UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network 2026 Mediathon Raises $193,761 to Support Children’s Care in Siouxland
Siouxland went above and beyond for local children during the UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network 2026 Mediathon event from May 5 through May 7. The three-day event was broadcast live on KTIV and Powell Broadcasting radio stations as the community rallied to support local kids. Together, donors, sponsors and supporters raised an incredible $193,761 – surpassing last year’s total of $138,765.
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Ashley Rucker, DNP
Ashley Rucker was just 16 when she became a nurse assistant, her first step into a field that would define her professional life. After working on a medical/surgical ward, a cardiac ICU, and in home hospice (and earning as MSN), Rucker was ready to further her education
UnityPoint Clinic Broadens Urgent Care Services at Dakota Dunes and Marketplace Sites
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is enhancing access to urgent care services in the Dakota Dunes and Hamilton Boulevard areas through updates to clinic locations and hours.
UnityPoint Clinic Welcomes Board-Certified General Surgeon
UnityPoint Clinic General Surgery – Sioux City is excited to welcome board-certified general surgeon Mai Al Khadem, MD to its team of providers. She combines surgical precision with compassionate communication, ensuring patients feel informed, supported and confident throughout every step of their surgical journey.
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City Launches “Walk With a Doc” Program
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is encouraging Siouxland residents to take a step toward better health with “Walk with a Doc,” a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk the third Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at Chris Larsen Park. Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation.
Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik Earns National Recognition for Contributions to Pediatric Infectious Diseases
UnityPoint Clinic proudly announces that Ashlesha Kaushik, MD, MS, pediatric infectious disease specialist, has been named a recipient of the Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for her outstanding contributions to infectious diseases.
UnityPoint Health–Sioux City Names New Vice President of Operations
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is pleased to announce Mary Olhausen, MSN, ARNP-C as their vice president of operations, effective March 9, 2026. Olhausen has been with UnityPoint Health since 2021, where she served as the director of women’s and children’s services and quality.
Siouxland Women’s Health Care Earns Multiple 2026 Siouxland Choice Awards, Including Best Doctor’s Office
Siouxland Women’s Health Care in Sioux City, IA has been voted the 2026 Best Doctor’s Office, Best Place to Work, and Best Weight Loss Center in the Siouxland Choice Awards.
UnityPoint Health Celebrates 38 Nurses Named 2026 Great Iowa Nurses
UnityPoint Health is honored to recognize 38 nurses practicing at our UnityPoint Health facilities and affiliates across Iowa who have been selected as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses.
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Eva Kluender, MPH
Eva Kluender, MPH, was working as a dental assistant when she took her first public health course as part of her undergraduate degree program in Health Sciences at USD. "My original plan was to become a dental hygienist," she says. She reasoned that a Health Sciences degree…
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City Takes Initial Step Toward Open-Heart Surgery Program
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City has taken the first important step toward building an open-heart surgery program by submitting the required paperwork for Certificate of Need (CON) to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care in Siouxland. Building the program is a complex process that will require regulatory approvals and the recruitment of a highly qualified cardiothoracic surgeon before services begin.
New Radiation Oncologist Joins UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s June E. Nylen Cancer Center
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s June E. Nylen Cancer Center is excited to announce that August Anderson, MD, has joined its team of providers as a radiation oncologist.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Recognizes the Intensive Care Unit at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s with Beacon Award for Excellence
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the ICU at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s. This is a significant achievement as more than 575 units from across the country applied for the award in 2025.
New Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Nurse Practitioner Joins UnityPoint Clinic
UnityPoint Clinic is excited to announce Sarah Jauer, ARNP, joined the team of providers at UnityPoint Clinic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Jauer will offer services alongside Chad Stadsvold, DO.
Mrs. Iowa Makes Special Visit to UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s – Downtown
Mrs. Iowa recently spent time at our Downtown Campus visiting with patients and team members and spreading positivity throughout the day. Heidi Day, who was announced as United States of America’s Mrs. Iowa in October, brings her title to life through the same servant-hearted approach she practices every day as a neuro-ortho nurse at the Downtown Campus.
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Advances Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Level 3
St. Luke’s is proud to announce its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has been officially designated as a Level 3 NICU. This advancement strengthens access to comprehensive, high-level neonatal care in the Siouxland region and supports families by keeping more infants close to home during critical stages of treatment and recovery.
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Outpatient Therapy Awarded Grant by Variety – The Children’s Charity of Iowa
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Outpatient Therapy Services has received an $11,735 grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa to fund the purchase and installation of an ADA-compliant, height-adjustable adult-sized changing table designed to support the children and young adults served through outpatient rehabilitation. The new equipment addresses a longstanding need for a safe, dignified space for toileting and hygiene support during therapy sessions.
Primary Focus
At the end of each year, we invite a group of healthcare professionals in our region to share their insights on what's working - and what could be working better - in their practices. This year, we posed two questions to seven primary care providers from across South Dakota, Southwest Minnesota, and Northwest Iowa. From the high cost of care to countering misinformation to preparing for AI, their answers provide a fascinating glimpse into life in rural primary care today.
UnityPoint Clinic Welcomes New Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner
UnityPoint Clinic is excited to announce Heather Stehr, ARNP, is joining the team of providers at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine – Sunnybrook. Stehr will offer primary care services conveniently located in Sunnybrook Medical Plaza. She is currently accepting new patients.
UnityPoint Clinic Introduces New Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner
UnityPoint Clinic is excited to announce Holly Sachau, NP-C, joined the team of providers at UnityPoint Clinic General Surgery and Gastroenterology. Sachau will offer services alongside Ben Pottebaum, MD and Ashley Dyhrkopp, NP-C.