My name is Jo Reiter, and I work in the Acute Care and Emergency Department as a CNA. I’ve been employed at VGH for 15 years. My job duties include caring for patient
s in their activities of daily living, admitting patients to the ED and caring for them during their stay, and ordering supplies for both departments. What I love most about my job is bringing happiness and a positive attitude to my patients and coworkers. I chose this field because I enjoy helping people feel their best. Before moving to Iowa and earning my CNA certificate, I was a preschool teacher for 18 years.
I believe my biggest contribution to the team is my positive attitude and willingness to help—I am honest, dependable, and reliable. Some recent achievements include hitting my 15-year mark at VGH, donating blood every 56 days with Lifeserve Blood Centers, and becoming a 25-year cancer survivor. I’m passionate about the Mercy Hospital CR Especially for You Breast Cancer 5K. My hobbies include concerts and musicals with friends and family, family gamedays, gardening, and plants and flowers. I also volunteer for the VGH Tree Distribution and make salads or desserts for church funerals.
One fun fact about me is that I’m originally from Florida, The Sunshine State. My favorite vacation was whale watching in San Diego, but I’ll always love any Florida beach. I’ve always wanted to skydive and ride in a hot air balloon. A favorite childhood memory is my oldest brother building me a snow horse and setting me on top of it when I was a toddler.
I can’t live without my daughters and grandchildren—oh, and coffee! I’m a seven-year widow. My oldest daughter lives in Florida and has given me a grandson and granddaughter. My middle daughter married an Iowa farmer, and they have one granddaughter and two grandsons. My youngest daughter is my personal chef and concert sidekick! My favorite food is shrimp, made any way. If someone were to describe me in three words, they’d say happy, positive, and fun. A lasting impact on me was witnessing our VGH team save a near-death patient who arrived on a Lucas Device. I was so proud to be part of that miraculous day.
