MRHC Creates Important Economic and Community Impact

MRHC exterior
In all, Iowa’s hospitals provided 145,252 jobs statewide

Last year, MRHC generated just over 250 jobs that added $290,577 to Carroll County’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. Economic impact of an organization is often measured in terms of employment, income (payroll and benefits), taxable retail sales, and sales tax collections.

“We are grateful to be able to make such an impact on our local communities,” said MRHC Chief Executive Officer, Linn Block, RN, BSN, MHA. “It takes all aspects of a community working together to be vibrant and strong.”

The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data to the American Hospital Association’s annual survey of hospitals. The study found that Iowa hospitals employed 145,252 people in 2022. As an income source, Iowa hospitals provided over $9.3 billion in wages and expenses accounted for over $21.5 billion of the state’s gross domestic product.

“Iowa’s hospitals and health systems implemented the programs and services accounted for in this study in response to their communities’ needs,” IHA President and CEO Chris Mitchell said. “Many of these programs and services wouldn’t exist without hospital support and leadership. These efforts, with IHA’s advocacy, help ensure the financial stability of hospitals, making it possible for them to provide the services and programs most-needed by the people they serve.”

Community Impact

As a non-profit, critical access hospital, the mission and purpose of MRHC is to serve those in the local community and provide a public benefit. Quality healthcare has a large community and economic impact, and it is essential for attracting other industries.

MRHC continually works to provide quality healthcare services for the community. Expanding mental health services has been a recent top priority as it consistently rates high on community health needs assessments. To meet this need, MRHC now has a counselor providing therapy services as well as telehealth mental health care for patients 12+.

To provide additional convenient healthcare options, Manning Regional now has a dedicated provider offering more same-day appointments, a new patient portal was launched to improve patient experience, and orthopedic services have been expanded to include total hip replacements. These initiatives to expand and improve healthcare services have made an important community impact, adapting to the current needs of the community.

“In addition to providing healthcare through the services we offer, we also provide widespread benefits to support our community,” Block said. “We are proud to have served at least 473 people through various community service programs in the past year.”

MRHC offers a variety of community education events, trainings, and clinics such as CPR, AED, & First Aid training classes, blood drives, monthly wellness clinics, blood pressure clinics, concussion testing at the high school, walk-in flu shot clinics, and fall prevention screenings.

They also hold and participate in educational events, such as the Bike Rodeo, babysitting courses, Suicide Prevention Walk, Live Healthy Iowa Healthiest State Walk, Senior Fun Day, Medicare seminars, giving away bike helmets, and other health-related activities at Kinderfest. Many of these efforts have a direct impact on the local economy and overall community health.

Most notably, MRHC has held several Healthcare Career Camps for local middle and high school students to have an immersive experience learning about a variety of careers in the healthcare field. This effort was recently funded by a University of Iowa grant to continue the program for more students and expand the offering to additional school districts.

MRHC has also supported foundations such as the IKM-Manning Education Foundation, West Central Iowa Healthcare Foundation, American Cancer Society, as well as community organizations such as Little Hawks Childcare Center, Manning Child Care Center, IKM-Manning Color Run, Kinderfest, Trail to Nowhere Bike Ride, Pack the Pantry, Fireman’s Golf Tourney, Main Street Manning, Manning Chamber, Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park, Manning Rotary, and Boy Scouts of America.

“We are proud to share that in the past three years, we have provided over $100,000 in community health improvement services to benefit our local communities,” shared Block.

In 2022, Manning Regional provided $92,572.41 in charity care and served more than 54 people through those efforts. Charity care is also known as uncompensated health care, which is provided for free, or at a reduced cost, to people with limited income who would otherwise be unable to pay for their treatment. Various types of financial assistance are provided to patients, and community education events and important information about health and well-being are shared through radio and print advertising, news articles, social media, and the MRHC website.

“MRHC will continue to adapt and evolve our services to meet the needs of our patients,” shared Block. “We value being a trusted community partner to improve the health and well-being of residents in west-central Iowa.”

BJ Schreck Celebrates 26 Years in Iowa Air National Guard and Two Years at MRHC

BJ Schreck

BJ SchreckFor life-long Carroll County resident, B.J. Schreck, November 2022 marks 26 years in the Iowa Air National Guard. Schreck held several roles related to F-16 fighter aircraft maintenance early in his career, received his commission to become an officer in 2010, cross-trained in 2015, and has worked in the Communications/IT field over the past eight years. He has been deployed overseas three times, once each to Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq.

While Schreck currently manages a range of responsibilities as the Communications (IT) Flight Commander for the 132nd Wing in Des Moines, he also serves as the Information Technology (IT) Director at Manning Regional Healthcare Center.

“My military experience has provided me with an understanding of the impact teamwork can have in achieving common goals and how each person in an organization can directly impact performance,” Schreck shard. “At MRHC, it’s easy to see how the work we do in our department and the work all our employees do, both medical and non-medical, matters. Much like every role in the military, playing a critical role in National Defense, every position in our hospital plays a part in providing a compassionate, holistic health care experience the community can trust.”

While Schreck has an important role at MRHC as the IT Director, he also has occasional military obligations to fulfill. When he recently had to commit three weeks to his Guard unit in September, MRHC was in the midst of a major project, but he received nothing but support from his team throughout his absence.

“My supervisor, co-workers, and the Senior Leadership Team make it incredibly easy to focus on military obligations while I’m away and provide the resources to get caught back up when I return. They support me and always have,” said Schreck. “And at MRHC, you get to work in an environment where you’re trusted to make important decisions. And you’re supported when the day doesn’t go your way.”

In addition to supporting his military commitments, Schreck also values the flexibility of his job, the convenience of working close to home, and the work-life balance MRHC offers, as he has even more important job titles as a father and a husband.

“MRHC puts family first and allows me to dedicate the time I need to our schedule at home. I’m lucky to work for an employer where I don’t have to miss picking up one of my daughters, miss a game, or not be able to be somewhere,” Schreck said. “I can also leave work at the end of the day and not feel as though I need to take it with me. People here care about the people, not just the position.”

Schreck received a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from the University of Northern Iowa and interned in the IT department with American Home Shield after college. After working for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage IT in Des Moines, Schreck returned home to work in a variety of IT positions for American Home Shield for 15 years. He came to work for MRHC as the IT Director in November 2020.

“BJ is a tremendous asset to MRHC and has fit seamlessly into our organization,” said MRHC CFO, Amy McLaughlin, CPA, CHFP. “He is always making patient and staff needs his top priority and is such a reliable and knowledgeable resource for us all.  We are very fortunate to have him leading our IT team.”

To join the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information on current job openings.

Carroll Co. Growth Partnership Attends Annual Access Washington Trip

Linn and Dawn in DC
Block and Meyer Voice Area Concerns

By: Pam Kusel

It has been two years since Carroll County Growth Partnership has traveled on their annual Access Washington trip to visit with the Congressional delegation, federal agencies, and others to discuss important issues in Carroll County. COVID-19 and government shut downs kept the group from traveling to Washington DC the past two years. This year, the group brought a full slate of issues to discuss and new faces to experience our nation’s capital.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to Washington DC to advocate for rural healthcare,” said Manning Regional Healthcare Center CEO, Linn Block. “As Iowa saw its first hospital closure this year, the impact of many years of reimbursement pressures will continue to put the future of rural healthcare in jeopardy. MRHC has consistently been a leader in working alongside state and federal policy makers to ensure they understand our challenges as we continue to meet the needs of our community.” Linn and Dawn in DC

Dawn Meyer, Manning City Administrator, said, “We met with all four of the House representatives from Iowa and their staff. We also met with a representative of the Biden administration. We talked about a number of issues specific to Manning. We brought a proposed change for David-Bacon, which is a federal regulation relating to contracts that involve federal money. This is a long-term issue. In the past we have received quick turnarounds, such as the gas line. We also brought up several healthcare concerns; things that are important to MRHC. We felt it was important to support those issues, and Linn (Block) presented very well on that, and we got some good feedback from elected officials.”

Healthcare dominated the trip, being the leading issue brought by private industry. Linn Block, MRHC CEO, asked for continued support and funding of the 340B program, which has a large impact to their bottom line and helping provide healthcare in the Manning area. Both requests were given support from the entire Iowa delegation (four Congressional offices and two Senate offices). Allen Anderson, CEO of St. Anthony Regional Hospital, discussed the importance of the rural demonstration program and the funding support it gives to the Carroll hospital.

Kimberly Tiefenthaler, Executive Director of Carroll County Growth Partnership led the group to DC on her first Access Washington trip. “Access Washington is a phenomenal opportunity for our organization, area businesses, and constituency to bring issues to our nation’s leaders,” stated Tiefenthaler.

The City of Carroll discussed issues regarding the wastewater treatment plant and effluent limitations. This was discussed at all congressional meetings and of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asking for guidance to solve the problem and help the taxpayers of the city of Carroll. Other issues consisted of volunteer EMS support, transportation infrastructure (four-lane Highway 30), Davis-Bacon, Economic Development Administration reauthorization, and housing rehab. All issues gained the support of the Iowa delegation who were willing to help find solutions.

A highlight of the trip was meeting with Will McIntee, Associate Director of Public Engagement with the Biden Administration. The group met with Will at the Eisenhower Executive Office on the White House Campus, just down the hall from the Vice President’s office.

“We attend this trip looking for help and guidance to solve problems that people and businesses are facing here in Carroll County. Some years, CCGP has accomplished those tasks and some years, we continue to build relationships with the leaders in Washington DC. Either way, this trip is a benefit for the people of Carroll County,” stated Tiefenthaler.

Carroll County Growth Partnership invests in this trip every year and is to be used as a resource and benefit to Carroll County. Any leader or business can bring their issue and attend the trip in the future.

Attendees of the trip were: Kimberly Tiefenthaler, Carroll County Growth Partnership; Rick Hunsaker, Region XII Council of Governments; Dawn Meyer, City of Manning; Gene Meiners, Carroll County Supervisor; LaVern Dirkx, Carroll City Councilman; Mike Pogge-Weaver, City of Carroll; Allen Anderson, St. Anthony Regional Hospital; Linn Block, Manning Regional Healthcare Center; and Matt Meiners, Carroll Co. Growth Partnership.