CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Sydney Grewell, a Marshalltown native and Iowa State University graduate, started as the new Marshall County Public Health director on Thursday.

Marshall County Public Health welcomed a new director on Thursday — Sydney Grewell. Former Public Health Director Pat Thompson is there until Feb. 2 to help Grewell become acclimated to the role.

“She is helping me get started on the right foot,” Grewell said.

After 17 years in the county department and four a half as the director, Thompson is retiring to pursue other healthcare-related interests. She said she will work as a nurse at Iowa River Hospice. Thompson said during her last month in the county department, she will help Grewell learn about Public Health and build on the knowledge Grewell already has.

“When I started, I did not know anything about Public Health,” Thompson said. “There is a lot of room for growth and a lot to learn. Sydney will be fine. It’s a new beginning.”

Thompson is happy with her replacement. She added Grewell is very enthusiastic and has the necessary skills required for the job.

“It’s going to be a good thing,” she said. “This is something that has been a part of me and will always be. Retiring is hard, and I have really enjoyed taking care of people. It’s time to let someone else do it for a while.”

Grewell, 26, is a Marshalltown native who worked at UnityPoint Hospital as a patient care technician and a certified medication aide at the Iowa Veterans Home. She also has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in biomedical science.

“I’ve lived in Marshalltown all my life,” she said. “I have always been interested in healthcare, and have worked in healthcare for four, five years. I want to use the degrees I have gained to serve and give back to the community of Marshalltown.”

Grewell said she looks forward to learning the role and continuing the mission Thompson laid out. At the same time, she wants to bring forth some new ideas and movements to help Marshall County.

“I know we have a big mental health need,” Grewell said. “I want to reach out to the community and see what is available and how it can be grown.”

She will work with providers such as Center Associates, SATUCI and Primary Healthcare to bring solutions to the area. Grewell also wants to learn about different in-home services available to residents who might be home-bound. She learned about a service available on the west coast which Grewell said might be useful and beneficial for Marshall County.

“I am looking forward to serving Marshall County and filling Pat’s shoes to the best of my ability,” Grewell said. “I look forward to bringing new ideas to Marshalltown and nearby communities. People can reach out to me with any questions or health concerns they may have.”

DIRECTOR CONTACT INFO:

Address: Annex Building, 101 E. Main St.

Phone: 641-750-1929

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.