“This group steps up to the plate every day, and they quickly triage and prioritize every patient’s needs,” said Sheila Brown, manager of the emergency department. “Jamie, Jeff, and Dr. Westemeyer immediately recognized Phil’s acuity and intervened with life-saving measures.” “Everyone was very reassuring that they were doing everything they could to help him,” Kellie said. “I was scared, too, and concerned for his life, but Phil received excellent care.” However, Phil wasn’t out of the woods yet. Paramedic Brynn Oliver and EMT Stephan Burk transferred Phil by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery by gastroenterologist Dr. Archana Verma. Phil was quickly on the road to recovery, yet he remained at Methodist for a week and took another week to rest at home before returning to full strength. “Dr. Verma did say I was lucky,” Phil recalled. Once Phil’s health was in the clear, his son, Austen, expressed his gratitude on Facebook, and Kellie gratefully shared it with friends. And to show his thanks for the ER team in Marshalltown, Phil has taken them lunch twice – Taylor’s Maid Rites on one occasion and Domino’s pizza and breadsticks on the other. “It’s amazing to see patients, after being transferred from our ED in critical condition, walk back in weeks later with a happy story to share,” said Brown. “Phil and Kellie’s kindness and generosity was appreciated by our team, but it’s not necessary.”
“I love them and owe them my life, and I believe that is due to the people of the Marshalltown ER,” Phil said. “They need to keep doing what they’re doing because they are appreciated.”
UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown EMS Updating and Growing Its Fleet These days, it isn’t just patients who are getting healthier and stronger at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown. The EMS service is on quite a roll, as well. When UnityPoint Health took over the bankrupt Marshalltown hospital in 2017, they inherited four notably depreciated ambulances. Fast forward to today, when the hospital has purchased and received three new ambulances with $750,000 in capital funds, bringing its fleet to eight, including five being active during peak periods. Along the way, the community also came forward and contributed over $400,000 for two new ambulances in 2018-2019. “With the increase of heart attacks, strokes and other medical emergencies, having a bigger fleet of ambulances is crucial,” said Nick Heintz, Manager of Emergency Management Services for UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown. “With five vehicles active, we can be more efficient in routing our ambulances and stretching the regions we support, like Marshalltown, Conrad and Grinnell.” The three new ambulances will look the same as the previous two ambulances, which were purchased by the community through a UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown Foundation project in 2018. The three new ambulances: • Are larger than previous models, and they feature a liquid-air ride system, which increases the comfort for patients in the back • Include all-wheel drive, which provides more safety and improves service during Iowa winters • Contain DVD players mounted to the ceiling to provide calming entertainment for patients during transports, especially children • Feature the same interior design as previous ambulances, which reflects preferences of EMS providers “We’re so grateful for the addition of these ambulances,” said Heintz. “They’re expensive, but they’re needed, and they represent a significant investment in the healthcare of Marshalltown and its surrounding communities.” LiveWell Summer 2020 | 9
