After nearly 30 years at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, hospital President Kay Takes announced this week that she is retiring at the end of the year.
“It’s been my pleasure and honor to be part of MercyOne, and I appreciate all of the support through the years,” Takes said. “We have a great board that is so dedicated to Dubuque, to the region. I’m really glad to have been able to serve for so long and look forward to all of the really positive things that continue to lie ahead.”
Takes has held various positions at MercyOne over the years, including vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer of the Dubuque and Dyersville medical centers before becoming president of both in 2015. Takes also oversaw MercyOne medical centers in Clinton, Elkader and Guttenberg from 2018 to 2023.
Takes spent her early career as a nurse but decided early on that she wanted to work in health care administration and leadership.
“I had some great mentors even in those early days, and knew that I wanted to have the opportunity to influence at a system level or at a broader level,” she said.
MercyOne Dubuque was the perfect fit and aligned with her morals and values of seeking to put patients first, she said. And as a Cascade, Iowa, native, Takes said she always has felt lucky to have such a robust career near her hometown and family.
Takes said one of the efforts she is most proud of is MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center, a joint venture with Medical Associates Clinic that opened in 2020.
Nicole Gantz, vice president of the MercyOne Dubuque Foundation board, said watching Takes lead the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic while staying on track to open the cancer center was inspiring.
“It’s incredible, the leadership it takes to be a leader through a global crisis and also opening a huge cancer center,” Gantz said. “I thought that was so incredible.”
Gantz said Takes is team-oriented, cares deeply about the community and has prioritized the community’s needs throughout her career.
Takes said another notable moment from her career was leading MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center in receiving its Magnet status, which is awarded by American Nurses Credentialing Center for quality care and excellence in nursing.
Robert Wethal, MercyOne Dubuque vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, said the hospital has received the Magnet designation five times under Takes leadership.
“It’s been a delight and honor to watch the way she leads,” Wethal said. “She understands that the patients of the hospital are always at the forefront of every decision.”
Takes said other proud moments include the introduction of the MilVet Program, a health program for military service members, veterans and their families. She also is grateful to have been part of the addition of the MercyOne Mobile Medical Unit, a focus on health care for Dubuque’s Marshallese community and the introduction of a surgical robot called Da Vinci Surgical System.
“It’s just so gratifying and interesting to be at a point in my career where I am looking back on all of the great things that we’ve been able to accomplish as a team,” she said. “Every member of the team has played a key role.”