Jones Regional Medical Center secures $2 million in federal spending package

UnityPoint – Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Anamosa will receive $2 million in federal Community Project Funding to construct a permanent, state-of-the-art Advanced Simulation Lab for training nurses and other medical professionals.

The funding, part of a bipartisan spending package signed into law Nov. 12 by President Donald Trump, will allow JRMC to expand and modernize its west wing, replacing temporary trailers used for nursing education with a 17,000-square-foot facility. The lab will enable the hospital’s nursing program to graduate 14 additional nurses per year and provide advanced training opportunities for other high-demand healthcare professions.

“I am proud to secure this funding to give Iowa’s nursing students the training environment they deserve,” said Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a press release by her office and who secured the funding. “JRMC’s simulation lab will strengthen our rural health workforce, expand nursing education, and create long-term opportunities for students and hospitals across the region. As a physician, I know firsthand how vital well-trained nurses are to patient care, and this investment will benefit Iowa health care for decades to come.”

Eric Briesemeister, CEO of JRMC, stated in the press releases that the grant will have a significant impact on the hospital’s ability to recruit, train and retain healthcare professionals.

“This grant will have a profound positive impact on our ability to effectively recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals, ensuring that quality care remains accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live,” Briesemeister said. 

Miller-Meeks personally visited the hospital to announce the funding Nov. 14, which will support both JRMC nurses and students from Purdue University Global School of Nursing.

Community Project Funding, a revived “earmark” process, allows members of Congress to direct federal dollars toward specific state, local, or nonprofit projects in their districts, provided the projects are ready to begin, tied to an existing federal authorization, and have community support. Each House member may submit up to 15 requests, though funding is not guaranteed.

The $2 million project is part of more than $5 million in Community Project Funding Miller-Meeks has secured this year for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, supporting initiatives such as childcare expansion, rural healthcare improvements, and workforce development.