To the editor:

As president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge, I support the bond issue proposed by Iowa Central Community College, and strongly encourage others to so as well.

Trinity Regional Medical Center has had a long, outstanding partnership with Iowa Central Community College. For decades we have partnered to educate and cultivate the health care professionals of tomorrow; including: nurses, EMS staff, lab techs, patient care techs, radiology techs, certified medical assistants and others. This partnership between Trinity and ICCC has led to many outstanding individuals joining Trinity’s team. Not only does Trinity benefit from these ICCC graduates, but so do our nursing homes, home care, schools, public health agencies and surrounding hospitals and clinics — all of which are here to serve the residents of this community.

This bond issue will ensure ICCC continues to provide excellent nursing and health services programs for our future health care professionals. We need to invest in the college’s STEMM initiatives which include renovating the science and technology buildings so they can continue to keep pace with a growing demand for health care workers. Trinity and surrounding hospital will always need nurses, lab technicians and other health care workers and we look to Iowa Central to help us fill our workforce needs.

For these reasons, I strongly encourage you to support Iowa Central in the February 6th referendum; vote yes for our future health care needs.

Mike Dewerff

CEO and president

UnityPoint Health–

Fort Dodge