Beacon Health System

Mary Szczechowski believes that connecting with heart is done in the small moments. She remembers a trauma patient from years ago who had sustained a serious leg injury. She sat with him, showing him the pictures of his leg at the time of the accident that were provided by his surgeon. He had a hard time accepting his injury and was in and out of the hospital several times after that admission. But in that moment, what he needed was not a clinical intervention. He needed someone to stay. "I was able to take some time with him when he needed it and give him a moment to grieve and process his injury," she says. In the 15 years she has spent at Memorial Hospital caring for orthopedic, neuro and trauma patients, she has learned that these moments matter. Learning something personal about a patient, sharing a brief connection, pausing long enough to really listen. These are the things that make a difference in a patient's stay. "Those moments where you are able to learn personal things about your patients and have some connection are what really makes a difference." Mary was inspired to become a nurse by her mother, who spent most of her career in home care. "She is the most selfless person I know, and she took pride in being a nurse and helping people." That example has shaped every shift Mary has worked since. Every patient interaction is about making the most of each moment. Making eye contact. Listening to a story or a concern without rushing. "Building rapport and gaining a patient's trust can make all the difference, even with a more challenging patient situation." The team around her today on 8 South keeps her grounded in that purpose. Her nursing colleagues, nursing assistants, case managers, providers and a manager she describes as amazing — everyone lifts one another up when things get tough. To anyone considering nursing, Mary says it's all about finding the right fit. "Find people who support and guide you in the right way. You do have the power to make a difference."

The patients Jason Belt remembers most are not the critical cases. They are the ones whose fear fills the room before he even says a word. The people having the worst day of their lives who just need someone to sit with them and make everything feel less frightening. "When you can see the weight of the fear fall off them, I know I have done a good job." He remembers nursing moments like this one. A patient came in for something routine but was anxious about being in the hospital. Her daughter was with her. Jason found himself talking about nothing in particular — family, grandkids and easy ordinary conversation. By the time he left, both the patient and her daughter felt better. The daughter told him she could tell he really loved his job. "It is days like that where I get to make them feel like they are getting the best care and they are in good hands." Jason did not always know he would end up here. He was searching for direction when he visited his grandfather in the hospital and watched his nurse move through the room, doing his work, pausing to talk, then excusing himself to see the next patient. When he left, Jason's grandfather turned to him. "You could do that," he said. "Why don't you go to nursing school and get a career instead of just another job." And so he did. He has been a nurse for 17 years, the last six in the Emergency Department at Beacon Kalamazoo. Patients and families sometimes ask what made him choose this path. When he tells them, the response is almost always the same. "You can tell you really like your job, and your grandpa would be so proud," they say. Hearing that is when Jason knows he is exactly where he should be. Still, there are hard days in the ED when he is pulled in every direction. "When I don't get to spend as much time with patients, I feel like I am failing them," he says. But he never stops trying. He is honest about what awaits those who choose nursing. It is fast paced, ever changing and physically and mentally demanding. "But no matter how much you know, there's always more to learn." And that, to Jason, is exactly the point.

We all know someone impacted by cancer. On June 13, the South Bend Cubs and Beacon Health System invite our community to come together for Cancer Awareness Night. Through the jersey auction, fans can honor a survivor or remember a loved one by placing their last name on the back of a player’s game-worn jersey. Every bid helps support patients receiving cancer care at Beacon. Auction ends May 31 at 6 p.m. EST. Jersey auction: https://lnkd.in/gewEJHKF Tickets: https://lnkd.in/gYKWbAfZ

She learned what nursing could be by watching her grandmother. Krystel Reyes is originally from the Philippines. Her grandmother worked in the U.S. as a healthcare provider in a nursing home, and her example stayed with Krystel — dedication, compassion and daily choice to show up for those who needed care. "Caring for others is something I find deeply meaningful and rewarding," Krystel says. "I believe it takes both heart and courage." Early in her nursing career, Krystel cared for a premature newborn for many months. A bond formed between them as she watched him fight. Despite everything she and the team gave, the baby didn't make it. She was caring for his family at the same time, supporting them through their grief while navigating her own. "That experience taught me how deeply nursing can impact you as a person. It also helped me understand the importance of resilience, while recognizing when to step back and seek support or guidance from others." Krystel joined Elkhart General Hospital earlier this year, bringing her nursing experience to the Flexible Acuity Unit. Connecting with heart, she says, means making patients feel seen, heard and valued. Being sick and hospitalized can make someone feel vulnerable, she says, and nurses are there to advocate, offer empathy and encouragement. It also extends to colleagues. During a busy shift, when someone is overwhelmed, she steps in without being asked. "It's not just about completing tasks, but about genuinely caring for one another as professionals." Nursing has given her a deeper appreciation for both life and death. "It has taught me to value each moment and the people around me," she says. Her family keeps her grounded. "Even though we are miles apart, I continue to feel their unwavering support in every decision and path I take." To anyone considering a nursing career, she says this: "Pursue it wholeheartedly. With dedication and genuine passion for helping others, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. Staying focused on your purpose will carry you through even the most difficult moments."

During Stroke Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a treatment that’s helping stroke patients recover faster: thrombectomy. A thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove a clot blocking blood flow to the brain. When performed quickly, it can significantly reduce long-term disability and improve recovery outcomes. At Beacon, patients across northern Indiana have access to advanced stroke care close to home. Memorial Hospital is a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center — and the only one within a 70-mile radius. This means expert stroke care is available when and where you need it most. Remember the signs of stroke — and act FAST: • Face drooping • Arm weakness • Speech difficulty • Time to call 911. Share this post to help spread stroke awareness — because recognizing symptoms quickly can save a life.

They are the bravest people Josh Flatt has ever met. And most of them are still in grade school. In nine years as a pediatric nurse at Beacon Children's Hospital, Josh has cared for children who face things no child should have to face. His heart lives in pediatric oncology, where he follows kids through their entire treatment journey, shift after shift, appointment after appointment. "These kids go through so much at such a young age, yet they remain the bravest real-life superheroes I've ever met," he says. "Seeing their resilience taught me that strength doesn't always look like physical power. Sometimes it's simply a smile from a hospital bed." Josh came to nursing through his father, who studied to become a certified medical assistant when Josh was young. He watched him pore over textbooks, absorbed by the dedication it took, and it stayed with him. He came to nursing after years as a medical assistant, which means by the time he walked onto a pediatric unit he already understood something essential: patients need someone in their corner. He has never had a single lightning bolt moment that confirmed he was in the right place. It builds over time. A child smiling on one of the worst days of their life. A family expressing gratitude for the care the team provided. "Those moments serve as a constant reminder of why this work matters." Connecting with heart, to Josh, means making sure every patient and family feels truly seen. "Not just treated," he says. It means understanding that every person processes difficult times differently and choosing, intentionally, to meet them where they are. Eighteen years in healthcare have deepened his ability to recognize what he calls the invisible burdens people carry. He notices things others might miss. He loves more intentionally because of it. Outside the hospital, time outdoors and quality time with his family keep his mind and heart stronger than the stress of the job. "Come into it with an open heart," he says to anyone considering nursing. "The science and clinical skills can be taught. But the soul of nursing is human connection."

There was a patient who just wanted to fish one more time. He was an avid fisherman, and as a hospice nurse, Stefanie Patrick understood that some wishes are not just wishes. They are the whole point. She arranged the outing, got him on a boat and put a rod in his hands one last time. His family told her afterward that he talked about it for days. For Stefanie, that is what connecting with heart looks like. Not in a clinical moment, but in a fishing boat, on an ordinary afternoon, giving someone the one thing they needed most. Eight years into her work as a Home Health and Hospice Case Manager at Three Rivers Health, Stefanie has come to understand something that is hard to explain to people outside this work. Helping someone die with dignity and comfort is not a sad job. It is a sacred one. "You are not only a nurse," she says, "but you become part of their family." She grew up in this community. The patients she cares for are often the parents, grandparents or relatives of people she has known her whole life. "They find comfort in seeing a familiar face," she says. Hospice has taught her to pay attention to the things that matter most at the end of a life. A smile. Sunshine. A little more time. She came to nursing through her family. Her aunts were nurses. Her father was an EMT. She grew up listening to their stories and admiring the way they showed up for people in need. But it wasn't until she found her way to hospice that everything fell into place. "Helping people and their families in the worst moments of their lives is so rewarding," she says. "Doing everything I can to make sure your loved one dies with dignity and comfort." Her faith carries her through the hardest days. "Having hope after death takes away some of the sting," she says. "I have an opportunity to share that hope with patients and their families." Her husband also carries her. He knows when she needs a hug and when she just needs someone to sit beside her. To anyone thinking about becoming a nurse, Stefanie's answer is simple. "Do it. There are so many different paths you can take. You will never get bored."

Bug bites and stings are part of camping season, but some reactions may need more than an ice pack and anti-itch cream. From tick bites and spreading redness to signs of infection or allergic reactions, knowing what’s normal and what’s not can help families stay safe while enjoying the outdoors this summer. “Summer should be about enjoying time outside. A little preparation goes a long way in making sure a minor issue doesn’t turn into a bigger one.” — Jaclyn Stoddard, PA-C Learn what symptoms to watch for, when to seek urgent care and how to help prevent bites before your next camping trip. Read the full article. https://bit.ly/4ewOhpH

When Erica Horvath's family gathered at her grandfather's bedside, they had just received the news no family wants to hear. There were no further interventions. Nothing more medicine could do. A nurse entered the room and began caring for the family with extraordinary grace and compassion. He made sure her grandmother, keeping vigil at her husband's side, had warm blankets, food and water. He tended to the family the way he tended to the patient. That experience, Erica says, she cannot put into words. She had been working in healthcare for seven years as a certified medical assistant. Colleagues and managers had encouraged her to go back to school for nursing. But fear held her back. Fear of failure. Fear of whether she could manage nursing school while being a wife and a mother. Watching that nurse move through her family's grief with such quiet purpose, those fears began to fade. By that summer she was back in school. Nearly eight years into her role as Group Practice Manager for Beacon Medical Group's Education and Float Team in Indiana and Michigan, she still carries that nurse's example with her. One patient she will never forget came to her not in a hospital room but in the simple act of scheduling an appointment. His fear was palpable. She took her time with him, walked him through the process and made sure he felt supported. After his visit, he sought her out to thank her personally and ask for a hug. "That simple gesture of gratitude is something I will never forget. In that moment, the patient affirmed and validated exactly why I chose to become a nurse." Erica says connecting with heart lives in the smallest moments. Eye contact. Remembering something important about a patient. Being truly present. Showing up as your authentic self, without being guarded, and allowing genuine compassion to guide every interaction. "Above all, nursing has taught me to approach others with empathy and grace, allowing compassion to guide how I can care for and connect with those around me." To anyone considering this path, she offers both encouragement and an open hand. "I would encourage them to do it. And I would ask, 'How can I help support you through your journey?'"

Megan Bridgeman was 18 years old when her grandmother died unexpectedly in a hospital. Despite her grief, the nurses she watched caring for her grandmother showed her something she has never forgotten — how much it matters to have the right person beside you in the hardest moments of your life. "Her loss created a sense of purpose for me. Instead of just being an extremely painful event in my life, it became something I carried forward." Today, Megan is the Clinical Support Manager for the Kalamazoo and Allegan Cancer Center, where she has spent her 25-year nursing career with what is now Beacon. Leadership, she has learned, is just another form of nursing. "Helping staff grow, mentoring newer nurses and creating a supportive environment is just as important and meaningful to me as bedside care because you're multiplying that impact through others." Earlier in her career, Megan spent time as a hospice nurse. One patient she will never forget was a young, newly married man with terminal cancer. Despite his diagnosis, he was full of life and positive energy. He told her she had a gift for connecting with people and that even in the hardest moments, life is still worth living. He told her not to wait for the perfect time, to laugh, make memories and enjoy the people around her while she could. Life isn't about how much time you have, he said, it's about what you do with it. She thinks about him when she watches her team at the Cancer Center. Nurses pooling money to buy tickets to a sporting event for a patient who couldn't afford them. Birthday celebrations set up in treatment rooms. Uber rides arranged so patients can make their appointments. And then there was the nurse who purchased a Sasquatch costume, went outside on April Fool's Day and ran past the treatment windows just to get some smiles and laughs from the patients. "I truly work with the most compassionate group of people." To those who are considering nursing, she says, "Do it. It's one of the few careers where you can make a real difference in someone's life. The compassion, patience and strength you bring can mean everything, not just to patients, but to their families, too."