All faculty members, staff members, and volunteers wear photo ID badges with name, job title, and department. If you have a question about your care, speak up and ask any health care provider.

Medical Staff
A physician will direct your care while you are in the hospital. As the coordinator of your treatment program, your physician should be consulted if you have any questions about your illness or treatment.

Hospitalist Staff
During your stay, you may receive medical care from a hospitalist. A hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. He or she will help manage your treatment and will consult with others providing your care.  

Residents and Fellows
Residents are licensed doctors receiving specialty training under the supervision of an attending doctor. Fellows are licensed doctors who have completed a residency program and are receiving additional advanced training.

Physician Assistants
Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision.

Nursing Staff
A team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants provides you with 24-hour nursing care. The nurse manager directs and coordinates nursing care on each unit.

Pharmacists, Technicians, Therapists, Support Staff
During your stay, many other health care professionals, including staff members from laboratories, the pharmacy, the radiology department, and physical or occupational therapists, may visit you. In addition, many people working behind-the-scenes, such as accountants, engineers, secretaries, food service personnel, and groundskeepers, contribute greatly toward your wellbeing while you are here.

Social Workers
Social workers are available to help patients and family members cope with financial, social, and emotional concerns related to their hospitalization. They help with discharge planning, rehabilitation, and coordinating in-home care services. The department offers interpretation and translation services, and health care benefits assistance. If you would like to speak to the social worker assigned to your unit, please tell your nurse.

Dietitians
The hospital maintains a staff of registered dietitians to meet your nutritional needs. Dietitians provide nutrition assessment, counseling, nutrition education, and instruction as required. If you have questions about your meals or diet, please tell your nurse.

Environmental Services
A housekeeper will clean your room every day. If you notice a housekeeping need in your room, please tell your nurse, and it will be taken care of as soon as possible. Your nurse will change the bed linens.

Spiritual Services
Call 6-2523 from a hospital phone. Chaplains from the Spiritual Services staff are available to assist you with your spiritual needs, regardless of your religious tradition.
To receive spiritual care, please ask your nurse to request a visit from a chaplain. Or, you may call the Spiritual Services office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Patient Representatives
Call 6-1802 from a hospital phone. From outside the hospital, call 319-356-1802. Patient representatives serve as a liaison between patients, families, visitors, and hospital staff, physicians, and administration. They can:

• Answer questions and address concerns or complaints
• Explain hospital policies and procedures
• Help with problem solving
• Offer information about hospital and community services

The Patient Representative Program office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is located near Elevator B on Level 1.

Volunteers
Call 6-2515 from a hospital phone. Our large corps of volunteers supplements the services of the hospital staff in many ways.

Pet Therapy
Research has shown that people in stressful medical situations are comforted by pet therapy and may actually see their health improve because of interaction with animals. In some units, the family pet dog or cat may be permitted to visit you. Also, in some units, a certified dog and handler may be available to visit you. If you are interested, please ask your nurse about the Furry Friends program.