UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids

10/24/2026

WATCH NOW: UnityPoint Health cardiologists describe TAVR - the minimally invasive procedure done via catheter to replace the aortic valve. St. Luke's introduced TAVR to the Cedar Rapids area in 2016 and is the only hospital in Iowa with the American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR) Certification.



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VIDEO DESCRIPTION: 30-second video that says "TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. It saves the patient the need for having their chest opened up or open heart surgery and instead involves putting in a stented valve usually through the groin. TAVR offers hope for heart patients with inoperable aortic valve stenosis. If left untreated, aortic valve stenosis can lead to serious heart problems. Initially, the procedure was only for patients who were not able to have open heart surgery but now it's available to lower for lower risk individuals as well. The procedure by itself takes around an hour or two, and the next day they will be discharged home if there are no problems. Trust your heart with your local experienced heart teams. There is no reason to travel to have this minimally invasive procedure. Our UnityPoint Health hospitals provide exceptional heart care close to home."

10/23/2026

Talk about a family birthday to remember!

Sisters Brandy Meisheid and Allison Sweeney both welcomed baby boys at St. Luke’s Birth Care Center on Oct. 22, just 29 minutes apart!

The timing was a surprise all around. Allison was due on Halloween, while Brandy wasn’t due until Nov. 13. Neither family knew whether they were having a boy or girl before delivery, either.

The new arrivals are Brandy and husband Michael’s third boy and Allison and husband Luke’s second boy. There was plenty of texting between the sisters as they both went through labor and delivery and now that the babies are here, they’re just steps away from each other in neighboring rooms.

Congratulations to both families on two very special new additions! 💙

Image description: Two adults seated on a hospital bed each hold a newborn baby, with two other adults seated beside them. One baby wears a dark knit hat and is wrapped in a colorful hospital blanket, while the other wears an orange knit hat and a light-colored outfit. The group poses together in a hospital room.

10/23/2026

UnityPoint Hospice invites you and your family to participate in a candlelight memorial service honoring loved ones who've recently passed away.

Friday, November 5 | 5:00 p.m.
Indian Creek Nature Center
5300 Otis Rd. SE | Cedar Rapids

Guests are encouraged to bring a framed photograph of the person they're honoring to display during the service. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served.

As part of the memorial service, there will be a special time of remembrance during which each loved one's name will be read aloud. If you are unable to attend but would like your loved one's name included, please contact UnityPoint Hospice.

RSVPs are requested by Friday, October 30 by calling UnityPoint Hospice at (319) 481-1553.

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IMAGE DESCIRPTION: Animated graphic showing a flickering candle and text that reads, "UnityPoint Hospice Candlelight Memorial Service. Friday, November 5 , 5:00 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids."

10/23/2026

A plastic surgeon shares what actually helps and what doesn't. https://uph.link/hgq

Losing a lot of weight is a huge accomplishment, but it can come with an unwanted side effect: loose, sagging skin. Learn why it happens, if you can prevent it, whether it goes away naturally and your options if it doesn't.

10/22/2026

After more than 40 years of caring for patients and helping shape healthcare in our community, we recently gathered to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Richard Hodge.

Dr. Hodge began his career in Cedar Rapids after graduating from the Cedar Rapids Medical Education Residency in Family Medicine in 1985. Over the decades, he helped establish what is now UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Marion, was among the providers who helped form what became UnityPoint Clinic, and served in numerous leadership roles across our organization.

Most recently, Dr. Hodge served as Associate Medical Director for Urgent Care and Express Clinics, where he played a key role in mentoring providers, growing access to care and helping ensure high-quality, patient-centered care for our communities.

Thank you, Dr. Hodge, for your decades of service, leadership and dedication to the patients, families and colleagues you have impacted throughout your career. Congratulations on your retirement, and best wishes on this next chapter!

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Images description: A series of photos from a retirement celebration honoring Dr. Richard Hodge. Images show attendees gathering in a conference room, Dr. Hodge posing with colleagues and family members, guests visiting during the event, and a refreshment table displaying retirement cakes.

10/22/2026

Dr. Bilal Rahim, hematologist-oncologist at UnityPoint Health, explains how family history can impact breast cancer risk and what it means for mammogram screening recommendations.

Video Description:
Dr. Bilal Rahim, hematologist-oncologist at UnityPoint Health, discusses the connection between mammograms and family history of breast cancer. He explains how family history may affect your risk, when to start screening, and why personalized screening plans are important for early detection.

10/22/2026

Flu is hitting early this year, and a little shot goes a long way. Leaders across UPH are rolling up their sleeves as a simple way to protect our whole team and community from the virus.💪

Scheduling is simple with online booking: https://uph.link/FluShot

Image description:
A series of photos shows UnityPoint Health leaders receiving flu shots from healthcare professionals in meeting rooms, offices, and clinical settings.

10/22/2026

We are pleased to welcome to Dr. Adipong Brickshawana to St. Luke's Heart Care team.

As a structural and interventional cardiologist, Dr. Brickshawana specializes in minimally invasive procedures to treat heart conditions, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis, transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip), patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat coronary artery blockages.

Read more about Dr. Brikshawana's background, medical philosophy and personal interests by visiting the link in the comments!



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IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic that includes a professional photo of Dr. Brickshawana and text that reads, "Proud to be part of your health care family. Adipong Brickshawana, MD, PhD, Structural and Interventional Cardiology."

Meet Adipong Brickshawana, MD, PhD, working to provide expert, compassionate care in Cedar Rapids, IA. Learn how they will help you live your healthiest life. Specialties: Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology.

10/21/2026

Cancer screening is an important tool for detecting cancers in earlier, more treatable stages, but knowing what to get screened for, and when, can feel confusing, as guidelines vary by age, risk factors, and type of cancer. Joining Dr. Arnold in today's episode to help break it all down is Andrea Watkinson, Director of Oncology Services at UnityPoint Health. She walks through the major cancer screenings by age, clarifies the most common misconceptions, and talks about how early detection really does save lives.

To learn more visit uph.link/CancerCare.

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Video description: Video podcast featuring Dr. Dustin Arnold and Andrea Watkinson seated in a podcast studio and engaged in conversation. They discuss cancer screening guidelines, early detection and preventive care.

10/21/2026

Come check out (and operate!) the new robotic surgery equipment at Jones Regional Medical Center!

Please join us Fri., Oct. 30, 4:30-6 p.m. for an up-close look at Jones Regional Medical Center’s new da Vinci® 5 Surgical System* and discover how robotic-assisted surgery is expanding access to advanced care close to home.

WHAT: Robotic Surgery Community Open House
WHEN: Friday, October 30, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Jones Regional Medical Center Specialty Clinic Lobby (Entrance A)

During the open house, you can:
• Operate the da Vinci surgical robot
• Meet members of our surgical team
• Explore our inpatient, rehabilitation and specialty services
• Learn about career opportunities
• Enjoy refreshments
• Register for prizes
• FREE and open to the community, no RSVP required

*This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $209,040,063.71 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic that contains an image of the da Vinci surgical robot, along with text that reads, “Robotic Surgery Community Open House. Friday, October 30, 4:30-6 p.m.” Logos for Iowa Rural Health Transformation, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and UnityPoint Health Jones Regional Medical Center are at the bottom.