Author: Yorke Prough

Great River Health announced it has received the Environmental Excellence Award from Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions. This designation is reserved for select hospitals that demonstrate outstanding leadership in healthcare sustainability and overall hospital quality through single-use device (SUD) reprocessing. 

In 2023, Great River Health’s reprocessing program successfully diverted 5,630 pounds of medical waste from landfills and reduced its supply costs by $105,000.

“Stryker is pleased to honor Great River Health’s continued dedication to achieving both environmental and financial sustainability,” said Natalie Ward, Vice President/General Manager of Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions. “With a heightened focus on improving value in today’s healthcare environment, Great River Health leads by example with their commitment to sustainability initiatives that reduce costs and optimize resources to support quality care.”

Leading hospitals across the nation are continuing to pursue initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of healthcare delivery. Among these initiatives, SUD reprocessing stands out as an environmental practice that not only dramatically reduces the amount of medical waste, but at the same time frees significant resources for the hospital – all without capital investment.

Great River Health is in the distinguished company of other leading hospitals implementing reprocessing programs. Reprocessing programs are currently employed by nearly all the U.S. News & World Report “Honor Roll” hospitals.

The Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary donated $107,600 to hospital projects on the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center West Burlington and Fort Madison campuses.

Hospital departments submitted donation requests and the following projects were chosen for funding to enhance patient and family experiences:

• Klein Center elder activities.
• Patio umbrellas, recordable books, and recordable bears for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
• Art Therapy and Music Therapy for Behavioral Health patients.
• Donor Breast Milk for infants in need.
• Halo Sleep Sacks for newborns.
• Books and activities for the Pediatric Unit.
• Artwork for the Pediatric Unit, waiting rooms in Surgical Services, and Clinics.
• Supplies to make comfort pillows for surgical patients.
• Wheelchairs and wheelchair oxygen tank holders.
• Education Library Resources for Palliative Care patients.
• LUCAS automated chest compression machine.
• New patient robes for mammography clients.
• New MRI music system.
• Concrete flower planters for entrances.
• Plants and flowers for indoor and outdoor planters.

Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary helps meet the hospital’s needs by providing financial support for programs that benefit patients and families and awarding scholarships to students pursuing healthcare careers.

Senator Chuck Grassley answered questions regarding the recent severe weather that has swept across the state of Iowa.

When he was asked if Iowa is having an unusual start to the severe weather season, he mentioned that Iowa is on pace for one of the most severe and deadliest tornado seasons in recent history, according to the National Weather Service. Iowa has had more tornadoes through the month of May, than in any other year on record going back to 1950. With at least 80 tornadoes in the first five months of 2024, this beats out the previous record of 64 in the fist five months in 2004.

Iowa Wesleyan University announced its closure on March 28^th, 2023, with the final graduating class receiving their diplomas in a formal graduation ceremony on May 6^th. Questions immediately filled the air with uncertainty of what was to come. One year later, most of those loose ends have been tied up.

Doug Moore, principal of Highland Group LLC, a Des Moines based company, has been working for the past 12 months on ensuring a smooth transition for the community of Mount Pleasant after the closure of the University. The agreement expires today, and it seems his end of the bargain was delivered. 

The largest chunk of buildings was purchased from the Mount Pleasant Community School District on January 5^th, in a purchase that saw 7 buildings change hands. The Howe Student Activity Center, Ruble Arena, Student Union, Old Main, Pioneer Hall, P.E.O Memorial Building, and the University Chapel are now owned by the school district, as well as the practice field just south of Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

The Old Gymnasium was recently demolished after the City of Mount Pleasant authorized the mayor to sign a nuisance property and abandoned building remediation for the property. The lot will be turned into a green space.

Hershey Hall, along with the dormitories on the east and west side of the campus, and the Science Building, were acquired by IWU Mt. Pleasant LLC on October 17^th. Christopher Ales is awaiting approval of an application that was sent into the State in hopes of repurposing Hershey Hall into affordable housing.

The houses that were owned by the college for a variety of purposes have all been purchased. The Belle Center, formally known as the Chadwick Library, is now regarded as a flexible business incubator and co-working space.

Rachel Lindeen, the Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, commented, “Our community continues to navigate the change. I’ve been impressed with the adaptability and am excited to see what new becomes of the campus.”

The spring of 2023 saw a task force created to help navigate the challenges ahead. While the first step of listening to the community has been a success, Lindeen has said that the work is not done. However, she is confident that the community will continue to be a place to live, work, and play.

The question still looms, “where do we go from here”? It’s important to remember that the community of Mount Pleasant is not, and never was, Iowa Wesleyan. The perseverance of the citizens is what keeps this town moving forward, and one year later, things are looking up.

The Iowa State Fair is just over two months away and you can support Mount Pleasant by volunteering at the Mount Pleasant Booth!

Whether you can spare a few hours or a whole day, your time and enthusiasm will make a difference!

Volunteering is a fantastic way to support our community, meet new people, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the fair. Plus, you’ll get a chance to be part of one of Iowa’s most beloved events!

Ready to sign up? Head over to www.oldthreshers.org/fairsignup and secure your spot today!