News : 2024 Virginia Gay Hospital Legacy Award Recipient: Monica Stark

Pictured are the 2024 Virginia Gay Hospital Legacy Award Recipients who will be featured over the next several days

For the next several days, we will feature the recipients of the . This is the first installment.

Pictured: Back Left to Right: Michele Schoonover, Monica Stark, Barb Parbs, Dick Kerdus, Don Logan, Dave Vermedahl Front: Terri Buelow, Dawn Stephenson, Jan Roth

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Virginia Gay Hospital proudly recognizes Monica Stark with the 2024 Virginia Gay Hospital Legacy Award, Monca began her employment at Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) on March 17, 1987, after completing training at Shoitz Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. At the time, Monica was the second full-time employee in the X-Ray Department primarily performing X-rays and assisting with EKGs, only one day of radiologist coverage per week.

In early 1991, Monica transitioned to the role of manager after Michele Schoonover became the Director of General Services. One of her key goals was to bring as many of our contract services in-house as possible. With our sole radiologist preparing to retire, Monica began searching for a radiology group to ensure continued coverage. After careful consideration, the hospital contracted with Radiologist Consultants of Iowa, a partnership that remains in place to this day.

With the unwavering support of the Medical Staff, Virginia Gay Board, and Administration, Monica was able to recruit and train new employees for advanced modalities to bring in-house, including CT, Ultrasound, MR, Bone Densitometry, and Mammography. The introduction of new modalities kept Monica eager to learn and grow, welcoming change as a sign of progress.

Throughout Monica's career, she has served on numerous committees, including Medical Staff, Management Team, Infection Control, Safety, Medicare Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Employee Recognition/Appreciation/Retention. Monica also embraced more lighthearted roles, such as being the Easter Bunny egg-stuffer for over 10 years. (A little secret: no child ever got a black jellybean, as that was her "fee" for services rendered!)

Additionally, Monica has spearheaded the Toy Drive at VGH in collaboration with Horizons/Lutheran Services of Iowa, a project I have led for nearly two decades. Monica has made great efforts to be a part of community events which include Farmers Market, Benton County Health and Wellness Fair, "Pink" basketball games, Ladies' Night, Breast Cancer Awareness events, and the Pink 5K. Monica and her husband's usual spot Party in Pink 5K is at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 5th Street, where I'm always happy to see familiar faces.

Monica has made a difference and is grateful for the satisfaction of having had a fulfilling and rewarding career. She would not trade it for the world. Monica considers herself incredibly lucky to have started-and now to be ending-her journey here at VGH.