Congressman Feenstra Talks Healthcare at SMCH in Lake City
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra made an appearance at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital on February 21. His visit included a tour of rehab services, as well as the obstetrics and emergency departments.
Feenstra was impressed with the new equipment and technology that’s been implemented at SMCH, particularly in the obstetrics department. SMCH is one of only 26 critical-access hospitals in the state of Iowa that offers maternity services. In 2023, SMCH delivered babies from 15 different counties across the state.
Following the tour, Feenstra sat down to discuss his work in congress to expand rural healthcare and advance telehealth in rural communities with SMCH CEO Linn Block, CFO Jim Henkenius, CCO Leigh Miller, Hospital Board Member Teresa Hildreth, Lake City Mayor Mike Schleisman, and City Administrator Jacob Matthews.
Feenstra emphasized his dedication to keeping rural hospitals open and strengthening the rural healthcare workforce. Block commented on Stewart Memorial’s commitment to offering services like orthopedic surgery so that patients don’t have to travel hundreds of miles for total joint replacements. Hildreth added that SMCH has a great partnership with Calhoun County’s paramedic services, creating better outcomes in emergency situations.
Block said, “It’s important that rural, critical-access facilities take advantage of great opportunities like this to advocate for legislature that can improve our services and community as a whole.”
Photo: Obstetrics Director Susan Stevens RN, SMCH CEO Linn Block, Hospital Board Member Teresa Hildreth, and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra discuss the struggles faced by rural healthcare facilities while touring the SMCH Obstetrics Department.
