Our team of faculty librarians at the Ruth Lilly Medical Library work across the spectrum of academic medicine channeling their expertise into research skills training and consulting in finding and evaluating published research information. All of their work supports health and medical education, research, and publication, all of which ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes as well as quality of care.

They also publish!  We couldn’t be more proud of our team of faculty librarians at RLML and thought we’d share a list of their publications and scholarly presentations over the past academic year:

Peer Reviewed Publications

Conference Presentations, Papers and Posters

The Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace celebrated its first anniversary on May 19th, 2023, with an event that aimed to not only commemorate the milestone but also educate medical students about the exciting Virtual Reality resources available on campus. The event brought together RLML Makerspace staff members, IU Health Medical Library representative Jason Lilly, University Library VR lab representative Jason Peercy, Idea Garden Team Lead Zachary Snyder, Idea Garden Student Support Coordinator Eric Raymond, and Idea Garden Student Technologist Matthew Muller.

As medical students finished up their final exams, they were met with a warm welcome from RLML Makerspace staff and emerging technology professionals at the entrance of the Ruth Lilly Medical Library. Jason Lilly ensured the VR headsets remained clean and safe for use with the Clean Boxes he brought from IU Health’s Medical Library. The UV Clean Boxes were brought in to sanitize the headsets between uses by using UV Light to disinfect them, providing students with a hygienic and worry-free VR experience.

In addition to VR resources, Idea Garden staff members demonstrated AR (Augmented Reality) capabilities using the Microsoft HoloLens. Students were able to immerse themselves in this augmented reality headset, visualizing intricate anatomical structures in a whole new way. Those interested in utilizing the HoloLens should visit the Idea Garden in Hine Hall on the IUPUI campus (Room IP106) Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm.

The University Library VR department plays a crucial role in emerging technology education and innovation by offering VR development opportunities to students, faculty, and staff across the entire Indianapolis campus. By encouraging students to explore the creation of VR experiences, the department fosters creativity and empowers students to contribute to the growing field. Additionally, students can check out Meta Quest 2 VR headsets from the University Library to continue their VR exploration at home, breaking the boundaries of traditional learning environments.

Upstairs in the RLML Makerspace, students were greeted with a sweet treat – cupcakes! At least 50 students visited the Makerspace, giving them the opportunity to explore the equipment available, including VR headsets, 3D printing resources, and materials for silicone molding and casting. The RLML Makerspace houses three VR headsets: two Meta Quest 2s and one HTC Vive headset. With over 30 applications total across the two platforms, students are provided with a wealth of learning opportunities. From anatomy study applications to meditation and wellness programs, the VR experiences cater to the educational and practical needs of medical students. Students can engage in practical training sessions such as CPR training and proper handwashing techniques in a clinical setting, enhancing their skills in a simulated environment

The RLML Makerspace is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, allowing students to make use of the VR services during their free hours. For added convenience, appointments can also be scheduled online through the Makerspace’s website (https://library.mednet.iu.edu/makerspace/) or by email (rlmltech@iu.edu).

Visit the Makerspace!

Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace staff members, Cassandra Jones and Amanda Papandreou, recently completed a unique long-term project to create a replacement birth canal for the Fairbanks Simulation Center’s birthing mannequin! The use of simulation mannequins is an essential tool used to help train medical professionals and hone their skills and knowledge in obstetrics and gynecology. After years of use the original birth canal in the birthing mannequin had torn in several places, and the special silicone material the original birth canal was crafted from made it difficult to simply repair. This is where the Makerspace team stepped in to create a replacement birth canal.

The RLML Makerspace team determined that the birth canal was made up of two parts, a hard plastic inner frame, and a soft silicone outer shell that stretches to replicate the birthing process. They began by 3D scanning the original birth canal, with assistance from Brian Overshiner from IU Health, to reverse engineer a 3D printed frame for the new birth canal that would fit seamlessly into the birthing mannequin. The team then created a 3D printed mold for the frame of the birth canal to fit into and poured silicone into it to create a new outer shell.

The challenge was in selecting the appropriate type of silicone for the replacement. Since the original birth canal was made of proprietary silicone, the Makerspace team members had to select a new silicone material that was similar in texture. They ultimately decided to use two types of silicone that were already available to the Fairbanks Simulation Center’s staff and would be easy to repair. During the testing phase, the Makerspace team found that the first silicone material was too soft and easy to rip, and the second material would be too tough to act as a birth canal. To achieve the perfect level of strength and flexibility, the team mixed the two types of silicone to create a durable, yet flexible birth canal.

Once the prototype birth canals were finished, the Makerspace staff brought them to the Simulation Center to test out. The team also brought the 3D-printed birth canal mold, 3D model files for the mold and birth canal frame, and instructions for assembly.  The Fairbanks Simulation Center can now easily repair their new birth canals and generate new birth canals as needed resulting in savings in both time and money. Most importantly, thanks to the Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace staff, the birthing mannequin is once more ready to train healthcare providers.

When staff at the Fairbanks Simulation Center were asked for comment on their experience working with the RLML Makerspace staff, Ryan Stambro had this to say: “We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the brilliant minds of the Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace. They were able and willing to take on a project to remake a birthing canal for a medical birthing simulator for IU Health, at the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall. We met with them and discussed what happened, why it happened and how they might be able to help us get the manikin back up and running. They did a great job modeling the birth canal and were able to create a replacement one. We supplied some of the supplies and they came back with a working canal. We thank them for their expertise and time!”

The RLML Makerspace is open to the IU School of Medicine community Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm.

Visit the Makerspace!

Ruth Lilly Medical Library’s Sandy Nogle is a special member of the IU School of Medicine. She and her therapy dog Mabel regularly appear on campus to soothe stress, comfort sadness, and bring a little joy to everyone willing to gaze into Mabel’s sweet eyes. Mabel is a golden retriever that Sandy worked to certify as a therapy dog during the pandemic. Since training Mabel and starting her own therapy dog program, she has trained and continues to train other dogs and their owners as well, and has become a well-known wellness ambassador on campus. She has made an impact in our Medical Library, in the IU School of Medicine and other schools on campus, and continues to grow her program and the therapy dog community throughout Indianapolis. Last month, Sandy’s story was posted in the IUPUI Journey’s blog, online at: https://journey.healthy.iu.edu/sandy-nogle.html

We are so very grateful to have Sandy and Mabel (or Bruce, or Bella) visit us regularly in the library and so proud of Sandy for making such a big impact here in the Medical Library and elsewhere on campus.

Although summer slows down, RLML will still be hosting #MabelMondays. Please feel free to come on over for a sweet visit with Mabel and Sandy on any of the following dates:

• Monday, June 12, 10am-11:30am
• Monday, June 26, 10am-11:30am
• Monday, July 10, 10am-11:30am
• Monday, July 24, 10am-11:30am (canceled*)
  
• Monday, August 7, 10am-11:30am (canceled*)
  

*Sandy accepted a new position and her last day working at RLML is July 21st, 2023. #MabelMondays are on pause for now, but we expect to see her back later in the fall – watch for announcements!

To celebrate the Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace’s first anniversary, RLML Makerspace staff have partnered with Virtual Reality specialists from across the IUPUI campus to provide IU School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff with a hands-on VR experience in the Medical Library on May 19! RLML Makerspace staff members, Cassandra Jones and Amanda Papandreou, along with IU Health’s Jason Lilly, IUPUI University Library’s Jason Peercy, and the Idea Garden’s Zachary Snyder will be sharing their expertise and helping students, faculty, and staff take their first steps into virtual reality.

If Virtual Reality interests you or you’re curious to experience Virtual Reality for the first time, visit the Ruth Lilly Medical Library atrium on May 19th between 11 am and 2 pm, and don’t forget to stop by the RLML Makerspace on the second floor, room IB202, for cupcakes!

More about this event: Guests at the Makerspace VR Experience can look forward to exploring the different ways they can access VR across campus and the different ways it might be used in professional settings. The RLML Makerspace has a library of over 20 VR applications including two robust anatomy study applications, 3D Organon and Sharecare YOU. Users can also use VR for wellness, to create a serene space for meditation anytime, anywhere.

More about the Makerspace: The RLML Makerspace is located on the second floor of the Ruth Lilly Medical Library and it provides IUSM students, faculty, and staff with emerging technology resources including Virtual Reality Headsets, 3D Printers, and Silicone Molding and Casting Materials. The Makerspace has regular staffed hours of 10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday, to allow walk-in appointments and in-person consultations. Makerspace staff are present to assist guests with any questions they may have and to get started using any of the technology available in the Makerspace, free of charge.

Registration not necessary to attend. Save this event to your calendar!

The final John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Spring Series lecture was given on April 17th By Dr. Alex Kor: “The Lessons of the Holocaust for Healthcare: Personal, Professional, and Historical Reflections”. The event was part of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics Dr. William S. Silvers Holocaust, Genocide, and Contemporary Bioethics Lectureship and was co-sponsored by the John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Society and the Ruth Lilly Medical Library.

The recording of this event can now be viewed in IU Media Collections Online: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/752633mt9h

This lecture was the final John Shaw Billings Lecture of the Spring 2023 semester. Thanks to all who attend our JSB lectures and for your interest in the John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Society! Other archived lectures also available online:

» History of Medicine Lectures

» Medical Humanities & Health Studies Program Lecture Series

Master’s Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program listen as Nexus Manager Cassandra Jones explains how to use TinkerCAD, a beginner-friendly free 3D modeling software.

The Ruth Lilly Medical Library (RLML) Makerspace provides medical students and faculty members access to tools and equipment for prototyping and design. Makerspaces like the one at RLML are becoming increasingly popular, especially in medicine, with some medical schools now incorporating them into their curriculum. One way the Ruth Lilly Medical Library is incorporating the use of its Makerspace is by hosting workshops on 3D printing for medical students. This service works especially well when a faculty member requests it for their class.

Recently the RLML Makerspace hosted a workshop for students in the Master’s degree program for Anesthesiologist Assistants. The workshop covered a range of topics, including how to locate anatomical 3D models, how to determine the printability of 3D models, how to prepare 3D models for 3D printing in a slicing program, and how to send a 3D print on a 3D printer. The students learned about the different types of 3D printers available and the materials that can be used in 3D printing. In addition, the students learned how to evaluate the quality of the 3D prints and how to identify and address common issues that can arise during the printing process.

Image of the 3D-printed larynx that was given to each student who attended the workshop. (Image originally posted by students to their program’s Instagram page @iumsaprogram) 

One key aspect of the workshop was the use of a slicing program. A slicer is a program that converts a 3D model into instructions for the printer to create the object layer by layer. During the workshop, the students learned how to use a slicer to prepare their models for printing and how to adjust various parameters to optimize print quality.

After the workshop, each student received their own 3D-printed larynx model, which they can use for study. In a social media post after the workshop, students highlighted the value of the workshop commenting  “A solid understanding of airway management can only be improved by having our very own larynx models.”

The Makerspace staff encourages other faculty members to schedule similar workshops with them. The RLML Makerspace can hold groups of up to 10 students at a time, and larger classes should be split into units of 10 or fewer. Workshops can be scheduled by contacting the Makerspace staff via email at rlmltech@iupui.edu.

Discover a new way to learn!  » Visit the RLML Makerspace

On Wednesday, April 5th, the John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Society and Ruth Lilly Medical Library co-sponsored a lecture titled “From Paper to Purgatory: The History of Electronic Medical Records and Their Impact on Healthcare” with speaker Bill Tierney, MD of the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health.

The lecture was part of the Regenstrief Educational Insights and Learning Series (REILS) and other co-sponsors included the IUPUI Medical Humanities & Health Studies Program and the IUSM History of Medicine Student Interest Group.

Dr. Tierney’s research is focused on improving health care delivery and its outcomes through developing and implementing electronic health record systems and health information exchanges in hospital and outpatient venues in Indiana and in East Africa. His talk provided history regarding paper records and many insights into the problematic issues with those systems and the difficulty in transitioning to digital records.

Thanks to all who attended in person and online via Teams!

• The recording of the event can now be viewed in IU Media Collections Online: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/z40k81rq7f
• The slides are also available in IUPUI ScholarWorks: https://hdl.handle.net/1805/32288

To find out more about the John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Society, visit: https://library.mednet.iu.edu/history-of-medicine/history-of-medicine-society/