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While serving time for child porn, Iowa EMT loses his license to practice
The Iowa Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services has revoked the license of an EMT now serving time in federal prison for using his government-provided internet service to access child pornography. In March, Iowa-licensed EMT Justin Mezera, 34, of Cedar Rapids was sentenced to nine years in prison for receipt of child pornography. According […]
Hospital nurses sanctioned for drug irregularities, theft and alcohol abuse
An Iowa-licensed nurse accused of multiple violations related to her work at three hospitals has agreed to surrender her license. According to the Iowa Board of Nursing, Rachel Faith Martinez, formerly of Spencer, was disciplined by the board in 2022 for administering medications to hospital patients at a higher frequency than ordered and for failing […]
Care facility cited a third time for failure to protect residents from harm
A western Iowa nursing home with a history of regulatory violations could be fined more than $30,000 after being cited three times for failure to protect residents from harm. The most recent incident at Correctionville Specialty Care involves a male resident of the home who was found in his wheelchair, at night, near a busy […]
Home health agencies throughout Iowa cited for violations
Fifteen of Iowa’s 135 home-health agencies have been inspected by the state so far this year and 14 of them have been cited for violations. Four of the agencies cited for violations are run by county health departments. At one privately operated agency, inspectors found that patients were in immediate jeopardy caused by a nurse […]
State says psychologist won’t respond to patient-abandonment complaint
An eastern Iowa psychologist is facing disciplinary charges related to allegations of patient abandonment. The Iowa Board of Psychology alleges that in June 2022, it received a complaint that licensed psychologist Tracy Ksiazak of Iowa City had abandoned a juvenile patient by failing to respond to inquiries on the patient’s behalf. In August and October […]
Nurse loses license after drunk-driving arrest, allegations of missing narcotics
The Iowa Board of Nursing has revoked the license of a nurse who, while working at various Iowa care facilities, was accused of sleeping on the job, being responsible for missing narcotics, leaving work without authorization, failing to administer patient medications and sitting in her car while on duty. According to board records, Alicia Davis […]
Iowa attorney general appeals decision allowing non-English voting materials
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is appealing a judge’s decision that cleared the way for election officials to offer non-English voting materials to the public. “We are appealing the district court’s decision against the Secretary of State’s Office to protect election integrity and defend state law,” Bird said Wednesday in a written statement. “The Iowa […]
Former inmate sues state over prison-yard beating
The state of Iowa is being sued for allegedly failing to halt a prison-yard beating that left an inmate severely injured. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Shawn Kiger alleges the staff at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility violated his constitutional and civil rights when they intentionally […]
Bankruptcy trustee objects to UI’s plans for a speedy purchase of Mercy Hospital
A federal bankruptcy trustee has objected to plans by the University of Iowa to fast-track its planned $20 million purchase of Mercy Hospital-Iowa City. Faced with the possibility of involuntary receivership, Mercy filed for bankruptcy earlier this month and, at the same time, announced plans for its acquisition by the University of Iowa. The Iowa […]
Attorney, facing criminal charges, agrees to license suspension
A Marshall County attorney facing criminal charges has agreed to a suspension of her law license based on a disability. The Iowa Supreme Court suspended the license of Jennifer Jo Frese, 42, this week for an undefined period. The court’s order indicates that Frese consented to a recommendation from the court’s Attorney Disciplinary Board that […]
Seizure of 131 dogs from puppy mill prompts legislator to call for action
Last week’s seizure of 131 dogs at a rural Iowa breeding operation has prompted one state lawmaker to call for changes in the way the state oversees puppy mills, dog breeders and brokers. Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, wrote to Gov. Kim Reynolds this week asking for her cooperation in holding unscrupulous breeders accountable. In his […]
Nursing home cited for failing to prevent sexual abuse of residents
A Cass County nursing home with a history of recent violations is facing possible fines for failing to protect residents from sexual abuse. The alleged perpetrator is a male resident of Caring Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation in Anita. The man’s known history of groping workers and residents had earned him the nickname “Captain McFeelypants” among […]