Test Iowa program to end operations on July 16 IDPH and SHL planning to provide free at-home test kits to Iowa residents
(Des Moines, IA) – Test Iowa, the state’s large-scale, free COVID-19 testing program which launched in April of last year, will end operations on July 16, 2021. Staggered closings of its drive-thru test sites and clinic locations statewide will occur over the next five weeks.
The five state-operated drive-thru locations will close when testing concludes at 4 p.m. on the following days:
· Wed., June 23: Pottawattamie County (3236 Nebraska Ave., Council Bluffs)
· Thurs., June 24: Linn County (Windstar Lines, 5755 Willow Creek Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids)
· Fri., June 25: Black Hawk County (4121 Alexandra Drive, Waterloo)
· Fri., July 16: Polk County (4475 NE 3rd St., Des Moines)
· Fri., July 16: Scott County (North Park Mall, 320 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport)
Clinic site closures will be determined by provider, but will occur no later than Friday, July 16. Closing dates will be announced publicly and posted online at coronavirus.iowa.gov and testiowa.com.
Demand for testing is at its lowest levels in more than a year since vaccine is now widely available and virus activity has significantly decreased. However, ensuring the availability of free COVID-19 tests for Iowans remains a priority. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and State Hygienic Lab (SHL) are finalizing plans now to provide at-home test kits free of charge to Iowa residents following the closure of the Test Iowa program. More details will be provided in the coming weeks. Additionally, COVID-19 testing will continue to be provided by health care providers, pharmacies, and other retail testing sites statewide.
Test Iowa is a public-private partnership between the State of Iowa, Nomi Health, Domo and Qualtrics that provided access to 540,000 PCR test kits plus the equipment and technology to automate the testing process. The program significantly improved Iowa’s testing capacity early on during the pandemic when supply nationwide was extremely limited.
Governor Reynolds announced the launch of Test Iowa during a press conference on April 21, 2020, just six weeks after Iowa’s first positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. The first drive-thru test site opened in Des Moines on April 25, and within a few weeks, the program expanded to include several more sites statewide. On May 27, the first clinic site opened in West Burlington, a collaboration between the state and local health care provider Great River Health to increase testing access in rural regions, a model which expanded to more than 20 clinic sites serving communities across the state.
Test Iowa also provided the state with a robust data platform to effectively manage its COVID-19 response. Real time data allowed the state to track trends in virus activity down to a zip code and respond with targeted strategies to contain it. The platform also enabled the state to share its data easily and transparently with Iowans throughout the course of the pandemic.
Since opening, nearly 644,000 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 at a Test Iowa site, making it Iowa’s top testing option. Testing peaked on Nov. 23, 2020, when more than 6,700 individuals were tested on a single day. Approximately 400 total tests per day are now being conducted across all 17 drive-thru and clinic sites currently open.
Drive-thru test sites will continue to operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while they remain open. Hours of operation vary by clinic site. For more information about locations, hours or scheduling a test, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov or testiowa.com.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive and you have not yet been fully vaccinated, you should be tested and remain at home away from others until you know your results. If you are positive for the virus, follow the isolation instructions from your testing provider or local public health department.
IDPH encourages Iowans age 12 and up to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Information about vaccine providers and events statewide is available at vaccinateiowa.gov.
Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is proud to announce that its Emergency Department has been honored with the prestigious Four-Star PRC Excellence Award in 2025. This recognition, awarded by Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC), reflects CRHC’s unwavering commitment to providing outstanding emergency care and exceptional patient experiences.
The PRC Excellence in Healthcare Awards are based on patient feedback and recognize organizations that achieve excellence in patient satisfaction and quality of care. CRHC’s Emergency Department earned this distinction for scoring in the top 25% nationally in key patient experience metrics, placing it among the leading emergency care providers in the region.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award, as it reaffirms our dedication to delivering high-quality emergency care to the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Chamber, Director of Emergency Services. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire Emergency Department team, who go above and beyond to ensure that each patient receives compassionate, timely, and effective care.”
CRHC’s Emergency Department remains dedicated to continuous improvement, implementing best practices and innovative solutions to enhance patient care and experience. This award highlights the department’s success in fostering a patient-centered environment while maintaining the highest standards of medical excellence.
To learn more about the 2025 Excellence in Healthcare Awards, including eligibility and criteria, visit PRCExcellence.com.
About PRC
PRC, a leader in the experience management space, is taking experience solutions to a new level. PRC’s surveys and intuitive reporting focus on changing the way organizations manage and improve five key areas of the healthcare experience—patient, physician, employee, community, and brand. Over 2,800 healthcare organizations across the United States have used PRC to listen, understand, and take action to create cultures of excellence. To ensure clients have access to leading practices, coaches, and learning resources, PRC is partnered with Healthcare Experience Foundation (HXF) to accelerate paths to excellence. PRC’s proprietary healthcare discovery platform is a system designed to drive action, optimize engagement, and increase loyalty while building a positive culture across the healthcare ecosystem. www.PRCExcellence.com
Professional Research Consultants, Inc.
Laurie Speaks
Senior Vice President, Client Success
818-939-4121
LSpeaks@PRCExcellence.com#####
Clarinda, IA – Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Daniel Lister, an experienced orthopedic surgeon, to its Specialty Clinic. Dr. Lister brings over three decades of medical expertise in orthopedic care, specializing in Sports Medicine, Adult Reconstruction, Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy, as well as hand and wrist procedures.
Originally from Rancho Cordova, CA, Dr. Lister has a distinguished educational background. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of California – Davis before obtaining his Doctor of Medicine degree from the California College of Medicine at the University of California – Irvine. He then completed a flexible rotating internship and an orthopedic surgery residency at Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco, CA.
“We are excited to have Dr. Lister join our team at Clarinda Regional Health Center,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of CRHC. “His extensive experience and commitment to high-quality orthopedic care will greatly benefit our patients and community.”
Dr. Lister is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is dedicated to providing top-tier orthopedic services to patients in need of specialized care.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lister, please call 712-542-8232 or visit our website to request an appointment online.
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Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is proud to announce the recent remodeling of our hospice suite and family room, made possible by the generosity of the Jimmy and Lora Lea Fulk family. This beautifully transformed space is a lasting tribute to the Fulks, reflecting their profound values of faith, family, and perseverance.
The renovation, funded by Joyce Fulk Whitney, Dale Fulk, Alice Fulk Wisner, and Nancy Fulk McKinnon in honor of their beloved parents, ensures that the hospice suite and family room are not only more functional but also provide a sanctuary for those in need of comfort and solace. This gift preserves the Fulks’ enduring motto: “Trust in the Lord. Wait Patiently. God is in control.”
Jimmy and Lora Lea Fulk were humble, hard-working individuals who cherished life on their farm and lived guided by unwavering faith. Their legacy of love, support, and steadfast trust in God continues to inspire those who knew them and now touches the lives of countless families who will benefit from this space.
“To the Fulk Family, your dedication to preserving your parents’ legacy is both inspiring and deeply appreciated,” said Chuck Nordyke, CRHC CEO. “This family room will stand as a testament to the values your parents held dear, serving as a place of hope, connection, and peace for generations to come.”
Clarinda Regional Health Center extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Fulk family for this incredible act of generosity. May this newly remodeled space carry forward the spirit of Jimmy and Lora Lea Fulk—a spirit of humility, strength, and trust in the Lord.
For more information about this project or to learn how you can support CRHC, please contact Jennifer McCall at 712-542-6776 or jmccall@clarindahealth.com.
About Clarinda Regional Health Center Clarinda Regional Health Center is dedicated to advancing exceptional care for the communities we serve. Guided by a commitment to safety, quality, and growth, we continually strive to enhance the healthcare experience for patients and families alike.
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See more photos of this beautiful space here.
As the Clarinda community enters a new year, exciting developments are on the horizon. The Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) has announced plans to establish a new mental health clinic, thanks to a generous donation by the owners of Azria Health Clarinda.
This donation will enable CRHC to expand its mental health services, reaching more patients and addressing critical needs in the community. The initiative reflects the shared mission of CRHC and Azria Health Clarinda to prioritize the health and well-being of Clarinda residents.
“We are deeply thankful for Azria’s generosity and look forward to collaborating on this important initiative,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center. “This partnership represents a commitment to improving access to mental health resources and enhancing the quality of life for our community.”
Azria Health Clarinda, located at 600 Manor Drive, is the premier nursing home in the area. Azria Health Clarinda is known for delivering high-quality care to seniors with professionalism and compassion. Beyond its dedication to senior care, Azria Health actively supports the community through initiatives like this donation.
“We’re proud to partner with Clarinda Regional Health Center to enhance the resources available to the people of this great town,” said Steve Hornung, co-owner of Azria Health Clarinda. “Giving back is central to our mission at Azria Health.”
Co-owner Noah Kaminer added, “This donation is not just about a building - it’s about ensuring Clarinda continues to grow and thrive.”
As the community looks ahead to 2025, the partnership between CRHC and Azria Health Clarinda sets the stage for continued growth and innovation in local healthcare.
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