Contributed photo New IVH medical director Dr. Joseph Hoagbin arrived in Marshalltown in August.

Michigan native Dr. Joseph Hoagbin was recently welcomed as the new medical director of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. For the past 40 years he was employed by Mercy Medical Center in Council Bluffs.

Hoagbin attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate and medical school work. He then served his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. He began practice at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs as an emergency room physician – thinking he would only be there one year – but soon was promoted to medical director of the department.

“I love Iowa and the people here. Iowa values are incredible,” Hoagbin said. “When I started as medical director of that emergency department at Council Bluffs I helped set up EMS services in south west Iowa. I was amazed to see people giving up their free evenings to attend my classes and lectures to be able to serve as EMS personnel not only to their communities, but to visitors who traveled the interstate highway systems in the areas – should accidents occur.”

He added that it was amazing to be on the forefront of emergency medicine and the ever changing aspects of medicine in general while in that position.

But for whatever reason, mergers of health care organizations began to occur and Hoagbin’s job at Mercy was downsized.

“I retired from that job, but I knew I was not ready to stop working in the medical field,” Hoagbin said. “Out of the blue, I received a call form a recruiter telling me I should check out the job of medical director at the Iowa Veterans home that was being advertised.”

Hoagbin said he looked at the position and felt it might be a good fit, so checked with some of his friends living in the area for a recommendation of the community. That too proved favorable. So he arraigned for an interview, toured the town and was impressed with what he saw.

“I love the mission of the IVH and of the state in caring for the veterans, and the interview proved that the executive team and I were on the same page of continuing to get better and make improvements,” Hoagbin said.” “Never have I ever seen a more dedicated nursing staff at all levels across the board as I have seen here at IVH. Everyone is dedicated to our residents, and it is so exciting to see others on the staff with the same passion for care that I have.”

Haogbin began his job at IVH in August 2019. He is in charge of oversight for about 20 staff, and indirectly reaches all 500 residents of the facility – working closely with the commandant and his staff.

He feels fortunate to be in Iowa where providing quality medical care is ranked first in the nation due to the commitment of the medical community. And being a strong advocate for patient care, Hoagbin said it was amazing to see everyone at IVH working together for to make the residents their top priority.

“We always have to strive to do a better job for our residents – we cannot just say we are good or great- as if we do we will surely fail,” Hoagbin said. “I am so glad I took this job here in Marshalltown. I can’t say enough about the people who work here and feel very blessed to be here in such a welcoming community – a community that I want to be an active part of.”