Mercy Cedar Rapids

08/21/2026

Welcome to the world, baby Scottie!

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

As dementia progresses, it's natural to focus on what has changed or what has been lost. But, according to Geriatrician Dr. G. Allen Power, quality dementia support isn't measured only by managing symptoms — it's measured by supporting what makes us human.

Learn about Dr. Power's seven domains of well-being in this family caregiver’s guide to helping your loved one live well: https://www.dewolfinnovationcenter.org/home/services/trusted-caregiver-articles/the-7-domains-of-well-being-dr-power/

08/19/2026

Welcome to the world, baby Rexton!

08/18/2026

As an OR Nurse Clinician, Paige knows that every surgery is a team effort. From preparing for procedures to caring for patients throughout their surgical journey, Mercy’s Surgical Services team plays an important role in delivering exceptional patient care.

Interested in a career in surgical services or nursing at Mercy? Explore career opportunities at www.mercycare.org/careers.

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Hall-Perrine Cancer Center Valet, Tony, who recently received a Mercy Touch Award!

The nominator explained that it was late in the workday when they were taking the patient back to their car, which had been parked in front of the building by valet.

“Tony had pulled up in his personal vehicle, got out, and went up to the patient's vehicle to make sure all was ok and closed her door," the nominator wrote. "He could easily have driven by with no harm, but he took his time to add The Mercy Touch to that patient's day.”

Thank you, Tony, for your thoughtfulness and concern even after your shift had ended! We appreciate you!

08/17/2026

As back-to-school season brings dress requirements to mind, it’s fun to look back at the uniforms worn by Mercy nurses through the decades.

Early Mercy nursing uniforms were formal and carefully maintained, often featuring full-length dresses, starched aprons and caps. The nursing cap was a treasured symbol of achievement and school identity with stripes showing a nurse’s rank and training. However, these uniforms were heavy, restrictive and difficult to launder.

As the years passed, aprons disappeared and uniforms shifted to knee-length skirts, though the 1959 handbook from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing show that appearance standards remained very detailed:

“Be certain that your shoes, hose, and shoestrings are clean and be certain, too, that your hose do not have runners ... Your hair should be shiningly clean and curled tightly enough so that it is well off your uniform collar.”

By the 1960s and 1970s, changing social expectations influenced nursing uniforms. As more men entered the profession and women pushed for greater workplace equality, traditional dress uniforms began to feel less practical for modern nursing.

In the early 1970s, many hospitals, including Mercy, began permitting pantsuits. This was a welcome step toward comfort, mobility and modern practice. Around the same time, the traditional starched cap began to disappear as hospitals placed greater emphasis on infection control and practical day-to-day care. By the 1990s, scrubs had become the standard uniform across hospital departments.

Today, Mercy nursing uniforms reflect what has always mattered most: helping nurses care for patients safely, comfortably and confidently. From crisp caps to colorful scrubs, each generation’s uniform offers a small glimpse into the pride, skill and dedication nurses have brought to their work.

(In the photo, early Mercy nursing uniforms are modeled by Sally Wylie and Betty Mahacek as part of the hospital's 75th anniversary celebrations.)

08/14/2026

Mercy Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Clinic's Staci, CST, (left) and Wolfe Eye Clinic Ophthalmologist Edward Hu, MD, (right) recently returned from a mission trip to Nicaragua.

They were part of the Christian Opthalmic Surgery Expedition Network (ChOSEN) team from Eastern Iowa that contributed 168 phaco cataracts (of the mission total of 426 phaco cataract surgeries and a grand total of 631 eye surgeries) in five days.

Staci said that it was a very long and exhausting week, but well worth it.

"It is so humbling to go there and help these people that have practically nothing, but are grateful for everything," she said.

Thank you, Staci and Dr. Hu, for giving of your time and talents to such a meaningful mission. What an incredible way to make a difference for others!

08/13/2026

Urinary symptoms are common as men age—but they don’t have to be something you simply live with. HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) is a minimally invasive procedure that removes the obstructing prostate tissue responsible for urinary symptoms. Compared with traditional therapies, HoLEP removes all of the obstructing tissue, which can mean greater symptom improvement and long-lasting results.

Mercy is proud to be the only hospital in the community currently offering HoLEP. Learn more at www.mercycare.org/holep.

08/13/2026

Sign up to receive a baby gift from Mercy!

If you or someone you know is expecting, we'd like to help you celebrate with a small handmade gift. Just complete the form at www.mercycare.org/gift so we know where to send it.

Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy!

Mercy Medical Center is a hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA, delivering The Mercy Touch® by partnering technology with compassionate and high-quality patient care.