News

We are excited to introduce the following exceptional healthcare professionals who have joined us to serve the Vinton Family Medical Clinic and Virginia Gay Hospital.---Emily Flexsenhar, ARNPFamily Nurse Practitioner – Vinton Family Medical ClinicEducation:· Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner – Clarkson College, Omaha, NE· Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA· Certified Nursing Assistant – Scott Community College, Bettendorf, IA· Master of Science, Agricultural Safety and Health – University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA· Bachelor of Arts in Biology – Augustana College, Rock Island, ILCertifications:· Registered Nurse – Iowa Board of Nursing· BLS (Basic Life Support) – American Heart Association---Molly Norman, PA-CER HospitalistEducation:· Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies – University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA· Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology & Health – Iowa State University, Ames, IACertifications:· Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) – State of Iowa· First Aid/CPR/AED/BLS· ACLS/PALS· Mandatory Reporter Certification---Courtney McIntire, DNPBehavioral Health Specialist – Vinton Family Medical ClinicEducation:· Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse – University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA· Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Psychology Minor – Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN· CNA Course and PSEO Classes – Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, IACertifications:· PMHNP-BC· RN· Basic Life Support/CPR· Mental Health First AidVolunteer Experience:· Safe Families for Children (IA)· National Alliance on Mental Illness (MN)· International: Second Chance Haiti, Royal Servants in Sierra Leone---We are thrilled to welcome Emily, Molly, and Courtney to our community.

In a news release from the Benton County Sheriff's Department, there was a report of a residential fire at 103 Main St. East in Urbana. "On January 8th, 2025, at approximately 10:44 PM, the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Urbana Fire Department, and North Benton Ambulance responded to a residential fire at 103 Main Street East in Urbana, Iowa.

The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team completed a successful year of advocating and educating themselves and others about the beef industry and beef production. Team members participated in Cattlemen at the Capitol, took field trips, made multiple appearances on radio, made presentations to consumers, and volunteered at the Iowa State Fair. The team also enjoyed trainings at their monthly meetings on the “Cowboy Code” from Helena employee Scott Fischer; a recap from Delaney Nichols on her internships with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; trained on beef genetics by Iowa State University Drs.

Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) has been nationally recognized for its outstanding quality of care by Becker’s Hospital Review, a leading publication in the healthcare industry. This distinction is based on publicly reported measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).CMS evaluates hospitals across the country using a 1-5 STAR rating system, offering consumers a straightforward way to assess healthcare facilities based on various quality metrics.

The Iowa State Patrol has released details about a fatal accident that occurred on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 5:35 p.m. The crash took place on Highway 21, south of 170th Street.Jason David Williams, 19, of Dysart, was driving southbound in a 2011 Volkswagen GTI when his vehicle was involved in a collision with a northbound 2018 Ford F-150 that was towing a trailer.

We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by our community for the 2024 Tree of Lights Campaign. Your contributions have made it possible for Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics to acquire essential technology and equipment that significantly enhance patient care, recovery, and overall staff efficiency.Thanks to your generosity, we were able to fund:Respiratory Therapy:Sentec Digital Monitoring SystemNonin PalmSat – Handheld OximeterGlide Scope GO2 MonitorVG Nursing & Rehab:Bariatric BedsBroda ChairsChair Scale/Bariatric Weight ScaleOutpatient & Physical Therapy:Therapy iPadsImaging:Ultrasound BedOutpatient Clinics:EKG CartHospital Acute Care:TV ReplacementStryker Cub CribHospital Administration:Video Conference SystemYour contributions empower our healthcare professionals to provide exceptional care, ensuring that recovery is quicker, stays are shorter, and operations run more efficiently.

Over 100 band students from 27 high schools in Iowa, South Carolina, and Wisconsin will participate in the University of Dubuque High School Honor Band on Friday, January 17, 2025. Hosted by UD's Department of Fine and Performing Arts, the all-day event will culminate with a free High School Honor Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

This year’s Holiday Lights event concluded with a big win for Kristie Davis, whose name was drawn as the Grand Prize winner! Kristie’s entry was selected from an impressive 5,185 completed punch cards submitted at locations across Vinton.The punch card program not only brought holiday cheer but also kept $518,500 circulating within our community—a testament to the power of shopping local.

Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District has been selected as one of the recipients of Governor Kim Reynolds' Teacher & Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) grants. This award is part of the $3.4 million in new Registered Apprenticeship grants announced by the Governor to expand education careers across Iowa. The Teacher & Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA) is an innovative pathway for current high school students and adult paraeducators to earn credentials while learning and working in the classroom.

UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Foundation is accepting applications for its Rural Healthcare Grant Program, which provides matching grant funds towards healthcare services for rural residents living in Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, northern Johnson, Jones and Linn counties. The maximum grant request is $6,000. St Luke’s Foundation Rural Healthcare Grant Program can help with funding for these needs:Equipment for emergency care in the pre-hospital environmentTraining for emergency personnel to gain or enhance their skillsBasic life-supporting training equipment such as hands-only CPR and Little AnneMileage reimbursement for transportation programs Eligible entities include:Ambulance ServicesParamedicsFire and Rescue DepartmentsTransportation ProgramsFirst Responder Since 1980, St.