St. Luke's Health System

12/15/2025

St. Luke’s recently sponsored and attended the Canyon County Festival of Trees.

Since 1994, Canyon County Festival of Trees has raised money for the Meals on Wheels program, ensuring senior citizens in Canyon County receive nourishing meals.

Through generous donations last year, Meals on Wheels Canyon County received over $135,000, which provided over 27,000 meals to local seniors.

St. Luke’s team members attended the gala and sponsored the Cookies with Santa event, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate with Santa and local kids.

12/12/2025

St. Luke's chef, Magic Valley team volunteer with nonprofit to help serve holiday meals.

Chef Mark Owsley from St. Luke’s Magic Valley and a team of volunteers supported a holiday meal Nov. 30 at Everybody House in downtown Twin Falls.

Owsley has been the chef partner for the local nonprofit every Thanksgiving and Easter for four years.

This year, Owsley and the volunteers made turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce and fruit salad.

St. Luke’s volunteers included Heather Hoskisson, Jennifer Smith, Jennifer Bradshaw, Madi Grammer and Samantha Strain.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered!

12/12/2025

Working together with kindness: Nampa ancillary staff awarded October Patient Experience Award

The Nampa Medical Surgical team recently celebrated the safe discharge of a long-term patient who had been with at St. Luke's for nearly three months. Her stay was marked by frequent challenges, including multiple Code Grays, yet the compassion, collaboration and dedication shown by our ancillary and nursing teams exemplified the best of patient-centered care.

Case Management and Social Work worked tirelessly to coordinate a safe and appropriate discharge plan by organizing care conferences, developing a behavioral support plan and ensuring every detail was considered for a smooth transition.

Pharmacy ensured her medications were accurately prepared for discharge, while Security supported the Nursing team daily throughout her stay, building a trusting relationship with the patient and ensuring safety for everyone.

Food and Nutrition Services thoughtfully prepared boxed meals and snacks for the patient’s seven-hour transport, ensuring her comfort and nourishment on the road. Nursing staff went above and beyond to make her departure special, helping her shower, styling her hair and dressing her for the trip. In a touching gesture, they crafted burgundy bows from scrub fabric, added heart-shaped glasses and even made her favorite snack, popcorn, for the journey.

This discharge was more than a transition; it showed what can happen when every discipline comes together with kindness, creativity, and a shared commitment to patient dignity. It was a moment that captured the essence of patient experience: treating each person not just as a patient, but as someone deeply cared for and valued.

12/10/2025

Last month, St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center celebrated 25 years of operations. Team members gathered in the lobby for festivities and treats. Congratulations!

12/10/2025

Food insecurity is rising in Idaho — and St. Luke’s is stepping up to help.

This holiday season, many families are struggling to put food on the table. Visits to local food pantries have surged by up to 50%, and online searches for food resources are six times higher than usual.

St. Luke’s is partnering with organizations like The Idaho Foodbank, The Hunger Coalition, and local community groups to make sure nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Together, we’re working to address the root causes of hunger and improve health for everyone in our communities.

💡 Need help finding food resources? Learn more

Food insecurity is on the rise in Idaho and can be felt more acutely during the holidays when people are brought together to share meals and festivities.

12/08/2025

🎉 Celebrating a Legacy of Care!
After 26 years of dedicated service, Dr. Henry Thompson is retiring from St. Luke's Children's leaving an indelible mark on pediatric care in Idaho. His leadership, compassion, and vision have shaped the future for countless children and families. 💙

12/06/2025

Four St. Luke’s medical centers serving rural areas awarded for strong performances in key metrics.

As part of National Rural Health Day, St. Luke’s announced that each of our critical access hospitals have earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence.

As part of National Rural Health Day, St. Luke’s announced that each of our critical access hospitals have earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence.

12/04/2025

For the past 12 years, St. Luke’s Jerome has partnered with the local chamber of commerce to hang holiday lights at ICCU Park and Veterans Park along Main Street in Jerome.

There were more than 50 volunteers that supported the event this year from St. Luke's, the chamber, local businesses, fire department, Falls City Academy, Jerome Rec District and city council members.

Sasha Lozado, Food and Nutrition Services manager at St. Luke’s Jerome, provided hot chocolate and huge cinnamon rolls, which were a big hit with volunteers.

The lights stay up throughout the holiday season and serve as a backdrop to Jerome’s Christmas in the Park, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6.

12/04/2025

St. Luke's partners with Valley House to help unhoused in south central Idaho.

Valley House Homeless Shelter in Twin Falls offered tours to community members as part of its third annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, sponsored by St. Luke’s.

Several groups from St. Luke’s (including Med-Surg and CSU in the top photo) took advantage of the opportunity to get an inside look at how the local nonprofit supports families in crisis by providing shelter, food and resources that help them move toward stability and self-sufficiency.

“St. Luke’s is proud to support Valley House and its efforts to help unhoused people in south central Idaho,” said Kyli Gough, manager of Community Health and Engagement at St. Luke’ Magic Valley.

“They’ve received funding through our Community Health Improvement Fund grants over the years, as well as additional funding for the Warming Center they operate at Taproot Church in downtown Twin Falls.”

The week was capped off with a 5K Walk to End Hunger and Homelessness on Nov. 22 on the Canyon Rim Trail. Along the route, participants — including a team of walkers from St. Luke’s (pictured in the bottom photo) — encountered story signs that inspire compassion, understanding and action.
shelter

12/02/2025

A patient facing a difficult day before and after surgery was so touched by the care and kindness she received from a St. Luke’s RN at the Nampa Medical Center’s Perioperative Care team that she nominated the RN for a DAISY Award.

Earlier this year, a patient went to St. Luke’s Nampa to have a dilation and curettage procedure. When the patient woke up from surgery, RN Devina Mendoza was sitting right next to her and provided an immediate sense of calmness. Mendoza explained who she was and where they were and shared that the procedure had gone smoothly with no complications.

The patient then noticed Mendoza’s badge reel, which had sunflowers on it. Sunflowers are the patient’s favorite flower and one of the crops she grows on her farm.

“I told her that I loved her badge reel and why," the patient wrote. "Devina immediately told me I should take it with me. I said that I could not do that as she probably needed it for the rest of her workday as well!”

As the patient was leaving after being discharged, Mendoza shared a personal story with the patient – one that ended in the two crying and hugging one another. Mendoza gave the patient her sunflower badge reel, emphasizing that the patient had to have it and reassuring her that things would get better.

“Devina was just a ray of sunshine in the darkness for me that day and I felt so lucky to have her as part of my care team," the patient said. "She is beyond deserving of the DAISY Award, or Sunflower Award if you may! Her kindness really touched me and it meant the world to me.”

12/02/2025

Recently, the 4S Inpatient Oncology team at Boise Medical Center unveiled its recent extension and newest additions to the unit's Hall of Hope display.

The Hall of Hope, located in the hallway leading to 4 South at the Boise Medical Center, showcases the unique stories of cancer survivors to provide hope and encouragement to current patients undergoing treatment, their loved ones and our staff.

It symbolizes that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that there are survivors who have gone on to live full, happy lives after a devastating diagnosis.

At the recent unveiling, led by nurse manager Meghan Cardoza, staff celebrated the newest additions to the Hall of Hope: patients Melody, Vickie Jo and Jess, all of whom shared their cancer journey stories to inspire, provide comfort and ignite hope.

This extension of Hall of Hope was made possible by several individuals and teams, including:

• The St. Luke’s Foundation
• Meghan Cordoza, nursing manager
• Stella Waits, RN
• Jason Jacopian, visual producer advisor; John Farrell, marketing advisor; and marketing team
• Diane Wilson, senior interior designer
• Pat Allen, facility maintenance /mechanic 2; Logan Palomo, facility maintenance /mechanic 2; and the Building Services team

12/01/2025

Meet Jacquelyn Merrill, RN Women’s Services, St. Luke’s Nampa Medical Center:

"I have worked for St. Luke’s for almost 3 years now. I started working as an RN in Nampa on Med/Surg where I truly cherished my time. My coworkers, managers, and patients taught me so much and helped build the foundation of the nurse I am today.

"I gave birth to my son in Nampa’s Labor & Delivery, where I received the most exceptional care. After that experience I just knew that I had to go work there myself. It has always been my dream to be a labor and delivery nurse, so the timing just felt right. I transitioned to Nampa Labor & Delivery/Postpartum, and I have absolutely loved my new role!

"Helping new mamas through their birth journey and then supporting them as they navigate those first moments postpartum is so rewarding. I love working in Nampa LDRP because I get to do it all. I can coach a mom through labor, support her through delivery and recovery, and then educate the family on everything that comes with caring for a newborn. Working on this unit not only broadens my skill set but also allows me to provide continuity of care to my patients. Being a nurse is the most fulfilling and meaningful job, and I am grateful every single day that I chose to be a nurse."

If you would like to bring your care and compassion to help support new mothers during and after their birth journey, apply as a Labor & Delivery Nurse today - https://bit.ly/49WlpF9 or visit our careers website for more opportunities Careers at St. Luke’s.