Services Making the world a better place often begins with a few single voices singing out. GRMC listened to the voices of change and added services and resources to assure area residents receive quality healthcare.
In 2012, Grinnell Regional Hospice celebrated its 30th anniversary of providing compassionate care for those facing the
end of life. Like so much of what makes a great choir or composition, Grinnell Regional Hospice depends on many strong voices, and during the 30th anniversary we recognized many volunteers and long-time leaders for their vision. James R. Paulson, MD, received special acknowledgment for his 30-year commitment to this critical service.
GRMC also embraced the sounds of progress at the 10-year anniversary celebration for the Victor Health Center. The free breakfast for the community on a beautiful fall day rang out with a chorus of appreciation. Our commitment to
Victor as well as our rural health clinics in Lynnville and Tama/Toledo remains a strong focus for our mission to meet the healthcare needs of residents.
The sound of progress and change may include the sounds of
tearing down buildings. GRMC collaborated with Habitat for
Humanity of Mid-Iowa, the City of Grinnell, and Manatt’s, Inc., to raze five of six houses on Reed Street, between 3rd and 4th
Avenues. Habitat for Humanity salvaged a large portion of the
materials for use in other homes and projects. The sixth house was moved to Lynnville, allowing GRMC to be as “green” as possible with this project.
Changes that crescendo into lasting impact GRMC opened a full-time orthopedic clinic that greatly expanded services for individuals who are tired of joint pain. After several years without a full-time orthopedic provider, Dr. Novak brings exceptionally high standards for knee, shoulder, and hand surgeries to the area.
The Better Choices, Better Health program launched as part of the Community Transformation Grant. This training helps individuals with chronic health conditions take control of their health.
The Stork’s Nest changed its name to the Grinnell Regional Babies Room. This program helps parents learn parenting skills, child development and care techniques. In return, parents earn incentives/merchandise when making good parenting decisions.
The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit group focused on patient safety, graded 2,651 hospitals nationwide for their patient safety outcomes. The study looked at 26 measures such as hospital-acquired infections, injuries, falls, and
medication errors. In Iowa, 26 of the total 118 hospitals were graded and GRMC was one of five Iowa hospitals to earn an A by the Leapfrog Group in December 2012.
6 • Composing a Better World