Jayna Lester, RN, BSN, CRRN, Powell 3 Adult Oncology
John Stoddard Cancer Center
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My name is Jayna Lester and I started working for UnityPoint in 2005. I started as a PCT on Powell 3 and then got my RN degree in 2013 from Kaplan University. I have worked in many different specialties, but I knew I wanted to end up back in Oncology, and most importantly, Powell 3.
I love being an Oncology RN because I get to connect with not just the patients, but also their families. I enjoy being able to help patients and families in a time where they need an extra shoulder to lean on. The patients I work with make as profound of an impact on me, as I have for them.
Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my grandkids, gardening, and our annual State Fair trips. I have 10 acres of land in Norwalk, where my husband and I love to take care of our animals, mostly our alpaca Archie!
We want to recognize Jayna, who has entered into the DAISY Platinum Club! This club includes nurses who have more than 10 DAISY nominations. Way to go, Jayna!
| | Congratulations to Jennifer Scharff, our incredible medical physicist at Stoddard Cancer Center, on receiving a FOCUS Spotlight award for going above and beyond! For over a decade, Jen has played a vital role in advancing cancer care — from helping develop a robust brachytherapy program to implementing cutting-edge technologies in radiation therapy. She leads with empathy, fosters a strong team culture and never sacrifices quality, no matter how complex the challenge. Jen exemplifies our FOCUS values every day. She builds meaningful relationships and lifts up those around her. She is calm, capable and always ready to help. She is a meticulous safety net for our patients, and advocates for the future of her field through education and outreach. Thank you, Jen, for your dedication, compassion and commitment to our patients and team. | |
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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 caregiving and the Meals That Matter program click here. Scroll to 'Dish with Nish Podcast'.
| | | | Upcoming Classes, Programs & Events | | |
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 July
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 Tuesdays through July
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 one's 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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Cancer Related Cognitive Dysfunction | Monday, June 16
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Virtual
Stoddard Cancer Center and UnityPoint Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services – Penn Avenue are pleased to offer "Cancer Related Cognitive Dysfunction." This class is offered free of charge to cancer survivors affected by cognitive changes caused by a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Participants in the class will:
• Be educated on what CRCD is
• Learn to identify and recognize one’s own symptoms of CRCD
• Practice strategies to improve memory
• Learn exercises to train the brain
• Learn how to get more help if needed
A link will be sent to registrants prior to the class.
For more information or to register click here or call (515) 241-8505.
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Breast Cancer Education Post Radiation | July 14
12:00-1:00 p.m. | Stoddard Cancer Center, Suite 450
This class is free of charge and intended for individuals who have completed radiation to the breast tissue within the past 6 months. The class will provide general information regarding arm and chest movement following radiation therapy, along with basic information on monitoring your tissue and safe return to activity. For more information contact Gina Mandernach at gina.mandernach@unitypoint.org or 515-241-8505.
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Golfing “FORE” a Purpose 2025 | July 16 | The Legacy Club in Norwalk
John Stoddard Cancer Center is proud to sponsor the Prostate Cancer Awareness of Central Iowa’s Golfing “FORE” a Purpose 2025. Come out and show your support for Iowans affected by prostate cancer. Click here for information and to register for the golf tournament. Other upcoming events, including a run/walk in September are listed on the site.
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Bras for the Cause B4 Ride | August 24
Stoddard Cancer Center sponsors this event to support women in the community needing mammograms and cervical cancer screening. Click here for updates on this event.
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Casting for Recovery
Iowa retreat is October 3-5 at Ewalu Stone Retreat Center, Strawberry Point, Iowa. Apply by July 24. Open to women of any age or stage of breast cancer treatment or recovery. For information click here.
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Save the Date
The Stoddard Cancer Center Oncology Fall Conference “On the Horizon of Oncology Care: Updates and Current Treatment in 2025” will be held on November 6 & 7, 2025 at Kelley Conference Center on the Iowa Methodist Medical Center campus. Further information will be shared when online registration opens later this summer. Topics we plan to cover include: bispecifics, Gammatile, early rehab intervention in cancer patients, leukemia, AI and cancer care, post-traumatic growth, sepsis, oncology finances, and more! For more information contact Gina Mandernach at gina.mandernach@unitypoint.org or 515-241-8505.
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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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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Dr. Arshin Sheybani from John Stoddard Cancer Center appeared alongside a colon cancer survivor on Channel 13’s Hello Iowa to talk about the importance of screening and cancer treatments. Watch the interview here.
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Raccoon River CrossFit raised more than $5,000 for the John Stoddard Cancer Center!
The community came together to raise funds during the first ever Fred Grote Cancer Screening Awareness Row-A-Thon. This donation goes towards the Scope It Out program, providing free colonoscopies to uninsured men and women in central Iowa. Thank you for your generosity!
| | Thanks to generous donor support, this hangout spot in the Powell 3 Solarium now has fresh, updated furniture and cozy vibes. It’s the perfect space for patients and families to kick back, relax and spend time together. | | |
Cancer Survivors Day - Honor a Loved One
Honor a cancer survivor, loved one or care team member at Stoddard Cancer Center who made a difference in your life. Cards will be displayed in the Stoddard Cancer Center lobby throughout the month of June for all to see. Make your gift today: click here.
| | Mark your calendar for June 13, 2026. Rally Against Cancer presented by GreenState Credit Union is moving to spring and we can’t wait to see you there. This fun and impactful event will feature an incredible speaker, live music, food stations and most importantly, raises support for cancer patients at Stoddard Cancer Center. | | On April 21, Stoddard Cancer Center hosted a free skin cancer screening provided by Dr. Somaira Nowsheen from The Iowa Clinic. More than 20 individuals participated in the event, taking an important step toward early detection and prevention. | | On April 27, Stoddard Cancer Center, in partnership with Intertwined Iowa, Spirit Art Move and Polk County Conservation, hosted an incredible Cancer Patient and Survivor Self-Care Retreat at Jester Park. The day focused on healing, connection and restoration. | | The nurses on Powell 3 joined in the Kentucky Derby fun with a stylish hat day and a friendly contest to pick the winning horse! | | We kicked off Cancer Survivors Day on Friday by delivering succulents and seed packets to patients and survivors in Radiation Oncology, Powell 3 Adult Oncology and Mission Cancer + Blood. On June 1, the celebration continued at the Iowa Cubs game, where 116 survivors and their guests enjoyed a pre-game picnic on the Party Deck at Principal Park, followed by an afternoon of baseball, connection and community. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Cancer Survivors Day! | | Thoughts From an Oncology Social Worker | | |
Deanna Rudolph, Oncology Social Worker at Stoddard Cancer Center shares an article she wrote entitled:
Stop and “Mell” the flowers
Recently, I was outside my home with my 2-year-old, and I watched as she discovered the delight of picking spring flowers. She excitedly ran toward a flash of yellow and articulated the word, “Daff-o-dils” with a toothy grin and bright eyes, as she stuffed her nose deep into the petals. My sweet girl looked up and said, “I [s]mell them, Mommy!” The warm profound feelings of joy radiated through her and into my heart in that precise moment in time. I was totally present with her in that space, and we shared something magnificent. Her delighted new discovery of something pretty made my heart explode with love and admiration, well beyond what already lied there.
This experience stirred thoughts for me in relation to my work and the space that we as clinicians provide our patients. The gift of our time and presence to patients in distress sometimes can be the single most important thing that we do in a full day. When sometimes we find ourselves giving practical advice, explaining available resources, or calling to schedule an appointment, it is easy to forget how much a sincere moment to listen to a patient’s needs and be present to their emotion can mean to them. If we are keen enough to listen closely, we can begin to understand how those moments can be equally meaningful to us. The “Daffodils” in a patient’s life may not be the topic of conversation we expect to address when we sit down to go over forms and paperwork, but they are often the center of a patient’s world. The key to how they keep moving forward. This is what helps them push forward, putting one foot in front of the other.
Imagine if we could hold space for the simple, small things in our lives that bring joy and allow ourselves to notice them and soak them in with complete disregard for negativity and distractions that come every day. If only each of us could give ourselves permission to grieve, to surrender to emotions we hold back so we appear strong, and to express ourselves freely without fears getting in the way. If we lived a moment every day with the curiosity and amazement of an exploring child and channeled a drop of that wonderous excitement in small things, the world might seem just a bit brighter for ourselves and for the lives of those around us. If we remember to give our time and presence, and stop and listen to each other, we might just find that little distractions and frustrations seem much smaller in our lives.
Much like my daughter fully immersing herself into the delight of flowers, my heart flourishes when meeting with patients. Being present with them to address concerns in a counseling session or speaking to them prior to an appointment with their oncologist, gives our patients time to be heard and to feel connected, while simultaneously filling my heart with tremendous fulfillment. Through these experiences, my perspective changes. It grounds me and reminds me to be thankful, cues me to appreciate the tremendous life I have been given; and gives me courage to keep pushing forward, pouring love on to others.
My best,
Deanna Rudolph, LISW
Oncology Social Worker
Stoddard Cancer Center
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 T tomato paste
- 2 chipotle chilis in adobo, chopped
- 2 T chili powder
- 1 T cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cans low sodium pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup corn, thawed if frozen
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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DIRECTIONS
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium high, add onion and green pepper and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms and continue to cook until mushrooms are softened, 7-8 minutes.
- Add garlic, tomato paste, chipotle chilis with adobo, chili powder, cumin and paprika and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, corn and salt and pepper to taste, bring up to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened and liquid has reduced to half.
- Serve chili over brown rice or quinoa with chopped green onion, radishes or avocado.
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