News

ACT II Consignment Shop is proud to announce two record-breaking years in a row, thanks to the incredible support of our community. After a strong 2024, the store saw even greater success in 2025, with annual sales growing by 28%, making it the most successful year in ACT II’s history.

Donations and consignments continued to grow in 2025, with more community members choosing to shop, donate, and consign at ACT II. This support allows the store to continue its mission of offering quality, gently used items at great prices while giving back locally.

All proceeds from ACT II directly support Burgess Health Center, helping provide important healthcare services for patients and families in our community.

Volunteers remain the heart of ACT II. Over the past year, volunteers gave more than 1,000 hours of their time to help the store succeed. In addition to the consignment store, volunteers contributed more than 600 hours to the Gift Shop at Burgess Health Center.

“I have volunteered for the Burgess Foundation for several years,” said volunteer Elaine Eisele. “It is always a way to give back and support our hospital, which we are very fortunate to have. I’ve also enjoyed meeting new people. I would encourage you to volunteer at ACT II or the Burgess Gift Shop.”

“This back-to-back growth shows how much our community believes in what ACT II stands for,” said Bridget Biederman, Retail Operations Supervisor. “We’re so thankful for our donors, consignors, shoppers, and volunteers.”

ACT II Consignment Shop is located at 813 Iowa Avenue in Onawa and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are tax-deductible and accepted during business hours. Inventory changes often, with new items added daily.

Burgess Health Center invites community members to attend the annual Wear Red event on Friday, February 13, 2026, in support of women’s heart health. This year’s theme, “Strong Women, Strong Hearts,” celebrates the strength, resilience, and everyday choices that help women live heart-healthy lives.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet many women are unaware of their risk factors or the unique symptoms they may experience. The Wear Red event aims to educate, empower, and encourage women to take charge of their heart health.

The event will feature a keynote presentation by Josh Lander, Director of Rehab Services at Burgess Health Center, who will discuss the role of movement, prevention, and rehabilitation in maintaining a healthy heart at every stage of life. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit community vendor booths offering heart-health resources and information.

The event is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to wear red in support of women’s heart health awareness.

Event Details:

Doors Open: 10:30 AM – Educational booths, free chair massages, and fingernail painting by the West Monona FCCLA students!

Lunch: 11:30 AM – Enjoy a heart-healthy lunch provided by Staley’s Catering.

Tickets: $15 per person. RSVP by February 6, 2026, by calling 712.423.9200.

“We want women and men in our community to recognize how powerful small lifestyle changes can be when it comes to heart health,” said Katie Ramm, Director of Marketing at Burgess Health Center. “This event is about education, encouragement, and supporting one another in living healthier lives.”

For more information about the Wear Red Event or heart health services at Burgess Health Center, please contact Burgess Health Center or visit www.BurgessHC.org.

 Registration Form

The Burgess Foundation is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. Up to three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded this spring to deserving area high school seniors and first-year college students who are pursuing a career in a health-related field.

“At the Burgess Foundation, we believe in investing in the future of healthcare by supporting students who are passionate about making a difference,” said Bobbi Johnson, Director of the Burgess Foundation. “These scholarships help remove financial barriers and encourage local students to pursue meaningful careers that strengthen the health and well-being of our communities.”

Applications are available online at www.burgesshc.org/about/foundation/scholarships/. Completed applications must be postmarked by April 10, 2026, to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to review all submission guidelines and ensure all required materials are included before submitting their application.

Scholarship recipients will be announced later this spring. For more information, please visit the Burgess Foundation’s website or contact Bobbi Johnson at bjohnson@burgesshc.org or 712.423.9374.

Burgess Health Center is excited to share that this year’s Poinsettia Ball was a huge success. The event raised $117,606, which is more than the original fundraising goal.

The money raised will be used to purchase new vital sign and heart monitoring equipment for Burgess Health Center. This equipment helps doctors and nurses keep a closer eye on patients’ heart rates and other important health signs.

The project was divided into two phases. Phase I has already been completed and helped improve monitoring in the Emergency Department, Infusion Services, and Perioperative Services. Thanks to the success of this year’s Poinsettia Ball, Burgess Health Center is now able to move forward with Phase II, which will add this monitoring to the Inpatient Unit.

These improvements will:

• Allow staff to monitor patients’ heart activity and vital signs in real time
• Help keep more patients close to home by reducing transfers to other hospitals
• Make it easier for caregivers to respond quickly in emergencies
• Save time for nurses and providers by connecting directly to electronic health records

“This success shows how generous our community truly is,” said Bobbi Johnson, Director of the Burgess Foundation. “We are thankful to everyone who donated, sponsored, or attended the event. Your support makes a meaningful difference in the care we provide to our patients.”

Burgess Health Center is proud to continue improving care for patients and families in our community. These upgrades will help ensure safer, higher-quality care for years to come.

The Burgess Foundation is also happy to announce the date of next year’s event. The next Poinsettia Ball will be held on December 12, 2026.

Burgess Health Center thanks everyone who helped make this event such a success. Your support truly makes a difference for our patients and our community.

This season of giving, Burgess Health Center is proud to receive a record-breaking donation of $819.26 from Bomgaars following their annual Ladies’ Night event held in early November, the largest donation ever generated from this event.

In early November, Bomgaars welcomed women from across the community for an evening of fun, shopping, and support for women’s health. Shoppers enjoyed a 20% discount on purchases, with a portion of the evening’s sales pledged to benefit Burgess Health Center’s Radiology Department, specifically mammography services.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community and partners like Bomgaars, especially during this season of giving,” said Bobbi Johnson, Director of the Foundation at Burgess Health Center. “Reaching a record donation through this event is truly meaningful. These funds will enhance our mammography services, allowing us to continue providing advanced technology, education, and compassionate care focused on early detection and treatment of breast cancer.”

The generous contribution of $819.26 will support mammography services at Burgess Health Center. While breast cancer cannot be prevented, early detection remains critical, and this record-setting donation helps reinforce Burgess Health Center’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care, hope, and support to patients throughout the community.

###

PHOTO: Lynn Wold, President/CEO, Alicia Hohl, Manager at Bomgaars in Onawa, Stacy Warner, X-Ray Technologist, and Bobbi Johnson, Director of Foundation.

Community Urged to Share Cancer Stories, Challenges, and Solutions with Lawmakers at a Bipartisan Listening Session on December 2.

Onawa, IA – Iowa faces one of the most pressing cancer crises in the nation, ranking second in cancer incidence. To elevate community voices and drive meaningful solutions, legislators are inviting residents to a bipartisan community listening session focused on the impact of cancer on Iowa families. The event is hosted by Burgess Health Center.

Date: Tuesday, December 2 Time: 5:30 PM

Location: Burgess Health Center Dining Room (NOTE: Please enter through the south entrance of the Healing Garden, not the Main Lobby)

1600 Diamond St, Onawa, IA 51040

This event is part of an ongoing bipartisan series launched earlier this year to give Iowans a platform to share personal cancer experiences and propose solutions. These conversations are already making a difference. Public input helped stop legislation that would have granted immunity to manufacturers of cancer-causing chemicals and supported the passage of measures expanding access to cancer screening and treatment.

The session will be facilitated by Lynn Wold, CEO of Burgess Health Center, and will feature participation from Senator Kevin Alons and Representative Dr. Megan Srinivas, along with community voices such as Woodbury County resident Doyle Turner, who shared,

“As the third generation affected by cancer, I think it is time that we have a state wide, candid conversation. ‘Conversation is a catalyst for innovation.’ – John Seely Brown.”

The event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring friends, family, caregivers and others affected by cancer. The discussion will be held in a safe, respectful and solution-focused environment.

The fight against cancer isn’t over. Together, Iowans are proving that grassroots voices can influence bipartisan action.

For interviews or more information, contact Leah Vanden Bosch at leah.e.vandenbosch@gmail.com.

Burgess Health Center is excited to share that four of our employees were honored with Guardian Angel Awards on National Guardian Angel Day, October 2.

Rachel Martian, Director of Home Health and Hospice, nominated Clint Broer, PT; Cindy Kuhlmann, RN; Mandy Lander, PA-S; and Molly Thoeming, OT for the special recognition after they supported her during her recent medical leave.

Rachel wanted to thank each one in a special way:

• Cindy Kuhlmann, RN – “Cindy kept our office and team organized while I was gone. She made sure everything ran smoothly, and that meant so much to me.”
• Mandy Lander, MPAS, PA-C– “Mandy was my provider. She listened carefully to my needs and really cared about how I was doing.”
• Clint Broer, PT – “Clint was my physical therapist at home. He pushed me to keep working and get stronger, which I really needed.”
• Molly Thoeming, OT – “Molly came to my home for occupational therapy, and she was so sweet and caring. She always made me feel comfortable.”

Rachel added, “I am so thankful for this team. They stepped up for me when I needed them most, both at work and at home. At Burgess, we aren’t just co-workers, we are like family. I couldn’t have asked for better people to be by my side.”

Burgess Health Center is proud to honor Clint, Cindy, Mandy, and Molly for their exceptional care and commitment, and thanks to Rachel for sharing her story of gratitude on such a fitting day of recognition.

###

Photo: (back row, left to right) Clint Broer, Justin Hummelgaard, Director of Clinic Operations, Bobbi Johnson, Foundation Director, Josh Lander, Director of Physical Therapy; (front row, left to right) Mandy Lander, Rachel Martian, Home Health/Hospice Director, Cindy Kuhlmann, and Molly Thoeming.

Burgess Hospice has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a Premier Performer for achieving an overall caregiver and family experience score that ranked in the top 5% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2024 calendar year.

The annual SHPBest™ award program honors hospice providers that consistently deliver high-quality service to the families and caregivers of patients receiving hospice care. The 2024 recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall CAHPS Hospice caregiver experience scores from more than 1,800 hospice providers. With one of the largest CAHPS Hospice benchmarks in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to recognize organizations that prioritize the family and caregiver experience and are rewarded for those efforts with high survey ratings.

“SHP recognizes how much hard work is involved in providing excellent patient care, and we are proud to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our top-performing customers through our annual SHPBest award program. These organizations care deeply about the patient experience, and they never stop striving to improve every single year,” said Kevin Vogel, President of SHP.

Burgess Hospice also earned this award in 2022, which shows the team’s strong commitment to caring for patients and their families. Burgess believes in kindness, clear communication, and listening closely to each family’s needs. The team supports not just the patient, but the whole family, making sure they feel comforted, understood, and never alone. Burgess Hospice also takes time to learn from family feedback to continue improving each year.

“This award means so much to our team,” said Rachel Martian, Home Health/Hospice Director at Burgess. “We walk alongside families during some of their most difficult moments, and knowing they feel supported, heard, and cared for means everything to us. Our staff works hard to be kind, helpful, and present. Being named a Premier Performer is an honor, and it motivates us to keep giving the best care possible here at Burgess Hospice.”

Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and award recipient lists, at https://www.shpdata.com/hospice/shpbest-cahps-hospice.

About Burgess Health Center:

Burgess Health Center, located in Onawa, Iowa, is an award-winning critical access hospital that is accredited by the State of Iowa. Burgess Family Clinics serve the communities of Sloan and Mapleton in Iowa. The staff is committed to improving the quality of life for the people and communities served by providing excellent healthcare and exceptional patient experiences.

About Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP)

Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) is a leader in data analytics and benchmarking that drive daily clinical and operational decisions. Our solutions bring real-time data to post-acute providers, hospitals, and ACOs to better coordinate quality care and improve patient outcomes. Since 1996, SHP has helped more than 7,000 organizations nationwide raise the bar for healthcare performance.