UnityPoint Health Marshalltown - LiveWell Magazine - Winter 2021

WINTER 2021

MARSHALLTOWN

HEALTH CARE HEROES

Frontline Team Members Reflect on Wild 2020

STROKE VICTIM GRATEFUL FOR LIFE-SAVING CARE ER DOCTOR SOCIAL DISTANCES FROM FAMILY FOR 43 DAYS Q&A WITH DIRECTOR OF NURSING JEN ARNESON

unitypoint.org

WHAT’S INSIDE

SOUTH SIDE ADDITION

CAMPUS

1 A Note from Shari Administrator, UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown 2 Stroke Victim Grateful for Life-Saving Care and Support 4 Dr. Flinkman Social Distances from Family for 43 Days 6 Frontline Team Members Reflect on Wild 2020

CLINIC ENTRANCE

A note from Shari My, what a year that was. No doubt, 2020 was difficult on everyone, but Marshalltown experienced more than its share of challenges, thanks in major part to the COVID-19 pandemic and a derecho. All the while, we continued a robust expansion of our South Campus facility.

10 Patient Thankful After Life-Threatening Episode 13 Q&A with Director of Nursing Jen Arneson

And you know what? We’re still standing, and we’re not going anywhere.

Despite the adversity, 2020 confirmed what we already knew. Our caregivers are amazing (see the frontline workers article on pages 6-9 to hear more), and we’ve put ourselves in a position of strength for the future.

OUR SOUTH CAMPUS EXPANSION IS COMING ALONG BEAUTIFULLY About a year ago, UnityPoint Health® – Marshalltown announced plans to consolidate its hospital operations into an expanded South Campus facility.

It was a bold plan, requiring $38.4 million, which would add 65,000 square feet and convert the existing medical park into a full-service hospital of 137,000 square feet.

It was less than four years ago when UnityPoint Health stepped in with a commitment to save this town’s struggling health system. Since then, we’ve made great strides in the face of challenges that included a devastating tornado in 2018 and what amounted to an inland hurricane this past year.

Through it all, our team members have proven strong, resilient, courageous, compassionate and determined. I couldn’t be prouder of how they responded.

Now, with our hope renewed and help on the way (in the form of increased safety measures and a vaccine), we can soon start pushing the pandemic out of the community and set our sights on the future again. Of course, that includes the $38.4 million expansion and remodel at South Campus. But the excitement of a new hospital goes beyond curb appeal. Most importantly, modernizing our facility allows us to provide a better experience for patients and families, while also making us more efficient, cohesive and cost-effective.

In addition, we made great strides locally in 2020: •

Our patient satisfaction scores continue to climb. Overall, we’re well above average nationally at 64% (compared to 21% in 2017). Specifically, Mammography continues to rank in the 99th percentile nationally!

•

Despite a national shortage of providers, our Emergency Department remains fully staffed with five excellent UnityPoint Health-employed providers.

•

We made leadership changes with a new Administrator and Director of Nursing, both living in the community and committed to the future of health care in Marshalltown.

A year later, we’re pleased to report that the project is on schedule — despite plenty of adversity in 2020. Thanks to hard work by our teams, as well as our partners — Graham Construction Inc. and INVISION Architecture — the facility is starting to take shape. As of publication, the foundation was going into place, and we’re still anticipating a grand opening sometime in 2022.

As we’ve said often, we plan to offer the same services we do now. This new

Winter 2021 LiveWell magazine is produced by UnityPoint Health®.

3 S. 4th Ave. | Marshalltown, IA 50158 (641) 754-5151 | unitypoint.org/marshalltown Copyright ® 2021 UnityPoint Health. All Rights Reserved. ® SM trademarks of UnityPoint Health.

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facility is part of the commitment we’ve made to Marshalltown — to remain here and provide services that community actually uses and needs.

We’re so pleased to give the community the ability to keep care local.

Please know that I’m grateful for your support as we make this rewarding journey together.

We truly felt your encouragement through the pandemic, and we’ve never been more committed to keeping quality health care local.

You can continue to help us by referring your friends and neighbors to us. In addition, if you’d like to help with the new hospital, consider giving to our Foundation for the “Our Community.

Our Health Care” fundraising campaign. Learn more at www.unitypoint.org/marshalltown.

Sincerely,

Shari King Administrator, UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown

As a thank you for their response to his stroke, Eldon Schneider, a beekeeper, presented jars of raw honey to Dr. Jake Flinkman and the emergency department.

DISASTER AVERTED THANKS TO QUICK ACTION There, his care team was impressed how well his Marshalltown responders had managed his stroke. There was no need for a thrombectomy (a surgery to remove blood clots from arteries and veins), he was released three days later and is expected to make a full recovery.

Once Eldon was stabilized, the team allowed Monica to say goodbye to him before the transfer to Des Moines. They assured the couple everything would be OK, and Monica handed Eldon her rosary beads for the trip.

Medically speaking, Eldon was a poster child for how to respond to a stroke.

‘YOU CAN TELL WHEN SOMEONE IS SCARED OR FRIGHTENED’

But Eldon and Monica had other needs in the middle of that crisis, and that’s why they’re truly grateful for the care they received at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown.

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting visitors, Monica wasn’t allowed in the ER with Eldon. Instead, she was encouraged to stay in her vehicle in the parking lot, and the care team promised to keep her informed.

Stroke Victim Grateful

“When I got there, the staff was very sympathetic and empathetic because they knew I wouldn’t be able to stay in the ER,” Monica said. “They told me what to expect and said that the doctor would come out as quickly as he could.

FOR LIFE-SAVING CARE AND SUPPORT

“And I’m telling you, they kept me informed. I bet it was never more than 15 minutes that I didn’t have some sort of update – either from one of the guys in the ambulance or Dr. Flinkman when he came out. It was just fantastic.”

MONICA SCHNEIDER LEFT HER HOUSE TO RUN ERRANDS AT 7:30 A.M.

“This was a particularly life-threatening disease and dangerous treatment,” recalled Dr. Flinkman. “So careful collaboration with the patient and his wife were necessary to determine the appropriate treatment. I was very thankful to hear that his symptoms resolved with this medication alone.”

BY 8:15, SHE RECEIVED A CALL FROM HER HUSBAND’S PHONE, BUT IT WASN’T ELDON ON THE OTHER LINE. IT WAS THE SHERIFF.

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Eldon had suffered a stroke and had alertly called 911 after identifying the symptoms, which included his hand curling up, fluids gushing from his mouth and his face going limp.

Despite the fact the couple lived outside of town (and all four bridges leading to their home were under repair), multiple first-responders came – the deputy sheriff at Albion, an EMS team from Liscomb and an EMS ambulance from UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown.

Eldon was rushed to the emergency department in Marshalltown, where the team of Dr. Jake Flinkman, Cindy Britson, RN, and Megan Heise, RN, stabilized him with tPA (tissue Plasminogen Activator, an I.V. treatment intended to break down blood clots) before he was transferred to Des Moines for further evaluation.

“I mean, these guys … it meant the world because even though I was there by myself, it didn’t feel like I was by myself.”

Still, Monica was anxious and found herself wondering if they would remember her in the parking lot.

“I kept counting because I thought, ‘Maybe after 15 minutes I’ll just go knock on the door,’” she recalled. “But it was always within 15 minutes that somebody was there telling me what they thought was going to happen, giving me options, and if he did go down (to Des Moines) and have a thrombectomy, what it was going to mean and how long he’d have to stay there.

On the way to Des Moines, paramedic Nathan Massell sensed Eldon was uneasy and spotted his rosary. As Ricky Benson, EMT, drove the ambulance, Nathan took a seat near Eldon and asked him if he wanted to pray.

“I have been doing this for a little over 16 years now, and you can tell when someone is scared or frightened,” said Massell.

“Sometimes a smile, holding hands or praying with someone is all it takes to relieve some of this anxiety.”

The offer meant a lot to Eldon, who is a longtime member and volunteer with the Knights of Columbus.

“On this day, Eldon looked like he needed a little help praying,” Massell said. “This is not my first time praying with a patient, nor will it be my last. I’m very happy to hear that his anxiety was eased, and I can only imagine how Eldon and Monica must have felt not being able to be with each other.”

Although he’s struggling with a few day-to-day activities in the wake of the stroke, Monica and Eldon are relieved he’s well on the road to recovery. They’re also grateful for how UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown responded to their crisis.

“I’m telling you, I knew we were going to have a good response,” Monica said. “Every time we’ve used UnityPoint … we’ve always had a good response. But I think maybe even more so now, because they understood what we were struggling with – that you have to wear a mask, you can’t have visitors and things like that. The staff has been well-versed in that, and it meant the world to me because I was outside just waiting. That’s all I could do.”

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COVID-19

play checkers from a different room with an extension pole

Dr. Jake Flinkman, who works in the Marshalltown ER, practiced social distancing from his family for 43 days and nights.

and paint roller rod.

“By the end of that six-week period I was driving home almost every day I was off and spending time with my family and just keeping my distance,” Dr. Flinkman says. “It was particularly challenging for my youngest son, Jude, who didn’t understand why he couldn’t hug dad or why dad couldn’t come inside.

“At one point, I couldn’t keep him from trying to come close to me, so I climbed on the roof of my garage so I could watch the kids play and also talk with my wife without putting Jude at risk.”

At other times, Dr. Flinkman would play charades, Battleship and tic-tac-toe, sometimes using dry erase markers on opposite sides of a glass door.

Dr. Flinkman Social Distances FROM FAMILY FOR 43 DAYS

UNABLE TO SHOW ‘ROUTINE PHYSICAL AFFECTION’ TO WIFE AND KIDS

“Molly is truly the unsung hero in all of this, as I suspect is the

“It was very inconvenient,” he said. “I was unable to show

had to fill the void left by my absence. She was playing single

previously routine physical affection to my wife and kids. I

mother to four kids ages 7 and under. Ultimately, the added

was unable to scoop up Jude in my arms when he skinned

work that resulted from my absence fell to Molly, while I was

his knee and had to bear the perplexed look in his tear-filled

still just doing the job I signed up for in the ER.”

eyes as he waited for Molly to make the trek across the yard to render aid. And it was challenging to maintain a role of disciplinarian for my kids when I was unable to later hug them

Parenting is tough business.

Now, consider what that would be like if you were socially distancing from your wife and kids. Through a pandemic.

Such was life for Dr. Jake Flinkman, who works in the emergency department at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown. When COVID-19 started to surge, he did what many other providers across the nation did. He kept his distance from his family to keep them safe, while ensuring he would stay as healthy as possible for the community that needed him.

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GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MAINTAIN DISTANCING So, for 43 days and nights, Dr. Flinkman was unable to hug his wife, Molly, or embrace their children, Lily, 7, Norah, 5, Sawyer, 3, and Jude, 1. He spent many nights in a separate living area at the home of Dr. Lance VanGundy, the ER Medical Director in Marshalltown. Other times, he hunkered down in his family’s three-season room, which required space heaters

and tell them I love them.”

Dr. Flinkman knew there would be sacrifices when he applied to medical school, and he and Molly have already experienced

case for most healthcare workers’ spouses,” he said. “She

Dr. Flinkman ended his quarantine after Iowa realized its peak in positive cases. By that time, the medical community was confident it would have enough of its necessary resources, such as ventilators, beds, respiratory professionals, specialists and more.

“From a medical standpoint, it was really not much different from the norm,” he said. “I’m exposed to serious, contagious diseases often in my job, and this was no different. Thankfully, in Iowa, so far, we have had the resources necessary and great leadership in our healthcare systems to weather this storm.

several related

“Other than (wearing extra personal protective equipment),

to his education

work in the ER was business as usual, taking care of sick

and residency. But

people with a higher percentage being sick with serious

Through it all, he tried to be as present and impactful as

COVID-19 was

respiratory disease. Through all of this, I was grateful to have

possible. He visited with his family by Facetime and dropped

different.

a job that continued to put food on the table for my family, as

and extra blankets on nights when the temperatures dipped below freezing.

by the house to read a book through the sliding glass door or

well as to have the support of our church, friends and family.”

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COVID-19

From the left, Niki Halsted, Christy Alvarado-Polt and Jeff Gilchrist outside the ER in Marshalltown.

Health Care Heroes

WHEN COVID-19 FIRST ARRIVED …

SINCE THEN …

“When COVID first showed up in Marshalltown I honestly was a little scared. There was not a lot of information out there because it was a new virus. We’d been watching the news and seeing the deaths and devastation that was happening to those who contracted the virus in New York and surrounding areas. It was also frustrating to see people not taking this virus seriously. There were many times I wish I could have shared with them how this ‘fake virus’ was truly affecting those who were hospitalized, how really sick some of those patients were.”

— Jamie Gould, RN, Medical/Surgical

“At first, I really thought things were being blown out of proportion and this was just like the regular influenza virus. I figured it would make people have a really bad cold then they’d recover without problems. My perspective now is the complete opposite. I’ve seen some of the healthiest people become so ill and end up on a ventilator. The range of symptoms and severity is unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Then, once a person is “recovered” there seem to be lingering effects that can cause many complications.”

— Stephanie Mitchell, RN, Emergency Department

“To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect. The media outlets seemed to focus heavily on New York and similar large metropolitan areas that were quite far from Marshalltown, so it seemed more distant. What I noticed early on was how the communication from UnityPoint administration increased to the frontline staff. Unfortunately, with so many unknowns among even the nation’s medical experts, it was hard to gauge what the best response should be at the local level. These were unchartered waters, and we had to implement a plethora of new safety measures when taking care of patients and their family members.”

— Jeff Gilchrist, RN, Emergency Department

FRONTLINE TEAM MEMBERS REFLECT ON WILD 2020 We’ve all seen the memes and heard the exasperation.

No doubt, 2020 can’t get in the rearview mirror fast enough.

It was an especially challenging year for health care workers, and perhaps no one knows that better than the people on the front lines at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown.

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“I think COVID-19 is still weighing heavily on my mind in general with the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Iowa and combined with flu season.

This isn’t something I ever dreamed I would be a part of, but feel that it is my calling. It truly takes an amazing team, and I feel like we have that in the Marshalltown ER. With these challenges, I have seen incredible teamwork and resiliency.”

— Taylor Simbides, RN, Emergency Department

“My perspective now is that we have technically been through the storm and what it really takes to survive the COVID-19 pandemic is teamwork and the willingness to adapt. There was constantly so many changes going on around us, it would have been really easy for us all to just stick to our old ways. We had amazing leadership, along with great-minded nurses who were willing to do whatever it took to care for our patients.”

— Niki Halsted, RN, Medical/Surgical “I guess I felt like it was not real. My wife and I had just gotten back from vacation when the first cases were hitting the U.S. She and I had just decided to sell our house and purchase a newer one, with thoughts of expanding our family soon.

We both figured that this was not going to be a big deal, and we were going to go on with our lives. Then the shutdowns started, with all the crazy mandates. As things started to ramp up, we decided that it was in our best interest to not have a child while this was all going on.”

— Nathan Massell, Paramedic Supervisor, EMS

“I lost my grandfather this June (in Texas) to COVID. He wasn’t allowed visitors, and it has weighed heavily on me that he was all alone in his final moments. I could not even hug my grandmother, who’d just lost her husband, because she was quarantined at home. The best I could do was see her through a window.”

— Christy Alvarado-Polt, Social Worker LiveWell Winter 2021 | 7

HEALTH CARE HEROES

I REMEMBER …

“We were initially told that you should be fine if you’re young and don’t have pre-existing conditions when you contracted COVID. However, on October 30, a good friend of mine passed away from complications of it. I still don’t know how to feel. Someone who is 43 shouldn’t be dead from something we are calling a ‘flu bug.’ I went to Jim’s wake, and then it hit me … he’s dead and is never coming back. I hugged his girlfriend, and we both started crying. All I’ll have are memories of us working together and boating on the ‘res.’ It’s still hard to comprehend.”

— Nathan Massell, Paramedic Supervisor, EMS “I contracted COVID-19 in October through working with COVID-19 patients but was lucky enough to have it be a mild case. I know this is not always the case. I had guilt that I had spread the virus to my mom before I even had symptoms and went into strict quarantine. It was weird to be on the other side of COVID-19, but in a way helped me be able to understand my patients better.”

— Taylor Simbides, RN, Emergency Department

The derecho that hit Marshalltown on August 10 delivered a devastating blow to the city and surrounding communities, downing countless trees (above) and leaving damage at South Tama County Middle School (right).

Photos courtesy of Times-Republican.

WHEN THE DERECHO HIT …

“I worked the three night shifts after the derecho. It sort of felt like déjà vu after the tornado almost two years prior. I remember using COVID-19 precautions (mask, shield, and gown at times) and working in 82-degree weather due to being on generator power. The derecho was so widespread and there were so many people in the ER. Everyone was dripping sweat, including patients. When pulling meds out of (the storage container), I stood in front of the door to the courtyard to simply get a small breeze.”

— Taylor Simbides, RN, Emergency Department “Just as with the tornado, the derecho threw us some curve balls. We again had to stretch ourselves and get creative in our care. Without power, the air conditioning did not work.

It got hot on the floor, and we had to bring in temporary air conditioners that lined the hallways to keep our patients comfortable. When the computer system went down, we went back to paper charting. It was a challenging time, but we have been through the worst.”

— Jamie Gould, RN, Medical/Surgical

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“During difficult times, I do try to take a few deep breaths and find something positive. I remember getting home from work that night, the entire town without power, and looking up at the sky. I was blown away by how beautiful the night sky was.

I was able to see so many stars. It was a night I’ll never forget.”

— Christy Alvarado-Polt, Social Worker “I was working that day, I also worked the day of the tornado in 2018. For some reason I was able to stay calm and collected. I made a quick call to my daughter and sent a text to my dad and brother to see if they were okay. We had many traumas coming in, other injuries around the area. We all pulled together as a team and kept things moving.”

— Stephanie Mitchell, RN, Emergency Department “The team members I serve with are some of the most amazing people. I’m not sure people realize how busy this ER gets at times. When it gets busy, and during times like COVID and the derecho, I have seen people pull together to provide amazing care. Great patient care is much like a championship football team. Each person has a role and job to do, and each person depends on the others to win the game.”

— Jeff Gilchrist, RN, Emergency Department

“Working in the hospital during a pandemic, in a sense, gave me a kind of rush. I come from the ICU, which is what my passion is. So, to be able to see patients in the status they were in kind of brought me back. I felt comfort in my knowledge of critical patients and in my ability to assist my fellow nurses in this new endeavor.”

— Niki Halsted, RN, Medical/Surgical “I remember I was off work the day of the derecho. As a member of our town’s volunteer fire department, we were responding to injuries, storm damage and structure fires the rest of the day. On my way to work, traveling eastbound on Highway 30, I was shocked by the sheer volume of property and crop damage. I had never seen anything like it before.

The ER was without power and the backup generators were not much help. Small portable air conditioning units were brought in but, unfortunately, they just couldn’t keep up with the heat in the ER. The staff ending up working in 90+ degree temps inside. To compound the issue, we were still abiding by COVID precautions, which meant that we were still wearing gowns, gloves, face shields and masks.

Once I texted my wife, asking her to bring me a new pair of scrubs as mine were completely soaked in sweat after only two hours.”

— Jeff Gilchrist, RN, Emergency Department

“I remember something I heard renown physician Dr. B. Calinawagan recently said: ‘We, the healthcare workers, are not your front-liners any longer. We are your last line of defense. You, my fellow people, are the front-liners now. The war has shifted to the community, and it is up to you. This cannot be won in the confines of the hospital.’”

— Stephanie Mitchell, RN, Emergency Department

AFTER 2020, UNITYPOINT HEALTH – MARSHALLTOWN IS READY FOR … “… whatever comes next. Marshalltown hospital has been through so much over the last few years. We have faced adversity and have come out stronger than before each time.

We have shown that we are a resilient group that wants to be here to serve this community. I am proud to be a part of this great team of people.”

— Jamie Gould, RN, Medical/Surgical “I’m working a lot, it’s not ideal, but employees are still getting sick, and we need to fill the gaps. I wasn’t here for the tornado, but after COVID and the derecho, Marshalltown is ready for anything. That’s the honest truth. All the departments have been going above and beyond since this all started. You can’t keep us down here.”

— Nathan Massell, Paramedic Supervisor, EMS “ … all things to come. With our ever-changing times, and all that we’ve already been through, I know that whatever comes our way we will perform with grace. I am honored to be a part of this organization and to work among some the greatest nurses.”

— Niki Halsted, RN, Medical/Surgical “… more creative ways to meet patient’s needs. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that difficult times like these usually force us to really think outside of the box and find ways to meet the community’s needs. Now, many of the services people need are provided through telehealth, so transportation is not as much of an issue. I’d like to see more outreach to our hard-working folks in the community who were also deemed ‘essential workers.’ There are many people in our community who do not work in health care who have continued to work tirelessly throughout this pandemic — people who don’t know how to access community resources.”

— Christy Alvarado-Polt, Social Worker LiveWell Winter 2021 | 9

SEPTIC SHOCK

Patient Thankful for First Responders AND CARE AFTER LIFE-THREATENING EPISODE

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, LIFE CHANGED FOREVER FOR DEB HOLSAPPLE. It was October 14, 2019, and Holsapple went home to make supper after working all day at school. While eating with her family, she started to feel sick and quickly got hot, sweaty and dizzy. She laid down on the bathroom floor to try to cool down.

The next thing she remembers is being at a hospital in Des Moines.

“I have no recollection of anything after laying on the floor,” Holsapple says.

FIRST RESPONDERS MOVE IN QUICKLY Summoned to her home were two ambulances and a host of first responders and sheriff’s deputies, plus all the lights and sirens you can imagine. As she likes to humorously retell it, “there had been a party at my house, and I had been the guest of honor.”

When Holsapple was finally coherent enough, she was told she’d been unresponsive. In fact, she didn’t have a pulse when EMTs from UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown arrived.

Deb Holsapple is grateful for the care she received from firstresponders and others in the wake of her septic shock episode.

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“I remember this call well,” said Jesse Husmann, a paramedic with UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown who was joined that night by teammates Travis Hoover, Quinten Guevara and Ben Helms. “Deb was very sick, and we knew getting care initiated and transporting her to the hospital as quickly as possible was critical. IVs were placed in both arms, and fluids were started right away. Her blood

pressure was dangerously low, and her heart was working hard to keep up. Her condition was very serious, and we could tell it was taking a lot out of her body.”

SEPTIC SHOCK It wasn’t a stroke, as one might have suspected. Instead, Holsapple had gone into septic shock – a surprising development because she didn’t feel sick until just before her episode at home.

LIFE INTERRUPTED Despite the health care heroics, the situation has changed Holsapple’s life. At times, she finds herself working twice as hard to do tasks she had done for 20 years, and depression followed when she struggled to cope with a new reality.

Still, she’s battled back from post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) thanks to numerous appointments with speech and language pathologists, psychologists, neurologists and neuropsychologists.

Fortunately, help wasn’t far away. Thanks to quick action by all the first-responders, as well as Dr. Jake Flinkman and his team in the emergency department at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown, Holsapple is alive. A few weeks ago, she reached out on the anniversary of her rescue to thank all those involved.

Of course, it was a greatly appreciated gesture for a health care team stretched physically and emotionally by a challenging 2020.

“These exact instances are why I got into this field,” said Husmann. “When I’m meeting someone while at work, chances are it’s one of the worst days of their lives. Something has happened that has required an Deb Holsapple celebrates Mother’s Day with her family. emergency response. Having the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life is what makes this career path more “Sepsis, septic shock, Post-Sepsis Syndrome and almost than just a means to paying bills for me. This is my passion.” dying is not something you just ‘get over,’” Holsapple said.

“My entire body and all of the systems had shut down and Holsapple is also thankful for the other first responders, were dead. I was basically dead. like those who assisted the ambulance crews and the Marshall County sheriff’s deputies, as well as a special thank you to Shannon, the 911 dispatcher who took the call from her family.

“I don’t have any memory of the month of October,” Holsapple said. “I can’t remember how to do things that I had done for 58 years. I had to ask for help for some of the LiveWell Winter 2021 | 11

SEPTIC SHOCK

Deb Holsapple with her family.

simplest tasks, as I simply couldn’t remember.

All I could think about was, ‘Will I ever get back to where I had been?’”

RAISING AWARENESS OF POSTSEPTIC SHOCK FOR OTHERS Due to the physical and mental challenges in the wake of the incident, Holsapple had to retire after nearly 40 years in education. And COVID-19 only complicated her situation.

However, Holsapple said she isn’t sharing her story for the sake of sympathy or attention.

Instead, she wants to raise awareness about PSS. After all, just because someone doesn’t look or act sick, doesn’t mean that they aren’t.

“My hope and prayer is that even though my life as I knew it has been destroyed and is in the process of being rebuilt, that if someone you love ever experiences this horrible situation, that you show empathy, kindness and support,” she said. “It has been a very long, lonely and uncertain year — full of fear, sadness and self-doubt.”

Q & A With Jen Arneson Deb’s future is looking up now. In fact, she’s been hired by Aimee Deimerly-Snyder and Tom Snyder with Lillie Mae Chocolates in town.

“I continue to heal physically, mentally and spiritually. I know I will never be able to return to the educational profession.

Thank you to Aimee and Tom for taking a chance and hiring me. I now have purpose back in my life.”

DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Q A Q A

Q

ask the EXPERT Dr. Lance VanGundy, ER Medical Director and Physician

What surprised you during the pandemic?

A

Where are you from originally?

Q

I was born and raised in Boone, Iowa. I graduated from Boone High School in 1990 – go Toreadors!

A

Why did you get into health care?

I have always loved the biological sciences. When I was in high school, I took everything that was offered. While in college, I got a job as a CNA and fell in love with the idea that I could use my science-minded brain to help and care for people.

Q A

What qualities best describe the care you provide to patients?

I try and see people the way God does – unique and wonderfully made. I consider it a privilege to care for people during a very vulnerable time in their lives. I, like everyone, have gone through crisis and challenges in my life. I believe that gives me empathy and the ability to feel with patients, rather than to just feel for them.

Q A

What will the new hospital mean to you and the care your team provides?

We have always provided evidence-based, compassionate care. We now get to do that in a space that is not only beautiful but efficient and patientcentered. I also believe the building will enhance our recruiting efforts, which are currently challenging.

Are there any fun facts about you?

I worked as Bingo the Clown at a restaurant in Iowa City while I was in college. I learned how to make balloon animals and do some basic magic tricks.

It was a such a fun job and brought levity during a stressful time in my life. I even, on occasion, took a cab home in full costume.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, biking and sewing.

THE JEN ARNESON FILE

Much was uncertain at first, but I was surprised by how people avoided the ER when they needed it.

1. Emergencies still happen, even in a pandemic.

2. H owever, in the public’s attempt to help flatten the curve, people across the nation waited too long to seek care for serious emergencies, like stroke or heart attack symptoms.

3. It’s better for the patient if we get ahead of those issues before they get worse.

4. S o, I encourage you to come to the ER if you’re seeing symptoms that should be investigated.

Learn more at unitypoint.org 12 | unitypoint.org

Resides in: Marshalltown Schooling: Diploma in Nursing from Mercy School of Health Sciences, and BSN from University of Iowa Other education/ certifications: Certified in ACLS and PALS

Previous roles/positions: Started as an ICU nurse in Marshalltown, before becoming a House Supervisor, ICU Supervisor, and Cardiac Rehab and Manager of MSTP Favorite quote: “Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; it was never between you and them anyway.”

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Multi-Specialty Clinic & Family Medicine Specialties Marshalltown Multi-Specialty Clinic | (641) 844-6259 | 407 E. Main St. • Cardiology • Nephrology • Urology • Women’s Health • Orthopedics

Family Medicine Marshalltown | (641) 753-2752 | 405 E. Main St., 1st floor • Jaime Hooley, PA; Maemie Miller, PA-C; and Tracy Schiller, PA Conrad | (641) 366-2123 | 105 N. Church St. • Steve Scurr, DO; and Tim Cooper, PA-C State Center | (641) 844-2970 | 503 3rd Ave. SW • Amanda Konz, ARNP Tama-Toledo | (641) 484-5445 | 1307 S. Broadway St. • Polly Hineman, DO; Sherry Parks, PA-C; and Mark Atcher, ARNP