Helping patients gain confidence: Our November Power of the Patient story
For Greenfield, Iowa, patient Gary Randel, regular visits to the St. Anthony Chronic Care Center aren’t just about making sure his blood sugar levels are in check. They’re also an opportunity to build confidence in managing his diabetes and taking an active role in his care.
November is National Diabetes Month — a time to highlight stories like Gary’s that showcase how our Chronic Care Center staff goes the extra mile. From making every interaction comfortable to developing personalized care plans that fit each person’s lifestyle and health goals, the team’s holistic approach has helped Gary better understand his condition and create healthier habits. For him, that makes the trip to Carroll for appointments worthwhile.
“It’s still a trip up there, but it’s the best use of my time. It’s very much worth the effort every time I go there. I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else, even if it was closer.” — Gary Randel
As Gary’s story appears on our online channels throughout November, we encourage you to engage with the content and share it with others, whether on social media, in conversations with patients or in the community. Patient testimonials can help others see the confidence and strength they can gain in their healthcare journey, with St. Anthony as their partner.
We Are One TEAM: Welcome Dr. Callie Pittard!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Pittard to St. Anthony Clinic in Carroll! She provides family medicine and obstetric care, including cesarean sections, caring for patients through every stage of life.
As a double board-certified physician who speaks both English and Spanish, Dr. Pittard is helping make quality care more accessible to individuals and families in our community. We’re proud to have her on the St. Anthony team!
Q3 Blue Chip Winners
Congratulations to our most recent group of Blue CHIPS award recipients! Thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to upholding the St. Anthony mission. We’re proud to have you on our team!
Bailey Schurke
Krystal Barnard
Sara Knobbe
Lane Pudenz
Tricia Beck
Nursing Home Raffle
St. Anthony Nursing Home is selling raffle tickets for two fun baskets! Proceeds from the raffle, combined with donations collected at food trucks, will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of West Central Iowa through Team St. Anthony.
Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Please be sure to designate which basket you would like your ticket(s) entered for!
Tickets can be purchased at the Nursing Home or by contacting Jerry Wordekemper, Melissa Schultes or Renee Grimsman.
Winners will be drawn on November 17, 2026.
Check out the baskets below!
Tailgate Time Basket – Perfect for football fans! This basket includes NFL-themed UNO cards, chips, salsa and queso in a football serving tray, a Beer Thirty gift card, candy corn, nuts, M&M’s, Twizzlers and a soft, cozy football blanket. Value: $80
Family Game Night Basket – Everything you need for a fun night with family and friends! This basket includes games such as Sorry!, Connect 4, Trouble, Guess Who?, Fishy Frenzy, Chutes and Ladders, Never Have I Ever, and card games including Rummy and Crazy Eights. It also includes Slim Jims, pretzels, Twizzlers, popcorn, snack crackers, M&M’s, a cozy blanket, socks and a reusable storage tote. Value: $120
Thank you for supporting Team St. Anthony and helping us raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association of West Central Iowa! Every ticket makes a difference.
Construction Update
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!
National Diabetes Month
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Pittard to St. Anthony Clinic in Carroll! She provides family medicine and obstetric care, including cesarean sections, caring for patients through every stage of life.
As a double board-certified physician who speaks both English and Spanish, Dr. Pittard is helping make quality care more accessible to individuals and families in our community. We’re proud to have her on the St. Anthony team!
A Trip to Celebrate Our History
On Saturday, October 17, a group of St. Anthony employees and their guests enjoyed a beautiful bus trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
St. Anthony is proud of its rich history, dating back to 1905, when Reverend Joseph Kuemper founded the hospital with the help of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) from La Crosse.
As the home of the FSPA, La Crosse was a meaningful destination for the group. During the visit, participants toured Mary of the Angels Chapel and the Adoration Chapel at St. Rose Convent, learning more about the sisters whose faith and dedication helped shape St. Anthony history.
The complimentary bus trip was funded by our sponsor, St. Anthony Ministries, and organized by the St. Anthony E2 Committee.
Congratulations to Abigail Mahannah on earning her Master of Social Work (MSW)!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Pittard to St. Anthony Clinic in Carroll! She provides family medicine and obstetric care, including cesarean sections, caring for patients through every stage of life.
As a double board-certified physician who speaks both English and Spanish, Dr. Pittard is helping make quality care more accessible to individuals and families in our community. We’re proud to have her on the St. Anthony team!
Foundation News Flash
2027 Employee Giving Campaign: Our Garden. Our Grace. Our Giving.
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!
Good Catch of the Month & Infection Prevention Scavenger Hunt Winners
Kelsey and Emily (pictured left) of St. Anthony Specialty Clinics won the infection prevention scavenger hunt last month – way to go!
Latest Blogs
Take Control of Diabetes at St. Anthony Chronic Care Center
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
- Sunday, November 8: Tree of Love Ceremony at Hospital Atrium
- Friday, November 13: Wear Blue Day for National Diabetes Month
- Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, December 4: St. Anthony Employee Meal and Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
- Saturday, December 12: Donuts with Santa
Welcome to Our Team!
In Sympathy
Our condolences for your loss this past month.
- Jaime (Rehab) for the loss of her father.
- Kelly (Garden View) for the loss of her brother-in-law.
- Lisa (MSP) for the loss of her father-in-law.
- Shirley (EVS) for the loss of her nephew.
- Amy (HIM) for the loss of her mother.
- Nancy (HIM) for the loss of her mother.
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.