ICU Survivor Clinic ‘helped me live independently’

Patients recovering from critical illness may experience long-term symptoms. IU Health has a program that walks alongside those patients, long after they have been discharged.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

When Zannah Harbert walks into physical therapy, she is greeted with not one, but several familiar faces. She has become accustomed to a network of hospital supporters accompanying her on her journey to improved health.

Harbert was first introduced to IU Health at the age of nine when she was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Doctors at Riley Hospital for Children decided that based on the tumor’s location, they would medically manage it, avoiding surgery. But by eighth grade, the tumor had doubled in size and Harbert required surgery.

“Since surgery, unfortunately, part of my pituitary gland doesn’t work and has caused a whole bunch of endocrine issues,” said Harbert, 38. In the care of Dr. Paul Skierczynski, Harbert continues to medically manage her symptoms.

She also works full time and lives independently near her family on the southside of Indianapolis. “We’re like the movie, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ We’re not Greek but we are loud,” said Harbert, the second of five children.

After high school she enrolled in the University of Evansville on a 21^st Century Scholarship and obtained her degree in nursing. She went on to receive her master’s degree from UIndy.

“I was drawn to nursing because of my experiences at Riley and Methodist. I loved my nurses,” said Harbert. She joined IU Health 15 years ago working in the neuro critical care unit. She then joined the hospital’s clinical education team working as a nursing professional development educator. In June 2024 she took on a role as Support Staff CORE Program Coordinator.

It was through her work as an educator and observing patients post-COVID that she became aware of long-term symptoms. Harbert was part of a team at IU Health that helped open COVID ICU (8 East). Many patients have long-term symptoms that required care outside their hospital stay, Harbert also learned about those symptoms firsthand. She too, experienced what has been identified as “post-intensive care syndrome” and “long-hauler COVID.” The survivor clinic works with both.

“When I got hospitalized and had a rough recovery, I rushed back to work and had a lot of brain fog. I was struggling living alone and being a nurse. I reached out to the clinical nurse specialist, Jill Dillon, and learned about the ICU Survivor Program,” said Harbert.

The program is a wrap-around service that cares for the specific needs of patients recovering from severe illness. Those needs may include critical care nursing, pharmacy assistance, pulmonary care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, spiritual support and mindfulness/cognitive behavioral therapy.

Harbert has taken part in the program for three years. Throughout that time, she has had other health complications that have landed her back in ICU.

Patients are referred to the ICU Survivor Program by their care team. Family members and loved ones may notice the patient feeling weak or tired, experience mood changes, anxious or depressed. They may notice problems with memory or attention, difficulty sleeping, or hair loss. Patients and family members receive an assessment targeted around their symptoms and designed to meet their needs and goals toward improved health. In addition to in-person visits, the program offers a monthly virtual support group.

For Harbert, the program has helped her with speech for cognition, physical and occupational therapy, and connecting to others who understand her desire to become healthy.

“Unless you have worked in healthcare or have a loved one who has a chronic illness, you don’t understand the highs and lows,” said Harbert.

“During and after my recent hospitalizations knowing I had the survivor clinic gave me tremendous relief,” said Harbert. “As anyone who’s been ill or has had a loved one that is ill, advocating is exhausting, frustrating, and time consuming. The Survivor Clinic really listens and partners with you advocating for the resources, care, and treatment that each individual needs currently and as their situation changes and evolves over time. I believe this is what makes the Survivor Clinic unique.”

The program meets patients where they are, treating not only symptoms but resources for basic needs such as transportation and financial assistance.

“This clinic has helped me to get out of surviving, to recovery, and back to living a full life where I'm able to play with my nieces and nephews, continue to work in a field I'm passionate about, and back to living independently.”

For more information or to schedule an intake appointment call: 317.962.5755.