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: 

Edra Fouts
Stoddard Care Coordinator
Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines

At the John Stoddard Cancer Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Registered nurse Edra Fouts makes a difference in the lives of her patients and their families on a daily basis. From the first day she arrived at Stoddard, Edra did everything possible to make sure her breast cancer patients received the best care possible.  She cares for each and every one of them with her whole heart.

Recently, Edra spent several hours at the end of her day with a dying patient to help write cards to the patient’s three children and mother for special events (birthdays, Mother’s Day, graduations). Edra didn’t think twice about spending countless hours with the patient to make sure the cards were finished.

Somehow, Edra still finds time to dedicate herself to a number of other projects, including Pink Saturdays, a free mammogram screening partnership; serving on the Polk Metro Breast Cancer Committee; traveling to Washington, D.C. to lobby for breast cancer implants for her patients; serving as a Komen for the Cure board member for one year; facilitating a multidisciplinary breast cancer conference; and mentoring new Stoddard Care Coordinators. Edra has also made herself available for countless presentation requests on breast cancer, traveling to area businesses, churches and leadership groups to share her knowledge.

Edra is a Hospital Hero because of her endless dedication to her patients and in the fight against breast cancer. Watching patients who have become friends pass away from the disease is not an easy thing to do. But Edra strives to do everything possible to make sure her patients are receiving the best care and support they need to fight cancer. She never thinks twice about giving of herself and is truly an amazing nurse, friend and hero.

As part of the first annual IHA PAC reception at the 80^th IHA Annual Meeting last week, two Iowa legislators were honored and presented with 2009 IHA Legislator of the Year awards for their tireless advocacy of Iowa hospitals over the past Iowa legislative session.

Two legislators, one House member and one Senate member, were given awards to honor their leadership and experience at the Capitol and the well-earned respect of their peers.

In the House, Representative Lisa Heddens (R-Ames) was honored for her work for hospitals and health care in Iowa.  Heddens has served in the Iowa House since 2002 and sits on the Joint Health and Human Services Committee.

Brian Dieter, CEO at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, presented the award and stated, “Rep. Heddens was a critical player in maintaining Medicaid payments to hospitals even in these challenging economic times.  When Medicaid cuts were proposed in the House, she was a leader in reversing those cuts.  Now in her fourth term in House, this legislator is a leader who truly cares about health care.”

In the Senate, Senator Dennis Black (D-Newton) was recognized for his work for hospitals as an outspoken hospital

and health care advocate.  Gary Kahn, IHA Board member and trustee at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, presented the award to Senator Black saying, “Senator Black knows a well supported health care system is also critical to that quality of life.  And he has provided that support consistently during his many terms both in the House and in the Senate.  This past session, his leadership was unparalleled in support of the IHA supported public hospital bill and fighting for adequate Medicaid payments for hospitals.”  Black is serving his fourth term in the Iowa Senate.

IHA plans to continue both the IHA PAC reception, hosted for contributors whose donations were at the $350 level or above, as well as the Legislator of the Year awards at the Annual Meeting as a means to heighten the profile of hospital advocacy efforts and recognize legislators who consistently show leadership and support for Iowa hospitals.

Tim Gard, the nationally acclaimed speaker who will bring his unique stories, incredible humor and sound advice to the IHA Annual Meeting, has recorded a special video message for Annual Meeting attendees.

As the founder of “Comic Vision,” Gard promotes humor as a both a personal and business strategy that raises morale, lessens stress and improves unity.

“Having a Comic Vision means to laugh when you can, be serious about the things you must and actively use humor to balance stress,” Gard recently explained.  “It’s choosing to see the amusing side of situations that would normally irritate others, create stress, and ultimately reduce productivity.”

Gard is the opening-day speaker at the IHA Annual Meeting, which will be held October 6-8 at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.  Online registration for the meeting is closed, but walk-in registration will be available on the days of the conference.

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