FEATURES
Dr. William Schmalz, Monroe Hospital: Humbled by Challenge of the Unknown
“The challenge of COVID-19—even today, when we know much more about it than we did in the beginning—is still the unknown,” says Dr. William Schmalz of Monroe Hospital.
Nicole Johnson: Giving Back to Communities in Need
Nicole Johnson has seen the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of residents in subsidized housing. She lives in Crestmont, a mixed-generation, densely populated, low-income area of Bloomington’s West Side. “I come from a background where I’ve used social services,” she says. “Why wouldn’t I want to give back?”
Ranji Abraham: Ensuring IU Has ‘An App for That’
When Ranji Abraham and his teams of Indiana University programmers face a new challenge, the response is likely to be “there’s an app for that.”
Chris Morron: Nurse Helped Build Hospital Response
Registered Nurse Chris Morron has eyes on everything from pre-admission testing to post-anesthesia care. A manager in surgery administration, Morron has been with Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital for 26 years. So when go-time came to prepare for an influx of coronavirus cases, she was a natural.
Savannah Powell: Helping Immigrant Families
Diane Legomsky, former executive director of the Bloomington Refugee Support Network (BRSN), recalls how BRSN coordinator Savannah Powell arrived at a public event for the volunteer- run nonprofit organization. Powell greeted Legomsky with a question: “What can I do?”
FEATURES
Dr. William Schmalz, Monroe Hospital: Humbled by Challenge of the Unknown
“The challenge of COVID-19—even today, when we know much more about it than we did in the beginning—is still the unknown,” says Dr. William Schmalz of Monroe Hospital.
Nicole Johnson: Giving Back to Communities in Need
Nicole Johnson has seen the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of residents in subsidized housing. She lives in Crestmont, a mixed-generation, densely populated, low-income area of Bloomington’s West Side. “I come from a background where I’ve used social services,” she says. “Why wouldn’t I want to give back?”
Ranji Abraham: Ensuring IU Has ‘An App for That’
When Ranji Abraham and his teams of Indiana University programmers face a new challenge, the response is likely to be “there’s an app for that.”
Chris Morron: Nurse Helped Build Hospital Response
Registered Nurse Chris Morron has eyes on everything from pre-admission testing to post-anesthesia care. A manager in surgery administration, Morron has been with Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital for 26 years. So when go-time came to prepare for an influx of coronavirus cases, she was a natural.
Savannah Powell: Helping Immigrant Families
Diane Legomsky, former executive director of the Bloomington Refugee Support Network (BRSN), recalls how BRSN coordinator Savannah Powell arrived at a public event for the volunteer- run nonprofit organization. Powell greeted Legomsky with a question: “What can I do?”
Katy Howe: Leading Hospital’s Emergency Department
Katy Howe has gotten good at watching for storm clouds. She’s even better at finding their silver linings. Formerly with Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital’s emergency trauma center, Howe joined IU Health Bloomington Hospital as director of emergency services shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeff Mease, One World Enterprises: Free Meals for Servers & Hospital Workers
It’s been nearly six months since Americans first learned about the novel coronavirus. At the time, it seemed hard to fathom it could shut down our restaurants.
Leah Steele, Middle Way House: Patience and Positivity in a Time of Crisis
Middle Way House, a nonprofit organization that provides services to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault and their children, has helped people work through periods of crisis for nearly 50 years. It should come as no surprise that its commitment to advocacy didn’t falter with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Hamilton: Mayor Carries On As Family Is Hit by COVID-19
When Mayor John Hamilton gave his State of the City address in mid-February, the coronavirus wasn’t part of it. “But when March began, we became aware of the challenges,” he says.
Khalil Stewart, LPN: A Rallying Force at Stone Belt
Safely providing services for people with disabilities is a daily challenge during normal times. Doing so during a pandemic, however, requires an outside-the-box approach.
Abby Ang: Finding Resources for Marginalized People
COVID-19 is frightening enough for people with prominence and a voice in the community. For marginalized people—the unemployed, minorities, and the poor—it can be terrifying. With a new organization called Monroe County Mutual Aid, their voices can now be heard.
Fire Chief Jason Moore: Professional Risk Manager
If any profession is equipped to adapt to the unpredictable and ever-shifting risks presented by the pandemic, firefighters are at the front of the line, says Jason Moore, chief of the Bloomington Fire Department.
Anastasia Morrone: Leading Online Learning at IU
Technology leader Anastasia “Stacy” Morrone has been preparing for a pandemic for more than a decade.
Kelly Clark & Nola Hartman: Bloomington Fabric Mask Drive
When Kelly Clark closed her physical therapy practice as the pandemic escalated, she decided to spend her time making fabric masks for friends and family.
JaQuita Joy Roberts & Family: Helping to Feed Kids at the Food Train
When the stay-at-home order was given and most folks settled in their homes to ride out the pandemic, JaQuita Joy Roberts knew that wasn’t going to work for her. Roberts is a doer by nature.
Dr. Brad Erickson: First on the Front Line of Care
Caring for COVID-19 patients requires real mindfulness. Every footstep, every touch—and certainly every breath—matters.
Melinda Seader: The ‘Recycle Queen’
When Cardinal Stage sold its South Walnut Street building in the spring, moving into a much smaller space shared with the Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre, it was a complicated prospect.
Jane Walter, El Centro Comunal Latino: Helping B-town’s Latino Community
El Centro Comunal Latino (Latino Community Center), Room 200 of the Monroe County Public Library, provides native Spanish speakers with access to resources and a place to hold community events.
Heroes of the Pandemic (COVER STORY)
If there is any positivity at all that has come from this pandemic, it is the way our community has come together and the many people who have gone beyond the call of duty to help their fellow citizens.
Debbie Fish: Working for the Incarcerated
It was a play, a poem, and COVID-19 that inspired Debbie Fish to become an advocate for prisoners.
