To the Editor:

Throughout November, USDA Rural Development (RD) is celebrating Rural Health Day. I want to congratulate Van Diest Medical Center on receipt of a $751,000 USDA RD Emergency Rural Health Care Grant.

This award is a key part of the Biden Administration’s Invest in America initiative — focused on rural America. President Biden is committed to ensuring the success of rural hospitals and health care facilities by helping them purchase supplies, equipment, renovate, replace operating costs, recover from the recent public health crisis, and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

VDMC will use the funds to purchase ambulances, life support monitors, hospital beds and technology equipment. This award is one example of what Invest in America looks like in Hamilton County.

Theresa Greenfield,

USDA RD State Director, Iowa