Caring for Family, Friends, and Community: Amber Croghan’s Story

Amber Croghan’s inspiration to enter healthcare started close to home. From working at the Manning Plaza in high school to her current role as a health coach at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC), she has continually evolved in her career while staying true to her desire to help others.

 “When growing up, all my grandparents received care at the Manning Plaza,” Amber, RN, shared. “My Grandpa Jahn was in there for a very long time after suffering a stroke, and while visiting him often, the path of wanting to help people started.”  

Seeing the compassion and care her grandfather received motivated Amber to step into the field herself. She began working at the Manning Plaza in 2008 while still in high school, taking on roles as an activity assistant and working in the dietary department. However, Amber soon became motivated to make a greater impact on the patients she worked with.

“I always wanted to be able to do more for the residents, which brought me to obtain my CNA certification and start working as a CNA,” Amber explained.

While Amber initially considered a career in occupational or physical therapy, she discovered a nursing program through the Carroll DMACC and decided to go the nursing route. While earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) licenses, she remained committed to patient care, working PRN to stay connected to her passion.

In July 2014, Amber achieved her RN license and began working at MRHC as a nurse on the Acute floor, Emergency Room, and Obstetrics. By 2015, Amber returned to the Manning Plaza as a floor nurse and later took on the role of MDS Coordinator. Her journey came full circle in April 2017 when she rejoined MRHC, this time as a float/triage nurse in the family practice clinic. In 2019, she transitioned into her current role as a Health Coach—a position that aligns perfectly with her goals and strengths.

“MRHC has always been supportive of me growing into different areas of nursing to fit the type of nursing I enjoy best,” Amber shared. “They are open to any ideas you may have for process improvement and make you feel heard with each idea. Each department is willing to help wherever it is needed to serve our patients.”

Amber’s dedication to her patients and her team is evident to those who work alongside her. MRHC Clinic Director Shelby Dickson, RN, shared, “Amber is highly reliable and deeply focused on patient care. She is an invaluable member of our clinic team and shows dedication to her work.”

Amber credits MRHC with helping her grow professionally and creating a workplace environment where she feels valued and heard. It is also important for Amber to work close to home and care for the people she knows and loves.

“I love working at MRHC because I get to work where I live, and I enjoy caring for family and friends to give them the best experience,” Amber shared. “MRHC is also very supportive of a work-life balance, which is important to me for my kids and husband.”

If you are interested in joining the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Amber Croghan

MRHC Creates Important Economic and Community Impact

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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.”