March 2026 - The Pulse
Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
Enjoy a small token of gratitude, snacks!
The snacks bags were coordinated by the St. Anthony E2 Committee & sponsored by the St. Anthony Foundation Ed Smith Employee Appreciation Fund.
Three St. Anthony Nurses Receive Great Iowa Nurses Award
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Stay tuned for more information about a celebration reception, photos, and more!
St. Anthony Child Care Center - Registration is LIVE!
Spots are filling up quickly for the St. Anthony Child Care Center. Bright Horizons will be sending formal offer emails the week of March 23rd.
A few key reminders:
- Registration is $50 per child, with a maximum of $100 per family.
- Enrollment will be confirmed the end of March
- Full time enrollment will be prioritized as we begin placing families.
- Don't forget to register for school-ager for care (before and after school, summer, and school breaks)
- If you encounter any challenges with the registration form or process, please call 712-248-1220. We’re here to assist.
Bright Horizons hosts monthly webinars available for ALL employees! April's Webinar is on Raising a Healthy Eater.
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Pictured above is the toddler and twos room. Construction is coming along nicely!
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Welcome Back, Dr. Sibenaller
On February 27th, the St. Anthony Clinic hosted a Welcome Back Reception for Dr. Sibenaller. President & CEO, Allen Andersen, made the following remarks:
"On behalf of St. Anthony Regional Hospital, we would like to return the American flag you sent to us that once flew over Erbil Air Base in Iraq during your deployment. We are honored to present it back to you in recognition of your dedicated service to our country and in celebration of your safe return home.
We are sincerely grateful for your military service and for your continued service as a physician."
Pictured below is Dr. Sibenaller with his wife, son & other family members.
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Lori Pietig, Vice President of Clinical Operations
Congratulations to Lori Pietig as she steps into her new role as Vice President of Clinical Operations!
In this role, Lori will provide leadership and strategic oversight for St. Anthony’s clinical services, working closely with department leaders to strengthen access, efficiency, and patient care. Departments reporting to Lori include Family Practice, Orthopedics, the Chronic Care Center, Outpatient Mental Health, and the Cancer Center.
Lori began her career at St. Anthony in 2004 as a Registered Radiologic Technologist. She was named Director of Radiology in 2013 and, in 2020, became the first Director of the St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center.
Stefanie King will remain with St. Anthony through March 13 to support the transition. Lori will continue serving as Cancer Center Director until a successor is selected.
Congratulations, Lori, on this well-earned advancement!
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Events & Other Happenings
St. Anthony Patient and Family Advisory Council is accepting applications!
Do you know of someone who would be a good fit?
The St. Anthony PFAC is a unique opportunity for patients and their families to have a real impact on our healthcare services.
What PFAC Members Do:
- Attend quaterly meetings
- Share personal healthcare experiences
- Provide feedback on policies and programs
Who can join?
Patients and family members who have received care at St. Anthony and are passionate about making a difference.
Why join?
Help shape the future of healthcare in your community by ensuring that patient needs and voices are at the center of everything we do.
Interested? Fill out our online registration form or Contact Billie today!
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LOADED TEAS!
The St. Anthony Auxiliary Coffee and Gift Shop is now serving up loaded teas! The teas come in convenient packets, allowing you to add your own water and ice for a customized refreshment. Cups, water, and ice are available right at the gift shop for your convenience.
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At St. Anthony, we believe in celebrating the exceptional dedication and compassionate care our team members provide every day. The STAR Awards program is designed to recognize employees who go above and beyond in their roles.
Join us in encouraging patients and families to take a moment to nominate a STAR—any St. Anthony employee who has made a meaningful impact. Nominations can be submitted online or through forms available throughout the hospital. Recognizing these moments of extraordinary care helps us celebrate the dedication of our team and inspire others to continue making a difference. Help us shine a light on those who make St. Anthony a place of compassion and excellence!
Recent StAR recipients: Jessica Borkowski, Stephanie Brincks, Sandra Cisnernos Galvan & Brenna Simmons
NEW! Awardco Recognition at St. Anthony!
Awardco is our new place to recognize and celebrate one another! It’s where you can give acknowledgment through Blue CHIPS Recognition (nominations), celebrate special milestones and meaningful days, and recognize the many ways teammates exemplify our core values.
The platform features both points-based recognition awards and personalized acknowledgments to highlight your valuable contributions.
Points you earn are yours to use in ways that matter most to you. Through our partnership with Awardco, team members can track the recognition they receive and redeem points from a wide range of options. With a massive rewards marketplace, you can redeem points for Amazon items, transfer them to gift cards, purchase St. Anthony merchandise, and more.
You can now access the Awardco platform from your desktop - jump on and explore!
St. Anthony Foundation Scholarships Due in 3 Weeks! Apply Now!
Applications for scholarships are due in 3 weeks! The scholarships are funded in part through the Foundation’s investments, and also through the investments of donors and families committed to St. Anthony and the state of local healthcare.
Completed applications must be received by Friday, March 27, 2026. Only one application is needed to be considered for any of the scholarships.
For questions, contact Sarah Foley at ext. 5223 or Allison Streufert at ext. 5287.
Introducing the Peggy White Spirit of Leadership Legacy Award
The St. Anthony Foundation is proud to announce the Peggy Whi
te Spirit of Leadership Legacy Award, established to honor individuals who demonstrate compassionate, faith-inspired leadership and make meaningful contributions across rural west central Iowa.
The award celebrates Peggy White’s lasting legacy of community service, leadership, and dedication to the Franciscan mission. Peggy believed in strengthening communities through service, courage, and collaboration. She was deeply committed to St. Anthony, serving on the St. Anthony Hospital Board of Directors (2013–2024), St. Anthony Foundation (2014–2024), and as a founding member of St. Anthony Ministries as a juridic person in 2018. Her leadership and community spirit continue to inspire others.
The legacy award recognizes individuals who reflect these same values of integrity, compassion, and community-minded leadership. Nominees should demonstrate positive community impact through service, collaboration, and ethical leadership.
Employees and community members are encouraged to help spread the word and recommend deserving nominees. Applications are due Friday, April 10, 2026.
Milestone Achievement
The Rock Steady Boxing program at St. Anthony is helping individuals living with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum designed to build strength, coordination, and confidence.
Led by Steve Schable, Rehab Services Athletic Trainer, participants complete exercises adapted from boxing drills to help improve agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength. The workouts are challenging by design, helping participants push beyond perceived limitations while building physical and mental resilience.
Congratulations to Jerry Schrad and Harold Peyton on recently completing their 1,000th class!
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Cancer Center Support Group
Sheri Andersen has recently revamped the Cancer Center Support Group, bringing new energy and thoughtfulness to the experience for participants.
As one co-worker shared, “Sheri has elevated the experience through her creativity, thoughtful themes, and incredible attention to detail. Every session feels purposeful and carefully crafted. The atmosphere she creates allows participants to feel seen, heard, and supported during one of the most challenging times in their lives.”
Sheri’s ability to blend organization with compassion has made a meaningful impact. The transformation in the group’s energy and engagement is noticeable and speaks volumes about her dedication and heart for supporting our patients and their families.
Way to go, Sheri!
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We Are One St. Anthony
Another meaningful message:
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Meet your new co-workers who joined us this past month.
- Krystal B, Quality
- Paige J, Environmental Services
- Annee L, Environmental Services
- Krista M, MSP
- Susan O, F&N
- Jeanna K, Nursing Home
- Lisa L, F&N
- Christina S, Denison Clinic
- Gloria TD, Patient Reg
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Our condolences for your loss this past month
- Toni K, Home Health, for the loss of her Father-In-Law
- Carmen S, HIM, for the loss of her brother
- Sasha B, F&N, for the loss of her father
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Sweet Surprise for BMU Staff
Yesterday, Girl Scout Gracelyn Pinney of Manning delivered a sweet surprise to the BMU, donating 24 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for employees and staff to enjoy. The thoughtful gesture was especially meaningful, as it was a surprise for her grandmother, Kelly Page, who works in the BMU.
Pictured from left: Billie Jo Hovick, Kelly Page, Gracelyn Pinney (Kelly’s granddaughter), and Tori Johnson.
Check us out at:
If you have items to submit for The PULSE, please contact Brandi Strautman.
Published on the First Friday of each month