Allen County Regional Hospital

02/10/2026

Congratulations to Brandi, a nurse at Allen County Regional Hospital–Iola Clinic, for being honored as Employee of the Quarter! 🥳

Brandi was nominated twice for this recognition, a testament to the impact she makes every day. She has over a decade of hospital nursing experience and has been with the hospital's primary care clinic for the past two years as a nurse preceptor, taking on additional responsibility as a teacher and mentor.

“Brandi can juggle multiple tasks throughout the day and still have a smile on her face,” her nominator said. “She has received lots of praise from patients who really enjoy her positive attitude and willingness to help others.”

Thank you, Brandi, for all of your hard work and dedication in the clinic! 💙

02/09/2026

Allen County Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Hometown Pie Company are serving up sweetness with another pie-tastic fundraiser! Enjoy a delicious selection of pies and cheesecakes for just $18 each.

✔️Traditional pies: Apple, Cherry, Gooseberry, Peach, Strawberry Rhubarb, Dutch Apple, Cherry Crumb, Peach Crumb, and Pecan

✔️ Whipped topping pies: Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Coconut Cream

✔️ New York Style Cheesecakes: Plain, Caramel Apple, Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, Pumpkin, and Turtle

Orders will be taken through Friday, March 6. You can place your order with any auxiliary volunteer, in the hospital's gift shop, or by calling Becky at 620-365-0632. Don't miss out—pies will be available for pick-up at the hospital on Monday, Mar. 23.

02/07/2026

Allen County Regional Hospital–Iola Clinic's Margaret Lesher, FNP-C, retired last week after more than 30 years of service to Allen County.

Margaret began working at Allen County Hospital in the late-1980s as a nurse and house supervisor in the Medical-Surgical and Emergency Departments. Margaret also taught nursing classes at an area community college—but she wanted more.

"I needed a master's degree to continue, and it was time to decide the direction I wanted to go," Margaret says. "I enjoyed teaching, but wanted to be more hands-on and take care of people. The family nurse practitioner program was a brand-new thing at that time, and family practice felt like just the challenge I was looking for."

In the 1990s, she went back to school and was in the second class to complete the new master's level family nurse practitioner program at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

"The whole thing just clicked for me, and I wouldn't have changed a thing," Margaret says.

Margaret returned to Iola in 1998 and began caring for patients alongside Drs. Hull, Stone, and Walter in the hospital's primary care clinic, the very first family nurse practitioner to practice in the area.

"I feel like I grew up here," Margaret says. "I'm going to really miss everyone at the hospital and clinic, and all my wonderful patients."

Margaret has big plans for her retirement, including trips to New York City to take in some Broadway shows and to Las Vegas for a niece's graduation, but she mostly looks forward to her weekly Canasta games and enjoying frequent lunches with her many dear friends.

We'd like to sincerely thank Margaret, our pioneering nurse practitioner, for three decades of dedicated service caring for our patients and for inspiring so many other young nurses to follow their dreams. 💙

02/05/2026

Looking for the perfect Valentine gift? Come visit Kay at the Allen County Regional Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop! 💌

Every purchase helps support scholarships and initiatives that benefit our patients and staff. We're open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Your support makes a difference!

02/03/2026

For nearly 150 years, Saint Luke's has served our region with expert, compassionate care.

First breaths. Strong heartbeats. Clear scans. You trust us with life’s most precious moments.

Today, we're stepping forward with a new look as part of BJC Health. While our logo is changing, our commitment to our patients, their families, our team, and our community never will. We love Allen County and the people who make it home.

We are Saint Luke's—and we're All For Allen County.

Because every moment deserves exceptional care. 💙

01/27/2026

Snowflakes are falling at Allen County Regional Hospital this winter, but these hold a little extra meaning. ❄️

The Senior Life Solutions team at Anderson County Hospital in nearby Garnett has been busy sprinkling snowflakes down our halls and around our community. These snowflakes offer a quote inspiring strength, a moment of serenity, or smiles to help chase away the winter blues.

The Senior Life Solutions program at Anderson County Hospital is designed to meet the unique needs of older adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety and serves patients across the area. Learn more: https://heyor.ca/5KbrJI

01/23/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning across Eastern Kansas and much of Missouri this weekend with freezing temperatures and snow. Cold weather poses health risks for some individuals that increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Dr. Staci Reintjes, an emergency medicine physician, explains to KMBC 9 why hospitals see an influx of patients when the weather gets this cold. Watch now: https://heyor.ca/SlckT9

Learn more about Saint Luke's:https://www.saintlukeskc.orgConnect:https://www.facebook.com/saintlukeskchttps://twitter.com/saintlukeskchttps://www.instagram....

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Allen County Regional Hospital! 🎄

12/23/2025

There’s been a lot of buzz around the Allen County Regional Hospital–Iola Clinic—and for good reason! Julia, a medical assistant at the clinic, was recently honored with the Saint Luke’s BEE Award! 🐝

Julia was nominated for her calm and professional attitude and for consistently exceeding expectations in her role.

“Julia demonstrates a strong willingness to assist others and embraces learning opportunities,” Julia’s nominator shared. “Her cheerful demeanor and constant smile make her patients feel more at ease, and she proves to be a significant asset to the team."

The Saint Luke’s BEE (Be Exceptional Every Day) Award recognizes nursing assistants, medical assistants, technicians, and other clinical staff who help provide compassionate care, clinical excellence, and serve as role models every day.

Congratulations on this honor, Julia! 💙

12/22/2025

Garrett, a nurse in the Med/Surg Department, was recently honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses! 🌼

Garrett’s kindness, compassion, and patience helped a patient through a difficult time.

“Garrett offered gentle encouragement and turned the experience into one where the patient felt genuinely supported and cared for,” his nominator said. “It was a perfect reminder that extraordinary nursing doesn’t just happen in big, dramatic moments, but also in the most basic human ones.”

Congratulations, Garrett! We appreciate your kindness and dedication to providing compassionate care! 💙