MedQ News: Stakeholder Updates | 2-19-2025
Shaking Off The Cold
UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital Launches K-9 Program to Enhance Safety
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital is proud to introduce its new K-9 program, aimed at enhancing security and safety across the facility. Kyah, a one-year-old German Shepherd, has joined the hospital’s Security team to help ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors, and team members.
Under the leadership of St. Luke’s Security Officer Jim Flint, who brings over a decade of K-9 handling experience, Kyah will assist in deterring disruptive behavior, de-escalating violent situations, and reducing stress and anxiety to patients and staff.
The K-9 program is made possible through the generous support of St. Luke’s Foundation. To learn more, please contact St. Luke’s Foundation at (319) 369-7716.
Mercy Completes Renovation of Emergency Room Waiting Area
Mercy Medical Center is pleased to announce the completion of renovations to its downtown Emergency Room waiting area. This project, made possible by a generous $1 million donation from a local Cedar Rapids couple, reflects a shared commitment to enhancing patient care and comfort.
The newly renovated space is designed to create a more efficient, secure, and welcoming environment for patients, families and staff. Key enhancements include:
Expanded Seating: Nearly double the seating capacity with comfortable furniture options to support the needs of individuals with diverse requirements
Safety Improvements: Incorporation of the latest advanced safety features and improved monitoring stations for security staff to ensure a secure environment for patients and staff
Enhanced Aesthetic Features: Brighter, more welcoming environmental elements, including warm LED lighting and cleanable materials in dementia-friendly patterns and colors
During construction, an adjacent space served as a temporary waiting area, ensuring uninterrupted emergency care. The ER remained fully operational throughout the renovation process.
2/21 Public Reception at Gilded Pear Gallery, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Free
The reception kicks off Gilded Pear Gallery’s newest exhibition featuring Mary Morrison and a showcase of University of Iowa artists that will run from February 17-April 12, 2025.
Beneath The Surface by Mary Morrison will be on display on the main floor, and the Collector Showcase of works from University of Iowa artists will be on the second floor.
For additional details, click here.
3/4 Meet The Author: Dale Kueter, at The History Center, 6:00 PM
Dale Kueter wrote for Iowa newspapers for 41 years, 34 at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1958. He served six years in the Iowa Army National Guard. Dale grew up on a farm near Bellevue, Iowa. After college he married Helen Hayes. They are parents of five daughters and have 14 grandchildren. He has published a children’s book, “Hide the Daddy,” two full-length non-fiction books, “Vietnam Sons” and “The Smell of the Soil,” and a historical novel, “Motel Sepia.” A new historical novel, “Ma Bremer’s Boys,” was published in f 2021.
Kueter likes to fish, travel and is a long-suffering fan of the Chicago White Sox. He and his wife live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Admission: $8.00 General Public, $6.00 Members. Doors Open 5:30 p.m.
For more information and tickets, click here.
3/6-9 Spring EPIC Sale at Firestone Complete Auto Care
Firestone Complete Auto Care, 205 10th Street SE, is having their quarterly EPIC Sales Event. You can get $100 off when you spend $600, $40 off when you spend $250, or $15 off when you spend $100.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, click here.
Now - April Panic on The Titanic! Escape Room
Due to popular demand, additional dates have been added!
After retiring from the grain industry with $4 million, you took a trip to Europe for relaxation and to shop for furnishings for your new home. You decided to journey home on the Unsinkable RMS Titanic. As one of the wealthy and important families, you have been invited to dine with the Captain on the Bridge. The crew interrupted your dinner several times, and the Captain seemed worried. He had just excused himself from the room when the whole ship began shaking, and the door was blocked. You are trapped in the Bridge with no knowledge of how to steer what now seems to be a sinking ship.
Get your team together for a unique team building experience!
Dates available through April. $120 per team (up to 8 participants) with 60 minutes to escape.
For details and registration, click here.
There Are Always Things To Do in the MedQ
A full listing is available on our Things To Do in the MedQ landing page here. Or scan the QR code below and you’ll find phone numbers, addresses and websites.
2/27 Webinar - U.S. Chamber of Commerce: C-Suite to Main Street, A Master Class in Thriving Through Change, 11:00 AM, Free
This 30-minute masterclass featuring Saeju Jeong, Co-Founder and CEO of health and wellness company Noom, who will share his strategies and advice for leading a company through periods of transformation and building a stronger brand as a result.
Key topics will include:
— Navigating change while continuing to grow
— Keeping focused on customer needs
— Developing strategies for testing ideas and measuring results
For more information, and to register, click here.
Add Your Events to The Cedar Rapids Tourism Events Calendar
We encourage you to submit your upcoming events to our Cedar Rapids Tourism calendar! This page is generally the most viewed section on our website! Watch our video tutorial on how to update your account information and submit your events for approval.
Need login info, or did you forgot your password? Please email Mark for assistance.
Phil is Still on Vacation – I am out the remainder of the week, returning to work on February 24th.
Have a question or concern, call or text me at 319-361-8620, or email me at phil@themedquarter.com
