Hands-On Experiences Spark Hartwigsen’s Passion for Emergency Medicine

Lisa Hartwigsen

Lisa Hartwigsen“Two unique opportunities early in my career made it clear to me that I wanted to be an emergency room nurse,” shared Lisa Hartwigsen, RN, and current Emergency/Med Surg Director at MRHC. “I have always been interested in healthcare but I wasn’t sure on what specific career to pursue. My junior year of high school I joined the Army National Guard as a combat medic. Then, the next year as a senior, I interned with Carroll County EMS.” These were two immersive career experiences Hartwigsen was grateful to have before attending nursing school.

Hartwigsen attended nursing school at DMACC in Carroll, initially became a nurse on the Med-Surg floor and then a charge nurse. “After that, I accepted a position in the emergency department and found my passion for emergency medicine,” said Hartwigsen.

Soon after, the opportunity arose for Hartwigsen to further her career as the Emergency Dept/Med Surg Director at MRHC. “I value the senior management’s mentorship in my new role, and I really appreciate how MRHC has encouraged me to seek out leadership classes,” shared Hartwigsen.

Hartwigsen also likes that MRHC prides itself on contributing to a positive work culture. As she grows as a director, her goal is to continue that within her department with a focus on personal development.

“I want to provide an encouraging work environment for my team,” Hartwigsen said. “The work environment at MRHC already encourages teamwork and growth within the facility. The staff works together to provide the best possible care to the community no matter what their role is.”

Focusing on the people is something that has already made Hartwigsen a great leader, according to Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle Andersen, RN, BSN. “Lisa has embraced the Med/surg/emergency department director role and always keeps patients and staff at the center of what she does,” Andersen said. Michelle Andersen

Hartwigsen attributes her ability to grow in her career to administration and appreciates how they have built a positive work culture and model constructive leadership. “MRHC’s administrative team is very transparent and keeps staff updated on the facility’s financial performance and plans for growth,” she shared.

In addition to the positive work environment and support from administration, Hartwigsen also enjoys the work-life balance that MRHC provides its employees. “The harmony between my career and my home-life benefits my family and I greatly,” said Hartwigsen.

For any student who may be considering a career in healthcare, specifically in nursing, Hartwigsen recommends that students, “job shadow different healthcare careers. You never know what might interest you.”

MRHC has hosted Healthcare Career Camps for local schools, providing immersive, hands-on experiences for students interested in learning more about various roles in healthcare. To learn more about taking part in a Healthcare Career Camp, contact Julie at Julie.hodne@mrhcia.com or call (712) 655-8179.To join the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers 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.

MRHC Inspires Ertz to Become a Nurse

Mya Ertz

Mya Ertz“I always knew that I wanted to help people,” shared Mya Ertz, RN at MRHC. “I found that nursing had many different avenues to care for others, so my junior year of high school I met with Jill Arp about the tuition assistance program through MRHC and I was sold. My passion to help others, in addition to the tuition assistance and flexibility in roles at MRHC, encouraged me to pursue nursing.”

The tuition assistance program at MRHC has helped many employees like Ertz advance in their nursing careers by paying for their tuition and books. Once an employee passes their boards, they return to work at MRHC and “work off” their tuition assistance. For every hour of work, $1.00 of the tuition assistance is “paid back.” The employee never actually pays MRHC. They simply go to work, use their education to properly care for patients, and then, over time, their tuition is paid back.

“The tuition assistance program is an amazing opportunity for people to gain experience in the field and complete school without the financial burden of student debt,” said Ertz. “I worked at MRHC as a CNA and LPN through school and gained valuable experience as I completed my RN.”

Ertz has now completed her schooling and has established a rewarding career at MRHC that she enjoys.

“I like working at MRHC for many reasons,” said Ertz. “Not only is MRHC close to home, but it also employs many of my close friends. The atmosphere is amazing, even in passing people say hi with a smile. The hospital is my home away from home.”

As Ertz looks toward the future of her career, she is excited to continue to learn and grow and is grateful for all the opportunities she will have at MRHC.

“I want to gain experience in a diversity of roles to determine how I can best care for patients and my family,” Ertz shared. “Another reason MRHC is a great place to work, I can help in different departments and roles!”

Because of Ertz’s passion for healthcare and eagerness to grow in her career, she has become a valuable asset to MRHC.

“Mya is a very determined individual and takes pride in all her work. If she sets her mind to something she accomplishes it,” said MRHC Clinic Director, Shelby Dickson, RN. “She is a great team player and always provides the best care possible to our patients. She goes above and beyond for her team and our patients. Mya has a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and has been a great addition to our team.”

For anyone who may be considering a career in healthcare, specifically in nursing, Ertz shares this advice.

“Nursing is a field with vastly different roles. The options are endless, and opportunities are bountiful.”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.