Teare recognized with WHC's Friend of Nursing Award. May 29, 2026 Waverly Health Center's (WHC) Adam Teare, of Waverly, has been honored with the 2026 Friend of Nursing Award. Teare is part of the materials management team. He was nominated for the award by Stephanie Penney, inpatient services director. In her nomination, Penney wrote, "Adam has truly embraced his role in a way that directly impacts patient care and the daily success of our nursing teams. He consistently ensures that our departments are well-stocked and organized, recognizing that timely access to supplies is critical to safe, efficient and high-quality patient care. His reliability allows nurses to focus on what matters most - caring for patients - without delays or barriers." Adam consistently exceeds expectations in his role by demonstrating a high level of initiative and engagement. Rather than simply fulfilling supply requests, he takes the time to understand the "why" behind them, often researching products to ensure nursing staff have the most appropriate tools available to support patient care. He is attentive to usage trends and proactively adjusts supplies when needed, reflecting both foresight and a genuine investment in nursing practice and patient outcomes. He is also highly adaptable. As the needs of the unit evolve, Adam takes the initiative to reorganize and optimize the supply room to better support workflow efficiency. His ability to anticipate changes and respond proactively helps maintain a well-functioning environment in the midst of constant demands and shifting priorities. Adam is a trusted and valued member of the team. His dedication, curiosity and commitment to supporting nursing staff make a meaningful impact every day. The consistent availability of supplies that can easily be taken for granted is a direct result of his diligence, and it plays a critical role in ensuring safe, effective patient care. Nominated by WHC nurses, the annual Friend of Nursing Award provides an opportunity for non-nursing staff or volunteers to be recognized for going above and beyond to support nurses and contribute to the nursing practice. Nursing staff rely heavily on the support from others to maintain the organization and to care for patients.

Waverly Health Center recognized nationally for excellence in rural health care. May 18, 2026 Waverly Health Center (WHC) has received two significant national recognitions, further reinforcing its commitment to delivering high quality, person-centered care to Northeast Iowa. WHC was recently named on Becker's Healthcare "100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know" list for 2026. This national designation recognizes hospitals that are expanding local access to specialty care and positively impacting community health. In addition, WHC earned a 5-star Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). WHC is one of only seven hospitals in Iowa to receive this distinction. This rating is based on a comprehensive evaluation of hospital performance across multiple categories, including mortality, safety, readmission, patient experience and timely effective care. "These recognitions reflect our organizational values of accountability, compassion and teamwork," said Jodi Geerts, WHC CEO. "We are incredibly proud to provide this high level of exceptional care close to home and grateful for the trust our patients and their families place in us every day." WHC is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving Waverly and surrounding communities. The health center offers a wide range of services, including family practice, women's health, surgical services, emergency care, imaging services and specialty care. "These achievements are meaningful because they reflect the experience of our patients and the outcomes of our care," Geerts added. "They affirm our mission and motivate us to continue raising the bar for rural health care excellence."