‘Top-Notch care’ influenced college student to study medicine

Nearly a year ago, a college student was in ICU. Now, she is looking at a career modeling one of the caregivers she credits for saving her life.

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

She was 21, playing college softball when Anna Gobeyn experienced pain in her rib cage. She learned she had a rare condition called, “Slipping rib syndrome.” She went in for surgery at an out-of-state hospital and flew back home to Zionsville for her winter break.

What followed was nothing short of a nightmare. She began vomiting and fainting.

“I was in septic shock. My organs were failing, and I had chest wall fasciitis - flesh eating near my heart. It can be fatal and was in the worst location,” said Gobeyn, the daughter of Brett and Elena Gobeyn. She has two older twin brothers.

The 2022 graduate of Zionsville Community High School was a softball standout and was in the middle of her sophomore year at Case Western Reserve University.

A year ago, she was rushed to ER at IU Health North and transferred to Methodist Hospital for emergency thoracic surgery.

It was a physician assistant at IU Health North who made a lasting impression on Gobeyn.

“Kevin Harold is one of the biggest parts of my story. He was the first person who believed something was wrong and I needed help. After my surgery they said it is a matter of minutes and quick decision making that made the difference,” said Gobeyn.

“That surgery saved my life,” said Gobeyn. Her mom credits IU Health Physician Assistant, Kayley Rainey, Dr. Sachin Shah and Dr. Chad Denlinger for that life-saving care. “When she arrived at IU North, she was septic and in kidney failure and the immediate focus on infection was crucial. Dr. Denlinger was amazing, and we are so thankful that he was the surgeon to operate on her. He explained everything to Anna and to us and was reassuring when he spoke to us after the surgery. Dr. Shane Smith from cardiothoracic surgery spoke to us in the Methodist ER and was great as well.”

Her mom also mentioned nurses who helped Anna braid her hair and brush her teeth when she was inpatient, and doctors who answered her questions. “Dr. Alex Fletcher and Dr. Bret Lawson from the surgery team and Dr. Kayla Clodfelter from cardiology engaged with Anna by asking her questions about what she is studying in college,” said her mother. She also mentioned the occupational and physical therapists, who connected with Anna as a college athlete.

“Anna received top-notch care. All of these individuals are heroes to us, and we will be forever grateful,” said Elena Gobeyn.

What few from that care team knew at the time, is that Anna Gobeyn was a biology major, exploring career options. When she was six, she dressed as a doctor. After recovery she had an opportunity to shadow Kayley Rainey. That experience, along with her emergency care, set the course of Anna’s career.

She has transferred to Butler University to be closer to her IU Health doctors and to eventually enroll in the college’s physician assistant program, requiring an additional three years of study after she obtains her undergraduate degree.

At Butler, she is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She also volunteers with the Human Society and is part of the Butler Dance Marathon committee, supporting Riley Hospital.

“I think it’s pretty cool working in an emergency room and I’d love to work at IU Health.” said Anna.