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Press Release

2008: A Year of Growth and Progress

As we recognize the beginning of a new year, 2009, we can all look back on an amazing year for Burgess Health Center in Onawa.

First, a reflection of our most notable event of the year - the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch Tornado Disaster. As you all know Burgess responded with expertise and compassion - caring for boy scouts and other victims following a disaster that made national news and placed the Onawa area in the national spotlight. Burgess was there - providing professional care at the scene, trauma services in our ER, medical care for inpatients and more. We were ready because of sound emergency disaster drills, and also because our staff had just revamped our disaster plan to coordinate with our renovated facility.

Our response didn't stop there. We organized a recognition picnic for everyone involved and a fund-raiser for our scout camp family that lost everything. It was Burgess at our finest, and it's important that we all share in that pride.

Other highlights of the year which signaled important progress for Burgess include:

  • Digital mammography was introduced in Radiology to provide physicians and our patients with the most detailed images available.
  • We welcomed area residents for an open house of hospital tours and a picnic lunch which celebrated the completion of our historic $10 million expansion and renovation project. At this event we also recognized the dedication of our medical staff and health care providers.
  • Our Radiology, Oncology and Mental Health Departments all moved to new spacious quarters as part of our major renovation. Our busy ER also completed its remodeling.
  • We continued to record high scores at or above the 95th percentile for exceptional customer service in Surgery, ER, Radiology, Home Health, Inpatients and Burgess Family Clinics. The numbers show that we never stop working to do our best to serve you and your family.
  • We were pleased to welcome Dr. Mary Groda-Lewis, a physician with a notable background and obstetrical care experience, who joined our medical staff and the Family Medicine Clinic.
  • A new physical therapist arrived to work in our spacious, new Physical Therapy Department and outreach clinics.
  • We invited the community to two new major events -- the Wear Red luncheon for heart health education for women and the Big Blue Run run/walk event along Blue Lake.
  • We reached out to the community with Burgess Advantage trips to enhance quality of life and continued offering Health Smart Kids to area schools to improve healthy living.

 

The Burgess Vision is to be the Best Rural Healthcare System in America. We have excellent facilities and a staff that excels in providing exceptional patient experiences. With the Foundation’s commitment to physician recruitment Burgess will be ready to serve the needs of our service area far into the future.