There are moments when you see a project taking shape and immediately understand the difference it will make—not just for today, but for years to come. Touring the South Central Iowa Radiation Center as it was being built was one of those moments for us.

This new facility, led through a partnership between Knoxville Hospital and Clinics and Pella Regional Health Center, is a powerful example of what can happen when communities come together around a shared purpose. The South Central Iowa Radiation Center will bring critical cancer care closer to home for patients across Marion County and surrounding areas—reducing travel time, easing stress, and allowing families to focus on what matters most.

For many patients, the challenge of cancer treatment extends beyond diagnosis and care; it includes long drives, time away from work and family, and added emotional and physical strain. This project helps remove those barriers. As Knoxville Hospital and Clinics CEO Kevin Kincaid shared,

“This contribution from Marion County Bank is especially meaningful as it comes from a trusted partner with strong ties to both Knoxville and Pella. It underscores the power of collaboration—not only between our two hospitals, but across the communities we serve—and brings us one step closer to making essential cancer care more accessible to patients throughout south central Iowa.”

We’re honored that Marion County Bank could support this effort through a $250,000 contribution to the Bridging the Gap Campaign—not simply as an investment in a building, but as a show of belief in the mission behind it. Strong hospitals are a cornerstone of strong communities, and this collaboration between Knoxville Hospital and Clinics and Pella Regional Health Center reflects thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.

That leadership was visible during our visit to the construction site. Walking through the space made it clear that this is more than a state-of-the-art facility—it’s a future place of comfort, healing, and hope. When completed, the center will house advanced diagnostic and treatment technology designed to deliver high-quality cancer care close to home.

Pella Regional Health Center CEO Bob Kroese echoed the significance of this partnership, saying,

“Because of their compassion, more people will be able to receive advanced, high-quality care close to home, surrounded by the support of the community they know and love. We are honored to partner with an organization so deeply rooted in caring for all of Marion County.”

Those words capture exactly why this project matters—not only to healthcare providers, but to the families who will rely on this center in the years ahead.

As our CEO Klint Korver shared,

“This project reflects what’s possible when organizations that share the same values come together to serve people first. Pella Regional Health Center and Knoxville Hospital and Clinics are showing extraordinary leadership by expanding access to care closer to home, where patients and families can spend less time traveling and more time together. We’re proud to support an effort that strengthens our communities and gives families the gift of time when it matters most.”

We are proud to stand alongside the people and organizations doing meaningful work in our communities. We’re grateful for the leadership of both hospitals and proud to support a project that will make a lasting difference for families for generations to come.

Collaboration like this reminds us that when communities invest together, the impact goes far beyond bricks and mortar—it shows up in stronger connections, better care, and more time at home when it’s needed most.