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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

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.

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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 has received a certificate of achievement for its participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S., and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association’s 2023 statistical update. Participation in the American Heart Association’s post-acute care initiative can help facilities support faster and more effective recovery from stroke through standardized coordination, adherence and implementation of evidence-based care.

Certificate of achievement recipients have committed to establishing a stroke-specific rehab program, providing stroke education to all staff members, implementing evidence-based protocols and policies, and continuous quality improvement.

Evidence-based rehabilitation and secondary prevention interventions improve recovery after stroke and reduce secondary complications. However, stroke rehabilitation expertise, processes of care, and educational resources vary among sites where post-acute care is delivered. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, developed quality standards based on the Association’s 2016 Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery to address these gaps.

The post-acute care initiative provides a framework for assisting facilities to improve care according to the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.

“Participation in this program benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices,” said Madeline Pawloski, AHA Post-Acute Stroke Program Consultant. “When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes. This initiative helps patients and their loved ones know participating facilities follow these important best practices.”

Facilities participating in the post-acute care initiative receive a participation stipend and site-specific quality improvement support and process improvement ideas surrounding quality standards for stroke recovery, rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Facilities also have the opportunity to be part of a learning collaborative, working with experts in stroke rehabilitation to build tools and share and create best practices. Participation improves collaboration between post-acute care facilities and others involved in stroke care, including hospitals and outpatient providers.

“Burgess is committed to improving patient care by following the latest guidelines,” said Lynnette Dunham, RN, BSN, Utilization Review Supervisor at Burgess Health Center. “The post-acute care initiative makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work daily, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the communities we serve can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Mission: Lifeline Stroke is the American Heart Association’s community-based initiative to develop systems of care to improve outcomes for stroke patients. The program launched in Iowa in July 2022 with the support of a $7.5 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The goal of Mission: Lifeline stroke is to bring together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, state and local government, and payers to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 – our Centennial year – we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

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.

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.

Burgess Health Center is committed to the safety and well-being of every individual in our communities. As part of that commitment, we hosted a speaker from Team Iowa to educate our medical staff and key team members about this serious issue. The speaker shared real stories and eye-opening facts, helping us understand how trafficking is affecting people right here in Iowa.

One story was about a college student in Sioux City who was forced into trafficking by her boyfriend. Stories like this show that trafficking doesn’t always look the way people think it does. It doesn’t always involve strangers or kidnapping. In fact, it often happens between people who know each other, and it can happen in any town, big or small.

“Human trafficking is a terrible crime that can be hard to see,” said Lynn Wold, President and CEO of Burgess Health Center. “At Burgess, we are doing everything we can to equip our team members with the tools and knowledge to identify the warning signs and intervene safely. Our caregivers are often a first point of contact for victims, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to be part of the solution.”

Human trafficking is when someone is forced, tricked, or threatened into doing things like working without pay or being involved in sex against their will. Victims can be adults or children, and they may not always show obvious signs. They might seem very quiet, be watched closely by someone, have injuries they don’t explain, or have expensive gifts with no way to pay for them.

Education like this is vital. Studies show that up to 88% of human trafficking victims seek medical care at some point during their abuse. By increasing awareness among our healthcare professionals, we can be a crucial lifeline, offering not only care but a possible path to safety and freedom.

At Burgess Health Center, we believe that no one should suffer in silence. We are proud to be a part of the fight to end human trafficking, starting right here in our own communities.

To report a Human Trafficking Tip by Phone: Call 855-614-4692

The Burgess Foundation hosted two successful golf tournaments this June—one at Willow Vale Golf Course in Mapleton on June 13, and another at the Onawa Country Club in Onawa on June 20. Golfers could choose to participate in one or both of the fun-filled Fridays.

Teams enjoyed friendly competition on the greens, pin prizes, and a 19^th-hole putting contest on two very warm, but beautiful days. Both tournaments raised over $30,000, which will be used for the purchase of a new digital X-ray machine for the Radiology Department at Burgess Health Center.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, and supported these tournaments,” said Bobbi Johnson, Director of the Burgess Foundation. “It’s nice to see our communities come together for a great cause. Events like these get us one step closer to enhancing patient care here at Burgess.”

Mapleton Tournament:
Champion: Team Lander – 57, Fister Farms – 58.
First Flight: Rob & Karla Copple – 64, Brouillette/Seuntjens – 66.
Second Flight: Past & Present – 69, Lander Farms – 69.

Onawa Tournament:
Champion: Team Lander – 57, Timber Ridge – 60, and BankFirst – 61.
First Flight: Lee’s Small Engine Repair – 65, Rob & Karla Copple – 68, and Nelson & Rock Contracting – 69.
Second Flight: RBC Wealth Management – 75, Team Maule – 77, and Dr. Daher – 81.

Sponsors:
6 Mile Pursuit, A Team Divided, BankFirst, Burgess Family Clinics, CMBA Architects, Dr. Peter & Jennifer Daher, Denison Drywall Contracting, Rob & Karla Copple, Farm Bureau, Fister Farms, Flamingo Fore-Some, Graham Construction, Great Southern Bank, JC Roofing & Insulating, Inc., Jen’s Red to Denim, Johnson Controls, Lander Farms, Lee’s Small Engine Repair, Lewis Family Drug, Nelson & Rock Contracting, Nutt/Pithan Farms, Past & Present, RBC Wealth Management, Ruff Riders, Security National Bank, Specialized Engineering, Spring Valley Ag, Tami Rife, Team Brouillette/Seuntjens, Team Lander, Team Maule, The Hoffman Agency, Timber Ridge, Vision Care Clinic, Grady & Stacy Warner, Westie’s Besties, and Xigent.

Prize Sponsors:
Bomgaars – Onawa, Burgess Foundation Board Members, Burgess Foundation Gift Shop, Community Bank, Northwest Bank, Scheels, The Hut, and WIPCO.

Meal Sponsors:
Mapleton: Food Land, Mapleton – Breakfast, Family Medicine Clinic – Lunch
Onawa: Sunshine Foods – Breakfast, Family Medicine Clinic – Lunch

19th Hole Sponsor:
JC Roofing & Insulating, Inc.

Cart Sponsor:
Dr. Peter & Jennifer Daher

Top Photo: Carl Miller, J.J. Lander, Josh Lander, and Jason Handeland.
Bottom Photo: Tommy Miller, Josh Lander, J.J. Lander, and Carl Miller.

Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded each spring to area high school seniors and first-year college students that wish to pursue a career in a health-related field.

The 2025 recipients are:

• Rylee McDonald, a graduate of Westwood, plans to pursue a career in the field of Nursing at Western Iowa Tech Community College.
• Tylar Stirtz, a graduate of West Harrison, plans to pursue a career in the field of Biology at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
• Sophie Stodola, a graduate of MVAOCOU, plans to pursue a career in the field of Nursing at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Applications are available January through April at https://www.burgesshc.org/about/foundation/scholarships/

Burgess Health Center proudly recognizes Dianna Persinger, RN, for the Guardian Angel Award from an anonymous donor. Dianna was recognized for her kindness, knowledge, professionalism, and compassion in all aspects of her Infusion & Oncology Services work at Burgess Health Center.

Dianna, the Infusion/Oncology Coordinator, helps patients and their families through cancer treatments as well as many other types of infusions. She makes sure everyone knows what to expect, helps set up appointments, and works to solve any problems that come up. Dianna also works closely with other departments to help support patients and families with their emotions, worries, or frustrations during challenging times. She’s there to make the journey a little easier and less stressful.

“Her job is not an easy one, but she handles the challenges with grace. It takes a special person to do her job, and Burgess Health Center definitely has that person in Dianna. If I have any questions or concerns, she is always available—even after hours. Her hugs have helped me get through the day. I appreciate her so much as a part of my treatment team.” – anonymous donor.

The Guardian Angel Award, a highly respected recognition at Burgess Health Center, acknowledges individuals who demonstrate exceptional care, kindness, and commitment to their patients. Dianna’s nomination reflects the deep appreciation her patients and team have for all the integral behind-the-scenes efforts to keep our patients and teams safe.

Burgess Health Center is honored to have professionals like Dianna among its staff, who consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to the community they serve.

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Photo: Teresa Butler, Lynn Wold, CEO, Dianna Persinger, Bobbi Johnson, Foundation Director, and Karla Copple.

Dr. Ivey Thornton, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist with Nebraska Medicine, brings over 15 years of advanced eye care experience to the Specialty Clinics at Burgess Health Center. She will be available to see patients the first and third Wednesday of every other month beginning March 5, 2025 offering her expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions.

Dr. Thornton earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 2006. She completed her internship at Akron City Hospital in 2007 and went on to specialize in ophthalmology during her residency at the University of Louisville, finishing in 2010. Her dedication to advanced eye care led her to pursue fellowships in Neuro-Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard University in 2011 and in Anterior Segment care at the Cincinnati Eye Institute in 2016.

With a compassionate and patient-focused approach, Dr. Thornton offers comprehensive services, including the treatment of advanced dry eye, comprehensive ophthalmology and cataract, cornea and refractive surgery, and glaucoma. Her specialized training allows her to address complex vision issues, ensuring the highest quality care for her patients.

Dr. Thornton is committed to improving the lives of her patients by restoring and preserving their vision. Her partnership with Burgess Health Center Specialty Clinics will provide the community with convenient access to expert eye care.

Patients seeking expert ophthalmology care can benefit from Dr. Thornton’s extensive knowledge and dedication to exceptional outcomes.