Honoring exceptional care: Grateful patients celebrate their IU Health Heroes

Every day across Indiana, IU Health caregivers walk alongside patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Their compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment to healing often leave lasting impressions and moments patients carry with them long after treatment. Through IU Health Foundation’s IU Health Heroes program, grateful patients can share their appreciation and honor the caregivers who made a meaningful difference in their healthcare journey.

A courageous journey and a caring guide: Honoring Dr. Landrum

One grateful patient shared how Lisa M. Landrum, MD and her team became a lifeline during an especially challenging period of cancer treatment.

“Dr. Landrum and her team provided outstanding care. They are so knowledgeable, patient and kind. They always listened carefully to my concerns and responded accordingly. They gave me the courage and strength to continue through a very difficult treatment.”

For Dr. Landrum, receiving recognition through IU Health Heroes is deeply meaningful.

“When a patient takes the time to share their story and pair it with a gift, it reflects something deeper than satisfaction with care—it reflects trust, gratitude, and the sense that your team made a meaningful difference during a vulnerable moment in their life. Recognition like this is both humbling and energizing.”

She describes the acknowledgement as a reminder that her team’s dedication matters, and that every act of compassion and every moment spent listening creates ripples of hope that extend far beyond a single appointment.

Life-saving expertise, lifelong impact: Honoring Dr. Moore

Another patient found their IU Health Hero in 2024 when they met Michael G. Moore, MD, Otolaryngology.

“Connecting with Dr. Moore has been what I call a divine appointment. He detected a stage IV aggressive type of cancer in my body. His care, including a 13+ hour surgery, saved my life.”

Dr. Moore reflects on the honor with humility:

“It’s really humbling to even just have the opportunity to do what we do and be brought into people’s lives in a very difficult time… More than surgery, it’s about knowing patients as people and helping them navigate the journey that is cancer treatment.”

He notes the courage required to pursue major, invasive treatment and credits the entire care team for supporting patients before, during and after surgery.

“This is the sort of job that, if you won the lottery, you’d get back up and keep doing it. It’s incredibly rewarding to play that part in people’s lives.”

About the IU Health Heroes Program

The IU Health Heroes program offers grateful patients and families a meaningful way to honor caregivers — physicians, nurses and care teams — who have made a difference in their lives. When a patient recognizes a caregiver with a gift or shares their story:

• The honored caregiver is recognized in a special way.

• Their story of impact is shared to inspire others across the IU Health system.

• The charitable gift supports IU Health Foundation’s mission, strengthening care throughout Indiana.

These gifts extend far beyond gratitude. They help provide patient assistance, fuel workforce training for nurses and physicians, and support transformational care initiatives. Donors play a vital role in making Indiana a healthier place to live, work and thrive.