healthNEWS 2 GCMH now offers the latest advancement in cataracts: dropless cataract procedures. Benjamin Mason, MD, a boardcertified ophthalmologist from Wolfe Eye Clinic, performs these procedures monthly in GCMH’s new state-of-the-art Surgery Department. Cataracts, a common eye condition among older adults, occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to vision problems. Traditional cataract surgery involves replacing the lens with a synthetic intraocular lens, followed by daily post-surgery eye drops for an extended period. The dropless procedure eliminates the need for eye drops, injecting a medication into the eye during the surgery to reduce inflammation. This approach benefits patients who struggle with managing multiple drops or worry about missing doses. Who qualifies? Not everyone is a candidate for dropless procedures. Ideal candidates generally have a stable eye condition without any complicating factors, like significant inflammation, complex eye diseases or allergies to the medications used. Those with a history of eye infections or trauma may still need traditional, post-surgery drops to ensure the best outcome. If you’re interested, you should first talk to your eye doctor, who can evaluate your condition and coordinate with an ophthalmologist. Dalila Husidic, OD, and Stefanie Rohler, OD, local optometrists at Wolfe Eye Clinic in Grundy Center, and other local eye doctors provide comprehensive eye exams and consultations. If you are a candidate for traditional or dropless cataracts, you can ask to be referred to Dr. Mason and have the procedure done at GCMH. If cataracts are affecting your vision, schedule a consultation to see if the dropless procedure is right for you. By Adam Scherling, MHA GCMH President As the largest employer in Grundy County, we take pride in advancing educational opportunities for students. Investing in our future is fundamental to our long-term success and aligns with our mission and vision. At GCMH, our workforce is our most important asset, which is why advancing talent and culture is at the heart of our strategic plan. I’m excited to highlight some of our current initiatives. Career fairs. In 2023, Allen College received a U.S. Department of Education grant to raise awareness of rural healthcare careers through in-person and online opportunities. GCMH partners with Allen College to host career fairs, giving local high school students a firsthand look behind the scenes in several of our departments, including Surgery, Lab and Radiology. Scholarships. Each year, the GCMH Foundation awards scholarships to students in accredited healthcare programs. This year, eligibility expanded to high school seniors planning to enroll in healthcare career programs. Many of these scholarship winners return to work at GCMH. Nurse externship program. Our new RN externship program allows nursing students to be employed on a short-term basis and gain hands-on clinical experience before graduation. Student rotations. We offer students experiences in several areas, including in the areas of physical therapy, radiology and nursing. We recently hosted third-year medical students from Des Moines University, providing education on pulmonary function testing. We love hosting students for their clinical rotations and look forward to hosting more! As we continue to foster our workforce and culture, we remain committed to cultivating the next generation of caregivers. We are honored our team members choose to work at GCMH and provide exceptional care to the communities we serve. Investing in the future of health care Dropless cataract procedures Benjamin Mason, MD Enhance the patient experience: Join our PFAC! Help improve care by joining the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Members work with hospital staff to share feedback, shape policies, and make sure patient and family needs come first. Apply at gcmh.link/patientexperience or scan the QR code.
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