Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Hospital has been recognized with the 2026 NRC Health Excellence in Patient Experience Award, honoring the hospital’s commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and creating positive experiences for the individuals and families it serves.

Guthrie County Hospital was one of just three Critical Access Hospitals nationwide recognized in the Excellence in Patient Experience-Critical Access Hospital category. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in patient experience across the continuum of care.

Recipients in this category were selected from 198 eligible Critical Access Hospitals based on their combined Real-time Net Promoter Score (NPS) and HCAHPS score for the “Would Recommend Facility” question during the measurement period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.

“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people who make up Guthrie County Hospital and Clinics,” Chris Stipe, chief executive officer, said. “Every interaction matters, and our staff work hard each day to make sure our patients feel heard, respected and cared for. We are incredibly proud to have that commitment recognized at a national level.”

Stipe said when most people think about patient experience, they may think about whether a patient was happy or satisfied with the care they received. He said that while that is certainly an important part of the patient experience, it is only one piece of a much larger picture.

“Patient experience plays a vital role in healthcare,” he said. “It can directly contribute to better health outcomes, improve treatment adherence, and enhance overall patient safety. At GCH, our staff does an exceptional job of focusing on the complete patient experience and providing compassionate, high-quality care that can truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Stipe said what sets GCH apart is the way they welcome their patients.

“From the moment they walk through our doors, we want them to feel valued, respected, and cared for,” he said. “Our staff greets patients with a genuine smile and treats each person as we would a family member or close friend. That sense of warmth and personal connection is at the heart of what we do.”

Stipe said that at GCH, they believe excellent healthcare is about more than treating an illness or addressing a medical need. It is about caring for the whole person and making every patient feel like they are truly at home.

“The NRC Health Excellence in Patient Experience Awards celebrate organizations that are leading the way in patient-centered care. Honorees are recognized for their dedication to creating experiences that put patients first while elevating the quality and overall experience of healthcare,” Danielle Lauzon, safety and quality coordinator, said.

“NRC Health’s awards recognize organizations that consistently deliver experiences that earn trust, strengthen loyalty, and improve healthcare for the people they serve,” Trent Green, Chief Executive Officer for NRC Health, said. “This recognition reflects a sustained commitment to listening, learning, and acting on what matters most to patients, consumers, families, and care teams. We are honored to celebrate organizations that turn insight into action and set a powerful example for healthcare organizations nationwide.”

Guthrie County Hospital staff members say the award reinforces the organization’s ongoing commitment to listening to patients and using their feedback to continually improve the care and services provided throughout the organization.

“We are grateful to our patients and families who take the time to share their experiences with us,” Stipe said. “Their feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to improve. Most importantly, this award belongs to our entire team, whose dedication and compassion make a difference for our patients every day.”

Special to the Times Vedette

September is suicide prevention month. Suicide is serious. Are you prepared to have a conversation with someone about suicide? In the United States, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-24, and the 11th leading cause of death overall. One in 20 U.S. adults (5%) have serious thoughts of suicide each year. Despite these statistics, suicide is still met with silence, stigma or shame. You don’t have to be a therapist to offer help. Here are some tips to guide you in a conversation about suicide.

• Tune-in; really listen to their thoughts, feelings and troubles. Encourage them to tell you more.
• Repeat back to them what you are hearing and ask if they are considering suicide.
• Let them know that suicide is serious and that you would like to help them.
• Connect them to someone who can help; Your Life Iowa, 988, or a local provider in your area.

Most often people don’t talk about their suicidal thoughts because of stigma and shame. They fear they will be unsupported if they say something and are afraid of what others may think of them. Start a conversation if you think someone is considering suicide. You’re simply opening the door to a conversation, not creating a new idea. You can help save their life.

If you or a loved one have been having suicidal thoughts, reach out to Your Life Iowa for free, confidential support. New Opportunities, Inc. is part of the Iowa Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Service System with services funded by the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG). For more information on suicide, please visit the Your Life Iowa website at yourlifeiowa.org or contact New Opportunities, Behavioral Health Department for Mental Health counseling at 712-792-9266.

Special to the Times Vedette

New Opportunities Prevention is reaching out to local social and charitable gambling license holders this year to help organizations create safer, more responsible gambling environments at community events.

Gambling is defined as risking money or something of value on an outcome that is unknown in hopes of gaining something of value. Many folks don’t see a simple game of chance as causing any harm. For recovering problem gamblers, a simple game of chance can offer enough dopamine to trigger further problems. Knowing how to recognize concerns and connect people with support can help make community events safer for everyone. If you hold a social and charitable gambling license, one of their Prevention Specialists will be contacting you to have a discussion about offering a safe environment for your events.

Things to consider

• Does your organization understand the importance of responsible gambling prevention?
• Is your organization prepared to support responsible gambling prevention efforts?
• Do you know where to access problem gambling resources if needed?
• Are you willing to implement or strengthen responsible gambling prevention practices?
• Has your organization taken or plan to take action to support responsible gambling prevention?

New Opportunities Prevention staff members say they look forward to working with community members on this important issue. If you receive a call from one of their Prevention Specialists, take the time to learn what you can do to make everyone’s gambling experience safe and pleasurable.

If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing a problem with gambling, reach out to 1-800-BETS-OFF through Your Life Iowa for free, confidential support. New Opportunities, Inc. is part of the Iowa Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Service System with services funded by the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG). For more information on problem gambling, visit the Your Life Iowa website at yourlifeiowa.org or contact New Opportunities Inc. Behavioral Health Department for Problem Gambling treatment at 712-792-9266.