“Skills Are a Beach” at Van Buren County Hospital’s Summer Skills Fair
Keosauqua, IA – July 31, 2025 — It was all sunshine and smiles at Van Buren County Hospital (VBCH) on Wednesday, July 30, as staff gathered for the annual summer Skills Fair — this year with a fun-in-the-sun twist. Themed “Skills Are a Beach,” the event combined hands-on clinical training with festive beach vibes, creating a vibrant atmosphere that emphasized learning, teamwork, and celebration.
Staff were greeted with tropical decorations, beach-themed music, and colorful learning stations that covered a wide range of essential clinical topics. The fair not only reinforced VBCH’s commitment to continuing education but also boosted staff morale with games, tie-dyeing, photo ops, and big prizes.
Sun, Sand, and Skills
Lynndsey Moore, VBCH’s Infection Prevention Nurse, dove into hand hygiene with a hands-on lesson using fake germs and a black light to show proper handwashing techniques.
Therapist Doug Thompson taught attendees how to apply gait belts correctly and shared best practices for safely transferring patients.
Surgical team member Barb Moeller demonstrated how to use the Bair Hugger, a temperature management device that brings a patient’s core body temperature back to normal during hypo- or hyper thermic conditions.
Rhonda Fellows from Population Health provided education on best practices for foley catheter insertion and maintenance, emphasizing infection control and patient comfort.
Jessica Huggins, Nursing Instructor from Indian Hills Community College, offered detailed instruction on wound care — including wound measurement, staging, dressing selection, and healing strategies.
Riding the Wave of Patient Care Excellence
Haley Brewington presented on population health, sharing key information about services available to patients — including benefits and eligibility for veterans.
Tanya Harness from the Emergency Department focused on pediatric critical care, helping staff recognize when a child may need urgent attention by assessing airway, breathing, and circulation. Staff capped the session with a fun quiz to test their knowledge.
Fellow ED team member Kyle Davolt demonstrated the Lucas Device, a portable chest compression machine used during cardiac arrest, giving staff hands-on experience with this critical life-saving tool.
Erin March from the Med-Surg unit showed staff how to access and de-access implanted ports and perform PICC line dressing changes — skills essential for managing long-term IV therapies.
William Cline from Ambulance Services provided a refresher on IV insertion and proper usage of hospital IV pumps, ensuring staff feel confident and capable in emergency and routine situations.
Kristina Rodgers from Clinics trained attendees on the bladder scanner, a non-invasive tool that helps assess urinary retention and related complications.
Alyssa Philips from the Respiratory Therapy department taught about the VOCSN machine which assists patients with different respiratory difficulties.
Community Partnerships & Beachside Perks
Rachael Patterson-Rahn from the Lee County Health Department spread smiles with information on the I-Smile oral health program and gave away free toothbrushes and t-shirts.
Marcella Hannam from Van Buren County Veterans Affairs brought valuable resources to the event, highlighting services available to local veterans and distributing fun, patriotic swag.
After completing the stations, staff headed to the “beachside” fun zone, where they tie-dyed “Survivor” t-shirts, posed in a summer-themed photo booth, and cooled off with scrumptious desserts provided by the VBCH cafeteria.
To top it all off, attendees were entered into a prize drawing with beach-worthy rewards like a Yeti cooler, flat-screen TV, and a variety of gift cards.
“This year’s ‘Skills Are a Beach’ fair was not only educational but uplifting,” said a VBCH representative. “We’re proud of the dedication our team shows to improving patient care, and we’re thrilled to offer an event that makes learning both meaningful and memorable.”
Van Buren County Hospital continues to support its staff with creative, hands-on training opportunities — ensuring the highest standards of care while celebrating the incredible people who make it all happen.
