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CRHC Awarded CON for Installation of New PET Scanner

  • By Clarinda Regional Health Center
  • 01 Nov, 2024

Clarinda Regional Health Center Awarded Certificate of Need to Install In-House PET Scanner, Expands Radiology Services with Advanced Imaging Technology

Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a Certificate of Need (CON) to install a permanent, in-house Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. This addition will be the only in-house PET scanner in the area, bringing a new level of advanced diagnostic capability to patients throughout the region.

As part of this radiology expansion project, CRHC is also installing all-new, state-of-the-art MRI, CT, and Nuclear Medicine equipment. This investment underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing top-tier diagnostic services, enhancing patient access and advancing exceptional care.

With this new PET scanner and upgraded imaging equipment, CRHC patients will benefit from seamless, high-quality access to diagnostic services, eliminating the need for a mobile PET scanner, which currently visits the facility only twice a month. The in-house scanner will enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of critical conditions, including cancer and cardiac disease, by providing flexible and timely access to essential imaging.

“This in-house PET scanner is a game-changer for our patients and the quality of care we’re able to provide,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center. “Having this advanced diagnostic tool on-site, along with our new MRI, CT, and Nuclear Medicine equipment, means we can offer more flexible scheduling and eliminate the wait times associated with mobile imaging services. This is a critical step forward in delivering the exceptional care that CRHC is dedicated to providing to the communities we serve”

The addition of the PET scanner and other imaging advancements demonstrates CRHC’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology to make high-quality healthcare more accessible. These improvements will not only strengthen the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities but also support physicians in developing faster, more effective treatment plans for improved patient outcomes.

The PET scanner is expected to be installed by the end of November, with services anticipated to begin for patients by mid-December. The new MRI has been installed and the CT, and Nuclear Medicine equipment installations will follow as part of the phased radiology expansion.


About Clarinda Regional Health Center
Clarinda Regional Health Center is a Critical Access Hospital committed to advancing exceptional care for residents of Clarinda and the surrounding region. With a focus on patient-centered care, CRHC continually invests in the latest medical technology to enhance patient outcomes and access to healthcare.

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By Clarinda Regional Health Center 28 Oct, 2024
Can you believe it? The new year is fast approaching and your list of things to do is probably fairly long as this point in 2024. We're not just talking about holiday planning either. At Clarinda Regional Health Center we want to make sure you are paying attention to your body too. Don't keep putting those health concerns to the side. 

Have you met your deductible?
If you've met your medical insurance deductible, every day between now and December 31st is your chance to receive some notably less expensive medical "self-care." Think of things like screenings, elective surgeries, scans or testing. Right now is a great time to look into those items you've been putting off the entire year. Some of these procedures you can schedule yourself too!

What is a Health Care Deductible and does everyone have one?
Your health care deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for medical expenses before your insurance "kicks in" and your insurance provider pays for your procedures. And no, not all health care plans are the same, so not everyone has a deductible. To be sure if you have one, contact the number on the back of your medical insurance card and ask what your specific plan benefits are. 

Here is an example: If you have a $1,000 health care deductible, you're responsible for paying for all your health and medical expenses until you reach that $1,000 mark. Once you have reached that limit, whatever it is - it could be more or less - you've met your deductible. At this point, your insurance provider can now begin paying for a large portion of your health care costs. 

How Do I know If I've Med My Health Care Deductible? 
Your health insurance company will likely have a website that will let you log in and view your deductible status. Again, you can check the back of your insurance card for a phone number to contact to ask those specific questions as well. Or, if you keep track of your medical expenses or explanation of benefits your insurance company mails to you after a visit or procedure, those sometime indicate if your deductible has been reached by showing that you don't owe anything out of pocket. 

What type of visits or procedures should I schedule before the end of the year?
Most families, at this point in the year, have met their deductible and out of pocket maximums (or the highest amount you'll have to pay), so consider these types of visits before the December 31st deadline. 
  • Elective Surgeries : These are the types of surgeries are the things that are put off by patients for long periods of time until they end up resulting in an emergent situation down the road. After reaching your deductible, elective surgeries become much more affordable, depending on your insurance plan. 
    • Anti-Reflux Surgery
    • Ear Tube Surgery
    • Eye Surgery for Cataracts
    • Gallbladder Surgery
    • Hernia Repair
    • Ulcer Surgery
    • Lower Extremity (Foot & Ankle) Surgery
    • Mole removal
  • Elective Appointments: These types of visits also might be something you put off, but probably aren't life threatening if delayed. But these types of visits could definitely result in a healthier versions of yourself and are worth looking into. 
    • Physical Therapy
    • Pelvic Floor Therapy
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Dry Needling
  • Screenings: Theses are generally diagnostic tools that are an important piece of your own personal healthcare puzzle. Screenings are used to detect a variety of illnesses, including different cancers. Depending on your age and existing health conditions, ask your provider if you should schedule some of these screenings. 

Take care of yourself all year long!
At CRHC our team is here for you 365 days a year. We'd prefer if you take advantage of all the services at Clarinda Regional Health Center throughout year instead of delaying important medical care, but we know that sometimes making your health a priority, along with the rising costs of everything, can be difficult. That's why we want to make sure you know the advantages your medical insurance can provide. So you let us know what is ailing you! We have the services, programs, and highly skilled teams you need to handle whatever health concerns you have. 

Check out our Request an Appointment tool online to get your foot in the door before the end of the new year. Talk to your provider about any healthcare concerns you have. You deserve the healthiest version of yourself today and in the new year!

By Clarinda Regional Health Center 25 Oct, 2024

Make note of upcoming closures at CRHC and it's clinics to observe year end holidays November 2024 through January of 2025!

We are grateful for each and every one of our team members and the dedication they have shown to our patients throughout the past year. To show our appreciation, we want to make sure our team members have plenty of time to spend with their families. The Emergency Departmentis always open and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year for any emergency health care needs.  


Below is a list of our upcoming holiday closures and which clinics are affected:


Holiday Hours for CRHC's   Walk-in Clinic :

-Thanksgiving Day (11/28): CLOSED

-Black Friday (11/29): OPEN 8am - 4pm

-Christmas Eve (12/24): OPEN 8am - 4pm

-Christmas Day (12/25): CLOSED

-Day After Christmas (12/26): OPEN 7am - 7pm

-New Years Eve (12/31): OPEN 8am - 4pm

-New Years Day (1/1): OPEN 8am - 4pm


Holiday Hours for All Other CRHC Clinics:

Including Clarinda Medical Associates , Specialty Clinic , Villisca Family Health Center , Bedford Family Health Center , Clarinda Mental Health Center , Rehab & Sports Med Center  and the Infusion Center :

-Thanksgiving Day (11/28): CLOSED

-Black Friday (11/29): CLOSED

-Christmas Eve (12/24): CLOSING AT NOON

-Christmas Day (12/25): CLOSED

-Day After Christmas (12/26): Normal Clinic Hours

-New Years Eve (12/31): CLOSING AT NOON

-New Years Day (1/1): CLOSED



To stay up to date with clinic closures, events or happenings at Clarinda Regional Health Center and any of their community clinics we encourage you to follow us on social media!

By Clarinda Regional Health Center 27 Sep, 2024

Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is excited to announce the addition of Gracie Brown, MS, CCC-SLP , to its growing team of healthcare professionals. Gracie joins CRHC as a Speech-Language Pathologist, bringing a passion for helping patients overcome communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.

Gracie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Iowa in 2022. She then pursued her Master of Science in Speech-Language-Hearing Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she gained extensive training in diagnosing and treating a range of speech and language impairments.

Gracie holds certifications in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) training, making her exceptionally skilled in addressing cognitive and swallowing disorders. Her specialized training, equips her to provide comprehensive care to a wide range of patients, from pediatric to geriatric populations.

"Gracie's dedication to improving the lives of her patients and her commitment to Advancing Exceptional Care in her field makes her a perfect fit for our team," said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center. "We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will make in the lives of our patients."

Gracie’s specialties include providing evidence-based interventions for individuals facing speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing challenges due to various medical conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and developmental delays. She is committed to offering personalized care to each patient, working closely with families and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Clarinda Regional Health Center remains dedicated to offering high-quality healthcare services to the community, and the addition of Gracie Brown is another step toward fulfilling this mission. Patients in need of speech-language pathology servicescan now benefit from her expertise right here in Clarinda.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Gracie Brown, please contact Clarinda Regional Health Center at (712) 542-2176 or visit our website at www.clarindahealth.com.                                                                 


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By Clarinda Regional Health Center 25 Sep, 2024

Drive-Thru Flu Shots on October 19th from 8-9am

Flu season is upon us! To keep our community safe CRHC is putting on their annual Flu Shot Clinics in all of our clinics, but we will also offer a one-time Saturday morning drive-thru flu shot clinic for added convenience for our patients and community members. Influenza vaccines will also be available if you walk-in and request one with our walk-in nurse in our CMA clinic and in our community clinics in Villisca and Bedford.

Saturday, Oct. 19th | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
No pre-registration is necessary! Drive-Thru clinic will close once everyone in line as been assisted. 

Located at Clarinda Mental Health Center's parking lot, 400 W Glenn Miller Drive in Clarinda, IA. Use the West entrance of the Mental Health parking lot. You will not need to leave your vehicle! Check-in will occur at the front of the building. You may exit behind the mental health building onto West Laperla Drive. See image below for a map with directions.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE FLU SHOT DRIVE-THRU OPTION:
-No Preregistration is necessary
-Please bring your insurance card
-Please bring a form of photo identification
-If self paying out of pocket for your vaccine, cash, check or credit card will be accepted

Regular Influenza Vaccine will be offered to those ages 6 months through 65 years. Out of pocket cost is $40.
High Dose Influenza Vaccine will be offered to those over the age of 65 years. Out of pocket cost is $85.



FOR WALK-IN FLU SHOTS AT OUR CLINICS:
Bedford Family Health Center  clinic hours:
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Villisca Family Health Center  clinic hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM


CMA Walk-In Nurse hours :
(Flu shots are not given in the Walk-In Clinic , you need to check in and ask for the walk-in nurse in CMA Clinic)
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00 PM


If you have any questions about Drive-thru Flu Shots please contact Lara Nothwehr at 712-542-8252 or email her at lnothwehr@clarindahealth.com
By Clarinda Regional Health Center 02 Sep, 2024
Wellness Lab Draws are set to begin mid-October. Learn more!
By Clarinda Regional Health Center 11 Jul, 2024

Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Liliya Gandrabur.  Beginning this summer, patients in our community will have virtual access to Dr. Gandrabur's comprehensive rheumatology services.


Dr. Gandrabur, a Board-Certified specialist in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, brings a wealth of expertise to CRHC. She is a distinguished graduate of Ross University School of Medicine and is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Romanian, Russian, and French. Her diverse background and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions make her an invaluable addition to our team.


Rheumatology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. These conditions can impact joints, muscles, and bones, often leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and potential joint deformities. Dr. Gandrabur’s expertise includes managing conditions like arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders, which can significantly improve the quality of life for affected individuals.


“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gandrabur to our Specialty Clinic,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center. “Her specialized skills in rheumatology and her ability to communicate in multiple languages will be a tremendous asset to our patients. At CRHC, we strive to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community, and Dr. Gandrabur’s addition to our team underscores our commitment to providing exceptional care.”


For more information about rheumatology services or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gandrabur, please visit our website or contact CRHC's Specialty Clinic at 712-542-8232.


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