A path to leadership, beginning at Mount Mercy

Molly Newhouse ’96 always knew she wanted to get into nursing, but she didn’t quite envision the leadership track that her career has taken.

In February of 2024, she started her new position as VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. In that role, she oversees all surgical services, acute inpatient, post-acute, and behavioral health services.

“I enjoy process improvement,” she said. “I enjoy looking for opportunities to improve our patient outcomes—seeing something that’s not working and fixing it. I think the reason I probably went into leadership was when I was a staff nurse, I saw opportunities. I enjoyed taking care of the patient and making a difference for that particular patient.”

A native of Dyersville, Iowa, Molly’s career path began with her decision to study nursing at Mount Mercy University. Her continued accomplishments have led her to be recognized as the 2024 recipient of Mount Mercy’s Professional Achievement alumni award.

“It was the size I was looking for because of the classroom sizes and having instructors who were easy to find,” Molly recalled. “It kind of had that small family feel.”

Molly has fond memories of her time on the Hill, including work in the cadaver lab, preparing for clinicals, making friends in the dorms, and working in the cafeteria. Plus, it’s where she met her husband, Chad, who was a member of the Mount Mercy baseball team.

Molly also mentioned one of her clinical instructors at Mount Mercy as a great source of mentoring and support—Kathy Swift.

“She was a great mentor and teacher,” Molly said. “Her knowledge and ability to connect and relate to students.”

By the time she was ready to graduate, Molly felt she was set up for success.

“They really did prepare you for all kinds of nursing,” she said. “They gave us the basics—principles. So, no matter what type of nursing you decided to go into, you had a great foundation entering that.”

“They really did prepare you for all kinds of nursing. They gave us the basics—principles. So, no matter what type of nursing you decided to go into, you had a great foundation entering that.” — Molly (Mescher) Newhouse '96

When she graduated from Mount Mercy, Molly was already working at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She spent time as a tech and a nurse in the ICU and other departments before moving across town to Mercy Medical Center in 2005 as a staff nurse in the recovery room.

That’s when her leadership skills began to elevate her responsibilities. She transitioned to Clinical Manager of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) followed by Nurse Manager of the operating room, where she helped develop the hospital’s first open heart program. She also became Director of Surgical Services, where she oversaw all surgery plus central sterile,

helping to develop the surgical ICU. She was promoted to Executive Director for her role in helping to build the Hiawatha Surgery Center—a freestanding ambulatory surgery center.

Her duties today as VP of Patient Care Services include regular checks with frontline staff at the beginning of most days to address any needs or concerns.

“We are then working heavily in the recruitment, retention, and educating and keeping and retaining our new and existing employees that are coming in,” Molly explained. “A lot of meetings. Most days, from sunup to sundown, right now are heavily focused on the education of our nursing staff, the recruitment and retention of nursing.”

Molly strives to enhance the work of nurses and what they’re able to accomplish while also trying to make their jobs easier and more efficient so they can maintain work/life balance.

“I’m proud of the path I’ve taken starting from the ground up and getting to know all levels of the business,” Molly said. “I’m definitely proud of the relationships I’ve built.”

She advises today’s students to be engaged and ask a lot of questions.

“Whatever type of nursing that you choose to do, be passionate about it,” she said. “I would say get engaged and let your voice be heard in a positive light, and most importantly, include your patients and treat them with dignity no matter what level you’re at.”

Molly said there was a level of professionalism that was ingrained in her at Mount Mercy that she still calls upon today.

“I think they had higher standards for the students,” she said, “and I think that has also helped me in my career.”