Caring for our patients; strengthening communities

U.S. Census numbers show the population of Waukee has grown by 74% since 2010 welcoming six new residents per day. Because of that, MercyOne Waukee Pediatrics Care expanded to meet the demand of our thriving community. 

MercyOne outreach 

Across all our locations, MercyOne colleagues develop plans, offerings and programs to address what our community needs. 

Addressing social needs 

Living in Iowa means there are rural areas, where people may have to travel a distance to access necessities like medical care 

MercyOne takes advantage of our locations across our state and beyond to connect with our rural communities by collecting information related to social needs, like access to safe housing, quality food and reliable transportation. 

Patients who voluntarily identify a need are connected with a community health worker to help our them navigate health and social services. Almost 100,000 patients chose to participate in the screening at least once during FY23. 

Mammogram for uninsured or underinsured 

Screenings are an important part of health care that can tell us about your well-being like evaluating your risk of developing cancer. 

For women, breast cancer is the most common. One in eight women are affected by breast cancer in the U.S. – so annual mammograms are important. 

We understand how concerning the cost can be to our patients, so we created Muffins and Mammograms – an event for uninsured or underinsured women to receive free mammograms and, as an added bonus, a muffin. In 2024, the spring event registration was full within two hours which gives us great feedback in knowing this is helping our community. 

Also, Gather for the Cure, supporting the Genesis Foundation’s breast health fund, raised $28,830 and covered 157 free breast imaging exams in 2023 for those in need. 

Diabetes prevention program 

Another program offered at no cost to eligible participants is the diabetes prevention program (Prevent T2) at MercyOne Ankeny Family Medicine, MercyOne Clinton and MercyOne Waterloo Medical Centers. Guided by expert MercyOne lifestyle coaches, participants learn the skills they need to make lasting changes, such as losing a modest amount of weight, becoming more physically active and managing stress. 

Genesis FoodPlex, funded by grants and charitable gifts, supplies healthy food for people with diabetes and food insecurity who have a provider’s prescription. 

Adult obesity rates of 36% and physical inactivity rates of 24% place many Iowa residents at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

MercyOne Foundation 

Following our Mission, MercyOne colleagues have participated in opportunities to give back to our communities. 

Here are a few ways our colleagues have supported local entities: 

• MercyOne Waterloo and Cedar Falls Foundations awarded nearly $7,000 to six local non-profits. More than 250 colleagues donated $25 to wear jeans every Friday for the first six months of the calendar year. Gray Warriors, House of Hope, Catholic Workers House, Project Linus, Cedar Valley Angels and Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs each received a check for $1,150. 

• MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center colleagues serve meals prepared by MercyOne Dubuque Nutrition Department at the Dubuque Rescue Mission Kitchen once a month throughout the year. 

• MercyOne Clinton Medical Center has been a partner of the United Way of Clinton County for many years. MercyOne encouraged its colleagues to donate to the recent community campaign to support the United Way of Clinton County. 

MercyOne volunteering 

Whether with their MercyOne departments or by themselves, our colleagues continually support their communities (locally and internationally) through volunteering. 

• MercyOne Internal Medicine provider, Lazaro Rabang, MD, took his annual trip to the Philippines. While visiting family, he also used this time to share his knowledge, skills and experience with local health care providers and students in support of quality health care. 

Prior to the trip, he organized donations of medical supplies to support local caregivers in Philippine communities. Dr. Rabang also partnered with Far Eastern University in Manila, contributing toward financial aid for low income students at the top of their class. 

• MercyOne partnered with Northeast Iowa Food Bank, along with other local businesses, to host a food drive to fill the Cedar Valley Food Pantry. MercyOne Waterloo and MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Centers collected 452 pounds of food. That’s more than 500 meals for our community! 

• Community health workers contributed to their local communities with service projects on Martin Luther King Junior Day. Agencies receiving support included Meals on Wheels of Mason City and Urban Dreams of Des Moines. 

• Each year, 100 Genesis volunteers work hard at the Genesis Medical Tent to help ailing runners at the Quad-City Times Bix 7. Led by Dr. Ed Motto, the fast-paced Genesis crew of providers, nurses, EMTs and other staff, responds to participants who are injured or overcome by heat at a Quad Cities event attended by thousands. Genesis has run the tent for more than 35 years. 

Health Care Week 

We are proud of our colleagues for being one part of the health of our community. That resilience and dedication to health care leads our patients to continue to choose MercyOne as their source of advice, treatment and guidance. 

Through direct patient care or behind-the-scenes work, everyone makes a difference by improving our community’s emotional and physical health. 

Health Care Week is May 12-18. During this time, think about when a nurse, provider, surgeon or any MercyOne colleague was there for you, and help us celebrate. 

Knowing how we make a difference in your life encourages and reminds us of our purpose. If one of our colleagues has positively benefited your life, recognize them through the appropriate category.