Comforting care, close to home: This month’s Power of the Patient spotlight
This month’s Power of the Patient story is a reminder of the impact St. Anthony providers, nurses and team members make every day. For our September feature, one of our patients shares what local access to specialized care has meant for her health journey:
“I’m grateful to have access to urogynecology services right here at St. Anthony. Having specialized care close to home has been such a blessing for my health and well-being. Dr. Hernandez is calm and warm-hearted, and she has made me feel truly cared for.” — Sumer Hallgren
Stories like this highlight the difference our teams make — from the care provided at the bedside to the specialists who make advanced services accessible close to home.
When you see this feature posted on our social channels, please take a moment to engage with it, whether it’s a like, love, share or comment with words of encouragement. Every interaction helps our community see the incredible care happening at St. Anthony and helps this message reach more patients who may benefit from it.
Thank you for all you do to make moments like this possible!
Christina Woerdehoff,
Cancer Center Director
Kallie Smits,
Med/Surg/Peds Director
Congratulations, Christina & Kallie!
Please join us in recognizing Christina Woerdehoff, Cancer Center Director, and Kallie Smits, Med Surg Peds Director! We’re grateful for the leadership and dedication they bring to their teams and to the patients and families we serve every day.
Congratulations, Christina and Kallie, on your new roles!
We Are One TEAM: StAR Awards
Please join us in celebrating our recent StAR Award Recipients: Halie Rath, Carroll Clinic; Joy Vonnahme, Med Surg Peds; Wendy Nelson, The Birth Place; and Katelyn Simmons, Radiology!
These awards recognize employees who go above and beyond to make a difference for our patients and their families. Thank you, Halie, Joy, Wendy, and Katelyn, for your compassion, dedication and exceptional care you bring to St. Anthony every day!
Halie Rath
Joy Vonnahme
Wendy Nelson
Katelyn Simmons
A Note from Chaplain Angelo
For in him we live, and move, and have our being. ~ Acts 17:28
When I hear good music, I can’t help but dance. I get caught up in the melody and beat. It feels liberating as I let the music possess me. I let go and am open to whatever happens.
Well, I know that it requires all of you to do what you do in the hospital. When sickness and suffering are in front of you, you get to it. You utilize your mind, body, and soul to offer healing and care.
There is a faith term that defines what you and I feel when life’s circumstances move us. It is called incarnation. Incarnation is when God enters the world. My faith believes that God entered the world as a baby named Emmanuel, which means God with us.
It is when God became man and as such felt and experienced what it is like to be us. This means that we are not meant to be alone and that we are interconnected with our humanity and God.
It also means that all of us has a little bit of the divine in us. In Scripture, God created us in His image. God has imparted in us a little bit of His goodness and love. It is our calling and duty to care for and love one another because God is in everyone.
Jesus and all the others saints before us embodied God and humanity in their lives. It took all of their being to the point that it became their life’s purpose and meaning.
The work that we do for others can take a toll on our bodies, mind, and soul. My goal is not only for you to care for every aspect of yourself but for us to care for each other, as well.
It is for these reasons mentioned above that I will be leading an initiative to engage and accompany you in your time at St. Anthony Regional Hospital. I will be offering events and activities that touch on the body, mind, and soul. In essence, your well-being is just as important as carrying out the mission of this hospital. I hope you will find them affirming and enriching.
Peace and Blessings,
Chaplain Angelo
Snowmelt Piping to Make Iowa Winters More Manageable
Pictured here is the new ambulance bay and receiving area. Before the concrete is poured, construction crews installed snowmelt piping beneath the surface. During the winter months, the system will warm the concrete to help prevent snow and ice buildup.
The same snowmelt technology will be installed in the new helipad area. This added feature will help reduce the risk of slips and falls while also reducing the manpower needed to keep these areas clear of snow and ice.
As always, St. Anthony appreciates your cooperation and understanding. Construction brings temporary changes and inconveniences, but in the end, the results will be worth it!
Foundation News Flash
Have You Checked Out Our New Digital Donor Board?
We’re excited to introduce a new way to explore the St. Anthony Foundation! Our interactive touch-screen Digital Donor Board is now up and ready to explore in the St. Anthony atrium.
Take a few minutes to tap around and learn more about the foundation, our board of directors, upcoming and past events, our scholarship program, our generous donors, and more.
And this is just the beginning! We’re continuing to add new information and features, so there will always be something new to discover.
Stop by the atrium, give it a tap and see what’s happening at the St. Anthony Foundation!
Save the date for the Foundation’s next Biennial Gala!
November 13, 2027
St. Anthony CFO Eric Salmonson Nationally Recognized as Top Leader
St. Anthony is pleased to announce that Chief Financial Officer Eric Salmonson has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its “Rural Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know.”
The recognition highlights 41 financial leaders who play an important role in the success and sustainability of rural hospitals across the country.
Eric says, “Financial leadership in rural health care is ultimately about much more than numbers. It’s about making thoughtful decisions today that help ensure St. Anthony can continue providing exceptional care to our patients and community for years to come. I’m fortunate to work alongside a dedicated team that is committed to that mission.”
St. Anthony Diabetes Services Hosts the Lifestyle Change Discovery Program
Join Team St. Anthony for the Blue Believers Run/Walk in Des Moines!
Calling all St. Anthony runners and walkers!
We’re excited to participate in the Blue Believers Run/Walk on Sunday, September 20, at Principal Park, and we’d love to have you join Team St. Anthony!
This year marks the fifth annual Blue Believers Run/Walk, with a full day of fun planned for participants — including free snow cones, superheroes, breakfast burritos, live local music, FREE BEER and more!
Use our registration code FRIEND5–2026 when you sign up.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, prefer to walk or simply want to support a great cause, we’d love to see St. Anthony employees come out and participate. Your involvement helps raise awareness and support Iowa families affected by prostate cancer.
Grab your friends, family or coworkers and join Team St. Anthony! We’ll see you at Principal Park on September 20!
Latest Blogs
Lactation Support Beyond Delivery
The Birth Place team is here to support moms and babies through every step of the breastfeeding journey.
Our lactation specialists provide support from prenatal education through in-hospital care and beyond, including guidance and support once you’re home and settling into a routine. Breastfeeding comes with real questions and challenges, and our team is here to make sure families never have to navigate them alone.
Expecting or know someone who is? Learn more about the compassionate care available at St. Anthony, including lactation assistance, individual consultations and opportunities to connect with other moms who understand what you’re going through.
We Are One St. Anthony - Energy
What Gives You Energy?
What parts of your work energize you and what parts drain you? The Energy Concept encourages us to recognize these patterns so we can better understand ourselves, work with others and focus more on what brings out our best.
Take a moment to consider: What gives you energy at work? What drains it? And how can you create more opportunities to do what energizes you?
Small changes in how we approach our work can make a big difference for ourselves, our teams and the patients we serve.
Upcoming Events
- Labor Day Bike Ride, Saturday, September 5 at 9 a.m., Houlihan Access to Maple River and back. Contact Angelo for questions, ext. 5434.
Cy-Hawk Celebration! Friday, September 11. More details to come!
- Blue Believers 5K Run/Walk in Des Moines; Sunday, September 20. Scroll above for more details and to register
- Hospice Puzzle Tournament, Saturday, September 19 at 4 p.m.; click here to sign up.
- Lifestyle Change Discovery Session, Tuesday, September 22, 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. (pick one), St. Francis Room. Scroll above for more details and to register.
- Employee Open House for the new pharmacy location. More details to come!
- Celebrate Carroll Parade, Saturday, October 10 – St. Anthony will have a float!
- Day Trip to La Crosse, WI – only 17 seats remain! Saturday, October 17; click here to sign up for the trip.
- St. Anthony Benefits Fair, Thursday, November 5
Welcome to Our Team!
- Natasha, F&N
- Tina, Environ. Services
- Sydney, Nursing Home
- Dawn, ED
- Brooklyn, F&N
- Rachel, Lab
- Sonya, Carroll Clinic
- Chelsea, Admissions
- Abrey, Garden View
- Bryanna, Garden View
- Shelly, Lab
- Caitlin, Lab
- Amanda, ED
In Sympathy
Our condolences for your loss this past month.
- Jeff (Rehab) for the loss of his mother
- Elaine (Rehab) for the loss of her mother-in-law
- Mary (F&N) for the loss of her brother
- Kelly (HR) for the loss of her aunt
- Payton (OB) for the loss of her grandmother
- Chad (IT) for the loss of his grandmother-in-law
The Pulse
If you have items to submit for The Pulse, contact Brandi Strautman. The Pulse is published on the First Friday of each month.