Michelle Price’s journey in healthcare began with a choice at Western Iowa Tech, where she selected practical nursing over welding, setting her on a path that would span over two decades and profoundly impact many lives.
“When I decided to go to college, there were two options locally, and I believe it was God who made my decision to become a nurse,” reflected Michelle, LPN.
Michelle began her nursing career by dedicating 19 years to caring for others through home health and working at the Manilla Manor. Her transition to the Recovery Center at MRHC in 2019 marked a significant pivot, driven by a desire for change and a deep-seated sense of calling.
“The reason I began working at the Recovery Center is because I had family members who dealt with alcoholism and addiction,” Michelle shared. “In 2016, I began attending the ‘source of recovery’ program after being encouraged by Esta Denton. I began to familiarize myself with the recovery community and after attending several functions with friends I saw the growth in clients’ eyes.”
Now as a nurse at the Manning Recovery Center (MRC), Michelle directly aids those recovering from addiction, witnessing transformative changes in their lives.
“I am so grateful that I am a part of the MRHC family and the recovery community,” shared Michelle. “My favorite part of my job is when I see clients come in, and they are usually broken inside, many without support, and with the help of all staff at MRC, the clients begin to grow, and I get to see the light come back into their lives.”
As September marks National Recovery Month, an annual observance to promote recovery practices; the recovery community; and the dedication of service providers; the Recovery Center takes pride in individuals like Michelle who work with passion and determination to help addicts. Michelle’s deep commitment to patient recovery resonates with her colleagues, who view her as an integral part of the Recovery Center.
MRC Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC, praises Michelle’s contributions saying, “Michelle is the kind, caring, and patient nurse we need here in the Recovery Center. It takes certain people to be able to work in this setting and she thrives here. She goes above and beyond for patients when they are here and with follow-up after. Patients continue to point out how much she cares and is available for them.”
In addition to a rewarding career where she can make a difference, Michelle values the team environment and support she receives from Manning Regional and MRC. She is also motivated by the drive and dedication of the leadership team.
“MRHC treats everyone like family, and I don’t feel like a number,” Michelle shared. “We are all encouraged to voice our concerns, and I feel heard. Taya’s drive to help the people in the community and those who struggle with substance abuse can be seen and felt by all.”
The choice to work in a rural setting like Manning’s has been another important factor for Michelle. She highlights the unique benefits of providing addiction services in a less populated area, where community bonds are strong, and the recovery community is notably supportive.
“Rural health care has always been a concern, so offering addiction services in a rural area is very important,” Michelle emphasized. “One of the many benefits of living in a small community is that people care. The recovery community in Manning is remarkable. I have had many clients tell me, ‘ALL of the staff treat me like I am worth something’ and ‘I’ve never been in a place that cares so much about me as a person’. I look forward to an expansion and pray for that daily because if we can make our 16 clients feel like they are important and give them hope I’d like to see MRC do that for another 16.”
If you are interested in joining the MRHC team, click here or call (712) 655-2072 for more information.
Recovery Center Services
The Recovery Center is a 16-bed, co-ed chemical dependency facility located in Manning. Services include detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and consultations or evaluations. The center’s trusted experts provide individuals with the right medical care, behavioral therapy, and social support to enable a healthy lifestyle free from drugs and alcohol. If you or someone you care about has problems with substance abuse, call (712) 655-2300. For more information, visit
“After working at the Recovery Center for a while it was clear to me that this is what I want to do for a living – help suffering addicts find hope in recovery,” explained Lytle. “Going through treatment here myself, I know the pain and struggles that our clients are going through. Being able to relate and help them through it is very rewarding and I want to continue doing that.”