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Van Diest Medical Center recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

WEBSTER CITY — Van Diest Medical Center, in Webster City, announced it has been recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX. “To be named as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital is truly an outstanding achievement,” said Lisa Ridge, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “We are extremely proud and honored to be recognized as one of the rural ...

Local surgeon wins national honor

Dr. Elijah Miller, an orthopedic surgeon at UnityPoint Clinic Orthopedics, was recently presented the 2022 Bob Green Memorial Award at the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics Fall Awards Ceremony. The prestigious award is given annually to a member of the AOAO who achieved the highest combined score in the written and oral certification examinations for the prior year. Only one recipient of this award is chosen each year. In partnership with CNOS, UnityPoint Orthopedics offers prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting bones and joints in Fort ...

Makuch named February Employee of the Month

Ashley Makuch, human resources business partner at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, was named the February Employee of the Month. Makuch was nominated by Chelsie Dobney, HR recruiter for UnityPoint Health. “Since starting her career at UnityPoint Health, Ashley quickly settled into her new position and exceeded expectations in every way,” Dobney said. “Her role includes tough challenges and difficult conversations with people she respects. Despite some of the challenging days, she brings light and laughter to our workplace. I look forward to working ...

Northwest Bank honored for mortgage work

Northwest Bank has been named a Top Mortgage Lender in 2022 by the Iowa Finance Authority. That award is given to the lending institutions and loan originators who assisted the most homebuyers through IFA programs in 2022. The Iowa Finance Authority offers mortgage and down payment assistance programs through a network of more than 400 lenders throughout the state. These partnerships allow Iowans both the convenience of working with their local lender and access to down payment assistance programs available exclusively through IFA Participating Lenders. In 2022, local lenders ...

Wildcat Distilling Co. opens tasting room in Webster City

WEBSTER CITY — Wildcat Distilling Co. actually started eight years ago as Alissa Nelson, who also serves as Creative Director was sitting in a cubicle at work daydreaming about not being in a cubicle anymore and back on the farm when the idea came about. “I thought we could use some of the corn we grow to make whiskey and become a family-run distillery. That is why we say we Till, Mill, Distill our whiskey.” As with any new whiskey entrepreneurial adventure, there has been a lot of experimenting with the distillation process which is Brad Lemke’s job as Master Distiller. Soon ...

Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics receives Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence Designation from DNV

CLARION — Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics announced receipt of the Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence Designation from DNV Healthcare USA Inc. This designation affirms an organization’s excellence in the provision of diagnostic services, surgical services, and therapies related to orthopedic and spine care. Iowa Specialty Hospital’s orthopedic program is the first facility in Iowa to have been found to be compliant with the requirements of the following four areas: Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence Designation; Advanced Hip and Knee Replacement Certification; ...