Kala Chapman’s Journey to the Pharmacy Field

Kala Chapman

Kala Chapman“I started not knowing anything about being a pharmacy tech and was brought into the pharmacy setting just by chance. It turned out to be something I loved to do!” – Kala Chapman, CPhT

With no prior knowledge of pharmacy work, it was a chance encounter that led Kala Chapman to discover her passion. She is now building her career as a pharmacy technician at MRHC.

“I did have a lot of interest in healthcare as my mom and sister are/were both in healthcare and thought it would be the right fit for me as well,” Chapman said. “But I actually went to college to become an administrative assistant. When I moved to Audubon, I took a job as a ward clerk at the hospital. About five years later, the pharmacist was looking for a technician, so I took the test, and here I am!”

Without hesitation, Chapman took the leap, paving the way for her current role at MRHC where her experience has been one of continuous growth and support. Her sights are set on becoming an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician, a goal she pursues diligently through continuous education and training. Recognizing her potential, MRHC has empowered Chapman to expand her skill set.

“MRHC has allowed me to broaden my horizons as a pharmacy technician,” Chapman said. “They have sent me to classes to learn how to mix chemo and antibiotics safely for our patients. They’ve also provided training on obtaining medication histories from newly admitted patients. There are other classes that I plan on taking as well.”

The work environment is another factor that Chapman appreciates about working at MRHC. She enjoys the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn from others. Most importantly, she finds the work fulfilling and is eager to develop her abilities even further.

“MRHC is positive and supportive,” shared Chapman. “I get along with all my coworkers and we work well as a team. I just love what I do here and am excited to grow in my career.”

Pharmacy Director, Jen Morris, PharmD, praises Chapman’s contributions to the hospital, saying, “Kala does fantastic work as a pharmacy technician. She is detail-oriented and her highly reliable and accurate work ensures that patients have access to the meds they need. Her strong technician skills and willingness to help make her a valuable team member at MRHC.”

For students considering a career like hers, Chapman offers valuable advice. “I would tell a student pursuing a pharmacy career to job shadow or get a job just working in a pharmacy first to see if it will be something you like. If so, just study hard and the test should be a piece of cake!”

If you are interested in joining the MRHC team, click here or call (712) 655-2072 for more information.

Jacobsen Sisters Make an Impact in their Community

Jacobsen sisters

Many employees at MRHC have shared that their coworkers feel like family and that the hospital is like a second home. For four employees in particular, it couldn’t be more true. Four of the Jacobsen sisters, Taya Vonnahme, Mikasia, Neeka, and Kamaya Jacobsen work alongside each other in various roles at MRHC.

Taya VonnahmeTaya, the oldest sister, currently serves as the Director of the Recovery Center at MRHC. After becoming a CNA and working at the Plaza throughout high school, Vonnahme received her LPN from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2009. After transitioning to MRHC full time as a discharge planning nurse in 2011, she continued to add jobs to her title until 2015 when she applied to go back to school for her RN. Once she graduated with her associate degree in nursing, she transitioned to a house supervisor at MRHC and obtained her BSN from Walden University in 2018. In 2020, she earned her master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner with support from the MRHC tuition assistance program.

“I knew I wanted to be in healthcare since I was young after watching the impact my family had on people in the community as healthcare providers,” shared Taya, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC. “Our parents worked for the local EMS, our father worked with the fire department, our uncle works as a paramedic in Carroll County, and our grandmother was a well-known nurse here at Manning Regional. We’ve had a lot of great influences.”Mikasia

A sentiment that Taya’s sister, Mikasia, echoes when she thinks about what encouraged her to pursue a career in the medical field. “My grandmother was a biginspiration,” said Mikasia, BSN, RN. “She was an ER nurse, and getting to dress up in her scrubs and play with her equipment at home is something I remember fondly.”

Mikasia currently works as a House Supervisor at MRHC. After joining the Carroll County Ambulance as a volunteer in 2016 and completing her EMT in 2017, she decided to start nursing school. She completed her CNA in 2018 and started working at MRHC. Through MRHC’s tuition assistance program, Mikasia received her LPN in 2020, her RN in 2021, and finally, her BSN in 2022.

“MRHC has been a blessing with easing the strain of nursing school by offering me tuition assistance,” Mikasia said. “The relief of not having to worry about affording classes, while in the middle of a pandemic, was another huge weight lifted off my shoulders. My co-workers and supervisors at MRHC were also supportive and pushed me to continue my education.”

In addition to their family members and coworkers being an inspiration for their careers and a solid support system, the sisters have always had, and still have, an important impact on each other.

Kamaya Jacobsen“My family is for sure my main support through my career choices, but my sisters are my biggest supporters. They are the ones I go to for any decisions or help I need along the way,” said Kamaya. “It was because of my sisters I got the opportunity to work at MRHC.”

Kamaya works as a CNA on the med/surg floor and a counselor tech in the Recovery Center. Two roles that allow her to frequently work alongside her sisters.

“Being able to work with my sisters is one of my favorite things. We have a unique bond that we get to bring into the hospital that tends to bring a lot of laughter and joy to our patients, clients, and coworkers when they experience us working together,” Kamaya said. “We are very close and do many things in our lives together so why would work be any different? We have a love for our community as well as our jobs, making what we do easier as we get to care for many people that we know in some way or another,” Taya added.

Yet another factor that played a large role in the girls choosing their career paths – knowing they could make a difference in the community they grew up in.

Neeka Jacobsen“I wanted to help my community in a way that would make an impact,” said Neeka, CADC, a CNA, EMT, and counselor tech in the Recovery Center. Mikasia adds, “there are highs and lows when working in a small town. The lows hit a lot harder as these are the people we have grown up with or have watched grow up themselves. I care a lot for my community, and I hurt when we have a loss. But the highs are worth it. Being able to provide great medical care and seeing progress for our patients is very rewarding. I really enjoy that I can share these experiences with my sisters and that when people come in, they know they can count on one of the Jacobsen/Genzen girls.”

Taya goes on to add that, “this community is where I was raised, and I’ve been shown how important community support is. This [career] is how I can continue to support my community.”

The women also share that, in addition to the support they receive from the community, each other, and their family, they would not be where they are without their team at MRHC.

“MRHC has allowed me to get the opportunity of working in different departments which has helped me expand my knowledge and skills over the last few years,” Kamaya shared.

Neeka adds that “they have helped with studying before licensing tests and have supported me through the transition to various roles throughout the hospital. I like the fun working environment as well as how much support we get.”

Taya points out that “the hospital has developed and changed, offering me different opportunities I never anticipated. My co-workers are truly the best reason to work at MRHC. In addition to that, the flexibility for my family and outside duties are always met.”

Mikasia emphasizes that “my co-workers are great and offer support in both my professional and personal life. I like that I am close to home and get to care for patients I know every day. I know I am where I am needed and that I am doing my part as a nurse to help provide excellent care here at MRHC.”

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

Blazek Finds Opportunity to Grow Nursing Career at MRHC

Crisentia Blazek

Crisentia BlazekAfter making her way to the United States from Indonesia, Crisentia Blazek eventually made Iowa her home and began her career as a nurse at MRHC.

Blazek was born and raised in Indonesia, and after graduating high school, she moved to Kansas to study nursing at Hesston College. She obtained associate degrees in arts and nursing, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later moved to Iowa after marrying a local resident.

“My husband encouraged me to apply at MRHC because of its connection to the Manning community which is known for being forward-thinking,” Blazek shared. “MRHC has been a welcoming place for me to start my career as a nurse. My co-workers try to help whenever I need it. The providers are willing to answer questions I have about diseases or treatments. The community is there for you during the good times in life, such as welcoming a new baby or an achievement at work, as well as the challenging times, like grieving the loss of a loved one.”

Blazek started her career as a full-time nurse in the acute/ER department at MRHC in 2018. In 2022, she transitioned to the Specialty Clinic. She works with and assists different specialty providers, including a general surgeon, podiatrist, cardiologist, orthopedic surgeon, ENT specialist, dermatologist, wound care provider, gynecologist, urologist, and mental health professional. Blazek also provides outpatient services including, but not limited to, infusions, injections, and dressing changes.

“Crisentia has been a great addition to our specialty clinic here at MRHC,” shared Specialty Clinic Manager, Elaine Macumber, RN. “She is a fast learner and has taken on multiple training courses to provide expertise in infusion nursing, cardiac stress testing, and caring for patients who need outpatient nurse visits for various reasons. She also brings kindness to her patient care, something that our patients notice right away.”

While MRHC is thankful to have a talented and considerate nurse like Blazek, she is mutually grateful for the opportunities she has had to grow her nursing career in a rural community.

“MRHC has supported and helped me by providing feedback during my annual evaluations, offering continuing education inside and outside the facility, and giving me an opportunity to work in different departments,” said Blazek.

Not only has Blazek directly benefited from the resources and support MRHC offers, but her sisters are also among many others who have been able to take advantage of the hospital’s dedication to help current and prospective employees continue their education and grow in their careers.

“MRHC shows that they value their employees by providing financial assistance for college education, offering shift choices for employees who are taking college classes, and giving opportunities to learn new skills through job shadowing,” Blazek shared. “My family and I are appreciative of MRHC’s focus on bettering the skills of its workforce.”To join the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information on current job openings.

Nissen Celebrates Over 50 Years at MRHC

Linnet Nissen

Linnet NissenAfter 51.5 years of dedication to Manning Regional Healthcare Center, Linnet Nissen, a recognizable name and face for many current and past MRHC patients, employees, and providers, has made the decision to retire. Nissen was hired at Manning General Hospital in September of 1971 and she recalls how things were quite different back then.

“When I first started, I did switchboard, admissions, and all other office duties,” Nissen shared. “I was hired to do medical transcription for all the doctors and surgeons which was interesting since I didn’t have any medical background or transcription experience. I took typing in high school which consisted of the first semester on a manual typewriter and the second semester electric. I was told to leave blanks on the words I didn’t know, which ended up being a lot. So, I relied on the nurses quite a bit. I would put the tape back in the Dictaphone, run it up to the nurse’s station, and they would tell me what the word was. They later hired a transcriptionist to do that, and I moved into other shifts.”

Since starting her career at Manning General Hospital in the early 70s, Nissen has held a variety of roles and worn several hats throughout the years.

“I have done billing for all insurances, home health care insurance billing, reconciled Medicare, XIX and BC logs for fiscal year end, admissions with scheduling, transcription, and helped with the control center for fire, ambulance, and police when Manning General Hospital had the control center in their business office. We also did rural water and lifeline for a few years,” Nissen recalled. “I liked working with all the departments, but when we moved into our new building in 2014, I wanted to be up front as I enjoy taking care of and talking with our patients. I have known a lot of them for many, many years.”

Throughout her 50+ years at MRHC, Nissen has seen healthcare change and evolve before her eyes. She recalls that the installation of their first computer system was one of the biggest advancements at the hospital during her career.

“I think that was in the middle 80s, and we have probably gone through at least four or five different systems since then throughout my time at the hospital,” Nissen said. “With the upcoming changes for the new computer system and after working for 51 years, I decided it was time to retire.”

As Nissen looks forward to retirement, she reflects on all the relationships she has built with all the people she has met through MRHC.

“I have had a lot of memorable moments throughout the years. All my supervisors have been great, and I have been through it all with several personnel, weddings, graduations, deaths, and many laughs over the years,” Nissen shared.

“Linnet is the epitome of dedication having worked a majority of her life at MRHC,” said MRHC CEO, Linn Block, RN, BSN, MHA. “She will be missed by so many of our patients and staff and leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion, and empathy for all those she encounters. We wish her health, happiness, and fun in her retirement.”

It’s no surprise that after 51 years, Nissen has grown close to many patients, employees, and providers and finds retirement somewhat bittersweet.

“I think my longevity with working at MRHC has to do with the people and patients and the fact that I really didn’t want to travel to go to work. I raised my three children from the age of three months until they all graduated from high school while working here,” Nissen shared. “I feel I will leave a lot of my heart and soul at MRHC because they have also been a family to me. I will truly miss the patients, families, and employees who have made my job so complete and fulfilling. This isn’t goodbye, it is see you all later. Thanks for the memories…”

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

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.

Christensen Helps Make an Impact Behind-the-Scenes at MRHC

LeeAnn Christensen

LeeAnn Christensen“When people think of healthcare, they often think of nurses, doctors, etc. – but there is so much more that goes into our patients having the best experience possible,” shared MRHC Revenue Cycle Director, LeeAnn Christensen, MHA.

Christensen and her team have an integral role at MRHC as the revenue cycle is the first and last encounter for a patient in a healthcare setting, whether it’s walking in the doors to register, calling to schedule an appointment, billing insurance, and everything that comes after patient care is done.

“There are so many talented and knowledgeable staff who are needed in the revenue cycle, and a lot goes into it,” said Christensen. “From registration to coding, billing, and patient billing, having our key players with the right personalities, certifications, and schooling is vital for our patients and MRHC.”

A local to the area, Christensen graduated from IKM, received her associate degree from DMACC in Carroll, and worked as a CNA at the Manilla Manor during college. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix she worked at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan as a Medicaid biller. She then moved to Omaha and held a variety of positions at The Nebraska Medical Center, gaining more revenue cycle experience. Once she completed her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Clarkson College, she was ready to be back in a rural area.

Christensen moved home after accepting a night ward clerk position at MRHC in 2013. She soon transitioned to an administrative assistant at MRHC and eventually came back to the revenue cycle, working in various positions as Chargemaster Coordinator, PFS Coordinator, Patient Access Manager, and Privacy/Compliance Officer. In 2021, she began her current role as the Revenue Cycle Director.

“MRHC has helped me grow, and I am extremely thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had at MRHC to gain knowledge in a variety of departments. My experience has given me a great, well-rounded base in my journey to get me where I am today,” said Christensen. “MRHC adapts as the industry changes and looks within to see how to utilize the great staff that is here. Having the support and encouragement to keep learning and growing is something that I very much appreciate!”

“LeeAnn’s vast background in healthcare and tremendous work ethic make her an extremely valuable asset to MRHC that we are lucky to have,” shared Chief Financial Officer, Amy McLaughlin, CPA. “She has an eagerness to learn and a desire to make herself and the teams she leads grow and improve daily.”

In addition to gaining experience within various aspects of the healthcare setting and having the opportunity to grow in her career, Christensen also values being able to work close to home.

“MRHC offers flexibility and promotes a work-life balance that is very hard to achieve, especially in management/supervisory roles,” Christensen points out. “We all agree, family comes first, and that message starts at the top of the organization. Being able to work so close to home in this type of role is something I am grateful for. I can take kids to their appointments, events, and be right there for the unexpected. Knowing I’m only a few minutes away from them during the day is great!”

She also recognizes that it is especially important in healthcare to be surrounded by a good group of people in a positive team environment.

“MRHC has taken huge strides in promoting a positive, supportive, and uplifting team environment and we can see it throughout the facility,” shared Christensen.

Christensen also points out that every role in the healthcare setting is equally important and makes an impact.

“I really like knowing that my work at MRHC helps take care of those I love and who mean the most to me,” said Christensen. “Helping my friends, family, and loved ones is priceless. I know I can make an impact on them, even if it’s behind-the-scenes. I want to remind people that there are quite a variety of roles in different areas for those who want to work in healthcare but not on the clinical side.”

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

MRHC Helps Individuals Ease into Retirement

Thrive close to home

As it has become more common for semi-retired or retired individuals to choose to continue working in a part-time or less intensive role, MRHC has taken notice and taken action to accommodate this emerging trend in employment.

“This is a great way for individuals to transition into retirement as well as retain and attract high-quality staff who might want to cut back on working full-time, eliminate travel, or simply remain connected within healthcare. And it has been a win-win for us,” said MRHC CEO, Linn Block, RN, BSN, MHA.

This is the case for Nancy Danner who worked as a registered nurse for 27 years in the Carroll County area, a Certified Physician Assistant for 16 years in Manning, and a Certified Medical Coder at MRHC the last four years. After retiring in August, she has since transitioned to a volunteer position as Senior Health Insurance Information (SHIIP) counselor at MRHC. Nancy Danner drop out

“I will be 70 in October, but I wanted to volunteer for something that was really needed,” Danner shared. “SHIIP helped my husband and I when we had to make Medicare-related decisions and we found the volunteer counselors were very helpful.”

Danner meets with individuals every Wednesday by appointment and provides information to aid in Medicare decision-making.

“I very much like the environment at the hospital, and I feel comfortable with the employees. I am happy to be able to continue to help the people of the Manning area as a SHIIP volunteer counselor,” Danner said.

Three other MRHC employees were able to take advantage of part-time roles as they looked to ease into retirement or take on less demanding jobs but continue to play an important role in healthcare.

Mindi Boyle now works as the Care Coordinator and Discharge Planner at MRHC after working in healthcare for 28 years. Boyle started her career at the Business Office at MRHC and spent 13 years filling a variety of roles at the hospital. After making a career change and receiving her four-year degree, Boyle worked as the Social Services Coordinator at the Manning Plaza for 15 years. Mindi Boyle

“After working for MRHC for 26 years, coming back felt like coming home,” said Boyle. “Working in a hospital setting has allowed me to continue to learn new things, help people, and stay connected in the healthcare arena on a part-time basis. I appreciate MRHC giving me the opportunity to continue working in healthcare and serving patients in a little different capacity than I had previously.”

Even after being away from the hospital setting for 15 years, MRHC staff have helped Boyle’s transition go as smoothly as possible and made it feel like she never left.

“Everyone at MRHC has been so welcoming and helpful. There is a team approach facility-wide to ensure that everyone, employees and staff, are taken care of with the utmost respect and care. We are fortunate to have such a progressive, professional, and compassionate healthcare facility in our community, and I am proud to be a part of that again,” shared Boyle.

Similarly, when Becki Ehlers reached retirement age after working in healthcare for over 30 years, nine of those spent in Admissions at MRHC, two as a receptionist at the Manning dental office, and 18 years as a chiropractic assistant and secretary, she was grateful to find a part-time role at MRHC. After seeing that the hospital needed a screener during the pandemic, she stepped out of retirement. Becki Ehlers

“I wanted to help patients again because I missed being around people.” Ehlers shared. “I liked the options that were presented to me for a retired individual. I enjoy being around people, and I can still help out with my grandchildren and spend time with friends and family.”

Ehlers was able to continue working after her services were not needed as a screener anymore, and she now works part time in the HIM department.

After 48 years in healthcare, Laurie Stein is coming back to work part-time at MRHC as she transitions into retirement. Stein started her career in healthcare in Sac City as a medical assistant before becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) and working in the Manning clinic for 35 years, seven of which she served as a CMA for Nancy Danner. She obtained her RN degree in 2010 and started at MRHC as a surgical and specialty nurse the following year. She obtained her BSN degree in 2013 and has been at the Carroll VA since then, providing primary care and mental health nursing to local veterans.

Laurie Stein drop out photo“I wanted to be closer to home instead of having to drive 20 plus miles one way to work every day,” shared Stein, RN, BSN.  “I thought it would be great to come back full circle to the clinic setting that I originally started at when I first came to Manning.”

Stein will be assisting MRHC transition to their new electronic health record system and working as a nurse as needed in the clinic. Not only is she looking forward to being back at MRHC, she is appreciative of the opportunity to continue working in healthcare with less stress and more time for herself.

“This part-time status will allow flexibility in my schedule so I can enjoy some retirement time such as freedom to travel and more time for volunteer work in the community that I am very passionate about,” Stein said. “I know a lot of the staff at MRHC so I feel that I will fit in well with the team environment, and I am looking forward to working with everyone. I haven’t even started, and I already feel welcome.”

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

Macumber Makes Career Strides at MRHC

Elaine Macumber

When Elaine Macumber and her husband, Jeremia, moved back to Manning, there weren’t any dental assistant jobs available in the Manning community. Having previously worked as a dental assistant, she was interested in continuing her career in the medical field without having to travel out of town, so she took a job at MRHC as a medical records/admissions staff for about a year until moving into materials management. One day, MRHC Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle Andersen, called Macumber and ultimately changed the trajectory of her career. Elaine Macumber

“I told Elaine, ‘I think you would make a great nurse and we’ll even pay for you to go to school’, and she did! She is not the only one. We try to mentor and help our employees with leadership development both externally and internally,” shared Andersen, RN, BSN.

Macumber went on to utilize the tuition program at MRHC to complete her LPN and RN education at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

“MRHC has provided me with a lot of career advancement,” Macumber said. “With the tuition assistance, the decision to go to school was easier on me. We didn’t have to worry about the financial obligation that school has with it, and I could focus on learning. Nursing school is a tough schedule anyways and with flexible hours at MRHC I was able to work full-time while in school and it really helped me get through. There are also a lot of great nurses at MRHC who helped me learn quickly.”

Macumber started her nursing career at MRHC working in ER/acute care before moving to the specialty clinic as a staff nurse. She took on additional training in the specialty clinic to be able to mix and administer chemotherapy and perform cardiac stress tests.

“The experience working in acute care and ER was great. I got to see a lot of good teamwork and you get to see a lot and learn from the house supervisors who guide you,” Macumber shared.

Now serving as the Specialty Clinic Manager, Macumber manages staffing and takes care of all specialty clinic provider needs. She will also continue as a clinical nurse in the specialty clinic performing infusions, assisting patients in consultations with the specialty doctors, and educating patients prior to surgical procedures.

“I really enjoy the specialty clinic,” Macumber said. “We have ten different clinics that we assist with, so every day is something different. I enjoy talking with the providers and learning as much as I can from them. I plan to work in the specialty clinic for a long time and we hope to expand our services when the need in the community presents.”

Not only does Macumber enjoy her role in the specialty clinic because of the variety of her work and the ability to continually learn something new, the people also make a big impact.

“I love the team environment here at MRHC, every employee has the patient’s interests at heart,” shared Macumber. “We work together to make our patients’ experience as pleasant as possible and still have fun while we do it.”

Specialty Clinic Services

The MRHC specialty clinic has several specialty doctors that see patients in Manning on a regular basis. Services include cardiology; dermatology; ear, nose, and throat (ENT); infusions; mental health; OB-GYN; orthopedics; pain clinic, podiatry; surgery; urology; and wound care. Visit www.mrhcia.com/events to learn more about the specialty area, the specialist or doctor(s) who provide the clinic, and what day they are available. For more information or to set up a consultation with any of the doctors, please call (712) 655-8100.

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

McLaughlin Helps MRHC Thrive

Amy McLaughlin

For Amy McLaughlin, a career in healthcare was never the initial plan. But with the support and resources from Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) and MercyOne, she not only found herself working in healthcare but helping lead a rural hospital, serving as the Chief Financial Officer at MRHC. Amy McLaughlin

“Healthcare is never something I intentionally sought out, it sort of found me instead,” said McLaughlin, CPA, CHFP. “After moving, I was looking for a career in finance closer to my new home rather than commuting to Omaha. This role just so happened to be vacant and turned out to be the perfect fit.”

McLaughlin graduated from Iowa State University where she received her undergraduate degree in accounting and started her career at ConAgra Foods, working in internal audit, consumer-branded finance, and mergers and acquisitions. After moving to Audubon, she found her way to MRHC in 2015.

“Anytime we can recruit a young finance professional to serve at one of our Iowa rural hospitals is a win,” said MercyOne Network Finance Executive, Sandra Christensen, CPA, FHFMA. “Amy has been no exception to this. She works hard every day to grow in knowledge and expertise to ensure the community has access to great healthcare. We feel so fortunate to have her in the CFO role at MRHC.”

Even though McLaughlin did not have a background in healthcare, MRHC saw potential and gave her the support and resources she needed to succeed.

“MRHC took a leap of faith and invested resources in me to help me gain the knowledge and experience that’s shaped me into the healthcare finance leader I am today,” McLaughlin said. “They have always been supportive of me furthering my education in both finance and healthcare. MRHC paid for the courses and exam to help me become a Certified Healthcare Finance Professional (CHFP), funded my tuition in the IHA Advanced Leadership Academy, and they pay for my Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) memberships.”

Since McLaughlin is technically an employee of MercyOne and represents the affiliate connection between the two organizations, she is able to benefit from additional resources.

“It’s often overwhelming trying to navigate the intricacies of healthcare finance. Being a MercyOne affiliate and employee has allowed me to tap into their pool of resources and vast areas of expertise when we have questions or need help navigating certain situations,” shared McLaughlin. “It has also allowed me to build a network of other rural CFO’s and finance professionals to bounce ideas off of and share best practices.”

Even with the resources and advantages that come with being a MercyOne affiliate, there have been no shortage of challenges in McLaughlin’s time at MRHC. Rural hospital finances are unique in that you can have increased hospital usage, increase your prices for services, and still lose money due to the complexities of both federal and commercial reimbursement.

“The biggest difficulty we run into is when insurance payers reduce their reimbursement rates. As a Critical Access Hospital, we don’t have a lot of control over what we get paid for the services we provide. We are constantly evaluating what our projected reimbursement will be versus the cost to provide the service,” McLaughlin said. “Unfortunately, at times it forces very difficult conversations and decisions about whether it makes sense to continue to offer something that’s unprofitable. We try to stay proactive and use a forward-thinking approach when faced with reimbursement challenges, but it’s certainly a struggle every year.”

McLaughlin recognizes that healthcare finance is constantly evolving, and she will need to continue to find ways to proactively stay ahead of the challenges that rural healthcare facilities are faced with. But she has been able to help MRHC overcome challenges, find success, and achieve several exciting milestones, including starting new service lines.

“We are continually evaluating and expanding service lines based on our communities’ needs, and I’ve been fortunate enough to aid in the startup of a couple in my time here including Senior Life Solutions, Wound Care, and total joint surgeries,” shared McLaughlin. “It’s always exciting when we get to offer a new service to our patients, especially as there is a lot of behind the scenes work that has to be done first.”

In addition to helping MRHC grow and succeed financially, McLaughlin also enjoys her work at MRHC because of the people.

“There is a fun, energetic, and supportive culture at MRHC, second to none. Everyone here matters, no matter what their role is,” shared McLaughlin. “The people here are so selfless and go above and beyond to serve our patients, the community, and each other on a daily basis.”

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

MRHC Introduces New GE Revolution Maxima CT Scanner

New CT scanner at MRHC

The radiology department at Manning Regional Healthcare Center recently upgraded their CT scanner to the state-of-the-art GE Revolution Maxima. The previous CT scanner was installed in 2010 at the former hospital location and brought to the new facility in 2014. Using new CT scanner

“With the acceleration of technology and the advancement of AI software, our old scanner quickly became outdated making the need for a new CT scanner a top priority,” said Director of Radiology, Linda Croghan, RT (R) (M)(CT)(ARRT). “Upgrading to a new model scanner allows for high resolution imaging, lower radiation exposure, more weight capacity and smart technology to account for specific patient anatomy.”

Previously, some patients had to be referred to other locations to receive CT services due to the aging technology. “With this new machine we have not had to refer anyone to other facilities in order to receive higher-quality scans,” said Croghan.

The new system also improves patient position accuracy and simplifies the entire patient set-up process by providing one-click, hands-free detection and automation.

The new scanner also reduces noise, decreases patient breath hold times, reduces time in the scanner, accelerates exam time from start to finish, reduces patient dose, and decreases contrast quantity. It improves the exam quality on patients where hardware (such as joint replacement) is present with metal artifact reduction software.

One of the unique features the CT scanner offers is the ability to the demonstrate the scan process to those who speak a different language or young children who may not understand directions or what is being asked, making the process more convenient for all who use the services.

“With this new scanner, we are able to deliver more personalized and comfortable care due to hands-free operation,” Croghan said. “Our plan is that once we become fully staffed we will begin to offer early detection cancer screenings.”

MRHC is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus for a radiology technologist to start immediately. The qualified candidate will have a permit to practice radiography in the state of Iowa, be a graduate of an AMA-approved radiologic technology program, and have a current certification as a radiographer ARRT-R. To learn more about this position visit www.mrhcia.com/careers.