David-Paul Cavazos.

For many people living in our rural communities, healthcare decisions often involve more than choosing the right provider. It can also mean arranging transportation, taking additional time away from work, finding childcare or making a long drive for a relatively short appointment.

While those challenges may seem small individually, they can become significant barriers to care for many of the patients we serve. That’s why expanding access to specialty services close to home is so important.

At UnityPoint Health – Grinnell, we believe patients shouldn’t have to drive an hour or more for high-quality care. Whether it’s primary care, emergency services, surgery or specialized medical treatment, access matters. When care is available close to home, patients are more likely to seek treatment sooner, keep follow-up appointments and stay engaged in their healthcare journey.

That commitment to local access is one reason we’re proud to reintroduce urology services in Grinnell through our partnership with Urology Center of Iowa. Board-certified urologists Dr. Gregory Larsen and Dr. Trevor Wild provide care at our Urology Clinic, allowing patients to receive evaluation and treatment for conditions such as kidney stones, prostate concerns, urinary issues and men’s health conditions without traveling outside the area.

But this isn’t simply about adding providers. It’s about strengthening the healthcare infrastructure that rural communities need to thrive.

When specialty care is available locally, patients benefit from faster access to appointments, more convenient follow-up care and fewer hours spent on the road. Family members and caregivers are less likely to need to take time away from work to accompany loved ones to appointments. Patients can build relationships with providers they see regularly and receive care in a setting that feels familiar and accessible.

There is also tremendous value in care coordination. When our local specialists, primary care providers and hospital teams work together, communication becomes easier and care becomes more seamless. Patients don’t have to navigate multiple healthcare systems, re-explain their needs or travel between locations to receive the care they need.

That continuity can make a meaningful difference in both the patient experience and health

outcomes.

Rural healthcare organizations across the country face growing challenges in recruiting providers and sustaining services, and we know our rural patients deserve the same opportunities as those living in larger metropolitan areas. The answer isn’t asking patients to travel farther for care, it’s finding innovative ways to bring and keep services in the communities where they live.

By partnering with organizations like Urology Center of Iowa, we’re able to bring highly-trained specialists into our community and expand access to local services. These collaborations help ensure our patients benefit from specialized expertise while remaining connected to their local healthcare team.

The return of urology services to Grinnell is an example of what can happen when we focus on access, partnerships and the needs of our community.

It’s also part of a larger vision. We want the communities we serve to remain places where families can live, work and age with confidence, knowing quality healthcare is available nearby. Every new service, specialty clinic and provider relationship helps move us closer to that goal.

Call us, visit unitypoint.org or talk to your primary care provider to learn more. We’re proud to

welcome Dr. Larsen and Dr. Wild to Grinnell. More importantly, we’re proud that patients can once again receive urology consultations, follow-up care and many specialized procedures right here in their community.

David-Paul Cavazos, MBA, is the president of UnityPoint Health — Grinnell.