Community Connections
What is it?The mission of St. Joseph’s/Candler is: “Rooted in God’s love, we treat illness and promote wellness for all people.” Recognizing that unemployment, illiteracy, and many other social determinants were directly affecting the health status of many community members, St. Joseph’s/Candler…
OverviewProjects undertaken by the Center for Healthy Communities are aimed at improving access to health care, promoting healthy lifestyles, and promoting a healthier community for residents of Polk County and surrounding areas. The Center links Iowa Health - Des Moines (IHDM) and its resources to…
What is it?Each February to coincide with National Heart Month, Mesa View Regional Hospital and the city of Mesquite/Mesquite Recreation Center co-sponsor the Mesquite Heart Walk, a 3.2 mile trek through town. The Heart Walk finishes in front of the hospital, where each participant receives a…
What is it?
Mercy's Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) provides comprehensive diabetes education and insulin management services for people of all ages. Team members include an endocrinologist, nurse diabetes educators, dietitian diabetes educators, a podiatrist, an exercise specialist, and a mental…
OverviewIn October 2007, Duncan Regional Hospital (DRH) opened the Duncan Regional Hospital Learning Center (DRHLC), which includes two programs: a nursing school facility and the Hands On Health (HOH) Interactive Learning Center. The DRHLC was created to proactively combat the critical shortage of…
What is it?Hospital-sponsored trainings have been offered for hospital staff and community providers – as well as for those who work with children in the community – about how to recognize, treat, and prevent community-associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) staph infection.…
OverviewGet Fit Wamego is a 12-week recreational fitness challenge that promotes a change in lifestyle, rather than adherence to a diet program. The program was designed to support participants in attaining their fitness goals by introducing a variety of nutrition and fitness opportunities. The…
What is it?With leadership from Hannibal Regional Hospital, the Hannibal Free Clinic opened in May 2007 to provide access to primary medical care. The clinic is open five days a week and is staffed by 14 volunteer physicians and 47 support volunteers whose work is designed to build a healthy…
What is it?MedAssist provides life-sustaining and preventive medications to area residents who cannot otherwise obtain them. One full-time and one part-time medication assistance caseworkers staff the program, and all medications are dispensed from physicians' offices. Patients are charged an…
OverviewSince 2009, Christiana Care has been taking an innovative approach to reach minorities, integrating a combination screening (cancer risk assessment, cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure testing) with delivery of health information. In 2012, the health system’s Community Health Outreach and…