February 11, 2025

CCH’s Schiltz says military experience in Afghanistan will assist in her medical career

FOND FAREWELL: Clarke County Hospital Director of Outcomes Deb Lundquist (left) says goodbye to EMT Laura Schiltz during an Aug. 6 send-off ceremony at the hospital. Schiltz is the first CCH employee to be deployed overseas since September 11. She will serve a one-year tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Clarke County Hospital bid farewell Aug. 6 to a member of its hospital family, but this going away party wasn't one celebrated with questions regarding retirement activities, grandchildren or finding ways to keep busy.  For Laura Schiltz, she knows how she is going to keep busy for the next year. She is joining members of the 334th Support Division stationed at Camp Dodge in Johnston for a one-year deployment in Afghanistan.

Schiltz, an EMT at Clarke County Hospital, was joined by co-workers at the send-off party – a first of its kind since September 11. Though many CCH family members have seen their loved ones be called to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years, Schiltz is the first Clarke County Hospital employee to be sent overseas since the World Trade Center attacks. The emotional send-off at the hospital was one of many for the 2004 Clarke Community High School graduate in the days leading up to her Aug. 9 deployment.

"Like most people, I have tremendous admiration for those serving in our military," Clarke County Hospital Chief Executive Officer Brian Evans said. "When it is someone you know and respect such as with Laura, the gratitude is that much more."

Communities and businesses around the state had send-off ceremonies around Iowa in the days leading up to Aug. 9.  The deployment of the Iowa National Guard soldiers is one of the largest in the state's history.

"Laura is one of 2,800 Iowa National guard soldiers deploying this fall," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Cochran with the Iowa National Guard.

Schiltz serves as a medic in the Army National Guard. The staff sergeant has spent seven years in the Iowa National Guard, and said she believes her military background and EMT experience at Clarke County Hospital have helped prepare her for her call to duty in Afghanistan.

For more on this story see the Aug. 19 edition of the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune.