UnityPoint Health

11/06/2026

Why does your child’s cough only happen at night? 😴💤

A pediatric pulmonologist reveals why symptoms peak between midnight and 3 a.m. — plus easy, doctor-approved tricks to soothe their cough and get everyone some sleep. https://uph.link/f4n

Children who cough at night, especially when they seem perfectly healthy, can have a variety of things going on. Learn what’s normal and when to worry.

11/05/2026

A routine breast MRI changed everything for this UnityPoint Clinic pediatrician.

Kim Stromert spends her days caring for children as a pediatric nurse practitioner, but she suddenly found herself on the other side of care after a routine breast MRI caught cancer early.

Six years earlier, Stromert found a lump during a self-exam and followed up with her primary care provider. While that initial lump was benign, a mammogram revealed she had dense breast tissue. Because of this, she was advised to alternate mammograms and MRIs every six months as a proactive screening measure.

That routine choice saved her life. A suspicious spot found during her December 2025 MRI was confirmed to be cancer after a biopsy.

“If I wouldn’t have done the supplemental MRIs, we probably wouldn’t have found this,” Stromert says.

Facing a diagnosis, Stromert leaned on her team at UnityPoint Health and local cancer center. From her care coordinator, who helped calm her nerves and schedule appointments, to her oncologist and surgeons, every step was met with expert care and compassion. She also utilized comprehensive support services, working with a cancer exercise specialist to regain strength and an oncology social worker who supported her entire family.

Now, Stromert is back doing what she loves at UnityPoint Clinic. But she returns with a message for women everywhere: prioritize your health, stay on top of your screenings and talk to your doctor if something feels off. https://uph.link/BreastCancerCare

Image descriptions:
1. Kim in a green hospital gown rests in a hospital bed while another healthcare professional stands beside the bed using a stethoscope.
2. Kim in a green hospital gown sits upright in a hospital bed while holding a phone.
3. Kim in blue scrubs with a stethoscope sits beside a computer workstation in a medical exam room.
4. Family of six poses together in front of a large staircase with glass railings.

11/05/2026

"I knew something wasn't right."

After several days of being sick, 4-year-old Jack tested negative for COVID, RSV and the flu. Even when a febrile seizure sent him to the emergency department, it would have been easy to assume a high fever was to blame.

But Jack's mom felt something more was going on.

“He was acting almost delirious, seemed extremely uncomfortable and was clearly bothered by his head. He didn’t even want to watch TV, which was so unlike him,” she says.

She's grateful the emergency department team listened to her concerns and took them seriously. They ordered additional tests right away and quickly discovered bacterial meningitis, a serious infection affecting the brain and spinal cord that requires immediate treatment.

This fall, about 18 months later, Jack started kindergarten as a healthy 5-year-old.

Wanting to mark the occasion, Jack's grandfather sent a heartfelt note thanking pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Joel Waddell and the emergency care and hospital teams for the care that helped make this milestone possible. Jack's family described Dr. Waddell as "instrumental" in Jack's care and recovery and praised the expertise, compassion and quick action of the entire team.

"We truly cannot thank you enough for your hard work and dedication," the family wrote. "You are most definitely appreciated by our entire family."

Today, Jack is busy learning, growing and making memories with his family and at school.

Image descriptions:
1. Adult leaning beside a child resting in a hospital bed with medical tubing and monitoring equipment nearby.
2. Child resting in a hospital bed under a blue vehicle-print blanket, with a nasal tube and a Spider-Man plush beside their face.
3. Child resting with eyes closed in a hospital bed, wearing a patterned hospital gown with medical tubing secured near the nose and mouth.
4. Four people posing together outdoors for a family photo in a sunlit, tree-filled setting.
5. Two children standing together in a grassy, wooded area with fallen leaves, one resting their head against the other.
6. Child wearing a backpack and standing in front of colorful balloons and a sign reading “First Day of Kindergarten.”

11/04/2026

New Medicaid eligibility requirements may affect coverage for Medicaid members in the coming months. Please keep your contact information current with your state Medicaid office and contact them directly if you have questions about whether the changes affect you and if you need to take any action. UnityPoint Health does not determine Medicaid eligibility, but we're committed to ensuring our patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it. As a community-based, not-for-profit health system, these changes do not affect anyone’s ability to receive care from their trusted providers at UnityPoint Health For questions about your coverage or eligibility, contact your state Medicaid agency directly.

State Medicaid Resources:

Iowa: https://hhs.iowa.gov/medicaid/plans-programs/iowa-health-wellness-plan/ihawp-community-engagement-requirements
Illinois: https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/medicaidguide/changes.html
Wisconsin: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm
South Dakota: https://dss.sd.gov/medicaid/HR1.aspx
Nebraska: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WorkRequirements.aspx

Image description:
Blue UnityPoint Health graphic reading, “Know the new Medicaid changes in your state,” with Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska listed below and illustrated along the right side.

11/04/2026

Your child needs two flu shots their first season. A pediatrician explains why. https://uph.link/15c

If you’re a parent, you want the absolute best protection for your little ones. Nathan Boonstra, MD, UnityPoint Health, explains how the flu vaccine is a proven way to safeguard babies and toddlers right from the start.

11/02/2026

Spend a minute with Katie, a homecare nurse who found the ultimate balance between science, patient care and flexibility.

Homecare offers a unique perspective you won't get anywhere else — seeing patients in their own environment while backed by a supportive team and financial benefits to keep growing your career.

Ready to make a difference in your community? Join our team today: https://uph.link/JoinOurTeam

Video description: This 2 minute 25 second video follows Home Care RN, Katie, throughout a day of work supporting patients in their homes.

11/02/2026

This is what an expert on nutrition and cancer says about it. http://ms.spr.ly/6183aN8v1

An oncology dietitian with UnityPoint Health breaks down the science behind diet and cancer risk.

10/31/2026

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.

10/30/2026

Love sweets? Here's what a doctor wants you to know about sugar cravings, your blood sugar and long-term health. https://uph.link/eeh

Have you ever wondered how much sugar is too much? An endocrinologist with UnityPoint Health breaks explains what happens in your body when you consume too much sugar and how it affects your health over time.