Blank Children's Hospital Expands Services to UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge, IA (Thursday, May 7, 2020) – After nearly six months in conversation, Blank Children’s Hospital and UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center announce a monumental partnership.

“Together we will be hiring five, full-time pediatric nurse practitioners to join the Blank Children’s Hospitalist team to provide inpatient pediatric and newborn nursery care in both Des Moines and Fort Dodge,” shares Leah Glasgo, President and CEO, UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge.

The innovative UnityPoint Health partnership was created to help keep up with the increasing demands in Central Iowa, while expanding access and inpatient pediatric care to the Fort Dodge region. “We are extremely excited to welcome pediatric-trained nurse practitioners, who are dedicated to meeting the unique health care needs of children and their families, to our Fort Dodge team,” shares Jenn Crimmins, Ambulatory Vice President, UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge. “This partnership also enhances our already existing connection with specialists at Blank Children’s for Neurology, Endocrinology and Pulmonology who provide outreach care in our pediatric clinic.”

Currently pediatric physicians practice in the clinic, round in the nursery and inpatient pediatric units and attend deliveries and caesarean sections. With the addition of the Blank Children’s trained nurse practitioners, hospital coverage will be taken care of by the pediatric hospitalists and provide a better work-life blend for UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics’ providers. The Blank Children’s hospitalists will work closely with the child’s primary care provider and specialists during hospitalization.

Recruitment and onboarding of providers will begin immediately, with an anticipated go-live of Fall 2020.

About UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge

UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge covers an eight county area in North Central Iowa with a population of approximately 137,000. Our vast network of health care experts includes 27 clinics, a regional medical center, care at home and a center for mental health, all working together with the goal of keeping you and our communities healthy. UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge is leading the way with care coordination and patient centered care.