For the majority of us, our career paths are never the same. Some may have a career path, which takes them into different jobs, while others may venture down a path that is somewhat steady in reaching their destination. For Cathy Gomez, Deputy Director of Administrative Operations and Service Section Manager of Finance & Administration, her career path has been one full of new educational and career stops. Gomez started her career path by attending North Iowa Area Community College, where she attained her Associate in Arts degree and furthered her path by receiving Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University in Business Management and Management Information Systems. Her educational journey took one last turn to Upper Iowa University where she obtained her MBA with an emphasis in Organizational Management.

Gomez's career path proceeded to Hamilton College, which later transformed into Kaplan University, where she was the Director of Finance for 16 years.  Here, she held the responsibility for student tuition assistance utilizing state and federal funding opportunities. One of her greatest achievements at Kaplan was having a voice in working with Iowa College Aid Commission and state legislators to build and support state tuition aid programs for students. The best part of the job was working with the students, Gomez quotes; "I often met with lost kids that never thought college was  an option for them, and together we creatively found ways to make a college education a reality." She also taught adjunct business and computer courses at Kaplan, and would incorporate 'real-life learning' games and experiences to help students understand their financial obligations and how today's choices impact their future goals.

In 2010, Gomez's career path took a new direction with a position at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health as the Service Section Manager for Finance & Administration, and more recently, the Deputy Director for Administrative Operations. "Opportunity knocked and I was ready for a change," stated Gomez. "I am just thrilled to be a part of the CG Health team that does so much good for the community." At the Health Department, Gomez is responsible for monitoring the flow of revenue and expenses of all departmental entities, which includes resources from state and federal grant funds, tax dollar support, and fees. Gomez is also accountable for monitoring the annual departmental budget, fiscal year reporting, along with supervising the Information Technology and administrative teams. "Overseeing IT and Administration is the easy part of my job, the staff members are highly qualified, incredibly knowledgeable, and motivated individuals with years of experience that truly know and accomplish their tasks well. I feel so lucky to be part of an entity that does so much good, what we do at Public Health benefits so many." said Gomez.

Yet, Gomez sees the challenges as well. "Not everyone quite understands all the services and benefits we provide, so many more could be utilizing our programs," stated Gomez. She also notes the challenges faced financially. "We operate within a tight county budget, so to balance our fiscal financial responsibilities, and to keep our service programs available and operations, we count heavily on grant applications." However, with challenges there are still many opportunities to be seen. "My hope is that the Health Department continues to develop and expand service sections and strengthens the voice of Public Health to state and federal regulatory entities to insure program value so public need continues to be front and foremost," noted Gomez.

Sometimes a career path makes many career stops and others do not. Gomez's career journey took hers from the realm of education to the public health sphere. Her new journey has paved the way and produced many new and exciting changes at the Health Department and will continue to do so in future endeavors!

When we think of November, we normally associate the month with Thanksgiving, snow falling, starting Christmas shopping or even Diabetes Awareness month. Yet, we rarely or never associate November with National Home Care month. Home care nurses and aides have been an extensive contributor to home health in Cerro Gordo County since 1969.

In 1969, Cerro Gordo County Public Health Nursing began providing home care services to members of the county. The city nursing agency, Public Nursing Association of Mason City merged with Cerro Gordo County Public Health Nursing in 1977. Finally, in 1990 the Home Care Aides transferred from the Board of Supervisors to the Board of Health and the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health Family and Community Service Section was formed.

We have six registered nurses who are able to provide care to Cerro Gordo clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Public health nurses keep your physician updated on your recovery. They perform skilled tasks such as drawing blood for lab tests, giving medicine by injection, caring for a wound or teaching you and loved ones about medications and treatments. Our nurses are knowledgeable in the community that helps improve client's recovery and enhance their health conditions.

Our nursing team can provide the following skilled services:

• Evaluate client's nursing needs
• Initiate the physician ordered plan of care and necessary revisions. 
• Provide any services requiring skilled nursing such as injections, blood draws, dressing changes, diabetic teaching and refilling of insulin syringes, etc.
• Coordinate all services required by the client.
• Participate in Continuing Care Project for the frail and elderly.
• Assist frail and elderly in long-term planning to stay in home or nursing home placement.
• Client and family health teaching.
• Provide for Department of Human Services (DHS)/court ordered child or adult protection services.
• Supervise home care aides providing service.

The trained nursing staff at the Health Department can provide many different types of therapy including occupational therapy to respiratory therapy.

Yet, the team would not be complete without the help of the department's home care aides. The Health Department home care aide team includes 11 aides, both part-time and full-time. Each aide must complete a 60-hour training course or a Certified Nursing Assistant course to be eligible for employment and must participate in continuing education classes.

Home care aides can provide a wide variety of services that include personal care services such as bathing and foot care to household chores such as laundry and dusting. These additional services are also provided:

• Provide personal care such as bathing, skin and hair care.
• Assistance with budgeting, home management and light housekeeping.
• Assistance with grocery shopping and laundry.
• Assistance with meal planning and preparation.
• Assistance in DHS/court ordered child or adult protection services.
• Assistance with rehabilitation and exercise therapy.
• Facilitate an in-home parenting program through Family Connections which is delivered in the family home. Education of developmental stages, appropriate parent-child interaction, and methods of discipline are discussed with the parents. Time is also set aside for the child and parent to interact.

Home care services are funded by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurances, grants, Elderbridge Agency on Aging and the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors.

Our home care services are available to all members of the county, but you need to ask for it when you visit your physician or hospital.

The nurses and aides at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health  provide long term care to 180 plus clients each month. The next time home care is an option to you, try the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health!