Rachel Dodds, Administrative Secretary
John Stoddard Cancer Center
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I am the new Administrative Secretary for the John Stoddard Cancer Center. It’s more apparent every day the impact that the Cancer Center has on patients and their families, and I am honored to be part of such a compassionate and effective team.
Originally, I am from Eastern Ohio, and I moved to Des Moines after graduating from Ohio University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a minor in psychology. Prior to interviewing for my first job, I had never set foot in Iowa, but I am so glad that I took the leap. One of my first contracts as a music therapist was with UnityPoint in their hospice program in Fort Dodge. I am so grateful that my time as a clinician required that I drive to various parts of Iowa, giving me no choice but to explore and know my new home.
Since leaving music therapy, I have been involved in various fields within healthcare management including mental health and women’s/reproductive health. After April 2020, I stepped away from healthcare, and bounced between fun, but ultimately less fulfilling jobs. I even distilled whiskey and rum and worked in a major hotel restaurant that served presidential candidates, celebrities, and professional athletes.
In my free time, I sing with the Des Moines Choral Society and in 2023 was fortunate to premier a choral work at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I also perform with the Greater Des Moines Community Band and occasionally work the Downtown Farmer’s Market for Jasper Winery. My husband and I love to travel and attend concerts in between weekends restoring our 1916 American Foursquare home.
Welcome, Rachel!
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Podcast
Dish with Nish Podcast is a series exploring topics of interest in cancer prevention, the human spirit and how new ideas are changing cancer care. Dr. Andrew Nish, Medical Director at the Stoddard Cancer Center, hosts insightful conversations with doctors, health care workers and patients discussing various aspects of health and cancer care. To listen to his latest episodes, including a discussion with Dr. Scott Seaman, Neurological and Spinal Surgeon; and PET/CT Imaging with Dr. Dave Lacey; and Coping with Cancer During the Holidays, click here. Scroll to 'Dish with Nish Podcast'.
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Upcoming Classes, Programs & Events | |
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Hybrid Support Groups
Stoddard Cancer Center has transitioned most support groups to hybrid meetings, so participants have the option of attending in-person or virtually. For information on when groups meet and how to join, click here and contact the phone number listed for the group you are interested in attending.
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Writing Through Cancer | Select Mondays through April
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Virtual
Participants create a safe space, then write together for timed intervals to writing prompts. The writing circles are led by Founder and Executive Director of the Ames Writers Collective, Ana McCracken. Cancer patients and survivors are welcome to sign up. For more information on upcoming sessions visit johnstoddardcancer.org under Classes and Events.
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Art Therapy Support Group | Select Mondays through April
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This support group is intended for cancer patients and survivors. Each session offers a different media and theme. The time together will encourage self-reflection and introspection, exploring ones own thoughts, emotions and personal narrative of cancer. This expansion of self-awareness brings a stronger foundation, resilience and personal growth. For more information contact Gina Mandernach at gina.mandernach@unitypoint.org or 515-241-8505.
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Drake Women’s Basketball Pink Game presented by Stoddard Cancer Center | January 18, 2:00 p.m. | The Knapp Center
Drake recognizes cancer survivors on court at halftime and fun giveaways will be handed out prior to game. Complimentary tickets available for all cancer patients, survivors and their families. To register for free tickets, click here.
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· Pink in the Rink – Iowa Wild and Stoddard Cancer Center
February 15, 6:00 p.m. | Wells Fargo Arena
This event, designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for Stoddard Cancer Center, will feature specialty jerseys worn by Iowa Wild players throughout the game. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the game-worn jerseys. To learn more, click here.
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Black Women 4 Healthy Living
Black Women 4 Healthy Living (BW4HL) hosts the Black Women’s Health Coalition at Corinthian Baptist Church on the third Saturday of each month. The focus is on Black women and their health and wellness. Health Assessments are given monthly to measure progress. The group engages in some low-impact physical activity and discusses a health-related topic unique to Black women. These events are completely free, and ALL Black women are welcome to join. For more information or to register, visit www.bw4hl.org.They also host a breast cancer support group for black women.
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Rooted in Nature
UnityPoint Health - Des Moines partners with Polk County Conservation to create health and wellness programs that are focused on improving health with a connection to nature. For a list of classes, click here.
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Intertwined
Forest bathing (also called forest therapy) is a wellness practice rooted in scientific research that helps individuals engage with the natural world using all the senses in order to reap positive physiological and psychological benefits. It’s more than a walk in the woods; it’s an immersion into the full experience of the forest and nature. For upcoming opportunities, click here.
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Cancer Support Community
Offers online support groups for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Click here for more information.
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Dr. Andrew Nish, Medical Director of Stoddard Cancer Center, shares crucial insights on lung cancer prevention on Hello Iowa. Learn more about taking control of your lung health. To watch the interview, click here. | |
Springfield Plastics' Drain for the Cure Fundraiser raised a little over $30,000 for Stoddard Cancer Center. To watch the story on KCCI, click here. We're so grateful for this generous donation! | |
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We are thrilled to share Al Roker as the speaker for 2025 Rally Against Cancer, presented by GreenState Credit Union! Roker captivates more than 30 million viewers every weekday morning as the host and weatherman of NBC’s Today Show. He was won 14 Emmy awards, written 13 New York Times best-selling books and a prostate cancer survivor.
Join us on January 25 for an exciting evening! Learn more about Rally Against Cancer and get your tickets today: www.stoddardrac.org
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A South Carolina breast cancer survivor is visiting cancer centers in all 50 states. Everywhere Agnes Judge goes, she talks about cancer awareness and her personal journey and then presents a gift of $1,000. Agnes stopped at Stoddard Cancer Center to meet with team members and media. Iowa is the 47th state that she’s visited on her quest. Agnes told the media in the Stoddard Cancer Center lobby, “A breast cancer diagnosis is a terrible experience, but women need to believe that there is hope. I want to inspire women to get their annual mammograms and spread the word about the importance of early intervention.” | The Des Moines Pickleball Classic’s 2nd annual pickleball fundraiser was held on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, with proceeds benefiting Stoddard Cancer Center. We’re incredibly thankful for the hard work that went into making this event possible and for their incredible support of Stoddard Cancer Center! | Thank you to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Iowa for the generous donation through their Pink Patch Project! The agency raised a total of $3,660 to directly support patients and families who need it most. | Thank you to the Grimes family for their $500,000 donation to Stoddard Cancer Center! Their generosity will support the Charlie Cutler Healing & Wellness Program and Oncology Navigator Program. Inspired by the compassionate care their daughter Leslie received during her cancer journey, the Grimes family will help expand vital services for patients and families facing cancer. | A heartfelt thank you to Scheels for their generous $11,500 donation to Blank Children's Hospital and Stoddard Cancer Center. Their support will bring comfort and care to patients and families throughout our hospitals, ensuring our teams provide the most comprehensive care to everyone in our community. | |
Members of the Stoddard Cancer Center team attended the ‘On the Horizon of Oncology Care’ conference, deepening their expertise on topics like integrative oncology, HPV, fertility in cancer care, multiple myeloma and speech therapy for head and neck cancer. This commitment to continuous learning and innovation helps Stoddard Cancer Center stay at the forefront of cancer treatment. The team is eager to add to their knowledge to enhance cancer services and ensure patients receive the highest quality of comprehensive care. | |
Cecilia from One Iowa led an insightful LGBTQ+ Cancer Care education session for our team, part of the Iowa Cancer Consortium’s 2025 Cancer Plan to foster inclusivity in cancer care across the state. This free training empowers our team members to deliver even more inclusive and compassionate care. Together we are creating a more welcoming and equitable healthcare environment for all! | |
Stoddard Cancer Center held its annual Support Group Holiday Party on December 10. There were around 50 support group members in attendance. All enjoyed a catered meal, door prizes, music from the Altoona Flute Choir and good company. | |
Thoughts From an Oncology Social Worker | |
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Deanna Rudolph, Oncology Social Worker at Stoddard Cancer Center shares an article she wrote entitled:
Have some coffee, and maybe you’ll drink just a bit more.
For most people, I think that the holiday season brings warm feelings of connection and peace, but for others, it can certainly bring feelings of sadness, memories of people we have lost, and good times once had. It is never easy to face those feelings even if you have people to spend time with. How easy it would be to feel lonely, hopeless, and bitter while the whole world celebrates. I want to take the time to share some of my personal experience to hopefully bring some kindness, warmth, and connection to your life.
Recently I had the opportunity to have coffee two separate times, with two people I have only started to get to know more. The time spent hearing about their families, learning tidbits about their thinking patterns, and being genuinely asked about my life and thoughts in return was an exchange from the heart. Not only was it quality time to deepen friendship, but a meaningful, soul-enriching opportunity to feed my soul. Both my coffee friends have experienced tremendous loss. I am familiar with that pain myself. And while they shared of their pain in part and listened to me share pieces of mine in return, I felt connected. It was like a deep embrace of comfort. I felt heard and acknowledged as a mother, as a social worker pouring her heart and soul into her professional role, and as a woman. These two women who spent an hour with me chatting and drinking coffee have no idea what it meant to me to have time to reflect and to hear about their lives. Even when talking about painful memories and missing an important member of my family during this wonderful holiday season that is upon us, it reminded me how important connection really is.
This time reminded me that connection can come and look differently for a lot of people; connecting with people in person like I did, or by reading stories (fact or fiction), living vicariously through a heartwarming movie, cuddling with a dearly loved pet or under your favorite blanket. It's not about your drink, the way you find connection, or where you find yourself. It's about what meaning you find within your heart. I encourage you all this holiday season to find connection that brings you true fulfillment. Arrange time to reconnect with an old friend or place that call you have put off for months. Dare to ask for a coffee date, because you never know how you might impact someone or be surprised to find something in return. Coffee really does mean way more than casually consuming a hot beverage. The simplest gift you can give someone is your time and attentiveness. A gift that can mean simply, everything.
Mainly, my hope is that you will purposefully seek out something to soothe your soul.
Even if you don’t have plans and you will be alone this holiday season, I encourage you to curl up in your favorite blanket, put up your feet, grab a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, and listen to your favorite holiday tune, read a comforting book, or watch a cozy holiday movie. This is a time where connection is necessary; even if it means connection comes through imagining the world inside music, stories, or movies. You may just find the gumption to ask your neighbor to have a cup of coffee, and just as the mouse who ate the cookie, you might find yourself needing an extra glass of milk, or in this case, another cup of coffee with a special person to share it with. May your hearts be full, and spirits be merry this holiday season.
My best,
Deanna Rudolph, LISW, (Just like the reindeer)
Oncology Social Worker
Stoddard Cancer Center
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Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Carrie Purcell.
Total Time: 1¼ hours
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INGREDIENTS
- 4 large red, orange or yellow bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped fennel bulb (about ½ a small bulb) or celery
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 small)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 14 oz package of firm tofu
- ¾ cup dry white wine, chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 14 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, plus more for serving (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella, provolone or other semifirm cheese
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DIRECTIONS
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove core, seeds and ribs using a paring knife. Arrange the peppers, cut-sides up, in a 9-by-13-inch pan or other baking dish in which they fit snugly.
- In a large (12-inch) skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the fennel and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, chili powder, smoked paprika and cumin, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the tofu, breaking up the tofu with a wooden spoon then add the drained black beans.
- Add ½ cup wine or stock, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan, until the liquid in the pan is reduced by about half.
- Add the tomatoes and their juices, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the and parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Divide the mixture among the peppers. Pour the remaining ¼ cup wine or stock into the bottom of the dish.
- Wrap tightly with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a paring knife easily pierces the peppers.
- Remove the foil and spoon any juices that have accumulated in the bottom of the pan onto the peppers.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly onto the peppers and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and beginning to brown. Allow the peppers to cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve hot.
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Volunteers are needed at Stoddard Cancer Center. Volunteer opportunities include the Powell 3 Comfort Cart, Radiation Oncology Waiting Room and EMPOWER Boutique. Please contact Caroline Baker at caroline.baker@unitypoint.org or visit unitypoint.org/volunteer if interested. | |
Happy Holidays from your friends at Stoddard Cancer Center! | | | | |
