Neeka Jacobsen Receives Outstanding Employee Award at Manning Regional Healthcare Center

Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is proud to announce Neeka Jacobsen, IADC, intake coordinator and counselor at the Recovery Center, as the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Employee Award.

The Outstanding Employee Award honors an MRHC employee who consistently performs high-quality work and extra duties beyond those normally assigned, works well with others, assists whenever needed, has a positive attitude, displays exceptional dependability, and creates a supportive workplace culture.

“Neeka goes far above and beyond what this hospital requires of her and is constantly trying to better herself so she can serve the community in a different capacity, if necessary,” a nomination letter shared. “She works to help various departments of the hospital and is willing to jump in wherever needed, whether the job is relevant to her position or not.

Another co-worker shared, “Neeka is continually thinking of ways to incorporate prevention into the community and represent the hospital in all aspects. She is always willing to jump in and help other departments with whatever is needed.”

Jacobsen was also recognized for her work with the Hidden in Plain Sight camper, an educational initiative designed to provide prevention resources and support for families affected by addiction.

“Neeka’s work with the Hidden in Plain Sight camper is amazing and is providing much-needed information for prevention, as well as helping families who may have loved ones who are addicted,” a nominator noted.

The Outstanding Employee Award was created to honor essential contributions of MRHC’s non-medical staff and their impact on patient experiences, organizational culture, and community outreach. Jacobsen’s recognition reflects her commitment to service, collaboration, and improving the lives of those she serves every day. Neeka will also be recognized during the 2026 Legacy Fund Gala on November 6, alongside the recipients of the DAISY Award, Impact Award, and scholarship awards, all of whom have been announced this month.

Alcohol Awareness Month

girl with head in hands with a bottle of alcohol

Since 1987, April has served as Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to examine how alcohol impacts our health, our families, and our communities. This year, the national focus is centered on a powerful new message: #ProofIsInTheNumbers.

While many view drinking as a simple way to unwind, the 2026 campaign invites us to take a closer look at the data and trends. From the rise in alcohol-related emergency room visits to a better understanding of long-term health risks, the goal this month is to move beyond stigma and toward informed, healthy choices.

More Than a Hangover: Understanding the Risks
One of the most significant emerging trends in public health data is the link between alcohol consumption and an elevated risk for cancer. While many associate drinking primarily with liver health, current research highlighted by the Surgeon General shows that alcohol consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer.

The “proof” also shows up in other ways:

  • Impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable accidents.
  • Scientific data show that alcohol use in young adults can interfere with vital brain maturation, impacting decision-making later in life.
  • Health experts are increasingly warning about the “dangerous overlap” between alcohol use and the opioid crisis, as mixing substances significantly increases the risk of fatal overdose.

The Rise of “No-and-Low”
It’s not all bad news. One of the most positive recent trends is the rise in popularity of high-quality non-alcoholic (and low-alcohol) options. We are seeing a shift in social norms where “mocktails” are no longer an afterthought, but the “go-to” drink in social settings.

The market is now filled with “No-and-Low” spirits, botanical elixirs, and sophisticated tasting menus that offer the social ritual commonly connected with alcohol use, but without the health trade-offs and risks. Choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle, or even just cutting back, has never been more accessible or socially supported.

The More Sober Generation
Another positive trend is that fewer young adults (age 35 and below) are drinking, and those who do consume alcohol tend to be drinking less. A 2023 survey from Gallup found that the number of adults under age 35 who report consuming alcohol has dropped ten percentage points over two decades, falling to 62% in 2021-2023 from 72% in 2001-2003. It’s becoming clear that today’s younger generations are more likely than older generations to see alcohol as a risk to their health.

How You Can Participate

  • Take an “Alcohol-Free Weekend”: Test the waters by going 72 hours without a drink. Notice how your sleep, energy, and mood change.
  • Educate Yourself: Look for the #ProofIsInTheNumbers hashtag online to find the latest toolkits on how alcohol policy and personal choices impact your local community.
  • Start the Conversation: Talk to your kids or younger family members. Data shows that parental disappointment is still the #1 reason youth choose not to drink; your voice matters.

Finding Support
If you or a loved one is finding it difficult to manage alcohol use, remember that Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing. There are more resources available now than ever before, from telehealth counseling to community-based recovery groups.

Need Help?

SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential, free, 24/7 information and treatment referral.

Manning Recovery Center: Consult with one of the experts in substance use disorder treatment by calling 1-712-655-2300 or learn more at manningrecoverycenter.com.

MRHC Recovery Center Awarded Opioid Settlement Funding

Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) announced that the Recovery Center has been awarded more than $500,000 in Iowa opioid settlement funding through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Misuse Prevention and Treatment program. The award will support a regional initiative to expand evidence-based opioid use disorder (OUD) services in Carroll, Crawford, Shelby, and Audubon counties.

“This investment allows us to reduce barriers that often prevent rural residents from getting timely, effective care,” said Shannon Black, CEO of MRHC. “It strengthens our ability to serve patients close to home while responding to a growing regional need.”

MRHC’s Recovery Center will use the funding to strengthen the region’s continuum of care, expanding access to intake and outpatient services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and chronic pain management. The initiative will increase access for Crawford County residents through a partnership with Crawford County Public Health in Denison, including on-site intake assessments and transportation to Manning for outpatients and MAT services.

The initiative includes establishing an integrated MAT clinic at MRHC and strengthening its multimodal chronic pain management program to reduce opioid reliance and improve outcomes. The project also supports specialized staff training, program leadership, workforce recruitment, and retention efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.

“MAT is one of the most effective tools we have for treating opioid use disorder,” said CNO, Michelle Andersen, RN, BSN. “This funding allows us to integrate treatment, education and care coordination so more people can access services and stay engaged in prevention and recovery.”

A key focus of the project is restoring local access for Crawford County residents following the closure of Denison’s former outpatient provider. MRHC will partner with Crawford County Public Health to offer onsite intake assessments in Denison and coordinated transportation to treatment services in Manning.

MRHC’s Recovery Center is uniquely positioned to serve medically-complex patients, including high-risk pregnant women, through access to 24/7 nursing, diagnostics, emergency services and coordinated obstetric care through a partnership with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, allowing patients to remain in treatment during medically-vulnerable stages of pregnancy.

“This support allows us to expand care while preserving the individualized, hospital-based approach that has defined the Recovery Center for more than four decades,” said Taya Vonnahme, Recovery Center Director. “By strengthening access, staffing and coordination, we can better meet patients where they are and support lasting recovery.”

MRHC will continue working with regional partners, including county leaders, hospitals, EMS, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations, to reduce stigma, strengthen referral pathways and improve access to care.

In addition to the opioid settlement funding, MRHC has applied for a Centers of Excellence designation through the state’s Healthy Hometown initiative under the Hometown Connections strategy. The designation would support rural health system partnerships and workforce recruitment and retention efforts, with award announcements expected in mid-January and contracts beginning in mid-February.

Mental Health Resources at MRHC

mental health services

“Based on the outcomes of our latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), mental health is one of the main concerns of our rural communities,” shared MRHC Education Coordinator, Julie Hodne, RN. “So, we are prioritizing mental health support, increasing available mental health resources, and sharing insight to better help people of all ages.”

Hollie Schechinger, a counselor at the Recovery Center at MRHC will be adding to her responsibilities in the coming weeks to serve as a full-time mental health counselor. Schechinger will begin seeing patients ages 12 and older beginning in June.

Mental health continues to affect many people regardless of their age, gender, medical history, life status, etc. and MRHC recognizes that a “one size fits all” approach to treatment does not work. MRHC strives to offer a variety of mental health services for different ages and needs.

According to the CDC, one in five people, including children, will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. With that in mind, it is important to be aware of common mental health warning signs.

Common Warning Signs in Children
  • Ongoing behavior problems at school, home, or daycare
  • Constant movement or hyperactivity
  • Frequent and unexplainable temper tantrums, outbursts, or explosive emotional reactions
  • Unusual fears/worries, thoughts, beliefs, feelings, or behaviors
  • Having a hard time getting involved with age appropriate activities
  • Difficulty concentrating, paying attention, or being organized for their age level
  • Lack of interest in friends and avoiding or isolating from friends and family
  • Negative moods for long periods of time
  • Obsession on certain thoughts, activities, or actions
  • Lack of energy even when well rested
  • Difficulty with sleeping
  • Frequent physical complaints with no obvious cause
  • Sad or hopeless feeling with no reason
  • Self-harm or talk of self-injury or suicide
  • Persistent nightmares or visual or audio hallucinations
  • Eating problems (too little or too much)
  • Violence towards others, animals, or property
  • Refusing to go to school and ongoing decline in school performance
  • Risky or dangerous behaviors like sexually acting out, recklessness, or running away

“Depending on the severity of their behaviors, we recommend that parents call to schedule a mental health evaluation with a mental health provider,” said Schechinger, LMSW. “If a child is making comments of self-harm or suicide, take them to the nearest emergency room.”

If you notice some of these warning signs, the CDC recommends several strategies for helping children cope with mental health issues. Talk to them about and validate their feelings of stress or sadness, reassure their safety, let them know it is okay to feel upset, be a good role model, spend time together, and provide professional support if needed. It is also important to limit their social media exposure, provide fun and relaxing activities, and maintain regular routines.

While symptoms can be similar to children’s, warning signs in adults often involve:

  • Decrease in enjoyment from and isolating from friends and family
  • Significant decrease in school or work performance or resisting to attend
  • Memory, attention, and concentration problems
  • Large changes in energy levels, eating, and sleeping patterns
  • Physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, backaches)
  • Feeling hopeless, sad, anxious, or crying often
  • Frequent aggression, disobedience, or lashing out verbally
  • Neglect of personal hygiene
  • Substance abuse
  • Dangerous or illegal thrill-seeking behavior
  • Being overly suspicious of others
  • Visual or auditory hallucinations

“Some effective ways to help cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders include going for a walk, reading a book, calling a friend, taking a nap, playing with animals, exercising, spending time with family or friends, taking a shower, watching a favorite movie or TV show, eating a snack, and going out to eat with friends or family,” Schechinger recommended.

Schechinger goes on to advise that if these strategies are not helping, it’s important to see a mental health provider for an evaluation and to follow their recommendations for treatment.

“MRHC provides outpatient mental health support through a therapist, medication management, and substance abuse addiction services through the Recovery Center if needed,” Schechinger shared.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Mental illness and addiction can often go together. Individuals with mental health disorders are statistically proven to be at high risk for addiction and those struggling with addiction have a high risk for mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety.

“Rarely do we treat someone who has an addiction that does not have at least one mental health diagnosis as well,” said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC. “These two iare very different diagnoses and have different treatments but are still associated with each other in various ways.”

Mental issues are sometimes signs of substance abuse as well. Psychological warning signs of drug abuse that can be seen as mental health issues are things such as changes in personality or attitude; sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts; and appearing fearful, anxious, or paranoid for no reason.

“Here at the Recovery Center, we have mental health therapists who come once a week to meet with clients. In addition to that, when I see clients, I help them address many of these issues from a medical standpoint,” Vonnahme said. “This is an area we are working to expand in the near future.”

Mental Health in Aging Individuals

Elderly individuals can also suffer from the effects of mental illness. Things such as more physical complaints, frequent ER visits, sleeping problems, low energy, cognitive issues, weight loss or gain, and isolation from family and friends can all result from an individual dealing with a mental health issue.

“Oftentimes, people attribute these changes as part of the aging process, but that’s not always necessarily the cause,” said Senior Life Solutions Program Director, Janet Brus, RN.

If you notice these things in a loved one, it is important to be aware of other red flags that may point to a mental health issue.

  • Change in physical status – not eating, losing, or gaining weight, or eating junk food
  • Increased irritability when normally very pleasant and easy going
  • Previously independent with daily tasks and now relies on someone to get groceries, pay bills, shower, etc.
  • Misplacing things
  • Talking about feeling lonely and isolated
  • An increase or start in using alcohol or other substances
  • Poor medication compliance

For elderly individuals over the age of 65 who are struggling with depression or anxiety, the Senior Life Solutions program at MRHC offers group counseling sessions that have seen great success.

“People often find a common ground with each other as they have all been through some of the same life experiences and enjoy the support from each other,” shared Brus. “It also makes them get up, leave their home, and gives them a purpose. We all need a purpose – something to get up and do and look forward to each day. Without purpose, one would just stay in bed and no longer participate in life.”

Family members, physicians, or other health professionals can refer individuals to the Senior Life Solutions program. For those interested in learning more or signing up, call 712-655-8262.

If you need additional mental health information, education, or would like to discuss support, please schedule an appointment with your primary care physician by calling (712) 655-8100 to discuss treatment options. For those 65 and older, call Senior Life Solutions at (712) 655-8262. Or call the Manning Recovery Center at (712) 655-2300.

Bolin Uses Personal Experience to Make a Difference at Recovery Center

Emmalee Bolin

Emmalee BolinEmmalee Bolin works as a counselor at the Recovery Center at MRHC and shares that her personal experience with addiction and recovery is what inspires her to help others.

“I actually attended the Manning Recovery Center in 2014,” said Bolin, LBSW, CADC. “I gained so much knowledge and understanding through my own experiences as an addict that I wanted a career where I could help others who also struggle.”

Following her own journey to recovery, Bolin worked as a Parent Partner with the DHS Mentor Program for three years before becoming the coordinator. In 2017, she received her associate degree from DMACC and went on to Briar Cliff for her bachelor’s degree in social work. After moving to Templeton in 2020, she accepted a position at the MRHC Recovery Center, saying, “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work where it all started.”

“Emmalee is a hard worker, she is always willing to jump in and cover when something needs to be done, and she is the first to volunteer to learn something new or obtain an additional license,” said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC. “You always know when Emmalee is around because we can hear her laugh throughout the Recovery Center. She is a wonderful person to have here!”

Bolin works as a counselor at the Recovery Center, a role that consists of leading group therapy sessions and following up with her case load of inpatient and outpatient clients.

“We work on the root causes that brought them to using drugs and alcohol,” explained Bolin. “I get to connect with clients and give them a sense of hope that they can get and stay clean and sober too. If I can make an impact on one person and help others to consider there is a better way of life than living in active addiction, then all my effort is worth it. Coming from experience, I want to help people who are going through addiction and show them a new way. I am tangible evidence that recovery is possible.”

In addition to utilizing her personal experience with addiction to help Recovery Center clients, Bolin points out that the support from others also makes a big impact.

“We have such a good recovery community here that embraces the clients and really cares about them,” said Bolin. “Our rural community, although small, has welcoming, thriving, and active recovery members. We have speakers from the area and past clients who come to share their experience, strength, and hopes to current clients. If it wasn’t for the recovery community in the Manning area, I don’t think we would be such a highly regarded facility.”

Bolin also has a great support system at the Recovery Center to help her do her job to the best of her ability. “I truly feel like we have a good team atmosphere,” said Bolin. “We all communicate well and when something happens or a coworker is out, we take charge of what needs to be done for our clients. I feel like my coworkers are my family.”

While it is important for Bolin to work in a positive team environment, she also appreciates the way the recovery process is structured as well as how clients are treated in Manning.

“I feel like we truly treat clients with respect. The Recovery Center staff treats clients as human beings who have an illness, not as criminals,” Bolin said. “We provide them with outlets like recreation and outside 12-step meetings. Although our clients may have a past, we truly believe through staying clean and sober they can become better people in society.”

While Bolin’s goal for all her clients is to help them achieve lasting sobriety and leave the Recovery Center with the knowledge and tools to live healthy, drug-free lives, she has no intention of leaving any time soon and is ambitious about the future of her career.

“My goal is to eventually get my masters in social work,” Bolin shared. “I am a good leader and have always been in management throughout my years of employment. I would love to be the director of the Recovery Center one day.”To join the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information on current job openings.

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. Recovery Center staff have adapted treatments to meet addiction issues from alcoholism to meth to the abuse of prescription painkillers. If you or someone you care about has problems with substance abuse, call (712) 655-2300. For more information, visit www.manningrecoverycenter.com

The Past, Present, and Future of the Recovery Center

Recovery Center 40th

The Recovery Center at Manning Regional Healthcare Center has been providing substance abuse recovery services in western Iowa for 40 years. To celebrate, all friends of recovery are invited to join The Recovery Center staff on August 6, 2022, at the Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park Konferenz Center from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This free event will include a luncheon, welcome from the Recovery Center Director, testimonials of recovery, and networking among all in attendance.

Before the Recovery Center celebrates this milestone with the community, we wanted to reflect on the center’s history to see how far it has come, share what the Recovery Center is like now, and see what is in store for the future of substance abuse services in Manning.

The SAT Unit

In 1982, the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, known as the SAT Unit, was established at Manning General Hospital after it became evident that substance abuse recovery services would fill an unmet need in the area. Since state funding was not an option, Health Resources, Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee worked with Manning General Hospital to establish the SAT Unit and an agreement was made for Health Resources to develop and manage the SAT Unit. The Iowa Department of Health issued the center a Certificate of Need, and clients were first accepted for residential treatment on January 17, 1983.

“The SAT Unit was the only hospital-based program fully functional with residential, outpatient, and support groups in Iowa at that time,” shared Denny Garvis, the Recovery Center director from 1990-2007. “We were also the first hospital-based program in Iowa to get a three-year licensure and 100% in licensure review. And those achievements had nothing to do with me, it was all the staff. Staff is key, and I had a tremendous team,” Garvis reflected.

Dr. Myer & Dr. McNerney were the beginning medical directors for the 12-bed SAT Unit. They initially started off with five staff members and provided residential and outpatient services. They also provided dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorder mental health services with Dr. Jerry Catron – treatment services that were groundbreaking at that time. The center was also able to host DMACC nursing students for 15 years through a DMACC nursing professor, Pam Garvis, so they could get a background in substance abuse and addictions, which was unheard of at the time. These experiences are still rarely offered in nursing education programs.

The Recovery Center eventually established outreach EAP and SAP programs in Atlantic, Carroll, Ida Grove, and Denison. When it came to outpatient services, Medicaid played a big role since they would only pay for outpatient services if the treatment center was within the hospital.

Eventually, many programs around the state started switching to strictly outpatient treatment based on low census, and the SAT Unit soon faced the same crisis. The numbers were very low for both kinds of treatment and at the time, the MRHC hospital board was questioning whether to keep the SAT Unit doors open.

“My philosophy was that if we do the right thing, we’ll get patients and that will keep the doors open. I argued that if we could sustain one year of operating in the red, we could survive, and the board went along with it,” Garvis said. “As other similar programs went to just outpatient, we remained residential, and thankfully it worked because a year and a half later our numbers started to improve. Bill Ohde was a strong hospital board supporter for us to get the one-year probationary program, and without his input & support, I don’t think the Recovery Center would be here today.”

The SAT Unit’s name was later changed to “Manning Family Recovery Center” to draw attention to the expansive family support program.

“The name SAT was always cold to me,” Garvis explained. “When we decided to change the name, we had a contest for the staff and that’s how we came up with Manning Family Recovery Center. It best identified what we did because the family component is key to recovery.”

After 33 years in a historic hospital on Main Street in Manning, the Center moved to its present location at 1550 6th Street in 2014 when Manning Regional Healthcare Center moved. The new space allowed for more natural light in patient rooms and space for indoor and outdoor recreation. Finally, to simplify outreach efforts, the center shortened its name to the Recovery Center in 2018.

As Garvis reflected on how the Recovery Center operated in the 80s, 90’s and 2000’s, he shared a few key takeaways:

“We are very proud of what has happened here over the years, but if there was anything in treatment that we could have improved on back then, it would have been working harder to help clients understand that you can still have fun and not drink and use. We always struggled with that,” Garvis said. “We tried to have as many social functions as we could to introduce people to the ‘real world.’ Our intent was to help them understand that 90% of the population drinks and uses, and that’s the world they’re going to function in when they leave treatment.”

While many things have changed and evolved within the Recovery Center, one thing that has unfortunately not changed is the stigma associated with substance abuse.

“To say that low income or minorities are the ones that need treatment is false,” Garvis said. “We have treated politicians, several mayors, doctors, lots of nurses, lawyers, administrators, ministers, priests, and paramedics,” – the number one profession of individuals the center currently treats.

Garvis went on to explain how the stigma and embarrassment that goes with addiction can deter people from seeking treatment services. He also points out the advantages of receiving treatment services at The Recovery Center in Manning.

“The credit to this place is that it is very private and secluded. Once clients get here, they understand that nothing is going to leave here without their approval,” Garvis shared.

The Recovery Center Now

The Recovery Center’s staff now consists of 11 full-time staff and five as-needed staff. The multi-disciplinary team includes the medical director, an administrative assistant, 24-hour nursing services, four licensed substance abuse counselors, two full-time and four part-time counselor techs, a nurse care coordinator, family therapist, licensed clinical coordinator, psychologist, and a director. The center also has a 16-bed capacity but can overflow into the hospital if needed. There are two people to a room and each room has their own bathroom and shower.

“We have never been empty, and we always have a significant waitlist. The average wait time right now is four weeks,” said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, tCADC. “But if someone were to walk in right now, we’d find a bed for them. We’ll overflow as much as we have to. I won’t turn anyone away.”

Other than having additional space if needed, another main factor that differentiates Manning’s treatment program from others in Iowa is the fact that the Recovery Center is a department within MRHC, a critical access hospital.

“Being connected to the hospital allows us to easily access all possible modalities of care from lab, radiology, nursing, specialty clinic services, and more,” shared Vonnahme.

It also allows the Recovery Center to take patients who have extenuating medical backgrounds and several who have significant medical issues as they can be seen by specialty providers at MRHC during their stay.

The co-ed chemical dependency facility offers services such as detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and consultations or evaluations.

“Our services continue to change and grow,” shared Vonnahme. “Currently, we provide treatment at four levels of care from detox, residential, and three options of outpatient treatment. Everyone can benefit from one of the types of services and most clients follow a steppingstone path and will work their way down through their specific treatment plan.”

The Recovery Center bases treatment plans on evidence-based practices, incorporating therapies and strategies proven to have successful recovery outcomes for previous addicts. The 12-step framework and other therapies and services are utilized to facilitate the recovery process. The licensed counselors follow best practices by individualizing each treatment plan, so they are specific to each client’s needs and goals.

“For example, outpatient services can be varied based on how many hours a week someone needs,” explained Vonnahme. “We mostly focus on intensive and extended outpatient treatment each week. These levels are usually completed by someone after they finish a residential stay, but it does not have to be that way. There are outpatient clients who never complete residential treatment and that is sufficient for them.”

Recovery Center staff have adapted treatments to meet the most pressing or newly emergent addiction issues, from alcoholism to the influx of meth to the abuse of prescription painkillers. The main goal for clients is to take their first step toward healthy, drug and alcohol-free lifestyles.

The Future of the Recovery Center

As the Recovery Center continues to grow and evolve, they have big goals for the future of recovery services.

“Our team continues to grow in many ways. We have started offering problem gambling and prime for life services (Iowa OWI course) and are working to add additional services, but it takes time,” Vonnahme said. “I hope to be able to dedicate much-needed time to a prevention program. This work is greatly needed, and we are striving to bring it back.”

While it is a top priority to expand prevention and outpatient services, they also want to emphasize the importance of mental health education.

“There are not enough services out there for mental health or addiction so we are trying to do the best we can in the short amount of time we have with the people that come in for treatment,” Vonnahme said.

Fortunately, the Recovery Center has an overwhelming amount of support and assistance within the hospital. MRHC administration and the board of directors recognize that that the Recovery Center is a key service line and part of the long-term vision and strategy of MRHC.

“I have a very good administration backing me who trusts and helps me,” Vonnahme shared. “That makes a huge difference being able to do this job because my administration team is pretty understanding of some of the issues with insurance and realizing that we’re doing the best we can with what we’ve got. They’re supportive when I want to take a risk and will let me try new things.”

In addition to a supportive administration, board of directors, and a determined Recovery Center staff, the Manning community is also a strong advocate for the center.

“We are fortunate for the support we get and always have as well as the community we’re in,” Vonnahme shared. “I’m very lucky with the staff, volunteers and support we have. The only reason I can do this job is because of the team, not only my staff in the Recovery Center, but hospital wide with billing and financial, administration, and others. It’s amazing how many people it takes to keep something like this afloat and the communication and skills you have to bring together.”

To learn more about substance abuse services at the Recovery Center and celebrate the 40th anniversary, RSVP to the August 6th event by calling (712) 655-2300. For more information about the Recovery Center, visit www.manningrecoverycenter.com.