As Christmas music fills the air, twinkling lights shine in the darkness and white snow falls around us, I’m reminded what a magical time of the year this is. There really is something special about being home for the holidays and spending time with family. No matter what you’re doing this holiday season – going sledding, watching classic holiday movies, or baking your favorite Christmas treats – the most important thing is that you’re spending time with loved ones. It reminds me of all the blessings in my life – and I hope you’re reminded of those blessings in your life, as well. We are all blessed, not just with what we receive this holiday season, but with what we are able to give and share with others.

As I look around at our team members at UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge, I am blessed to have a great team. I love each moment when we recognize a team or individual through their caring actions toward patients, visitors and other team members. Not only do we have a great team, but we continue to build a great culture across our locations – and it’s not done yet!

I am excited to share the many successes of our team, as shown through a recent employee engagement survey for UnityPoint Health. Our team members expressed pride in our organization, leader effectiveness and engagement, along with improvements around work-life balance, manageable stress levels and satisfaction with trainings. Out of the eight hospital markets in the UnityPoint Health enterprise, it brings me great joy to share that Fort Dodge had the highest engagement scores. We are proud to lead the way as we continue to build on our successes and create an environment where leaders want to lead, physicians want to practice, employees want a career and patients must have their care.

We continue to recruit talented nurses, therapists, specialists and physicians to Fort Dodge. In 2023, 19 providers joined our team, including Abby Sexton, DO, UnityPoint Clinic OB/GYN; Mark Julian, DO, Iowa Radiology; and Jennifer Jenson, MD, UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics. Dr. Sexton grew up in North Central Iowa and was a third-year medical student at Trinity Regional Medical Center in 2017-2018. We are excited to officially welcome her back, close to home, and to our team! We continue to recruit talented providers and have already signed four physicians to begin practicing at UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge in the next two years.

There is so much good happening around us, and I am thankful to be here in Fort Dodge – a great community to live and work. Our community continues to grow as people return home, with their families, to build a life in the place that means the most to them – home.

So, no matter what you’re doing this holiday season – caroling with friends, going to Christmas pageants or enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace, remember that time spent with loved ones is special. Being home is special – and building a life you love, with your loved ones right next to you is even more special.

Fort Dodge is a great community to live and work, and I am blessed to be here, home with my family, this Christmas season. May you have a wonderful holiday season with the ones that mean the most to you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Leah Glasgo is president of UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge.