May 2026 - The Pulse
A Beautiful Soul - Remembering Olga
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Olga Nava Haro. Olga served as a CNA and was a valued member of St. Anthony for many years. Her dedication to patient care and the compassion she showed to others made a meaningful and lasting impact. She will be greatly missed.
We recognize that this loss may affect each of you in different ways. Even if you did not work directly with Olga, moments like this can be difficult and may bring forward personal emotions or experiences. Please take the time you need and support one another with care and understanding.
Additional details, including her obituary, can be found here: https://www.dahnandwoodhouse.com/obituaries/olga-nava-haro
Support is available to all employees through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This resource is free, confidential, and available to you and your household members. We strongly encourage anyone who may benefit from additional support to take advantage of these services.
- WEBSITE: www.connectionseap.com (User Name: sarhemp, Password: eap)
- PHONE: 800-779-6125
We Are One Team: 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 11-15!
- Monday, May 11: Massages (watch for sign-up link)
- Tuesday, May 12: Guest Speaker Matthew Sharpe will be speaking from 9:00-10:00 AM, 11:00-12:00 PM, 2:00-3:00 PM & 5:00-6:00 PM in St. Clare/Francis Room on the 4th floor of the Surgery Center
- Wednesday, May 13: Vendor Fair in the Atrium from 10:00-2:00 PM
- Thursday, May 14: Cookies from Sweets by Janelle
- Friday, May 15: Sound Bath in St. Elizabeth (4th floor of the Hospital) at 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- 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: Alex Gilland, Amy Osborne, Ashley Green, Erin Monthei, Randi Boell, Sheri Andersen, Stephanie Neumayer, Savannah Quant, Wendy Frank, Whitney Hinners, Lisa Balsley, Meybi Romero, Kelly Stitz
5th Annual Mental Health Awareness 5K Run/Walk - Tomorrow!!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
9:00 am
Fairview Elementary
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 go towards the needs of our mental health patients.
- Registration will begin at 8:00 am.
- Announcements at 8:50 am.
- The run/walk will begin at 9:00 am.
- The starting and finishing location will be at Fairview Elementary 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 Message from Chaplain Angelo
Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~ St. Francis of Assisi
This is a jubilee year for St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Leo has declared this year a celebration of the patron saint. St. Francis inspired many followers, including the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, to which St. Anthony has had a storied history.
All of us come to work every day. Sometimes, it can feel monotonous or even dreadful. Yet, let’s not forget that if we do not do the everyday things, then things fall apart pretty quickly. You are bringing healing to our communities. No matter what you do, whether it is behind a computer screen or in front of patients, everything comes together to ensure that healing and care occur at St. Anthony Regional Hospital.
Don’t chase the extraordinary. It is actually what happens every day that is the most impactful. The ordinary is extraordinary.
Let’s look at the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He started by caring for the people at the margins: the sick and the poor. Much of it was the basics, which were bathing, giving food, bandaging wounds, clothing them, and providing shelter. Once those things were done, life started to flourish for them.
So as you work, do not underestimate yourself and others. Do not think that your role, words, and actions will not make much of a difference; it does. Let’s appreciate and recognize the smallest and ordinary things. So eventually life flourishes for everyone involved.
Blessings,
Chaplain Angelo
Welcome, Dr. Maria Hernandez & Matt Wessling, ARNP!
Dr. Maria Hernandez, Urogynecology, St. Anthony Clinic
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Matt Wessling, ARNP, Family Practice, St. Anthony Clinic in Carroll
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Events and Other Happenings:
Celebrating High School Graduates!
We’re proud to recognize the adult children of our employees who have recently graduated from high school. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals on their hard work and achievements!
- Sydney Mancini, daughter of Robert & Jackie – Northwest Missouri State University
- Caitlin Yetmar, daughter of Justin & Stefani – DMACC Boone – Nursing
- Kory Sybesma, daughter of Jamien & Kadee – DMACC Ankeny
- Grace Kimpson, daughter of Matt & Stacy
- Logan Summers, son of Steven & Sara – Trade School
- Adynn Schmitz, son of Jennifer & Joey – Northwest Community College
- Brooklyn Barber, daughter of Jim & Janelle
- Dylan Wallace, son of Dean & Ann
- Addison Slater, daughter of Joey & Deana – DMACC
- Allison “Alli” Skinner, daughter of Kevin & Sara
- Brooke Bridgeman, daughter of Derek & Christy Soll – Iowa Western Community College – Major: Vet Tech
- Christian Cervantes, son of Rocio Heiman
- Evan Streufert, son of John & Allison – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Brenden Vonnahme – son of Alex & Kristin
- Marin Overmohle, daughter of Krista Myrtue & Dan Overmohle
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Apartments Available at Garden View!
Do you know someone who is considering assisted living? Garden View Assisted Living currently has a few apartments available, but they fill quickly!
Garden View Assisted Living provides a community of friends, the support of those who care, and the security everyone desires.
To learn more or schedule a tour for your loved one, contact Jaycie Schwenk, Garden View Director, at ext. 5050.
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Celebrating Cancer Survivors - June 8
St. Anthony is hosting a National Cancer Survivors Day celebration on Monday, June 8, from 3–7:30 p.m. at Swan Lake in Carroll—and we’d love your help spreading the word!
This event is all about honoring cancer survivors and the people who support them. It’s a relaxed, uplifting evening that includes:
- Hiking Adventure (3–5 p.m.)
- Dinner from Napoli's, prizes, and survivor goodie bags (5–6:30 p.m.)
- Stories and s’mores (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
Participants will also have the chance to ring the Bell of Victory, celebrating their strength and journey.
If you know a patient, family member, or friend who would enjoy this event, please encourage them to attend.
To learn more or register, call Jessica Schellhorn, Cancer Center Nurse Navigator at ext 5572 or click this link.
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We Are One St. Anthony - Change/Growth Mindset
Stay curious! Remember the wheelbarrow exercise? Curiosity engages us in being at our best. It is the state of mind in which we think and work better with others. It opens us to new possibilities.
Tips for creating a growth mindset:
- Encourage new ideas and don’t punish mistakes and failures.
- Create avenues for the free sharing of ideas.
- Embrace ideas outside the norms.
- Stop focusing on barriers and obstacles.
- Don’t ignore what’s wrong with an idea. Pause long enough to see if there are any possibilities.
- Pay attention to your feelings and moods. They are an indication of your own openness to new ideas.
- Focus on how you respond when given a new idea or change – it matters.
Carroll High School’s National Honor Society shared some warmth and kindness with our patients by making and donating tie blankets.
Pictured (L to R): Ali Kock, Sarah Foley (Foundation Director), and Ella Perry.
Thank you, Tigers, for making a difference!
- Morgan, Garden View
- Jennifer, ED
- Ben, Maintenance
- Abdifetah, Lab
- Dr. Maria Hernandez, Clinic
- Desiree, Clinic
- Angelina, Lab
- Madison, Lab
- Matt, Clinic
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Our condolences for your loss this past month.
- Susan (F&N) for the loss of her mother
- Whitney (Home Health) for the loss of her bother-in-law
- Shannon H. (QM) for the loss of her brother-in-law
- Doris (NH) for the loss of her sister-in-law
- Lermes (MSP) for the loss of her mother
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ICYMI: Giving Back to Those Who Give the Most - Our Volunteers!
On April 22nd, we celebrated our volunteers the best way we know how — with brunch! St. Anthony volunteers enjoyed a full breakfast spread as a “thank you” for the incredible impact they’ve made on our staff and patients. We are deeply appreciative of this group, who uphold the St. Anthony mission and give back so meaningfully to our community. Thank you for being an essential piece of our team.
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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