Among more than 71,000 employees, Iowa hospitals have countless examples of amazing people doing outstanding work.  Each year, IHA honors some of those employees as Iowa Hospital Heroes.  In the coming weeks, IHA will share the stories of our 2009 Iowa Hospital Heroes.  Below is our Hero for this week: 

Timi Brown
Med-Fit Coordinator
Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo

Timi Brown has been with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare for 20 years, working in the Recreational Therapy Program and most recently at Wellness Services as the Medical Fitness Coordinator. She has an amazing “never give up” attitude and shows endless compassion for her patients! 

A phenomenal recreational therapist with excellent clinical skills, Timi works with patients with all types of medical conditions, ranging from stroke, cancer, obesity and diabetes, to severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and cardiac rehab issues. But what makes Timi stand out from most in her profession is her unconditional commitment to making her patients healthier, physically and mentally. She is an advocate for the “underdog” and cheers on those who may be written off by others. 

Whether by working with children in the Hals Pals Program for youth or teaching post-chemotherapy cancer patients how to rebuild their strength, Timi is always there. She goes beyond the call of duty – at times going to a patient’s home to see how they are doing or to deliver clothes and household items she purchased because the patient is not able to afford basic necessities. 

Timi has written numerous grants to fund Wellness Services that benefit many patients in the Cedar Valley. This past year, Timi worked on a grant through the Iowa Legislature to fund childhood obesity and programs like Hals Pals and Med-Fit to help those who wouldn’t be able to afford such services. Timi Brown has an amazing spirit about her and passes on good will to all around by the wonderful attitude she carries daily. She makes people smile, laugh and, most importantly, feel good about who they are. 

Timi is truly a hero to her co-workers and her patients and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare is very fortunate to have her as an associate.