Archives for Heidi Prescott-Wieneke

Elkhart General RT describes “personal struggle of fortitude and perseverance”

Randy Stouder has worked as a Respiratory Therapist for more than 40 years, including 19 years at Beacon. Since February, Randy has cared for COVID patients in the Emergency Room, Intermediate Critical Care, Medical floors and Intensive Care units at Elkhart General Hospital.  "To accurately describe what is happening in our...

Beacon expands partnership with Pediatrix and Obstetrix Medical Groups of Indiana for obstetrical hospitalist care

Obstetrix Medical Group of Indiana will begin providing obstetrical hospitalist physician coverage in February 2021 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Obstetrix Medical Group currently provides high-risk maternal-fetal medicine coverage at Memorial, and for nearly 40 years, Pediatrix Medical Group has provided neonatal coverage at Memorial’s internationally recognized Newborn Intensive...

Beacon redeploys nurses, providers to support near-record levels of COVID patients at hospitals

Beacon Health continues to have near-record levels of inpatient admissions with significant stress on its providers and staff throughout the organization. The health system is redeploying nursing staff and providers from outpatient areas to support its acute care facilities because of this. Many nonclinical staff members are also volunteering to...

Final moments with a COVID patient: “I try to be their support until the end”

Amber Hodges, an Elkhart General Hospital registered respiratory therapist, shares her perspective about caring for COVID patients who are about to die. "I honestly didn’t think this was going to be any worse than the flu. I just figured it was going to be something we could get under control fast....

Elkhart General respiratory therapist describes joy, heartbreak, in caring for COVID patients

Erin Fini, a certified respiratory therapist at Elkhart General Hospital, describes caring for COVID patients. "We have patients coming into the Elkhart General Emergency Department who are having trouble breathing by the carloads every day. We see patients who are young and old, patients who have preexisting conditions, and people who...

Another record reached for COVID-positive patients at Beacon hospitals

We start this week with another record of 148 COVID-positive patients across our health system. Our staff continues to be stretched as we all step up to care for an ever-increasing number of people needing care. We continue to see an increase in the community spread of this virus and we are putting plans in...

Remembering Arthur J. Decio and his contributions to Elkhart General Hospital

  The team at Beacon Health would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and the people in our communities who were touched by the life of Arthur J. Decio, as we have been. Arthur “Art” was a legend in this community. His impact will live on for generations...

Beacon associates continue to step up in heroic ways during COVID surge

We continue to see increasing numbers of COVID-positive patients across Beacon Health System. Numbers are increasing not only here in our region, but also across the state of Indiana. Today (Friday), Beacon is caring for 128 COVID-positive patients. Our staff continues to step up and provide excellent care. A number...

Beacon Health Transport team assists St. Joseph County Police K9 shot in line of duty

Melissa Wolf knew time was of the essence. The emergency medical technician pressed on the accelerator as she followed the police car in front of her. Keeping a close eye on the two other police cars in the rearview mirror, she veered the ambulance onto the Indiana Toll Road and turned on...

Stroke survivor feels blessed for specialized care she received at Memorial Hospital

Like many moms, Tina Hill used to follow a regular morning routine. For years, she has been waking up to her phone alarm that’s set to the opening song in “The Lion King.” She usually reaches over to her nightstand to quickly silence the music. When her son and daughter were younger,...