Iowa Specialty Hospital-Clarion has received a grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity to fund the purchase of NeoBlue bilibank lights for their Obstetrics department.
The Variety grant will be used to provide LED blue light phototherapy to babies born at Iowa Specialty who require treatment for jaundice. This treatment safely lowers the bilirubin levels in a newborn’s blood. 
“This gift that we were selected to receive from Variety—the Children’s Charity to purchase phototherapy lights will greatly impact our families we serve,” said Jenn Mewes, Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics OB Leader. “Having this piece of equipment will allow newborns to stay at our facility to be able to receive this treatment instead of needing to be transferred out. This helps to keep mother and baby together, ensuring support to foster their bond.”
Iowa Specialty Hospital is a nonprofit organization serving north central Iowa with orthopedics, bariatrics, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, pain management, family medicine, radiology, nursing (inpatient), ER, laboratory, rehab therapy, cardiopulmonary, pharmacy, and a wide array of specialty services.
About Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa
Variety - the Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are underprivileged, at-risk, critically ill, or living with special needs. Grant funding is provided to programs and initiatives that directly impact the well-being of children in our community.
For more information on Variety grants and programs, please visit varietyiowa.com.
* Pictured are ISH staff members Jesica Mercado, RN, and Chelsea Scott, OB Unit Secretary, with representatives from Variety - The Children's Charity at the Variety Grant Breakfast in Des Moines in September of 2023.
* ISH newborn patient under the NeoBlue bilibank lights received courtesy of a grant from Variety - The Children's Charity
