UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown creates $41 million impact

TIMES-REPUBLICAN

UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown generates 494 jobs that add $41,820,288 to Marshall County economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown employees by themselves spend $9,482,212 on retail sales and contribute $568,933 in state sales tax revenue.

“We are very proud to have UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown in our community; they bring a huge value to Marshalltown.” said CEO of the Marshalltown Regional Partnership and UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown board member David Barajas. A community’s healthcare infrastructure is always a key metric that businesses and families review when making decisions on whether to move to a community; or from a business sense, whether to grow or expand in to a community. “This is why it is so important to keep your healthcare local and support our Marshalltown hospital.”

The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state’s health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

“Hospitals and health care are vital to the economy in all parts of the state, both urban and rural,” said IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris. “With more than 330,000 jobs, health care is one of Iowa’s largest employers, and hospitals remain, by far, the biggest contributor to that enormous impact.

IVCCD ranked No. 1 in state LPN program

TIMES-REPUBLICAN

Iowa Valley Community College District has been recognized by the Annual PracticalNursing.org State LPN Program Rankings as the #1 ranked LPN program in Iowa. You can find the full, detailed ranking at www.practicalnursing.org/lpn-programs/iowa#rankings.

Approved programs in Iowa are offered at community colleges, technical centers and private career schools – with 11 schools across the state listed. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, PracticalNursing.org has ranked the top five programs.

Iowa Valley Community College District is made up of two schools offering LPN programs, Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown and Ellsworth Community College, located in Iowa Falls. The Iowa Valley Community College District received an overall score of 98.88 out of 100.

KFJB Renaud retires from broadcasting

TIMES-REPUBLICAN

Lance Renaud, sports director for News Talk 1230 KFJB and Iowa’s Best Country, KIX 101.1 has announced that he is retiring from broadcasting after more than 50 years.

Renaud began broadcasting sporting events while working in college radio in 1965. He Graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970 with teaching certification in Speech and English. Renaud then started working as a sports announcer and weekend disc jockey for KBIZ in Ottumwa in the fall of 1970 and began full time radio in June 1972 with KBIZ radio as a Disc Jockey and doing Sports Play by Play. He became sports director in 1974, with additional on-air sports and weather for KTVO-TV in Kirksville, Mo.

Renaud continued to do sports coverage with KXOF Radio in Bloomfield, KYOU-TV in Ottumwa and KBOE AM & FM in Oskaloosa. In October of 2000, he came to work for Marshalltown Broadcasting Inc. as news director and sports director for News Talk 1230 KFJB and Iowa’s Best Country, KIX 101.1.

In 2004, Renaud was honored as a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and was also honored with Sports Play by Play for the year 2009, with further awards for additional news stories.

Renaud said, “I’ve always tried to give a network style broadcast, done professionally, trying to be neutral in approach, tried to be the eyes for the fans who couldn’t be at the game, but wanted to cheer on their team. Having played, coached and officiated helped in game preparation and delivery. My hat goes off to all the kids who participate in athletics. Throw the season records out the window, all who take part give their best every practice and every game, they are all winners and I tried to bring that out in each broadcast.”

He continued to say, “Without the athletes, coaches, officials and administrators help, and the fans in the stands, the task of sports announcing would have been difficult. It was not a job, but a labor of love.”

“When I came to Marshalltown Broadcasting in May of 2003 I was excited by the sound and professionalism that I heard on the air from Lance Renaud,” said Todd Steinkamp, general manager of Marshalltown Broadcasting. “He was knowledgeable about news and sports and had a delivery that made you trust what he was saying.” Renaud has a storied career with broadcasting, teaching, officiating, coaching and more. It was great that a part of his legacy was here at KIX 101.1 and 1230 KFJB.”

He plans to stay involved with high school sports in some fashion due to the fact that sports have played such a large part in his life even away from the microphone. He has 35 years of officiating football, basketball, baseball and softball. He will be recognized by Iowa High School Athletic Association in April for his officiating service. Renaud has also coached football, wrestling, basketball and track and coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. He has over 400 wins coaching in those years.

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Potential subjects of these business briefs include announcements of new businesses, branch acquisitions, departures of longtime employees, employee recognitions or new hires. Submissions will be edited and run on a space-available basis. Items must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration in Sunday’s column.

Submit brief articles and JPEG headshots to: Names & Notes, Newsroom, Times-Republican, 135 W. Main St., Marshalltown 50158, or call Kathy Beane at 641-753-6611 or email news@timesrepublican.com