Iowans’ alcohol consumption—in volume and frequency—is among the highest in the nation, and puts residents at greater risk for cancer, according to the 2024 Cancer in Iowa report issued by the Iowa Cancer Registry. The annual report, produced by the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, notes that the state of Iowa has the fourth-highest incidence of alcohol-related cancers in the U…

With a steady population of 500,000—plus an additional 4 million visitors each year—having access to convenient, quality care is essential to the livelihood of those who call the Quad Cities home. But how much do you know about University of Iowa Health Care in your own backyard? Explore the variety of services through this interactive graphic. Simply select a location and then a specialty area…

Step into the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) at UI Hospitals & Clinics and you’ll find an atmosphere charged with an almost musical rhythm: monitors beep, alarms buzz, and phones ring, all in a synchronized chorus that works to provide behind-the-scenes patient care. Self-described by members of the CMU team as “the eyes and ears” for nurses and doctors, the individuals who work in the unit…

Jose Morcuende, MD, PhD, doesn’t want any baby with congenital clubfoot to undergo surgery. As the world’s leading practitioner and teacher of the nonsurgical Ponseti method, he aims to make this goal a reality. Developed at the University of Iowa in the 1950s by Morcuende’s mentor, Ignacio Ponseti, MD, the procedure is now widely recognized as a safe and extremely effective treatment for a…

Loss of physical function and independence is a common outcome for older adults with hip fracture. Studies suggest that only 40% of older adults with hip fractures recover to pre-injury levels of function, and as many as 20% of hip fracture patients living in the community prior to injury require nursing home care after the fracture. This loss of physical function is typically due to the loss of…

Cooper Schmidt spent the first 456 days of his life at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Following a successful kidney transplant, several members of Cooper’s care team celebrated with music and bubbles as he left the hospital to make his first trip to his Ankeny home in March of 2022. “Super Cooper,” as he is known, turned 3 in December 2023 and recently celebrated the two…

Jeanie Finnegan, RN, CNOR, and her daughter Ashley Finnegan, BSN, RN, CNOR, represent two generations of nursing with UI Health Care. Although they work in different departments on opposite sides of the organization, they have a lineage of providing patient care that amounts to more than 30 years. Jeanie was drawn to UI Health Care four years ago for ophthalmology. With more than 25 years of…

Sustaining a workout at this pace improves cardiorespiratory endurance. So, knowing your target heart rate helps you pace your workouts. Exercising at the right level of intensity will help you avoid burning out or wasting time with a workout that’s not vigorous enough to help you meet your goals. Cardiovascular exercise (also called aerobic exercise) is especially effective in keeping your heart…