Orange City Area Health System

03/03/2026

We're looking for a Surgical Technologist to join our amazing and esteemed surgery team ... where Human Tech meets Human Touch.

Our state-of-the-art Surgery Center features some of the most advanced technology, including robotics. It's our commitment to put the best tools in the most skilled and compassionate hands for the very best patient outcomes.

If you, or a surg tech you know, want to be part of this mission -- with some outstanding benefits to boot! -- check us out. Part-time or Full-time opportunities available.

https://www.ochealthsystem.org/careers/surgery-tech-1-2-2

03/02/2026

Here's a unique opportunity for someone who wants to pick up one day of work each week, with good pay and a great environment!

Learn more and apply here: https://www.ochealthsystem.org/careers/mm-invasst-1-2-2

03/02/2026

March is Social Work Month!
This month, we proudly celebrate our incredible social workers who serve in our Hospital, Home Health & Hospice, and Behavioral Health Clinic. Their compassion, guidance, and unwavering support help patients and families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.

To our social workers: thank you for advocating, listening, and caring with such heart. You make a meaningful difference every day.

03/02/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Colorectal cancer screening truly is an opportunity to prevent cancer. It’s one of the only cancer screening tests that can prevent cancer by finding precancerous polyps and removing them before they become cancer. Screening can also find cancer early when it may be easier to treat.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death for men and women. Each year, almost 53,000 people die of it in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Talk to your healthcare provider about what is right for you. Call us today at 712-737-2000. We have the skilled and compassionate team to serve you and your loved ones.

03/01/2026

Happy National Nutrition Month! Check our weekly social media posts for nutrition tips from our very own Registered Dietitian, Molly Gilmore...

Tip: Choose healthful foods from all food groups, and alternate your food choices to get a variety of nutrients! If you are trying to lose weight, choose smaller portions, especially of foods higher in fat and sugar.

02/27/2026

The Prairie Ridge Care Center team is dedicated to offering meaningful opportunities and experiences that improve the quality of life for our residents. They consider what residents enjoy doing -- and find ways to make those activities happen.

Many residents enjoy music. And they love visiting with kids. Dixie Weilenga brought her orchestra students to Prairie Ridge recently ... giving everyone the best of both of these meaningful joys.

The March activities calendars for each Cottage at Prairie Ridge are online. Check out what our staff has planned for residents this month under Daily Life at Prairie Ridge: https://www.ochealthsystem.org/community/seniorcare/prairie-ridge-care-center

02/27/2026

In the news ...
ORANGE CITY AREA HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE RATED IN FIRST-EVER “BEST HOME HEALTH” BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Recognized as a High Performing home health agency with a score of 4.25/5

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, released its first-ever ratings for Best Home Health. This new evaluation provides a data-backed digital resource for millions of Americans seeking high-quality health care in the comfort of their own homes following a hospital stay or illness. Orange City Home Health, a division of Orange City Area Health System, scored high in both Health Care Quality (3.5/5) and Patient Experience (5/5).

Read more here:

Orange City Home Health, a division of Orange City Area Health System, scored high in both Health Care Quality (3.5/5) and Patient Experience (5/5).

02/25/2026

Our PT/OT/SLP team really rocks! Here's just one of many comments recently received from our patients: "The staff are supportive and enthusiastic about my care and recovery. My PT is always cheering me on and helping me make new connections for my health and wellness goals."

We are looking for a PTA to join our culture of caring. Learn more and apply today: https://www.ochealthsystem.org/careers/pta

02/24/2026

Congratulations to Denise Horkey, Home Health & Hospice Patient Care Coordinator RN, on her 30-year anniversary at OCAHS! Thank you for your service and dedication!

02/24/2026

Spring is just around the corner, and the anticipation of fresh air to fill our lungs. If you or a loved one is a smoker, maybe this is a good time to kick the habit ... to breathe easier and live healthier!

Quitline is Iowa’s free to***co and ni****ne cessation program. Quitline services for adults (ages 18 and older) include:
• Up to 8 weeks of free ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT)
• Access to one-on-one coaching sessions with trained quit coaches
• For teens ages 13–17, the My Life My Quit program is also available. This program is free and confidential and offers individualized quit-coaching sessions. Please note that My Life My Quit does not include ni****ne replacement therapy.

Spring into action and get the help you need from Quitline.

02/23/2026

We shared this news a couple of months ago, but since Iowa Communications Network is spreading the word today, we thought we'd share it again. Orange City Area Health System is one of the "Top 20 Best Hospitals In Iowa 2026" as published in Newsweek magazine. OCAHS also received an additional Patient Experience Award for outstanding performance in patient satisfaction -- thanks to YOU and the trust you place in us as your health and wellness partners.

According to Newsweek, "This year’s methodology incorporates significant updates: expanded hospital quality metrics, broader accreditation coverage, integration of prior-year expert recommendations and a stronger emphasis on care quality and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. The scoring rests on four pillars: quality metrics (50 percent), reputation (30 percent), patient experience (15 percent) and PROMs implementation (5 percent)."

Read more here:

Congratulations to the top 20 Iowa hospitals being honored for clinical excellence!

02/23/2026

It's the last week of February, which means Heart Month is coming to a close. But as your health and wellness partners, we hope you stay focused on a healthy heart all year!

This week we are highlighting stress and how it can affect your heart.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), chronic stress doesn’t just make you feel overwhelmed, it causes physical changes to your body. While we can’t always avoid stress, how we handle it directly impacts our heart health. Check out these facts and tips to help you protect your heart from the “silent pressure” of stress.

1. The chain reaction: When you’re stressed, your body releases adrenaline, which temporarily speeds up your breathing and heart rate, and causes your blood pressure to rise.

2. The danger: If stress is constant, your body stays in “high gear” for days or weeks. This can lead to high blood pressure, increasing your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

3. Unhealthy habits: Stress often leads to “coping behaviors” that hurt the heart, such as overeating, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, or skipping heart medications.

The AHA recommends these simple, heart-healthy stress busters you can do right now:

1. Practice deep breathing: Try the “box breathing” technique. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4 and hold for 4. This tells your nervous system it is safe to calm down.

2. Get moving: physical activity is one of the best antidotes to stress. Even a 10 minute walk around the block or some light stretching in your living room can release those feel-good endorphins.

3. Connect with a furry friend: studies show that simply petting a dog can lower blood pressure and suppress stress hormones.

4. Practice positive self-talk: Switch “I can’t do this” to “I will do the best I can.” Changing your internal narrative can lower your physiological stress response.

5. Unplug and Organize: Give your brain a break from “scrolling fatigue.” Spending 10 minutes organizing a to-do list for tomorrow can help you let go of worry tonight.

Managing stress is a vital part of your health treatment plan. Start today by picking one “stress stopper” and sticking with it!