RMC Senior Life Solutions Now Offering Online Referrals

Senior Life Solutions (SLS) in Manchester, now accepts online referrals! Since 2019, Regional Medical Center (RMC) has teamed up with SLS to offer vital mental health support and resources for older adults right here in our community.

SLS is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically aged 65 and older experiencing depression or anxiety related to life changes or associated with aging. 

Our services include group, individual, or family therapy, along with mental health evaluations, community resources, and after-care planning.

Our program is designed to help individuals who have recently experienced a traumatic event, loss of a spouse or close family member, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, loss of energy, feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks, or feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. We want you to know we are here to help.

A referral is required to participate in the SLS program. Referrals to the program can be made by anyone, including a patient’s healthcare provider, family member, the patient themselves, or another healthcare professional.

Visit our website at regmedctr.org/seniorlifesolutions to make a referral or call us at 593-927-7560.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) is pleased to announce the upcoming implementation of a new Regional Family Health (RFH) Call Center, effective Monday, July 7, 2025. This enhancement aims to streamline the patient experience by simplifying their present phone system. 

Currently, RFH clinics receive about 18,000 calls per month. To better serve our patients, the Call Center is specifically designed to manage this high volume and connect patients directly with a Regional Family Health Receptionist. 

“We are simplifying our phone system to improve the patients’ experience,” shared Alyssa Wolf, RFH Clinic Receptionist Lead. “Our goal with the implementation is to decrease wait times and improve overall patient satisfaction.” 

Brandy Beaman, Clinic Receptionist Manager added, “This change will allow our front desk receptionists at the clinics to focus exclusively on assisting patients with check-ins and check-outs, providing another perk.” 

What patients should expect of the new RFH Call Center: 

  • Simplified Call Flow: All incoming calls for all RFH clinic sites will be routed to the Call Center. 
  • No Phone Number Changes: Patients will continue to use existing clinic phone numbers. 
  • Reduced Wait Times: The dedicated Call Center team will focus solely on phone answering, appointment scheduling and call transfers. 
  • Expert Assistance: The Call Center will be staffed by the RFH Receptionist team, ensuring patients interact with well-trained employees familiar with scheduling for all RFH providers. This service will not be outsourced. 
  • Dedicated Behavioral Services Line: For direct contact with RFH Behavioral Services, patients are asked to continue calling their direct phone number at 563-927-7994

On behalf of the RFH team, we thank the community for their understanding and patience during this implementation.

On Monday, June 9, 2025, Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester hosted an intimate groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction on their new surgery addition. 

To kick-start this big event, Danette Kramer, RMC Chief Executive Officer, shared a few remarks, “We are excited to celebrate the construction of the 18,400 square foot facility. This is a $30 million dollar project, the largest financial undertaking of any previous building projects here at RMC. It would not have been possible without the collaboration of many valued partners.” The RMC team, Governing Board of Trustees and project partners were in attendance. 

This project focuses on expanding and improving the current surgical facilities in Manchester, Iowa. It includes enlarging the pre-operative, post-operative and operating rooms for increased patient comfort and to better accommodate equipment and staff. There will also be an additional operating room in the new space, bringing the total to four operating rooms and one procedure room, thereby enhancing efficiency and future growth capacity. This project’s primary goal is to improve the surgery experience for patients at RMC now and in the future. 

“As Chairperson of the RMC Board, I want to express our strong enthusiasm and support of this project,” shared Chris Tegeler, RMC Governing Board of Trustees Chairperson. 

Construction is well underway for this exciting new addition. On behalf of Regional Medical Center, we thank all patients, visitors and guests for their understanding with any and all construction noise and activity. This project is slated to be completed in summer of 2026. 

Pictured: RMC Surgery Team Celebrating Groundbreaking & Facility Construction Zone

The Regional Medical Center (RMC) Auxiliary is thrilled to announce three area students as recipients of $1,000 scholarships each.

Brenna Chesmore, 2025 graduate of East Buchanan High School, will be attending the University of Iowa for the diagnostic medical sonography program. Brenna looks forward to making a difference and helping those in need. She actively works as a certified nurse aide and has experienced how rewarding providing patient care is.

Stephanie La Rosa, 2024 graduate of West Delaware High School and Mount Mercy University student since 2024, will continue at Mount Mercy University in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Stephanie aspires to become a Pediatric Nurse with the goal of continuing on for her Master of Science in Nursing. In addition to being a student, she currently works in the Clinical Simulation Lab at Mount Mercy University as well as as a Patient Care Technician at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Ella Mensen, 2023 graduate of Maquoketa Valley High School and University of Iowa student since 2023, will continue at the University of Iowa in the Human Physiology (Pre-Medicine) program with a Spanish Minor. Ella’s ultimate goal is to become a medical doctor with a focus on emergency medicine. In addition to her studies, she currently works as a Certified Nurse Aide at the University of Iowa hospital in the oncology unit.

The Auxiliary awards the annual scholarships to area residents pursuing an education at an Iowa college in a human health-related field. Scholarship funds are made available through memorials and donations to the Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Tree of Lights.

If you would like more information regarding the Tree of Lights or would like to donate towards our scholarship fund, visit regmedctr.org/treeoflights or contact Valerie Lindsay, Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager, at vlindsay@regmedctr.org or 563-927-7534.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) is proud to partner with LifeServe Blood Center to offer a unique and meaningful opportunity for patients and their families: the ability to personally thank the generous individuals who donate blood and make healing possible. 

Through LifeServe’s Thank-The-Donor™ program, transfusion recipients –or their loved ones and caregivers–can send anonymous messages of appreciation to the specific donor(s) whose blood helped them during treatment. Each unit of blood delivered to RMC from LifeServe includes a green heart Thank-The-Donor™ tag with instructions. Patients, family members, or clinical staff can visit an online portal and enter the unique unit number from the transfused blood to send a heartfelt message. LifeServe then ensures the message is routed back to the appropriate donor, maintaining anonymity while creating a deeply personal connection. 

“This is such a heartwarming opportunity for patients and their families to thank blood donors, and it allows donors to truly understand the impact of their donation,” shared Ann Wilson-Grant, RMC Lab Manager. 

Since receiving its first message in 2021, LifeServe has delivered over 1,500 thank-you notes from patients across its four-state service region, which includes Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois. The program strengthens the bond between hospitals, blood donors, and the communities they serve.

RMC invites community members to be part of this lifesaving mission by donating at the upcoming blood drive:

Tuesday, May 27, 2025
12-5PM
RMC Veterans Education Center

Donors at this drive will help support patients at Regional Medical Center and may even receive a Thank-The-Donor™ message from someone whose life they’ve impacted. To find out more about donating blood at Regional Medical Center, please visit regmedctr.org/blood

To protect the increasing threat of measles, Delaware County Public Health (DCPH) is offering FREE measles vaccination (MMR) clinics to Delaware County residents on June 4th and June 6th. These upcoming clinics address the rise in measles cases within the United States, ensuring Delaware County residents have easy access to essential preventative care.

FREE Measles Vaccination Clinics:

Appointments are required. Please call DCPH at 563-927-7551 to schedule your appointment or to verify your vaccination status. FREE vaccination is limited, be sure to book early to secure your preferred time. 

Measles is a serious respiratory illness that can lead to severe complications, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems. “Vaccination is a safe and highly effective way to protect yourself and your family from measles,” shared Krystle DeShaw, Delaware County Public Health Manager. “We strongly encourage all unvaccinated residents to take advantage of this FREE opportunity.”

DCPH is committed to safeguarding and improving the health and well-being of our community. These FREE measles vaccination clinics aim to increase immunization rates and halt the spread of this preventable disease. 


MMR Vaccine Recommendations:

  • Children
    • First Dose: 12-15 Months
    • Second Dose: 4-6 Years (may be given earlier if at least 28 days have passed since the first dose)
  • Adults
    • First & Second Dose: Recommended for all adults, especially high risk 
    • Born Before 1957: Considered immune
    • Born After 1957: Should have documentation of at least one dose
  • International Travel: 
  • Healthcare Personnel:
    • All healthcare personnel should have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles. Presumptive evidence of immunity may be any of the following: 
      • Documentation of two doses of measles-containing vaccine OR
      • Laboratory evidence of immunity OR
      • Laboratory confirmation of measles OR
      • Birth before 1957

Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester is taking part in the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s “Great Give Day” on Wednesday, May 21st. Great Give Day is a 24-hour, online giving day that encourages community members to raise dollars for local nonprofit organizations. All funds raised will go towards growing RMC’s Endowment Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. 

The RMC Endowment Fund helps to grow and continue the goal of adding long-term financial stability to their healthcare system. A gift to the RMC Endowment Fund grows for years to provide for the generations to come. The benefits of an Endowment Fund never decline as the principal amount that is donated stays intact and creates a lasting impression for donors, their families and for all community members. 

“Donors make such an impact on our critical access hospital. By supporting RMC, you are supporting our mission and vision of keeping excellent healthcare, close to home,” shared Valerie Lindsay, Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager. “We thank you in advance for considering giving to your local hospital.” 

Donations are accepted before Great Give Day and can be made at regmedctr.org/greatgiveday. All gifts given on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 may be awarded with an Incentive Grant Prize. If you give your gift online between the hours of 8-10AM, 1-3PM and 6-8PM, RMC will be eligible for Money Match incentives to further the impact of your gift! Visit greatgiveday.org/p/prizes to learn more.

On behalf of Regional Medical Center, thank you for your continued support.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) Auxiliary in Manchester has been funding and hosting blanket workshops for over 12 years. These workshops are open to the public and the goal is to make blankets for RMC pediatric patients. 

Volunteers of all ages and all skill levels are invited to attend these RMC Auxiliary hosted workshops. As blankets are being made and the completed piles start to rise, it’s inevitable that scrap materials continue to rise as well.

Donna Pilgrim, RMC Volunteer, took the scraps from the blanket workshops and made them into a custom quilt. This quilt, along with a number of others, will be going to pediatric patients treated here at RMC. 

“Donna serves as our lead volunteer for our Blanket Workshops and is wonderful to work with,” shares Valerie Lindsay, Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager. “Her talents as a seamstress and willingness to give to others is remarkable. We are so fortunate to have her on our volunteer team. ”If you, someone you know or maybe a group/organization is looking for a fun volunteer opportunity to do together, look no further.

The next RMC Blanket Workshop will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 1-3PM in the RMC Veterans Education Center. Registration is required. Find out all the details at regmedctr.org/blanket or call Valerie Lindsay at 563-927-7534.

Pictured: Donna Pilgrim, RMC Volunteer with Scrap Quilt 

Regional Medical Center (RMC) graciously accepted $10,500 in grant funding on Wednesday, May 7th from the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County.

The RMC Laboratory and Nursing Education departments received a total of $3,000 towards the established Youth Clinical Camps to be held this summer. Our camps offer a unique, hands-on learning experience. By being in the hospital environment, students get a real feel for what a career in healthcare at RMC could look like. 

  • Lab Camp will be held June 23-26 with applications due on June 1st. Learn more and apply today at regmedctr.org/labcamp.
  • Nurse Camp will be held July 28-31 and August 1 with applications due on June 16th. Learn more and apply today at regmedctr.org/nursecamp.

Delaware County Public Health (DCPH) received $7,500 to fund a new project entitled “Lung Cancer Prevention through Radon Education and Testing”. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States. Radon is a silent, invisible and deadly radioactive gas that poses significant health risks, particularly lung cancer, to residents in Delaware County. Radon is naturally present in the soil and can enter homes and other structures through construction joints, cracks and openings in the foundation and sump pumps. With this grant funding, DCPH will collaborate with local organizations to educate about radon risks and inform residents of the upcoming free radon testing kits available to Delaware County residents. These kits are not immediately available; watch for more information in the coming months as this project gets underway.

“On behalf of all of us at Regional Medical Center and the communities we serve, thank you to the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County for all you do,” shared Valerie Lindsay, RMC Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager. “This grant funding is helping to instill a passion in our youth for healthcare careers and we’re excited to help Delaware County Public Health provide education and radon testing kits to safeguard residents’ homes. The Foundation is celebrating 20 years this year. It’s amazing to see the impact they have made on our community.”

Pictured: Valerie Lindsay, RMC Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager and Krystle DeShaw, Delaware County Public Health Manager

Pictured: Valerie Lindsay, RMC Volunteer Services and Fund Development Manager and Lynne Majetic, RMC Cardiac Rehab Nurse

Regional Medical Center’s (RMC) Wound Clinic received two prestigious awards from Healogics®, the largest national provider of advanced wound care. The Wound Clinic in Manchester, Iowa was presented with the National Award for Excellence in Wound Healing, an honor given to centers scoring in the top ten percent of eligible Healogics® Wound Care Centers. This recent award marks the third year RMC has received recognition for excellence.

Additionally, the Wound Clinic at RMC was also awarded the Center of Distinction. This award recognizes outstanding clinical outcomes maintained for twelve consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate of 92 percent or higher. 

To help the team celebrate their clinical accomplishments, Healogics®  gifted the Wound Clinic team with a victory belt and necklace to proudly display. “Both awards reflect the work we do in providing specialized wound care to all the patients we serve,” shared Dana Mormann, Wound Clinic Nurse Practitioner. “We are grateful for this recognition and will continue to strive for excellence in wound care.” 

Regional Medical Center’s Wound Clinic specializes in treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds. No referral is needed to make an appointment, call 563-927-7511.

After 31 years of dedicated service to our community, Dr. Scot Christiansen has announced his retirement from OB and Family Practice beginning September 1, 2025. 

“The years I have spent taking care of my patients in Edgewood have been my life’s work. Thank you to those who have allowed me into you and your families’ lives,” shared Dr. Christiansen. 

While Dr. Christiansen is retiring from his role as a family physician, he will remain the Regional Medical Center (RMC) Medical Director for several areas. These areas include Medical-Surgical/ICU, Wound Clinic, Procedure Center, and Cardiac Rehab

In preparation for the upcoming retirement, Regional Family Health (RFH) is excited to announce that Nurse Practitioner Sara McCool will be joining the Edgewood team. The provider team in Edgewood will still include Nurse Practitioners Stephanie Gudenkauf and Bridget Baker, as well as Dr. Andrew Pepper.

Regional Family Health plans to host a retirement celebration in Dr. Christiansen’s honor on Sunday, September 7th. This will be open to the public with more details to come. 

Pictured: Dr. Scot Christiansen

April is Child Abuse Prevention month. This month is a way for communities to come together to raise awareness about child abuse prevention, support families, and ensure the well-being of all children.

Child abuse prevention is a shared responsibility, but parents play a vital role in providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children. 

Parent-child bonding is not only fun and enjoyable; it plays an important role in shaping the emotional, social, and cognitive development of the child and your parenting journey. The bond between a parent and child is crucial for the child’s well-being and healthy future relationships.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) Parents as Teachers (PAT) works to prevent child abuse by providing the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop during the crucial early years of life. These connections help Delaware County’s children grow into healthy adults. 

RMC Parents as Teachers provides face-to-face family home visits. Our trained parent educators use evidence-based curricula to increase parent and/or caregiver knowledge in child development including intellectual, social-emotional, language and motor skills. This is achieved through providing written information, quality parent-child activities, modeling behavior, child developmental screenings and community resource connections. 

By raising awareness and offering support, we can work together to prevent child abuse and ensure a brighter future for every child. For more information visit regmedctr.org/pat or contact RMC Parents as Teachers at 563-927-7685

Pictured: RMC’s Parents as Teachers Educators; LEFT TO RIGHT: Alexis Mescher, Kristi Hoefer, Keri Tauke

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