The Social Services staff at Skiff Medical Center is an integral part of our health care team. They are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones get the support, assistance and highest quality care while in or when leaving the hospital. They're proud to be advocates for patients and do everything possible to make them and their families happy. Our Social Services staff includes (seated) Utilization Review Coordinator Shelby Healey and Chaplain Merle Smith, and (standing) Social Worker Karen Kriz and Social Services Director Lora Mattson.

spiritual services

Skiff Medical Center cares about the emotional and spiritual well being of the entire person. Chaplain Smith offers many types of support for our patients and their loved ones. He offers spiritual support to patients in the hospital and in Hospice, provides emotional support to patients and their families and also coordinates our volunteer program for dogs to visit our patients. He can be reached at (641) 791-4326.

social work/discharge planning

Skiff Medical Center can help provide additional support, even after someone has left the hospital.  We offer assistance in the following areas:

• Long-term care needs
• Home care services
• Hospice services
• Support groups
• Community agency services and/or supplies
• Mental health or substance abuse treatment
• Financial assistance
• Medication assistance

Social worker Karen Kriz can be reached at (641) 791-4309.

utilization review

Skiff Medical Center takes every precaution to ensure a smooth transfer of information. Our utilization review process provides information to your insurance company when you are admitted or have services and also verifies insurance benefits. We also coordinate transfers of skilled care patients into Skiff Medical Center and transfers from one level of care to another. Utilization review also helps coordinate financial assistance.  For more information, call registered nurse Shelby Healey at (641) 791-4346.

department director

At Skiff Medical Center, we believe in assisting our community beyond our own walls. Our department director, Lora Mattson, provides home care visits and also services the entire community through several educational programs.  Lora can be reached at (641) 791-4327.

The Skiff First Dose Fund provides financial assistance for patients who need important prescription medications when they leave the hospital, but cannot afford them. The First Dose fund may be used to purchase the first supply of these medications. Most patients become eligible within a few weeks for other assistance programs such as Medicaid. Assistance is subject to availability of funding in the program.