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Optimae receives specialized service certification

Optimae LifeServices’ residential-based supported community living programs, located in Ames and Fort Dodge, were recently awarded the specialized service certification required by Iowa Medicaid’s Quality Improvement Organization Home- and Community-Based Services unit. Optimae met all requirements for RBSCL service provision, with no remediations. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, specialized certifications require providers to first be certified and maintain at least a developing level of certification for the corresponding core service. For example, ...

Carr, Hanna, Weflen receive Sunshine Award

Jessica Carr, a social worker in the Emergency Department; Alison Hanna, manager of Volunteer & Guest Services, and Cindy Weflen, experience specialist at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine — Buena Vista, received the Sunshine Award at UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. The award ...

rnst names Small Business of the Week, Leah Jean Boutique

CLARION — U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, announced her Small Business of the Week: Leah Jean Boutique of Wright County. “Leah Jean Boutique is a wonderful example of the dedication and community spirit that has become tailored to Iowa small businesses,” said Ernst, a Republican. “Through personalized service, thoughtfully curated products, and meaningful local involvement, Leah Jean Boutique has become a trusted destination for families across north Iowa.” Founded in 2018 by Brittany Leah Howieson and Donna Jean Ahrends, Leah Jean ...

Webster City City Council approves $1 million USDA loan application for Edible Gardens

WEBSTER CITY — Just a month ago Webster City learned the former Natural Shrimp building, 401 Des Moines St., would be converted to a high-volume protein supplement factory run by Edible Gardens Prairie Hills LLC. Ultimately, the 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will make 100 million units of the protein drink annually for an as-yet-unnamed launch customer. On May 18, the City Council approved an application for a $1 million loan for Edible Gardens under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development program. The no-interest loan, will run for a term of ...

Clay & Associates becomes Fort Dodge Dental Associates

The local dentist office once known as Clay & Associates is now Fort Dodge Dental Associates. And while the name has changed, the dentists, other dental providers, office staff and location remain unchanged. “I am happy to announce Clay & Associates will be changing our name to Fort Dodge Dental Associates,” Dr. John Clay said in a written statement. “Although the name is changing, the same high quality dental care will continue with Dr. Tyler Wallingford and myself for the foreseeable future. We are also excited to welcome Dr. Collin Sexton to our wonderful team starting in ...

Stewart Memorial celebrates expanded behavioral health services space

LAKE CITY — Stewart Memorial Hospital & Clinics recently celebrated the ribbon cutting and open house for its new Pod D Behavioral Health Services space at the Lake City Clinic. Community members, staff, health care leaders, and local officials gathered to celebrate the expansion of behavioral health services and Stewart Memorial’s continued commitment to increasing access to mental health care in rural Iowa. Stewart Memorial leadership also highlighted the challenges many rural communities face in accessing timely behavioral health services, including provider shortages, ...