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Local ER employees honored with Christmas party at Wayward Social

T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown emergency room employees and their spouses held a Christmas party at Wayward Social on Thursday, their first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit America and the world hard across all sectors of employment, but few faced it more directly than emergency room staff.

For that reason, Thursday night’s holiday celebration for UnityPoint Health — Marshalltown’s ER workers was especially exciting. Heidi Rockwell, the ER manager, was fully decked out in Christmas gear and ready to ring in the holiday.

“I would say that everybody’s given extra hours (and) extra time away from their families. There’s been a lot of sacrifice that way,” she said. “I think people are excited to be able to come and hang out with their coworkers when they’re not in the workplace.”

According to Rockwell, employees have been relishing the opportunity to go mask-free and finally see their patients again, and they were ready to blow off steam at Wayward with bowling, food and drinks. The Marshalltown ER employs around 50 people in all.

UPH-Marshalltown Director of Nursing Jen Arneson echoed Rockwell’s compliments for the staff and felt a great sense of pride in celebrating with them.

“They’ve been through so many storms and trials, and we’re just so grateful for them being here,” Arneson said.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.

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