OSKALOOSA, Iowa—In the busy halls of Oskaloosa High School, between classes, activities, and social lives, a group of freshmen are making waves not just for their academic skills but also for their commitment to community service and leadership.

Students are going beyond the minimum requirements of the freshman health class and, on their own time, are becoming certified in CPR and AED. Spearheading this initiative is Michelle Lahner, the Oskaloosa High School nurse, who has witnessed a surge in student willingness to obtain life-saving skills.

“This isn’t just about fulfilling a requirement,” Lahner emphasized, “it’s about instilling in these students the confidence to be helpers and leaders.”

Lahner shared that the program, which extends beyond the standard health class curriculum, has garnered significant interest. “Today, I have 10 students who have committed to this extra certification process,” she stated. “In total, 23 freshmen have taken the initiative this year.”

When asked about the significance of this initiative, Lahner stressed the importance of equipping Oskaloosa High School students with the tools to act in emergency situations as students are out and about and living their lives. “Knowing that there are students who can recognize a problem and take life-saving action is invaluable,” comments Lahner.

Emma Clouse, a student taking the certification training, says, “It’s kind of nice to learn how to do it and save someone’s life,” commenting after giving chest compressions on a training mannequin. “If nobody is there to be able to save a life, it’s good to know you can step in.” Clouse’s future aspiration is to pursue a career in healthcare.

Lilyin Dykstra has a personal reason to get/AED certification, “My stepdad’s a fire chief, as well as a new EMT,” Dykstra revealed, “and what I want to do is a fire medic.” Dykstra’s familiarity with emergency situations extends beyond the classroom, as she recounted experiences where her skills were tested. “A family member has collapsed on me before, and I kind of knew what to do,” she recalled. “Getting the proper education really helps. Because if you go into it without having any knowledge, you could actually injure someone.” Dykstra sees the certification benefiting her in both a professional and personal setting.

Leahanna Watters reflected on the leadership skills she’s picked up in class along with the life-saving techniques, “I’ve learned that in order to help, you need to be braver than what you’d like to be comfortable with. You need to be confident in your actions to help people.” Watters shared the necessity of being prepared in emergency situations. “This training informed me of what I need to do and how to stay calm.” Watters’ journey highlights the transformative impact of CPR/AED certification, empowering individuals to overcome fear and take action when it matters most.

The heart of Lahner’s mission is fostering confidence among students. “Students may not have all the answers or tools, and that’s okay,” she remarked, “what matters is that they feel empowered to step in and make a difference.”

Lahner is confident in her student’s abilities. “Many of our students work in childcare centers or babysit,” she noted. “For them, this certification is a vital next step in being prepared for any situation.”

In a world where emergencies can strike at any moment, these Oskaloosa High School students are proving that with knowledge and determination, they can make a difference. As students wrap up their certification, they’re not just preparing for leadership roles in their futures; they’re shaping them, one heartbeat at a time.

OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission will host the first Ottumwa Historic Preservation Awards from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday May 8, 2024 at Central Park.

May is National Historic Preservation month. As the highlight of Preservation Month in Ottumwa, the Preservation awards will recognize the contributions of Ottumwans who have made a lasting impact on preserving buildings downtown. The event will feature a live musical performance by The Chickadees and Papa Zachy’s food truck will have shashburgers available for purchase. After the awards program, guests are encouraged to join Commission Chair Molly Naumann for a guided walking tour of the four historic buildings that surround Central Park: the Ottumwa Public Library, the Wapello County Courthouse, St. Mary’s Church and the Federal Building (City Hall).

“Historic Preservation Month is about celebrating people saving places,” said Naumann. “This year, we want to use Preservation Month as an opportunity to bring the community together for a fun evening to socialize and celebrate the contributions of the people working to save critical historic resources in Ottumwa.”

OSKALOOSA — On May 2nd, the Mahaska County Chamber of Commerce Diplomats joined Mahaska Health’s leaders, physicians, and nurses to recognize the new addition of services available to the community at Mahaska Health. The Ribbon Cutting ceremony commemorates the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art clinic dedicated to women’s health and wellness.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, hosted at the new OB-GYN Women’s Clinic, through Door #3 at Mahaska Health’s Main Campus, featured a tour of the new facilities and an introduction to the new OB-GYN specialists and team. Chamber Members and Diplomats took the opportunity to learn about the services that are now available to Oskaloosa and the greater SE Iowa Region. 

Mahaska Health is actively expanding Women’s Health OB-GYN services in this clinic and with new OB-GYN physician specialists, Dr. Taylar Swartz Summers, DO, and Dr. Garth Summers, DO. The OB-GYN care team offers routine gynecology care, preventive care, prenatal care and fertility care. Having the largest OB-GYN and women’s health team in the region, Mahaska Health offers comprehensive, specialized care at every age and stage of life.

“We are very excited to offer our new OB-GYN services, care, and clinic to the community,” shared Dr. Swartz Summers, new OB-GYN physician. “Our team is working very hard to expand access to care for women in rural communities. This clinic a very important step in meeting the needs of local families!” 

The clinic is open and the specialist team is welcoming new patients. Many more events are scheduled in the next year to educate and provide valuable health resources to the community. Current and prospective patients can learn more at www.mahaska.com/ob-gyn. Mahaska Health extends its sincere thanks to the Mahaska County Chamber of Commerce for their recognition of Mahaska Health’s expanding services.