The "big ol' teddy bear" in oncology

A DAISY nurse roams the halls at IU Health Bedford Hospital with a towering 6’5” frame that encompasses a heart full of love and care.

With a commitment to caring for others enhanced by a focus on safety, Mitch Fields, RN, BSN, OCN, approaches his work with a calm reassurance that comforts patients and team members.

“He quietly and humbly goes about his days, in such a no-fuss way, touching hearts and lives and making things so much better for those around him,” says IU Health Bedford Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Amy Little, DNP, RN, NE-BC. “For patients fighting terrifying battles for their very existence, he comes alongside them and brings a light into the darkness.”

Diana Friedman, BSN, RN, CMSRN, clinical manager of cancer services at IU Health Bedford Hospital, can attest to that statement. After all, she has known Fields for almost a decade and describes him as “the embodiment of a DAISY nurse.”

One may ask, “What is his secret?” Friedman shares that Fields puts three things above all else:

• Effective communication
• Building relationships with others
• Collaboration in the care of the patients on all levels

And while his dedication to knowledge, safety, communication, respect, and empathy makes him a great oncology nurse, there’s something a little extra to this individual, who people frequently call “a big ol’ teddy bear.” As one patient who has gotten to know Fields over the years explains, this nurse’s ability to truly care about people is rooted in his core.

“In talking with patients, families, and colleagues about Mitch, a word that surfaces time and time again is always,” says Little. “He is dedicated, steady, knowledgeable, caring and kind – always.”

He’s known as a go-to person for questions and reassurance, and he knows the importance of being and feeling safe for both patients and team members.

That’s why his team is excited to celebrate his nomination for the 2022 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in Patient Safety.

Friedman says, “It’s truly an honor working side by side with him every single day. I would like to recognize and thank Mitch for being a shining star in our unit and always prioritizing our patients’ care and safety above all else. He is truly an inspiration to us all.”