UnityPoint Health

09/26/2025

Ten years is how long most women spend in perimenopause. Here's how you can tell the time has arrived, and ways to get relief.

If you’ve noticed unexpected changes in your body and mood, and the once predictable rhythm of your menstrual cycle is now off beat, you could be in perimenopause. This transitional period before menopause brings both physical and emotional changes.

09/24/2025

“If you’re honest, you don't know if you're gonna make it, and that's always in the back of your mind, even if you try to put it away.”

Twenty-five years after his first heart attack, Randy Rogers was facing a tough choice. His distrust of the medical system had kept him at a distance, even as his health declined to the point that a walk to the mailbox was a struggle. When his cardiologist warned he might not make it to his next appointment, Randy decided to face his fears.

At 72, he was told his one working artery, a bad valve and a clogged stent left him with a maximum of two years to live. He needed open-heart surgery. After resolving significant dental issues to prevent infection, a "kind of scary" day arrived. The surgery was a success, but it was his time in the hospital that left the biggest impact.

Today, Randy is focused on one thing: the nurses. He says doctors get a lot of credit for their amazing work, but the nurses were "absolutely phenomenal." He recalls their constant care, compassion and hard work and were with him through his most vulnerable moments. The experience completely changed his heart, not just about health care, but about the true heroes who provide it.

Get heart care: https://uph.link/HeartCare

09/23/2025

Happiest helping you be your healthiest. Shout out to our advanced practice providers for their care and commitment to you and yours. 💙

Join a team where you can make a difference: https://uph.link/JoinOurTeam

09/23/2025

What makes a great day at work? For our team, it's the people. Watch as our nurses — from the ER to the OR — share what it’s like to have a team who truly has your back.

Join a team who cares: https://uph.link/JoinOurTeam

09/22/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by the care your aging parents need? It's a worry that keeps many adult children up at night: "Is Mom or Dad truly okay living on their own?"

For participants like Richard Stuart, a new chapter of independence, care and connection has begun, thanks to the PACE Senior Care program at UnityPoint Health.

Richard, who uses a wheelchair, was facing the daily struggle of simple chores and feeling isolated at home. He joined PACE in early 2025, and it didn't take long for him to find the medical support he needed and a vibrant social life.

"It’s a great place to come," Richard says. "The staff are friendly and welcoming. I enjoy the day center, playing games, doing puzzles and having the chance to meet people and build friendships. They also help me get to doctor appointments and fill my prescriptions."

But the support doesn't stop at the center's doors. When he's at home, PACE provides essential home care services, ensuring he has everything he needs to thrive. "I get help cleaning my apartment, and they check in to make sure I’m doing okay," Richard says. "A dietitian helps me order groceries and get them delivered."

PACE makes independence possible by offering a full spectrum of services under one roof. It’s a place where seniors can get additional help while finding the friendships and purpose they deserve.

Learn more about PACE eligibility + services in your area: https://uph.link/PACESeniorCare

09/19/2025

Mark and Kimberly Stubbolo moved to Iowa for a simpler life, but in 2021, Kimberly was diagnosed with cancer. For the next two years, the couple sought treatment at facilities big and small, both near and far. Kimberly eventually succumbed to the disease in August 2023, but one thought remains with Mark.

“What we really needed was compassion. It’s as important as your brick and mortar and cutting-edge technology.”

The couple's journey included a premier hospital in the Midwest, where they received a poor prognosis and felt judged for choosing a different path that prioritized Kimberly's quality of life. The cancer team started Kimberly on hormone therapy, which Mark recalls as "kind of a Hail Mary at that point."

“Kimberly had a different cancer 10 years before. With cancer, sometimes the treatments are worse than the disease. She suffered a lot, and her whole philosophy this time around was quality of life, not quantity of life.”

When they told the doctor at the premier hospital they wanted to stop treatments, Mark says, "The doctor got really angry." When they returned home, they continued to rely on their hometown UnityPoint Health clinic, where they found the compassionate care that mattered most from family medicine provider Dr. Steve Scurr. The clinic team helped them supplement her care needs and, eventually, coordinate with hospice.

“When we came back to Dr. Scurr, he had no judgment against her, and that was huge,” Mark says. “He was in her corner. You know, we wanted what was best for her, and he understood that. We were not just a number here.”

Mark adds, “I've been to major medical centers with the two cancers and UnityPoint Health has something. The care was professional … but way beyond professional. They were compassionate.”

This compassion was a hallmark of their experience. Mark remembers a late-stage appointment when Kimberly was putting on a brave face. Longtime nurse Ronda Neher, however, saw through it, counseling Kimberly and advising Mark on what was to come.

“She knew Kimberly needed help right then, and I felt like I could call them anytime,” Mark says. “If you have to go through something like that, we were very blessed to have gone through it with the people we had around us.”

09/17/2025

It's normal to worry about every detail of your new baby's health — including their bodily fluids. This guide from one of our pediatricians has you covered. https://uph.link/vk9

You can tell a lot about your baby’s health by what’s in their diaper. It’s normal to see stool changes as your baby grows, drinks breast milk or formula and starts eating solids, but some color and consistency changes may indicate a health issue. Learn how to distinguish natural changes from ...

09/15/2025

Vaccines keep us safe from diseases that were once very dangerous. With a well-established record of safety and effectiveness, here’s how they work to protect you. https://uph.link/Vaccinations

Vaccines are vital for keeping you and your community safe. That's why they start at birth and continue into your golden years. Learn more about why vaccines are important, who approves vaccines and find recommended vaccination schedules for adults and children.

09/12/2025

Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection that can turn deadly in a matter of hours. Know the warning signs and what to do. https://uph.link/e501bc

Sepsis is the body’s dangerous overreaction to an infection that can cause organ damage and become life-threatening if not treated quickly. Learn sepsis warning symptoms to look for and how to avoid septic shock.

09/10/2025

Does it feel like your period cramps are a million times worse than anyone else's? Our doctor explains why. https://uph.link/b11723

Severe period cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, affect millions of women worldwide. While some discomfort during menstruation is expected, intense pain that disrupts your daily life isn't normal. Learn what causes severe period cramps and ways to find relief.

09/05/2025

A sure sign of an ear infection is fluid or pus draining from a child’s ear. Other symptoms may not seem so obvious. Here's what to look for. https://uph.link/alj

Ear infections are an unfortunate part of many children’s lives. They wreak havoc on sleep schedules and lead to lots of discomfort and fussiness. But, there are ways to help prevent ear infection in babies.

09/04/2025

Did you know? Sugar can speed up wrinkles and sagging in the neck and chin. Here's how to eat less. https://uph.link/2f6630

We all want to look good, don’t we? Unfortunately, the juice you had with breakfast or the dessert you snuck before bed might be doing just the opposite. Learn the link between sugar and aging, including steps you can take to start slowly removing sugar from your diet.