IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center — A closer look

Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center

PROGRESS UNDER ONE ROOF IU Health cancer center targets ease of treatment for patients SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

One stop: All treatments in new single location

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com Fighting cancer is arduous enough, but it just got a little less stressful for many north-suburban area patients.

Before the opening of the 88,000-square-foot Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center on Jan. 6 at IU Health North in Carmel, most of the hospital’s patients in Hamilton County had to travel to different locations for treatment. One patient might receive care in Fishers, Avon and downtown Indianapolis.

Doug Puckett, IU Health president of the Indianapolis Suburban Region, described the hospital system’s previous cancer treatment services on the north side of Indianapolis as “fragmented.” But now, they can receive all treatments under one Puckett roof.

“The goal is for patients in our communities to not have to travel,” Puckett said. “We know that’s an inconvenience, because a lot of times cancer treatments are multiple days or multiple weeks long. (The IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center) will be much more convenient for our patients and our community.”

Dr. Richard Zellars, department chair of radiation oncology, said patients want to be seen by the best local experts, but work or other commitments can get in the way of being able to frequently travel to other cities for Zellars treatment.

“We really need to bring the care to the patients as opposed to bringing the patients to the care,” Zellars said. “Our goal of providing a cancer center in the Carmel region is to provide the same level of excellent care we provide downtown but provide it in an area that’s growing in population to a group of people who

might find it difficult to come downtown.”

Three existing practices relocated to the $55 million center at 11645 N. Illinois St. to serve as its foundation. The Breast Cancer Center at IU Health North Hospital and IU Health Central Indiana Cancer Centers moved from the adjacent building, and the IU Health Springmill Infusion Center moved from 106th Street and Spring Mill Road.

“When patients come to the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, they are going to be experiencing a uniqueness that they’ve never had in Carmel or any of the surrounding areas,” Puckett said. “The way they come in and receive expert care from the full clinical team is going to be seamless and all under one roof.”

Center’s design keeps patient experience in mind

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com The Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel was designed by a team of architects, but each detail was selected with the patient experience in mind.

IU Health worked closely with patients to determine everything from the furniture fabric materials to the bathroom design to make a visit to the new center as comfortable as possible.

“We have been integrated with patients and their families in this process from the beginning,” said Sara Jo Grethlein, medical director for cancer services at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center. “When this project started, it was all about what patients wanted and what their expressed needs were.”

Grethlein The building layout is designed to seamlessly guide patients through the cancer treatment process – with everything they could need under one roof.

Cathy Muse, who works in guest relations, is a cancer survivor whose job is to greet patients

The Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center offers several amenities, such as a warm and inviting infusion suite. (Photo courtesy of IU Health)

as they enter the the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center and help them find their way. She understands the importance of her role and said the new building will make it easy.

“I have seen firsthand the anxiety caused by wayfinding,” she said. “There is already enough worry and stress when someone is on a cancer journey, and being able to alleviate that issue that might be weighing on the mind of our patients will be a tremendous benefit.”

Patients will be assigned to one of six nurse navigators who will personally walk patients through their cancer journey each step of the way,

even before they visit the center. The nurse navigators’ first responsibility is to help patients know what to expect and provide personalized care and advice almost immediately after the diagnosis.

“Cancer is a terrifying diagnosis, and (the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center provides a nurse navigator) patients can call when they’re confused or scared or not sure how to manage pieces of information from friends or family,” Grethlein said. “One source of truth will help them walk the journey.”

Once a patient at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, on-site offerings are designed to provide as many resources as possible in one place.

The care team’s objective is to treat the entire person, not just the physical problem.

The IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center has an integrated health unit that offers art therapy, massage, technology help, cooking classes to learn nutrition tips while fighting cancer and a beauty salon, among other amenities. The center also includes a separate area for adolescents and young adults battling cancer.

“We can help our patients pour their energies into a fight against the cancer and eliminate a lot of the barriers for them,” Grethlein said.

Family hopes Joe Schwarz’s fighting spirit inspires cancer patients to do the same

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com Joe Schwarz bravely battled cancer multiple times before it took his life at age 75. Now, his family expects the new building that bears his name will give other cancer patients the courage to fight.

The Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center opened Jan. 6 on the IU Health North campus in Carmel. Joe’s widow, Shelly Schwarz, donated $10 million toward the project to honor his memory.

“It’s our hope that this building that is adorned by Joe and Shelly’s name will be a place of hope, courage and care,” said Tag Birge, Joe and Shelly’s nephew, at a Dec. 18 grand-opening ceremony.

Joe was born in Argentina to a German father and Argentinean mother. The Schwarzes soon moved to New York City, where Joe began working at age 8 to help support the family. He shined shoes, delivered newspapers and worked in a grocery store.

At night, Joe would move furniture against the door to prevent breakins, Birge said.

“Joe experienced a level of poverty most of us will never relate to,” he said.

In the 1960s, the family moved to Indianapolis, where Joe eventually became an apartment and hotel developer. He owned the Marriott on the east side of Indianapolis.

Joe knew all of his staff members by first name, Birge said, and took pride in giving tours of his buildings.

“He would’ve absolutely loved to be here today to walk you through (the cancer center),” Birge said.

After beating prostate cancer, Joe was diagnosed with throat cancer. Initial treatments worked but the cancer returned, and Joe died in March 2018. Throughout the experience, Joe and Shelly were impressed by the “world-class” care they received through IU Health, Birge said.

As patients and caregivers enter the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center, they will be greeted with an installation highlighting the life and legacy of Joe Schwarz. These panels—known as “Joe’s Journey Wall”—highlight the key themes and mantras of many who face cancer: strength, resilience, perseverance and determination. (Photo courtesy of IU Health)

Building better lives for our customers, communities and each other.

Messer was excited to lead the construction of the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center bringing full support services and care to our community.

Tag Birge speaks on behalf of the family.

Now, the Schwarz family is eager to hear how the new cancer center will lead to other stories of success.

“Joe overcame (the odds) to achieve the heights of success, and it’s sheer grit and tenacity that allowed him to do that,” Birge said.

“I always like to say Joe represents the immigrant tradition that has made America great.”

@messerwearebldg messer.com

Patients facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment journey turn to Indiana University Health Cancer Centers seeking highly skilled and compassionate care from our pioneering team — a partnership between Indiana University Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

At the new IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center, that team approach to care is delivered in a remarkable new healing environment, close to home for patients from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis and beyond.

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Breast Cancer

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Rakesh Mehta, MD

Kathy Miller, MD

Erin Newton, MD

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Amikar Sehdev, MD

Rafat Abonour, MD

Jennifer Morgan, MD

Attaya Suvannasankha, MD

Hillary Wu, MD

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Richard Zellars, MD

Paul Anthony, MD

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IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center 11645 N. Illinois Street (outpatient only) Carmel, IN 46032

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116th Street

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Spring Mill Road

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IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center celebrates opening

Charlotte Howard, IU Health North Hospital breast health coordinator, and Jill Dodson, oncology social worker, participate in the survivor walk.

Above, the Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center grand-opening ceremony for its employees Dec. 18 included a survivor walk, presentations, tours and more. Cathy Muse, who works in guest relations, cuts the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the cancer center. (Photos by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

IU Health North Hospital employees bow their heads during a prayer at the grand-opening ceremony.

The waiting room at the cancer center is designed with comfort and warmth in mind.

Chad Dilley, IU Health’s administrative director for north suburban area cancer services, speaks at the grand opening.

Nurse, cancer survivor encouraged by local support

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com After years of battling chronic fatigue, the diagnosis came as a shock.

Paula Shaner, then 39, was suffering from hairy cell leukemia, a blood cancer usually seen in elderly men. It’s one of the maladies linked to Agent Orange exposure, a chemical the Carmel resident never had encountered.

The daunting treatment plan included chemotherapy for 24 hours a day for a week. But for Shaner, it had at least one silver lining: she spent the seven days at IU Health North Hospital in a room next to the neonatal intensive care unit, where she had worked since 2005. Her family and co-workers made it feel a

IU Health NICU manager Paula Shaner received treatment for leukemia at IU Health North Hospital in 2010. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

bit like home.

“We’re family here (at IU Health North Hospital) and we support each other,” Shaner said. “When I walked into my room, it was all dec-

orated with everything I love.”

Shaner’s 2010 diagnosis and treatment were unique, but it’s given her extra excitement about the Jan. 6 opening of Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center at IU Health North in Carmel.

Before it opened, most IU Health cancer patients in Hamilton County would have to seek care in several locations, with many having to drive to downtown Indianapolis.

Shaner – who became manager of the IU Health North Hospital NICU four years ago – knows how much it can lift the spirits to be treated close to home, and she’s proud to be working for the health care system that’s going to make it happen.

“I’m excited that someone can come to one place where it’s comfortable and our team treats them

with compassion and gives excellent care,” she said.

Shaner participated with two of her NICU co-workers in the survivor walk for IU Health North Hospital employees Dec. 18 at the grand opening of the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center. She is comforted knowing that they could be treated just steps away from their workplace if the cancer were to return. “(It’s great) knowing that if they were to relapse they could come here and we could support them close,” she said.

The feeling is personal, too. Shaner’s leukemia is chronic, and remission usually lasts five to 15 years.

“I hope I never have to use their treatments, but I know someday I will,” she said. “I’ll be well taken care of here.”

A KNOWING WELCOME Survivor eases journey for other cancer patients at new IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Cathy Muse has taken on a new role with IU Health North Hospital guest relations. As a breast cancer survivor, it is one she is perfectly suited to do.

Muse is working the welcome desk at the Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center at the Carmel hospital.

“Cathy’s role is to provide caring, concierge-level service to our patients and their families,” said Sonya Peitz, supervisor of guest relations and volunteers at IU Health North and Saxony hospitals. “Since Cathy has been on her own cancer journey, I know she has a deep understanding of the expertise and compassion patients need when they arrive for treatment. When patients walk through our doors at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, Cathy will likely be the first one to greet them. Patients and visitors can expect to be met by a smiling, fellow survivor who is there to help and truly understands what they are going through.”

Muse, a Carmel resident, was diagnosed more than four years ago.

“When I was diagnosed, it was just a small lump,” said Muse, who has worked at IU Health North Hospital since it opened in 2005. “I had a lumpectomy. I had to wait for pathology to know whether I was going to have to chemotherapy. I knew I was going to have radiation. I was very happy when I learned I wouldn’t need chemotherapy.”

Muse had surgery in August 2015, followed by radiation every day for five weeks.

“We had a Central Indiana Cancer Center in our medical office building,” Muse said. “I was fortunate not to have chemotherapy, but my radiation was at the Central Indiana Cancer Center in Fishers. I had to drive there for that treatment.

The people were lovely. It’s a much smaller footprint than what we have over here. It was very utilitarian. There is beautiful artwork. I think it is more patient-focused as far as comfort in their surroundings.”

Muse said having everything in Carmel will be much more convenient.

“When you are going through it, you have a lot

Cathy Muse pauses behind the desk where she greets patients who enter the Indiana University Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

of worries about a lot of different things,” Muse said. “It’s nice if you are having to go someplace for your treatment, your doctor is there, your radiation is there, your chemo is there, that’s one less stressful thing. You found your way once and you are going to be able to find your way back on the subsequent visits and you are not going to have to make two or three visits as part of that process. To me, that’s a good blessing for this. It should provide ease for patients as they are going through stressful things. It’s going to be a lot better to have everything under one roof.”

Muse was working a shift from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. when she had radiation treatment.

“I’d work from 5:30 until 10, leave, and then drive over to Fishers,” Muse said. “The radiation itself was almost shorter than the drive over there.”

Radiation tends to create fatigue.

“That was the most significant side effect for me,” she said. “That’s why I would go home and take a nap. The job here is somewhat physically active but not too strenuous. I was proud I was able to do that.”

Muse said she routinely meets with an oncologist and is cancer-free.

“I had a mammogram earlier this year and that didn’t show any signs of a reoccurrence,” she said. “I feel positive about it. I’m very fortunate.

I had great care and caught it early.”

Beyond her own experience, Muse has had a lot of interaction with cancer patients.

“You meet them where they are, and they have a backstory going on we don’t know or need to know, but you have to be sensitive to that,” Muse said. “We just want to make their journey as easy as possible when they are in the building.

We have lot of services for the families as well.”

Muse, 69, said she moved into a part-time position a couple of years ago. Prior to coming to IU Health, Muse was in the admissions office at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School for 17 years.

“Our former CEO Jon Goble’s son had come to Brebeuf, so we had a connection,” Muse said. “(Goble) thought I could do something here.”

Muse’s husband, James Muse, died in 2011.

She has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Leading-edge cancer care.

Highly skilled expertise.

Conveniently close to home.

We’ve expanded our cancer care in Carmel with the opening of the new IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center at IU Health North Hospital. This new building will make getting the care you need convenient, coordinated and personalized no matter where you are on your cancer journey. Leading-edge cancer care is now within your neighborhood. And for patients and families in and around Carmel, it will change everything.

Now open in Carmel

Learn more at iuhealth.org/cancer

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