Marissa Rothmeyer – A Versatile and Valuable Asset to the MRHC Team

Marissa Rothmeyer

Marissa RothmeyerAs a Critical Care Paramedic in the Emergency Department (ED) at MRHC, Marissa Rothmeyer’s desire to work in healthcare has always been strong. What inspired her most was her deep-seated wish to help others and make a tangible difference in their lives. Initially, Marissa considered a nursing career but ultimately found her true calling in paramedicine.

Marissa’s career in healthcare began while she was still in high school, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a nursing home. This early experience ignited her passion for healthcare and set her on a path of continuous growth. In 2014, she joined MRHC as a CNA while working toward her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensure. Marissa became an EMT at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in 2015, coinciding with her enrollment in the paramedic program at Iowa Central Community College. She graduated in 2017 and became a fully licensed paramedic that summer. In 2018, she began working with the Carroll County Ambulance Service and received a critical care endorsement through the state of Iowa in 2019. This accomplishment allowed her to return to MRHC in December 2021 as a Critical Care Paramedic, bringing her career full circle.

“MRHC was very welcoming when I started as a paramedic,” Marissa recalled. “It was great to recognize some staff from my prior time here as a CNA. I feel appreciated by my nursing peers, who respect and value my unique skill set and experience.”

Though the Emergency Department is Marissa’s primary home, her expertise and willingness to assist extend beyond its walls. She regularly supports the nursing staff in the acute nursing unit, the Recovery Center, and respiratory therapy when the ED isn’t busy. This versatility showcases her broad skill set and commitment to ensuring patients receive the best care possible, no matter where it’s needed.

“Marissa is a strong asset to our ER department and facility,” said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC. “As a provider, having a strong paramedic in the ER is reassuring especially not knowing what we may encounter. Her EMS background brings a new perspective into the ER that helps with communication, and she has great triage skills that cross over into other departments. She continues to grow in her role, adapt from pre-hospital to hospital-based care, and is always willing to jump in and help!”

In addition to being able to utilize her wide range of skills and help in a variety of departments, Marissa appreciates the inclusivity, engaging work environment, and family-oriented culture at MRHC.

“They keep staff informed about the latest events, news, and changes within the facility, fostering a sense of community and awareness. MRHC’s commitment to employee engagement is evident in the events they host, ensuring all staff, including the night shift, feel included,” Marissa shared. “Management and administrative staff are also receptive to new ideas and actively seek to improve the work environment, patient care, equipment, and services. I also like that MRHC is family-oriented. My supervisor has worked with me in adjusting my schedule to meet my family’s needs and my coworkers step up to help cover shifts when needed.”

Marissa is also proud of MRHC’s efforts to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals through the “Healthcare Career Camp” for local schools.

“This initiative is a great way to get students interested in healthcare and highlights the variety of careers within MRHC. Since MRHC is supportive of their staff pursuing further education, it also shows students their commitment to professional development,” Marissa said.

Marissa’s passion for helping others, combined with the support and opportunities provided by MRHC, has allowed her to make a positive impact, not only in the Emergency Department but across the entire hospital. If you are interested in joining the MRHC team, click here or call (712) 655-2072 for more information.

Struggling with COPD? Try Pulmonary Conditioning

pulmonary conditioning

Do you or a loved one struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or respiratory challenges? A pulmonary conditioning program at MRHC can help individuals manage COPD symptoms and improve their quality of life.

“This integrated form of therapy can be a valuable tool in helping people manage their COPD and live a healthier, more active life,” said MRHC Physical Therapist, Taylor Nelson, PT, DPT. Taylor Nelson, MRHC Physical Therapist

Chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis, can significantly impede an individual’s quality of life. These conditions often lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, chronic cough, tightness in the chest, fatigue, and reduced stamina, limiting one’s ability to perform daily activities and affecting their overall health.

Recognizing a need to address these issues, various MRHC departments have collaborated to develop an integrated, specialized pulmonary conditioning program tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant. The program has a multidisciplinary approach, combining exercise training, education, and personalized support to empower individuals to manage their respiratory conditions effectively.

Once a patient’s primary care physician has recommended the need for a pulmonary conditioning program, a respiratory therapist will perform a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and gain a baseline understanding of the severity of the individual’s condition. Based on these results, a program will be personalized to meet the patient’s needs and goals.

Key components of a pulmonary conditioning program include:

  1. Individualized Exercise Regimens: Participants undergo comprehensive assessments to evaluate their current respiratory status and physical capabilities. Based on these assessments, personalized exercise regimens are crafted to gradually improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and endurance. This is the primary component of pulmonary conditioning and is facilitated by a physical therapist. Activities may include aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, and strength training. The exercise program will be tailored to individual needs and abilities and designed to maintain independence at home.
  2. Occupational Therapy: If needed, patients may be referred to an occupational therapist if activities of daily living are difficult or if their home is not conducive to their lifestyle. A living assessment may be performed and recommendations for alterations may be made.
  3. Education and Lifestyle Modification: Education plays a pivotal role in empowering individuals to take control of their respiratory health. Participants will gain insights into their condition, learn breathing techniques, and acquire strategies to conserve energy and manage symptoms effectively. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, proper nutrition, and stress management are emphasized to promote holistic well-being.
  4. Additional Services & Ongoing Support: Depending upon the condition, patients may also be recommended to a registered dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan to meet nutritional needs or a mental health counselor to help them cope with the emotional challenges of living with COPD. Participants receive continuous support and guidance from a dedicated team of healthcare professionals. Regular progress assessments are conducted to track improvements and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan, ensuring optimal outcomes.

“Pulmonary conditioning has been proven to be effective in improving many outcomes in people with COPD,” Nelson said. “It can help you improve your ability to exercise without becoming out of breath; control COPD symptoms, like shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing; improve quality of life by making it easier to perform everyday activities; and reduce the risk of being hospitalized for COPD exacerbations.”

Learn more about how pulmonary conditioning can help with COPD and other interstitial diseases. Contact the MRHC Therapy Department at (712) 655-2072 or your MRHC primary care provider at (712) 655-8100.

Tips to Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep from MRHC

The amount of sleep you get every night affects your well-being, but the quality of your sleep makes a difference too. According to the Centers for Disease Control, inadequate sleep doesn’t just make you tired, it can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, and depression.

“Not only does insufficient sleep put people at risk for chronic diseases, but it also contributes to motor vehicle crashes and machinery-related injuries,” said Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) Respiratory Therapist, Tina Gehling, RRT, RCP, BSHM, EMT.

For those struggling to sleep, Gehling offers these tips for a more restful night:

  • Stick to a sleep schedule
  • Pay attention to what you eat and drink
  • Create a restful environment
  • Limit daytime naps
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine
  • Manage stress
  • Contact your primary care provider if you continue to struggle sleeping

Daylight savings will take effect on March 12 – causing all of us to “lose” an hour of sleep. But if you are among those whose sleep continues to suffer, there may be a reason, other than the time change, to blame.

“Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve,” said Gehling.

If you are having trouble sleeping, repeatedly waking up in the middle of the night, waking up not feeling rested or experiencing weight gain, obesity, or even snoring, it could be because of your sleeping habits. To diagnose and treat sleep disorders, MRHC recommends completing a sleep study. Testing can be completed in one night in the convenience of the patient’s own home with the ability for the patient to go to work immediately after the study.

“By doing at-home sleep studies, we are able to put patients on an autoPAP if results show they have sleep apnea, a very common disorder,” said Gehling.

Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that staff routinely see. Gehling notes this is a condition in which there is a delay in breathing that can last for at least ten to 30 seconds during sleep. In severe cases, this can happen multiple times a night without the individual noticing or waking up. As a result, sleep apnea has been linked to heart attacks, heart arrhythmias, and strokes. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be deadly.

Some symptoms of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness or fatigue, morning headaches, frequent nighttime urination, loud snoring, irritability, and more. Risk factors include family history, neck circumference, large tonsils, and age – among many others.

Sleep Apnea Questionnaire

Do you:

Snore or have been told that you snore?
Sleep during the day?
Feel drowsy when driving?
Wake up with morning headaches?
Have frequent memory or judgement problems?
Experience frequent irritability?
Noticed mood changes?
Wake up and/or make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night?
Weigh 20% or more than your ideal body weight?
Have a neck size 17 inches or greater (male) or 16 inches are greater (female)?
Have high blood pressure?
Have a decrease in sexual drive?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, consult with your primary care provider about scheduling a sleep study by calling (712) 655-2072.