Long-time Beacon Children’s NICU nurse reflects on privilege of caring for babies

Sharon VanDeWielle, BSN, RNC-NIC, celebrated 40 years in July at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. She has spent more than 20 of those years working as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. "I feel blessed to play a small part in what the NICU makes possible for our babies...

“Adopt a Pet” helps normalize pediatric experience during COVID

Pediatric patients oftentimes miss their friends and family members who aren't able to visit them at Beacon Children's Hospital during the pandemic. And while visitor restrictions remain in place, children are also missing snuggles with their favorite volunteer therapy dogs. This is where Jessica Lewin and the other Beacon Child Life...

Elkhart General nurse reflects on starting her career during pandemic

Story by Langston Johnson, Intern, Beacon Corporate Communications The intercom rang inside the Memorial Hospital Critical Care Unit and Taylor Freedline watched everyone around her pause. The Bethel University graduate, who was working on clinicals to finish nursing school in March, listened to the announcement they anticipated hearing sooner or later:...

Beacon nurse jumps into action to help elderly victim at accident scene

Kelsey Likens remembers everything happening in slow motion. The Beacon nurse had just left a Mishawaka hair salon Tuesday afternoon with a fresh cut and color. She closed the door behind her at just after 3 o'clock and started down the steps. She was headed to work at MedPoint Urgent Care...

ICU doctor humbled by his COVID patients’ hope to “simply to stay alive”

Dr. Luke White, Beacon Medical Group critical care and pulmonary specialist, shares his perspective of working on the front line of the pandemic. "Keep it up!" "Are you eating OK? Can I get you anything?" "It's great to see you sitting in a chair!" The things I say to my patients in the ICU...

Memorial nurse shares feelings of “mom guilt” in the time of COVID

Kristen Johnson, a Memorial oncology nurse educator, who worked in the COVID unit, offers a candid perspective about how she is struggling with "mom guilt" during the pandemic. The first time I felt fear as a mother related to Covid-19 was during our initial hospital briefing. While sitting in the Memorial...

NICU nurse, mom, talks about anxiety surrounding back-to-school

Amber Sahlhoff, a wife, mom and Beacon Children's Hospital NICU nurse, talks candidly about how she is coping during the pandemic and with the uncertainties surrounding the start of the new school year.  I woke up one morning last week crying in my sleep. In my dream, it was me who...

A note from our Chief Clinical Officer

We know Coronavirus can impact anyone. It affects not only older adults and those with underlying health conditions, but it also affects young and healthy people. Thankfully, we now know much more about the transmission of this virus and we can make better recommendations on how to contain its spread....