Traveling apron keeps trauma surgeon’s memory alive

He was known for training countless practitioners in the OR. Now one of those practitioners has returned to IU Health Methodist with this surgeon’s lead apron.

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

There’s something sentimental in Heather Hohenberger’s story about how she became a nurse. Her mother, Nancy Cravens Tippin was also a nurse and completed her clinicals at IU Health Methodist Hospital.

While Hohenberger was in clinicals to earn her LPN, she observed her first surgical procedure: a thyroidectomy.

“I knew then I wanted to be an OR nurse,” said Hohenberger, who went on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and is pursuing her doctorate. She joined IU Health in 2001 and worked in various positions including same day surgery at Methodist, infection prevention at Riley Hospital, and perioperative care, before returning to Methodist Hospital in September 2024.

When Hohenberger came on board as the nursing development specialist for the OR, she brought with her a sentimental keepsake. One of her mentors over the years was Dr. Joseph Baele, who died on Sept. 24, 2021, at the age of 66. Throughout his career with IU Health, Dr. Baele was known for training countless medical professionals in orthopedic trauma surgery. He also served as a physician for Championship Auto Racing (CART), and following Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, Dr. Baele traveled to New Orleans to help with relief efforts. He returned in 2008 with the Indiana branch of Task Force 1. When he passed, his family said his cell phone had nearly 1,200 numbers of his patients.

“Not only was he a great surgeon, but he was also a wonderful teacher, said Hohenberger. “When I worked with Dr. Baele he not only taught clinical skills l but also life skills. He was generous with his time and approached patients and families straight from the heart.” When Dr. Baele retired, he gifted Hohenberger with his lead apron, worn in the OR to protect surgical team members from radiation exposure. After working in other nursing positions, Hohenberger recently stepped back into the OR bringing the keepsake apron with her to Methodist Hospital.

“I’ve returned back to Methodist where my journey started and I couldn’t come without the apron,” said Hohenberger “It’s where Dr. Baele wanted to retire, and dedicated so much of his life. It’s like bringing a part of him back home.”

And like her mentor, Hohenberger said she is excited to work alongside her colleagues in the OR.

“I grew up on a farm kid and spent time helping my dad fix things. The OR gives me an opportunity to help fix something. People come here because they need our help and I’m proud to be part of that team and to collaborate with the anesthesiologists, surgeons and other team members.”