Thursday, January 28, 2010

Latcham Joins Cardiology Specialties at GRMC

Grinnell Regional Medical Center welcomed Allan P. Latcham, MD, to the GRMC visiting specialty clinic with the Iowa Heart Center’s cardiology team.

Latcham is a Grinnell native, the son of Allen and Sheila Latcham. He received his BA from Wartburg College and earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine as well as completed his residency there. He also completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Ohio State University. Latcham is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology.

Iowa Heart Center expanded coverage in Grinnell in 2009. Latcham requested the opportunity to serve Grinnell after Syed Ahmed, MD, announced his decision to return to school to complete a fellowship

Iowa Heart cardiologists Mark McGaughey, MD, and David McAllister, DO, along with Teresa Sieck, PA-C, will continue to see patients at GRMC on a weekly basis. Latcham works in rotation with the other cardiology providers to meet the heart health needs of area residents.

For information on GRMC visiting specialists, go to www.grmc.us/staff/visiting.html or call the visiting specialty clinic at 641-236-2925.

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Perinatologist to Join GRMC Visiting Specialty Physicians

Grinnell Regional Medical Center welcomes Neil Mandsager, MD, FACOG, Perinatal Center of Iowa, as a perinatologist to the visiting specialty clinic. Mandsager will partner with local primary care physicians to provide consultations and recommendations regarding their high-risk obstetric patients.

Mandsager graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed his obstetrical and gynecology residency in Columbia, Mo. Mandsager also completed a maternal-fetal medicine fellowship in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is board certified in obstetrics-gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine.

Mandsager started his practice in Iowa in 1993. Today the practice is an affiliate of Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines. He practices with Joseph Hwang, MD, perinatal mid-level providers, and sonographers.

Perinatology is a subspecialty of obstetrics concerned with the care of the fetus and complicated, high-risk pregnancies. Perinatology is also known as maternal-fetal medicine and focuses on gestational diabetes, multiple fetuses, genetic amniocentesis, and other conditions during pregnancy.

Mandsager will hold clinic in Grinnell on a monthly basis. Referrals for his specialty care will be scheduled through your primary care physician.

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

GRMC Raises Record-Setting Total for Annual Fund Drive

Grinnell Regional Medical Center announced this week that it raised $363,166.75 from 1,032 donors during its annual fund drive. This is the highest amount ever raised in the medical center’s annual fund history.

The total amount raised is almost $50,000 more than what was raised in 2008. This is attributable in large part to several challenge grants made by area individuals, families, and businesses.

“The response for this year’s annual fund drive has been great. This kind of support is extraordinary for a hospital of our size. It really demonstrates the level of commitment people have for our community hospital, especially in a year when most charities are reporting a decline in giving,” says Susan Witt, GRMC board chair. Witt has served on the medical center’s board since 1999. She is co-owner of Miraco, Inc.

The annual fund drive enhances the medical center’s operating budget by making certain programs possible. It also allows GRMC to purchase important equipment and support daily operations.

“During these challenging financial times, these gifts are even more important to the medical center. They allow us to fund vital programs and purchase needed equipment,” says Mindy Uitermarkt, GRMC director of development. “We are grateful to all who invested in GRMC through our annual fund drive this year, especially those donors who matched gifts through challenge grants. Because of these challenge grants, every gift had a greater impact.”

Challenge fund donors were the Brownell Family Foundation, Grinnell State Bank, the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, Isadore Berman, Gerald Bell, Orville Bloethe, John and Marlene Manatt, Merlin and Verna Manatt, Dr. J.R. and Linda Paulson, Ramsey-Weeks, Inc., Searsboro and Lynnville Telephone Companies, and an anonymous donor.

“Since GRMC is a community nonprofit hospital, these donations have a major impact on hospital operations relating to patient care and comfort. We can truly say that the devotion and consistent support of our donors make many of GRMC’s accomplishments possible,” Witt says.

For additional information about GRMC’s annual fund or development program, contact Uitermarkt at 641-236-2961 or muitermarkt@grmc.us.

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Healthcare Day at the State Capitol

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites the public to participate in the annual Iowa Hospital Association’s Legislative Day, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24. Legislative Day allows area residents to voice their opinion at the state capitol about the government’s role in healthcare policy and funding.

IHA Legislative Day, now in its 16th year, is the largest annual gathering of hospital advocates. The event, sponsored by Iowa Hospital Association, is free to all hospital supporters across the state. The mission is to give hospital advocates the tools and skills needed to directly address issues facing Iowa hospitals with legislators at the Iowa Statehouse. Grinnell Regional Medical Center has been a leader in this program with an average of 40 individuals attending in recent years.

“The state’s financial challenges have put pressure on legislators to consider a hospital provider assessment,” explains Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “Depending on many factors, this legislation could help bring in additional federal dollars to support Medicaid services. Preserving Iowa’s Medicaid program – both in terms of services to beneficiaries and payments to healthcare providers – must be a priority for state government, especially in these current economic times. In a time when more citizens are losing employment and insurance, it is in the state’s best interest to not limit access to healthcare services.”

The GRMC Auxiliary has reserved a bus to transport area residents to Legislative Day that will leave Grinnell at 10 a.m. The event begins with lunch at the Polk County Convention Complex. The keynote speaker will be Steffen Schmidt, “Dr. Politics,” Iowa State University professor of political science, pundit, analyst, and commentator.

The agenda also includes a presentation on key health-related legislative issues following the lunch. At 1:15 p.m., the GRMC group plans to meet with State Senator Tom Rielly and State Representatives Eric Palmer and Betty DeBoef.

To sign up for this free event, please call the GRMC volunteer office at 641-236-2588, by Tuesday, Feb. 16.