May 2025 - The Pulse
Geared up to Celebrate Hospital Week!
This is an annual observation to recognize ALL of the amazing employees who work at St. Anthony Regional Hospital.
The St. Anthony Hospital Week Committee has spent significant time preparing a fun week May 11-17!
- Wednesday, May 14: Guest Speaker Sister Laura Nettles will be speaking from 10 - 11 AM; 12 - 1 PM; & 2-3 PM in St. Clare/Francis
- Thursday, May 15: Tournament Toss Thursday: Corn Hole Tournament in the Hospital Atrium throughout the day
- Daily Bingo Numbers & Trivia Questions
- Hospital Week T-Shirt sponsored by the Ed Smith Employee Appreciation Fund through the St. Anthony Foundation
- Daily Food Trucks
Check the carousel monitors and email for daily updates and more information.
Big thanks to the committee members: Alicia Perry, Kasey Greteman, Brook Mikkelsen, Amy Osborne, Christina Johnson, Lisa Balsley, Luanne Kustra, Sheri Wanninger, Sheri Andersen
4th Annual Mental Health Awareness 5K Run/Walk - Tomorrow!!
Saturday, May 3, 2025
9:00 am
Kuemper High School
There is still time to register for the event if you want to participate in the 5K! T-shirts are no longer available.
This annual event was created to raise awareness and combat the stigma of mental health. There will be a silent auction, booths from mental health partners as well as snacks and drinks. Bring the whole family!
All proceeds will go towards the needs of the mental health community.
- Registration will begin at 8:00 am.
- Announcements at 8:30 am.
- The run/walk will begin at 9:00 am.
- The starting and finishing location will be at Kuemper High School in Carroll, IA. There will be course markers along the path.
- Silent auction will close at 10:30 am with winners announced at that time.
Thank you to the department that donated the silent auction baskets! We appreciate your generosity!
A Milestone in Heart Care—Right Here at St. Anthony
We’re proud to celebrate a major milestone in cardiac care that took place right here at our very own St. Anthony Surgical Center. Earlier this month, Dr. Suzanne Feigofsky, a cardiac electrophysiologist with Iowa Heart Center in Carroll, successfully implanted the first three leadless pacemakers—an exciting advancement now available to our community.
Dr. Feigofsky, who has been caring for patients in Carroll since 2014, brought this state-of-the-art technology to our hospital, making us one of only a handful of locations in Iowa offering this innovative option.
Unlike traditional pacemakers, the Micra™ leadless pacemaker is 93% smaller, about the size of a vitamin capsule, and is implanted directly into the heart through a catheter. It leaves no visible scar, no bump under the skin, and requires no leads—allowing for quicker recovery and fewer complications.
This advancement is a proud moment for all of us at St. Anthony and a reflection of the high-quality, cutting-edge care we’re committed to providing.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Feigofsky, call 712-792-6500. You can also hear more in the Must Know People podcast featuring Dr. Feigofsky on KCIM radio with John Ryan.
Way to go, team!
ICYMI: St. Anthony Hospice Staff Coordinates 'Bucket List' for Patient
“It’s not the miles, it’s the moments.”
This past Saturday, April 26th, we had the honor of helping one of our St. Anthony hospice patients, Duane Thielen, check off a special item from his bucket list.
With the help of our amazing hospice aide Terri Kramer, members of the RPM Club organized a surprise drive-by right in front of Duane’s home. The street was filled with classic and performance cars — friends and club members lining up to show their support. After the drive-by,
everyone parked and got out to visit with Duane, his wife Barb, their children, grandchildren, friends, and the hospice team.
But the highlight of the day came when Duane was wheeled down in front of his 1955 Chevy Station Wagon — his retirement rebuild project. He had no idea this was being planned, and he was completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.
Duane shared with Terri afterward that he didn’t sleep much the rest of the weekend — he was still too excited, replaying the day over and over in his mind.
We’re grateful to Joe Brincks for donating photos and a video of the day, and to Toni King — one of our volunteers and a H.O.P.E.S./Nest program team member — for capturing additional moments. Thank you also to Amber Stolt for providing cupcakes, and to Melissa Schultes for the homemade cookies she brought for the family.
The St. Anthony hospice team in attendance included: Terri Kramer – Aide; Shawna Bradley – Aide; Rachael Irlmeier – Aide; Whitney Hinners – Volunteer Coordinator; Melissa Schultes – Social Worker; Sheri Andersen – Social Worker; Brooke Petersen - RN
This gathering was more than just a surprise — it was a celebration of life, love, and the kind of meaningful moments that stay with us forever.
Celebrating College Graduates!
We’re proud to recognize the children of our employees who have recently graduated from college. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals on their hard work and achievements!
- Kaden Schoenfeld, son of Leon & Janell – Northeast Iowa Community College
- Karsen Schoenfeld, son of Leon & Janell – Army National Guard
- Karly Baumhover, daughter of Brent & Diane – Iowa State University
- Colin Schulte, son of Nick & Sara – DMACC Tool and Die Program
- Anna Wanninger, daughter of Doug & Sheri – University of Northern Iowa (December 2024 graduate)
- Mercedes Warnke, daughter of Benton & Kim – Luther College, Decorah
- Katie Riesselman, daughter of Jen & Joe – Western Iowa Tech, RN Program
- Morgan Koehler, daughter of Todd & Paula – Northwestern College
Don’t forget! Our employees with high school graduates were featured in the Carroll Times Herald published on May 20, 2025.
Events and Other Happenings:
Mark your calendar for a day of family fun at Merchants Park!
Sunday, June 8, 2025, is our annual St. Anthony Day at the ballfield. The Merchants Game begins at 4 PM. This is a FREE event for all St. Anthony employees and their families. Gates open at 3 PM.
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National Cancer Survivorship Day
On Monday, June 2, employees at the Cancer Center will be hosting a drive-by celebration to honor cancer survivors.
Survivors will be guided in their vehicles through the circle drive, where they will be greeted by supporters. Cancer survivors will receive a celebration bag as well as the opportunity to indicate the number of years of their survivorship on a die cut ribbon.
This event is from 11 AM - 2 PM.
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Good CATCH of the MONTH!
Katelyn Deiber
The 'Good Catch of the Month' goes to Caitlin for identifying a potential medication event! Great job, Katelyn, for your commitment to safety!
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We Are One St. Anthony - Agility and Adaptability
Here are some tips to embrace agility and adaptability.
- Listen to your colleagues and pay full attention in the moment. Don't fidget or use your cell phone. Maintain eye contact. Physically lean in to listen and consider body language and expressions, not just their words.
- Brainstorm assumptions you have about the way your team works. What shifts are needed to be more successful today and tomorrow? Align on 3 new operating assumptions for your site for the future.
- Maintaining a growth mindset or continuous learning mindset is at the heart of agility. What are learning opportunities that you and your team and focus on to stretch and grow?
Treasuring Talent: Nancy Croghan, Wound Care and Renee Hackfort, Radiology
Treasuring Talent is a voluntary program established by the E2 Committee where individual employees are highlighted from our staff. The program is a way for our hospital, surrounding clinics & community to get to know and appreciate the incredible team of people serving at St. Anthony Regional Hospital.
Love your job at St. Anthony? Submit an entry to the E2 Committee to be featured!
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Nancy has been with St. Anthony for over 30 years and currently works as a nurse in our Wound Care department.
Nancy has been recognized by her co-workers for positivity and encouragement: “Nancy is our cheerleader and fills in the gaps. She decorates the clinic for all the holidays and brings joy and happiness to patients and coworkers. She is our social planner and finds ways to help us get together, which in-turn, knits us closer together. She is flexible and always willing to take on extra patients. We appreciate all that she does and thoroughly enjoy working with her!”
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Renee has been with St. Anthony for over 13 years and currently works Nuclear Medicine Technologist in our Radiology Department. Renee has been recognized by her co-workers for her diligence, dedication and expertise. “Renee deserves a shout-out for being able to multi-task taking x-ray call and Nuclear Medicine. She can keep up-to-date on any changes, and she displays confidence when it comes to unannounced or unplanned needs. In stressful situations, she is prepared and knowledgeable with nearly anything that gets tossed her way. Renee is hard working and takes pride in all that she does!”
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Sweet Treat Alert: Donut À La Mode Now at).png)
the St. Anthony Coffee Shop!
The St. Anthony Auxiliary is excited to introduce a delicious new treat at the Coffee Shop—Donut À La Mode! This indulgent dessert features a warm donut topped with a scoop of creamy ice cream, creating the perfect blend of sweet and satisfying. Stop by the Coffee Shop to enjoy this tasty new offering while supporting the Auxiliary’s efforts to enhance patient care and comfort at St. Anthony!
- Chioma Azogu - Food & Nutrition
- Katlyn Bartleson – Patient Registration
- Lauren Becker – Food & Nutrition
- Rita Bermoy – Lab
- Zhae Delgado – Lab
- Laura Harper – ER
- Victoria (Tori) Johnson – Mental Health Services
- Mylie Kaub – MSP
- Akuet Malet – Food & Nutrition
- Rebekah McCombs – Rehab Services
- Emma Mendez – Food & Nutrition
- Evelyn Cannon – Food & Nutrition
- Chris Ozarowicz – Patient Finance
- Emma Pitt – Radiology
- Elizabeth Thompson – Food & Nutrition
- Jacqueline Varney – Food & Nutrition
- Dane Woerdehoff – Food & Nutrition
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Our condolences for your loss this past month.
- Amy Halbur, Garden View, for the loss of her mother.
- Emily Johnson, MSP, for the loss of her great aunt.
- Allen Anderson, Administration, for the loss of his grandfather.
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Upcoming Meditech Downtimes: Mark Your Calendars!
- Thursday, May 29 from 2:30AM – 4:30AM CT
- Wednesday, June 25 from 2:30AM – 4:30AM CT
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Check us out at:
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If you have items to submit for The PULSE, please contact Brandi Strautman.
Published on the First Friday of each month