While many of us never imagined we’d be battling a global pandemic and recovering from a derecho in August 2020, here we are pushing forward. I am beyond thankful and proud of the UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge team and community of Fort Dodge. I am inspired by our team’s strength to provide the utmost care for our patients; while juggling life’s many different situations during this pandemic. We have become experts in shifting and adapting for our patients to provide ‘the best outcome, every patient, every time’.

In amidst of all the challenges of COVID-19, UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge has recently moved forward on some exciting partnerships and services that will greatly benefit our community. I’m excited to share the following updates:

• In August, pediatric hospitalists from Blank Children’s Hospital began providing on site coverage at Trinity Regional Medical Center for inpatient pediatrics and newborn nursey. Pediatric hospitalists are now available and will help keep patients local. In addition, UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics continues to partner with Blank Children’s Hospital to provide outreach clinics in Fort Dodge for endocrinology, neurology and pulmonology.

• We are proud to announce our new eastside location for UnityPoint Clinic Express. The new location will be in the new mall development area, Corridor Plaza. This prime location will be at the corner of First Avenue South and South 29th Street. The project team is excited to get construction underway as well as to “flip” our current Walk-In Clinic to this convenient Express model of service.

• UnityPoint Clinic – Orthopedics welcomed orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Anand, in June and now we officially have full-time orthopedic coverage back in Fort Dodge. Dr. Anand has hit the ground running and is doing both inpatient and outpatient surgical cases.

• Berryhill Center launched a Mobile Crisis Response Team on July 1. The Mobile Crisis Response Team provides on-site, face-to-face mental health services for an individual or family experiencing a mental health crisis. The team of professionals can respond wherever the crisis is occurring in our geographical area — in an individual’s home, the community or other locations where an individual lives, works, attends school or socializes. Within 24 hours of completion of the crisis assessment, a case manager will place a phone call to follow up with the individual.

• Behavioral Health Urgent Care at Berryhill Center is now open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. located on the lower east entrance of the building. The new behavioral health urgent care clinic provides services to individuals who are needing mental health services, psychiatric evaluation and assessment, addiction medicine, crisis services and community resources. No referral or appointment is needed. Both pediatric and adult patients are welcomed.

• And, we will soon be announcing a new service line coming to Fort Dodge in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

As we move forward with these initiatives and battle COVID-19, we cannot express how thankful we are for our communities’ support and everyone who has stepped up to help us. Together we’ll get through these crazy times. As we still see COVID in our community and hospital, it’s important we all do what we can to prevent illness during this pandemic – get the flu shot, mask up in public settings, wash your hands often and practice social distancing. Doing these things will help our community stay healthy.

Leah Glasgo is the president and chief executive officer of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge