Stories from the Field

Featuring HTS Healthcare Hero, Kristen Stedman

Meet Kristen Stedman, a 9-year HTS veteran and a PTA at Ketcham Memorial Center.

Kristen’s healthcare hero status was further solidified by Ketcham’s Administrator, Kathy Wittmer who stated, “We wouldn’t have been able to make it through navigating the PHE without the infection control nurse and Kristen.”

Kristen displayed her commitment to the residents during the PHE in many different capacities. For example, she showed up at Ketcham everyday – regardless if she had therapy patients on her schedule or not. Specifically, Kristen was involved in helping transition patients to ambulances, checking temperatures, and answering call lights to help prioritize patient needs.

Kristen stated the most challenging part of the PHE is knowing residents who became sick and some who even passed away. Oden, Indiana (where Ketcham is located) is a small town. “Since the community is so small, we are like family,” said Kristen. As like many facilities across the nation, Ketcham’s staff pivoted to meet the needs of residents. They adapted and they did so as often as necessary. The therapy team at Ketcham was praised for many reasons with the primary being their ability to change in order to navigate these new COVID-ridden waters.

Now that the initial shock and “pivot” is over, Kristen described some other COVID-related challenges. Restorative is now working in the therapy gym side by “distanced” side. This has required some shift in scheduling. The activities department is now requiring split groups. This also presents a call to action for better communication and organization when scheduling patients attending therapy sessions. All in all, everyone at Ketcham has worked together nicely. As Kristen put it, “For other facilities that are going through this now, it is most important to stick together (with the IDT). Everyone has to work together and you have to be there for each other.”

Thank you Kristen and Ketcham Memorial Center for sharing your Story from the Field!