Very few daughter/mother pairs face cancer challenges and chemotherapy at the same time. Yet that is exactly the situation that led us to seek care at IU Morgan Cancer Services. And exceptional care, delivered daily, is what we found with the Oncology Team. My mother and I were both diagnosed with cancer within 2 weeks of each other. After family deliberation, it was decided that my mother and father (who live in Boise, ID) would temporarily relocate to Indiana. This would bring parents closer to three children and grandchildren while seeking the services of Dr. Danielle Doyle, a talented, highly compassionate, and widely respected IU oncologist. A transfer of care is never easy, however, this scheduling was extra complex when it was determined that the best approach was to have the first treatment in Boise and the next five at IU. Dr. Doyle, Jamie, and Elaine made that coordination seamless and accomplished within 2 days’ time.

We are both nurses, with both clinical and leadership position experiences. We had high care expectations. The IU Morgan Oncology team follows national standards strictly and is current on data-driven, cutting-edge protocols, one of the markers of strong professional practice. When seeking answers to difficult symptom management problems, Dr. Doyle and the team always start the conversation with what the most current research shows, a reassuring approach that led to protocol modifications for both of us. These changes were reached via thorough, data-driven conversations that left us confident the changes were clinically strong and equivalent to the original choice, while also decided through strong clinician-patient collaboration.

Every oncology infusion center faces challenges, however, IU Morgan Oncology faces them professionally and with great teamwork. While they must have had days when they were short-handed, it never showed and care was never rushed; rather, patient care was always individualized, always delivered with a smile. While they shared their own stories to let us know whom they were without crossing the “TMI” boundary, their questions focused specifically on our problems with gentle, persistent probing until solutions were found. Best practice care protocols of always checking patient identification (name and DOB) were hard-wired into routine care delivery, as was the patient experience “what can I get you to make you more comfortable” query. One day Susan (pharmacist) was ready to jump in her car to pick up meds that were running late. Elaine quickly assessing a gastric distress and getting an IV recovery med started. Sonya and Aimee even offered rides home in a car trouble situation. All of these -- and many more --great examples of a team for whom going “above and beyond” is just part of who they are.

We know what exceptional care looks like. We want you and your leadership to know how fortunate and blessed your patients are to have you in their lives, taking this part of the journey with us. With profound gratitude and great affection,