From Panama to Promise CHC, Van Bruggen finds new way to serve


SIOUX CENTER – Jenna Van Bruggen has returned from two years of service in the Peace Corps in Panama and now has found a new way to serve people.

She has assumed the role of dental receptionist at Promise Community Health Center.

Jenna Van Bruggen recently returned from
serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama.
She now has found a new way to serve as a
bilingual dental receptionist at Promise
Community Health Center in Sioux Center.
“Promise, from what I see, is making an impact on the community. I wanted to join in making a positive impact here,” she said. “Promise offers services at an affordable rate. I’ve been impressed by Promise.”

Jenna grew up in rural Sheldon and graduated from Unity Christian High School in Orange City in 2012. She earned bachelor’s degrees in both biology and Spanish at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, in 2016.

She then served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, living in an indigenous community near the Costa Rican border. She was there as an agricultural extensionist, but her second year of work was focused more on public health. She helped facilitate programs in the schools about reproductive health, especially HIV/AIDS.

After returning from Panama in September, Jenna wanted to find work where she could continue to make a difference. She also wanted to continue to use her Spanish and get to know the Hispanic community of northwest Iowa better.

The bilingual dental receptionist role at Promise CHC was the right fit.

“I see this as a fulfilling job,” Jenna said. “I hope that I can bring my positive attitude, organizational skills, a listening ear, compassion and friendship.”

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the northwest corner of Iowa. Promise provides medical, prenatal, dental, vision, behavioral health and family planning services. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org and watch this video. To read more Promise news, visit promisechcnews.blogspot.com.


MORE ABOUT JENNA:
Jenna Van Bruggen lives in rural Sheldon. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and trying out new recipes; spending time with her cat, Luna Menguante, that she brought back from Panama; and helping out with tasks on her family's farm.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Promise CHC invites community to open house to celebrate project

Image
SIOUX CENTER – Promise Community Health Center invites the community to celebrate the completion of its capital campaign, exterior renovation and interior expansion. Arlin Van Gorp of Countryside Signs & Graphics of Sioux Center installs the new sign on Promise Community Health Center's renovated exterior. Promise plans to hold an open house 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26. The health center, which is located at 338 First Ave. NW, across the street from the Sioux Center city hall, is planning a ribbon cutting and open house for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26. The Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce will conduct the ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. People then will have opportunities to tour the health center. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and beverages will be served. “We are happy to share this special day with the community,” said Nathan Vander Plaats , executive director of Promise. “This project – and Promise Community Health Center – would not have been possible without the sig
Read more

As new nurse at Promise, Clazina Blom appreciates its holistic care

Image
SIOUX CENTER – Ever since Clazina Blom played “doctor and nurse” as a young girl, caring for others has been an “innate part” of who she is. She has made it her career. Clazina Blom likes the holistic approach to health care that she has seen at Promise Community Health Center since assuming her role as a new clinic nurse. Clazina now is caring for others as a new clinic nurse at Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center. “ Helping others, giving support and compassion, and educating about health are important to me,” she said. Clazina grew up in rural Doon on her family’s rural dairy farm. After completing her home-school education, she earned her registered nursing degree at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon in 2011. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing online from Briar Cliff University of Sioux City in 2013. She worked as a certified nursing assistant at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull for a year and a half, 2009-10. She then served as an RN at Sanfor
Read more

Jess Koedam brings varied experiences to clinic nurse position

Image
SIOUX CENTER – Jess Koedam appreciates all of the different ways that she has been able to help people as a registered nurse in her career. Jess Koedam brings a variety of nursing experiences to her new role as a clinic nurse at Promise Community Health in Sioux Center. She now is continuing that service as a new clinic nurse at Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center. “I was interested in Promise because I see it as a great opportunity to serve my community and continue helping people achieve better health,” Jess said. Jess grew up near Hospers and graduated from Unity Christian High School in 2007. She earned her associate of science in nursing degree from St. Luke’s College in Sioux City in 2011. After graduating from college, Jess served as a staff nurse at Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon, 2011-16, and then made home visits throughout the region as an integrated health home nurse care coordinator at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health, 2016-18. Her interest in goin
Read more