Stewart Memorial Honors Glenna Nockels as January Path to Excellence Awardee

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics is proud to recognize Glenna Nockels, LISW, as the January Path to Excellence Awardee. This recognition celebrates employees who exemplify Stewart Memorial’s core values while demonstrating meaningful growth and leadership throughout their time with the organization.

Glenna Nockels is a Licensed Independent Social Worker who provides clinical therapy services to patients at the Lake City Clinic. She joined Stewart Memorial in 2023, bringing with her a strong passion for community-based mental health care and a deep personal connection to the organization.

“I was initially drawn to Stewart Memorial because of the positive, supportive interactions I had with the organization,” Nockels shared. “As a local resident, my own family has received care here. When the opportunity came to join the team, I felt proud to become part of an organization that has meant so much to my community.”

Since joining Stewart Memorial, Nockels’ role has evolved significantly alongside the growth of the organization’s mental health services. What began as a single therapist position has expanded into a full mental health team of five providers. During this time, Nockels has played a key role in onboarding and training new therapists and now serves as a clinical supervisor for newly licensed staff, helping build long-term, sustainable mental health resources for rural communities.

The core value that resonates most strongly with Nockels is compassion. “Compassion is at the heart of my work every day,” she said. “I love meeting people where they are and supporting them through difficult seasons of life. I also see that same compassion reflected throughout Stewart Memorial in how employees support one another and how leadership prioritizes work-life balance. That allows me to stay renewed and present for my patients.”

Nockels credits her colleagues and the organization for supporting her professional development. From administrative leadership to psychiatric prescribers, family practice providers, and nursing staff, collaboration has been central to the success of mental health services. “Breaking down stigma happens when trusted providers talk openly about mental health,” she noted. “That teamwork makes a real difference for our patients and our community.”

One of her proudest accomplishments has been helping establish a fully integrated mental health department across Stewart Memorial’s locations. “Seeing mental health treated with the same importance as other medical specialties and having the spaces, support staff, and leadership to back it up means everything to me,” Nockels said. “It reflects my values and shows our community that mental health care truly matters.”

Darci Peterson, RN, Mental Health Services Director, shared, “Glenna’s dedication and compassion make a meaningful difference every day at Stewart Memorial. Her willingness to help, her depth of knowledge, and the positivity she brings to every interaction strengthen our team and elevate the care our patients receive. She is truly an invaluable asset to our organization.”

Nockels stays motivated by witnessing the impact of her work and by Stewart Memorial’s continued investment in community health. “When you feel supported, it is easy to give back,” she shared. “That alignment between my values and the organization’s mission keeps me inspired to keep growing, both professionally and personally.”

Stewart Memorial congratulates Glenna Nockels on being named the January Path to Excellence Awardee and thanks her for her compassion, leadership, and dedication to advancing mental health care in the community.

Brittney McClendon Named Q4 Culture Champion at Stewart Memorial Hospital & Clinics

Stewart Memorial is proud to recognize Brittney McClendon as the recipient of the Culture Champion Award for the fourth quarter. This award honors team members who consistently exemplify the hospital’s core values through teamwork, dedication, and an exceptional commitment to patient care.

Brittney was nominated by Marie Drey, Emily Scott, and Branden Roberts, who highlighted her unwavering support of both patients and colleagues, particularly during times of staffing transitions. Brittney has played a vital role in maintaining continuity of care within rehabilitation services, most notably by leading pediatric scheduling efforts during multiple overlapping maternity leaves.

Through her initiative and problem-solving skills, Brittney ensured that pediatric patients experienced no interruption in care. She has taken ownership as the primary technician supporting pediatric services, working closely with therapists to coordinate ever-evolving schedules and frequently brainstorming solutions during her personal time. Her willingness to step in, adapt, and support the team has been instrumental in keeping operations running smoothly.

“Brittney is patient, thorough, and always willing to help,” her nominators shared. “No matter how complex the scheduling or insurance question, she takes the time to listen and problem-solve with us every step of the way.”

In addition to her scheduling leadership, Brittney has continued to expand her knowledge of managed care organization insurance coverages, strengthening the department’s ability to guide patients with clarity and confidence. She has also volunteered to support the Rockwell City rehabilitation services location, balancing her responsibilities as a working mother and online student while remaining a dependable team player.

Much of Brittney’s work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is significant. As a mother of two children with disabilities, she brings empathy, understanding, and a deep personal commitment to ensuring families feel supported and cared for. She has stepped up during staffing shortages, worked additional hours across locations, and become a trusted resource for insurance expertise and operational support.

Brittney’s dedication, adaptability, and compassion reflect the very best of Stewart Memorial’s culture. She consistently goes above and beyond for her patients, her teammates, and the organization.

We are honored to recognize Brittney McClendon as our Q4 Culture Champion and thank her for the meaningful impact she makes every day.

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics Announces Casey Wetter as December Path to Excellence Honoree

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics Announces Casey Wetter as December Path to Excellence Honoree

Lake City, IA – Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics is proud to announce its December Path to Excellence Honoree, Casey Wetter, Registered Dietitian, recognizing her exceptional dedication, compassion, and commitment to patient-centered care.

Casey’s connection to Stewart Memorial began at birth. She was born at the hospital, grew up receiving care from Stewart Memorial providers, and returned to the Lake City community in 2011. After missing the collaborative, patient-focused environment she associated with hospital-based care, Casey applied for a part-time dietitian position in 2012, when it became available. Word of mouth from trusted friends reinforced what she already believed about the hospital’s strong reputation, supportive culture, and exceptional work environment.

Casey’s role has grown significantly since joining the team. After several years as a part-time clinical dietitian, she transitioned into the Nutrition Services department leader role, where she worked closely with the Nutrition Services team to provide well-balanced, high-quality meals to patients and Junction customers. Today, her work centers on offering nutrition counseling across a wide range of settings, including inpatient and outpatient care, diabetes education, cardiac rehabilitation, and nutrition consulting services throughout the community.

Stewart Memorial’s values guide Casey’s daily work, especially ‘Stewart’ship and compassion. She shared how deeply these values resonate with her, stating, “I feel a strong connection to Stewart Memorial’s commitment to our community. The organization recognizes how important it is to build trust through personal relationships, and it encourages us to be involved in meaningful ways.” She also noted the powerful impact of compassionate care, adding, “Compassion is something you can see and feel in the hallways. It is how we treat each other as teammates and how we care for our patients.”

Casey credits her colleagues and leaders for supporting her professional growth. Inspired by exceptional nurses and meaningful patient experiences, she made the decision to pursue a nursing degree. While she was initially nervous to share this news, the support she received from her leaders and teammates was overwhelming. Their encouragement continues to motivate her as she works toward expanding her role in patient care.

Her pride in being part of Stewart Memorial is reflected in daily acts of teamwork and kindness. From creating special meals for patients celebrating milestones in the hospital to supporting teammates through personal challenges, Casey sees countless reasons to be proud of the work happening at Stewart Memorial. She also noted the resilience and adaptability of her team during the facility remodel, when Nutrition Services operated out of a meeting room and meal delivery routes doubled in length. Despite these challenges, her team remained positive and committed to excellent service.

Casey is inspired each day by the trust patients place in Stewart Memorial. She believes deeply in showing up with compassion, patience, and a commitment to exceptional care, knowing that every patient who walks through the door has a story.

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics congratulates Casey Wetter on being named the December Path to Excellence Honoree and celebrates the meaningful impact she has on patients, staff, and the community.

Mental Health Services Announcement

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics would like to inform patients of upcoming changes within our mental health department. Effective December 31, Melinda Engelman, LISW, and Kate DeWall, LISW, will be departing from Stewart Memorial. We are grateful for the compassionate and dedicated care they have provided to our patients and community, and we wish them well in their future endeavors.

To ensure a smooth transition and continuity of services, Stewart Memorial has a strong team of mental health providers available across all locations. Patients in Gowrie may continue their care with Audrey Hood, T LMHC, and Carrie Goodwin, DNP, PMHNP BC.

Additional providers serving Lake City, Lake View, Rockwell City, and Gowrie include Emily Sliefert, LMHC; Anne Souder, LMHC; Audrey Hood, T LMHC; Stacie Daily, LMHC; and Glenna Nockels, LISW, all of whom are prepared to support ongoing mental health needs.

Stewart Memorial remains committed to offering comprehensive mental health care through both in-person and telehealth visits to ensure accessibility for every patient. To schedule an appointment or connect with a provider, please call 712-464-4268.