VirtualMed Iowa

11/05/2026

Why Are You Waking Up at 3 AM?

You fall asleep just fine. But then at 2 or 3 in the morning, your eyes pop open.

You check the clock. You try to fall back asleep. But your mind starts racing and before you know it… it's time to get up.

There are a few reasons this can happen.

Hormone changes: During perimenopause and menopause, changes in estrogen and progesterone can affect your sleep. This can happen years before your periods stop.

Stress: When life gets busy, your brain may have a hard time slowing down. Even when your body is tired, your mind may still be wide awake.

Night sweats: You may not even notice you're getting hot at night. But changes in body temperature can wake you up and make it hard to fall back asleep.

Other health concerns: Sleep apnea, certain medications, and other health issues can also affect your sleep.

Poor sleep is common but that doesn't mean you have to live with it.

And while hormones may play a role… they aren't always the cause. That's why it's so important to listen, ask questions, and look at the whole picture.

If you've been waking up tired and feeling worn down during the day… it's worth having a conversation.

Sometimes the first step toward better sleep is simply finding out what's keeping you awake.

11/04/2026

You deserve more than five minutes and a reassurance that everything is normal.

11/03/2026

This is exactly the kind of experience we want every patient to have when they walk through our doors. 💜

11/02/2026

A message from our provider Rachel…

“I just don't feel like myself anymore.”

This is something I hear from women more often than you might think.

Maybe you're exhausted even after a full night's sleep. Maybe your weight is changing, your moods feel unpredictable, or you're noticing changes in your body that you can't quite explain.

And maybe you've been told everything looks normal.

I want you to know that these concerns are worth talking about.

So, what does your first appointment with me look like?

First, we talk. I want to understand what you've been experiencing, when things started changing, and how those changes are affecting your everyday life.

We'll discuss your health history, sleep, stress, medications, and any symptoms you've been dealing with.

From there, we'll decide together what makes sense. That might include lab work, discussing treatment options, or looking more closely at whether perimenopause or menopause could be playing a role.

One thing I always want women to understand is that lab results are only one piece of the picture. You can have results within the normal range and still be experiencing very real symptoms.

My goal isn't to rush you through an appointment or hand you a quick solution. It's to understand what's happening and help you make informed decisions about your health.

You don't need to have all the answers before coming in. That's what we're here to work through together.

If you've been putting off a conversation about your health, I'd love to meet you.

Rachel Frederick, PA-C
Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
VirtualMed Iowa | Ames, Iowa

10/30/2026

Your doctor's visit and lab work. One location.

At VirtualMed Iowa, we offer on-site labs, making it easier to get the care you need all in one place.

Less running around. Fewer appointments. Faster answers.

Looking for more convenient healthcare? Schedule an appointment with VirtualMed Iowa in Ames today!

10/29/2026

Have you gotten your flu shot yet?

Flu season is here, and VirtualMed Iowa has flu shots available for you and your family.

Don't wait until the flu hits your household.

Schedule your flu shot today with us in Ames!
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=34150-1&practitionerId=34150-1

09/10/2026

Do you need hormone testing to know if you’re in perimenopause?

This is a question I hear often and the answer may surprise you.

For many women, perimenopause is not diagnosed by a single blood test.

Hormone levels can fluctuate significantly during this stage of life. An estrogen or FSH level that looks “normal” on one day may look very different another day. That’s why one snapshot doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Instead, I look closely at your age, menstrual cycle changes, symptoms, medical history, medications, and how those have changed over time.

Blood work can still be valuable. Depending on your symptoms, we may use labs to look for other conditions that can cause similar problems such as thyroid disorders, anemia, or other health concerns.

The important takeaway... normal hormone labs do not automatically mean your symptoms aren’t related to perimenopause.

Good care starts with listening to the whole story before looking at one number on a lab report.

Rachel Frederick, PA-C
Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
VirtualMed Iowa

08/19/2026

Healthcare should evolve with you! 💜

08/11/2026

WE’RE HIRING! Clinical Operations Manager — LPN or RN

Are you an experienced nurse who loves patient care but also happens to be the person who keeps everything organized, solves problems, and makes sure things actually get done?

You might be exactly who we’re looking for.

VirtualMed Iowa is a small, locally owned primary care clinic in Ames, and we’re looking for an experienced LPN or RN to join our team as our Clinical Operations Manager.

This is not a traditional nursing position.

It’s a unique combination of nursing and clinic operations for someone who enjoys taking ownership, improving how things work, and helping a small healthcare team provide an exceptional patient experience.

You’ll help own areas like:

• Patient messages and medication refills
• Prior authorizations
• Vaccines and medical supplies
• Credentialing and compliance
• Clinic workflows, policies and procedures
• Coordination with our provider, clinical staff and billing team
• Solving the everyday operational problems that come with running a growing clinic

You’ll also serve as backup for occasional in-person rooming/vitals needs when needed.

We think this could be an especially great fit for an experienced outpatient nurse, nurse manager, or an LPN/RN who is ready for less traditional bedside nursing and more clinic organization, work-flows, and leadership

Full-time | Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Ames, Iowa
🏠 Hybrid: Clinic + work from home
🩺 LPN or RN required

If you’re organized, dependable, comfortable with technology, great with people, and naturally find yourself thinking “there has to be a better way to do this,” we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply through our Indeed posting here:
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=4d46141b76e9d8b7&from=shareddesktop_copy

Important application note: To keep our clinic team focused on patient care, we ask that all questions and applications related to this position go through the Indeed post. Please do not call, text, email, or message the clinic or our staff regarding the position. Following these application instructions is part of our initial consideration process, and applicants who contact the clinic outside of Indeed will not be considered.

Do you know an LPN or RN who would be perfect for this? Tag them or send this post their way! 🙏

08/04/2026

Answering Patient Question of the Week below!

- Do I really need an annual physical?

Yes! Annual physicals help catch health concerns early, keep you up to date on screenings, and give you time to discuss any changes or questions. Prevention is always easier than treatment.

- How often should I have blood work done?

It depends on your age, health history, medications, and risk factors. Some people need labs every year, while others don't. The goal is to order the right labs not unnecessary ones.

- What's the difference between urgent care and primary care?

Urgent care treats one-time illnesses or injuries. Primary care focuses on your long-term health by preventing disease, managing chronic conditions, and getting to know you over time.

- What are the first signs of perimenopause?

Common signs include irregular periods, poor sleep, hot flashes, mood changes, brain fog, and weight changes. Symptoms can start years before menopause.

- What's the difference between a Pap smear and a pelvic exam?

A Pap smear screens for cervical cancer. A pelvic exam checks the health of your reproductive organs. They're different tests but are often done during the same visit.

- Do I still need a Pap smear if I feel healthy?

Yes! Pap smears are meant to find changes before symptoms develop. Feeling healthy is exactly why routine screening is so important.

- How do I know if my hormones are changing?

Changes like irregular periods, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, poor sleep, and brain fog can all be signs. If something feels different and lingers, it's worth talking about.

- Is weight gain during menopause inevitable?

Not inevitable but can be common. Hormonal changes can make it easier to gain weight, but healthy habits and the right plan can make a big difference.

- Are hot flashes something I just have to live with?

No. There are several treatment options that can help. You don't have to simply "deal with it."

- Can my primary care provider manage menopause, or do I need a specialist?

Menopause isn't a major focus in every primary care practice, but it's a big part of what we do at VirtualMed Iowa. From your first symptoms through postmenopause, we're here to help you understand your options and feel like yourself again.
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