at 14, became a nurse’s aide at 15 and achieved her goal of becoming a nurse by the age of 20.

Now with nearly 23 years at IU Health, Cornelius has built a career rooted in compassionate, patient-focused care. She began her journey at IU Health Methodist Hospital and transitioned to IU Health Fishers in 2024.

As a nurse in the Radiology unit, no two days are the same. From supporting patients through MRIs and CT scans to guiding them through other imaging exams, Cornelius plays an essential role in helping patients feel informed and supported.

One of her favorite aspects of nursing is connecting with patients and understanding their concerns.

“A lot of people must come in for a test, and I ask, ‘What are you most afraid of?’ It could just be the IV, or it could be the results, or it could be that they just don't like hospitals or have had a bad experience. I'm able to kind of help guide them and navigate the healthcare system and maybe put them at ease,” she explains.

Patient education is another part of her role that Cornelius finds especially meaningful, helping to reduce anxiety by setting clear expectations.

“A big part of my role is educating the patients before they come, so they know what to expect,” she says. That's a lot of the fear and anxiety people have, so I tell them what to expect afterwards, or just let them know what exactly is going to take place.”

For those considering a career in nursing, Cornelius encourages curiosity and a commitment to growth.

“I would say to keep an open mind and be willing to be a lifelong learner, because that's something that I'm still doing 30 years later, still learning every single day,” she says.

National Nurses Week, celebrated May 6 –12, recognizes the exceptional care, dedication and support nurses provide every day. Cornelius hopes her colleagues continue to take pride in the impact they make.

“Just keep doing what you're doing, because being a nurse is awesome. We need lots of good nurses, and I'm glad that we all can be here and make a difference for people,” Cornelius says.

Help us wish all IU Health Fishers nurses a happy Nurses Week!

05/05/2026

A comforting presence when it mattered most-

Visiting the Emergency department with a child can be overwhelming. At IU Health Fishers, paramedic Curtis Thomason (pictured first) made it a priority to provide comfort and reassurance to a family during a stressful visit.

The young patient needed an IV but was afraid of needles. Recognizing the child’s anxiety, Thomason stepped in with a calm, compassionate approach to help distract the patient so the procedure could go smoothly.

“Curtis took the time to explain everything he was doing before, during and after every procedure,” says a family member of the patient.

When the family returned for a later visit, Thomason had thoughtfully documented what helped the patient feel most comfortable, ensuring continuity of care and a more positive experience.

“Curtis makes sure to explain everything, answers questions and offers things to comfort parents. He is the best paramedic ever, and we would highly recommend them to anyone who needs great care with a lot of respect and love,” says the family member.

Because of this compassionate care, Thomason received a Lasting Impression Award. This award recognizes regional team members who are living out the IU Health values—purpose, excellence, compassion and team—as they work to support patients and each other.

Let us know what you think of Thomason’s actions in the comments below.

04/26/2026

Dr. Cristiane Ueno, MD, joined the IU Health Fishers team this August, with a goal of expanding the plastic surgery program.

Within the last few months, she’s bonded strongly with the team, collaborating with them to provide life-changing care across several specialties.

“I want the community to know they can trust the care we're going to provide them,” she says. “We have the resources and the knowledge to care for the patients, and to care for them in a multi-disciplinary way with the most up-to-date guidelines.”

Care across the country

Before coming to IU Health Fishers, Ueno’s work has taken her all over the country.

Born and raised in Brazil, Ueno earned her medical degree and completed plastic surgery training before moving to the United States to join the wound healing research lab at the University of California, San Francisco.

She later completed general surgery and plastic surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she studied under Dr. Larry Stevens, MD, who currently serves as chief medical officer of IU Health Fishers.

She then practiced in rural Appalachia, providing general reconstruction and breast cancer care in West Virginia. Ueno then moved to the West Coast, where she practiced at Kaiser Permanente.

“I missed education. I missed having residents and medical students around,” Ueno says. “So, we decided to try to come back to the Midwest.”

Before coming to Indiana, Ueno served as a clinical associate professor and associate program director of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

When the opportunity to come to IU Health Fishers arose in August 2025, she took it.

“I love IU Health Fishers,” she says. “They care a lot about each other. It's a very positive culture.”

A multidisciplinary approach

Ueno was inspired to go into plastic surgery because of the positive impact it can have on patients’ lives. She notes the procedures can give patients a sense of normalcy.

“Plastic surgery can be cosmetic or reconstructive. It’s what makes patients happy and what makes them feel most normal—what their idea of happiness is,” she explains.

And Ueno has done it all. As she acclimates to her new role at IU Health Fishers, she is focusing on general reconstruction, which can happen anywhere on the body.

“Maybe it's a mom that had kids and now has hanging skin and they want to feel good in a swimsuit. It might be a patient with very large breasts who is experiencing back pain and wants to be able to exercise easier,” Ueno says. “It might be a breast cancer patient who is going under anesthesia to have a mastectomy, but knows we’re going to reconstruct them for her when she wakes up from surgery.”

With the wide array of patients plastic surgery can treat, Ueno has worked alongside many of her IU Health Fishers colleagues in a multidisciplinary approach.

She’s received plenty of referrals from primary care physicians for potential skin cancer diagnoses. She’s worked closely with the hospital’s breast surgeons, Dr. Carla Fisher, MD, and Dr. JoAnna Hunter-Squires, MD.

Ueno also assisted in orthopedic joint reconstructions with Dr. Leonard Buller, MD, where she helps with providing more stable wound coverage during the procedure. She has close ties with the OB/GYN team, where she works with Dr. Michah Mathai, MD, and Dr. Karen Gallagher, MD, on more involved procedures, like mastectomies and hysterectomies, or smaller procedures, like treating women who have intense scarring after a C-section.

Her care extends beyond IU Health Fishers, with Ueno collaborating with the post-bariatric procedure patients from IU Health North, who might want their excess skin removed after weight loss. She also assists with immediate delay breast reconstruction surgeries with IU Health Ball Hospital in Muncie, where patients have a mastectomy there, and then come to IU Health Fishers for the reconstruction.

“We care about our patients—all of us. From the team members who greet them at the front door, to the surgeons like me, and the clinical team members assisting them,” she says. “Everybody wants the patients to feel taken care of, and I think everybody's pretty proud to say that they provide excellent, quality care.”

Calling IU Health Fishers home

Since joining the team in August, Ueno has not only collaborated with colleagues in patient care, but she’s gotten to know them on a personal level.

That’s what she loves about IU Health Fishers.

Coming from Ohio State, this huge hospital where you know only so many people, and then coming here, where people know each other's names, how many kids you have, if you have a pet you love, your hobbies and passions. I think that’s special,” Ueno says. “It boils down to our leadership and how they want the culture and the environment to be perceived, and that they want people to feel cared for.”

When it comes to patients, Ueno stresses that quality care is right in their backyard.

“Ultimately, we want patients to feel safe and confident that we are doing everything we can and providing the best care possible to make sure they have a good experience,” Ueno says.