CRHC Welcomes New Mental Health Provider
Clarinda Regional Health Center • December 10, 2019
Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) Director of Clinics, Amy Roop, is excited to announce the arrival of a new mental health provider that has joined the exceptional group of providers here at CRHC.
Dr. Ryan Ernst joins the team this month as a Psychologist at CRHC. He is certified by the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. Ernst received his doctorate in Clinical psychology in 2002, a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2000 and a master’s degree in Psychopharmacology in 2019. He has completed an internship at Nebraska Mental Health Centers, P.C. and residency at Nebraska Comprehensive Healthcare. Ernst comes to us from Lincoln, Nebraska and is very passionate about his field.
Roop states, “we realize that there is a huge void in mental health services all over in the state of Iowa. Bringing Dr. Ernst onto our team is a giant step in the right direction. We also want to make sure we’re providing services needed in our community. We do have other mental health resources and we’re looking forward to working with these groups to help enhance care for mental health patients.”
Dr. Ernst will begin seeing patients at CRHC on Thursday, December 12th. Currently, he’ll see patients on Thursdays and Friday only. To Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ernst please call 712-542-8330 or visit ClarindaHealth.com for more information.
In celebration of National Rural Health Day, Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) has been recognized as a 2025 Community Star by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH). The award honors individuals and organizations that make extraordinary contributions to rural health nationwide, and CRHC is proud to be among this year’s forty-seven statewide honorees, exemplifying innovation, compassion, and collaboration. Clarinda Regional Health Center, a Critical Access Hospital and cornerstone of care in southwest Iowa, also earned multiple accolades in 2025, including Becker’s 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare and Best of Midwest awards in Mental Health Services, Assisted Living, and Orthopedic Surgery. “CRHC’s commitment to Advancing Exceptional Care is rooted in our responsibility to serve, support, and uplift the people of southwest Iowa,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center. “Our team works every day to ensure rural patients have access to outstanding care close to home. The strength of our organization comes from our people, our partnerships, and the community we are proud to serve.” Impactful Programs, Real Results CRHC goes beyond hospital walls with programs that enhance safety, wellness, and opportunity in the community: Guardian Helmet & Concussion Sensor Program – Protecting youth athletes with advanced technology. Community School Nurse Program – Bringing healthcare and education directly to schools. Wellness Roots Garden – Hands-on nutrition education for all ages. Backpack & Fresh Eats Programs – Providing meals for students and families in need. Little Food Pantry – 24/7 discreet access to food for the community. Investing in Workforce & Rural Excellence As Clarinda’s largest employer, CRHC leads with its Employee Wellness Program, twice named Iowa’s Healthiest State Small Workplace . The program tackles burnout and promotes well-being through fitness challenges, mental health resources, and nutrition education. Power of Rural CRHC exemplifies the Power of Rural: neighbors caring for neighbors, delivering high-quality care with trust, accountability, and innovation—even in remote communities. Partnerships with the Iowa State Office of Rural Health further strengthen telehealth, hospitalist programs, and statewide performance standards. CRHC’s recognition as a Community Star and multiple awards highlight a simple truth: exceptional rural healthcare is possible, right here in southwest Iowa.
Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is pleased to announce that Amy Bingaman, MD, OB/GYN, will begin seeing patients in the CRHC Specialty Clinic beginning December 4, 2025. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Bingaman to our Specialty Clinic,” said Amy Roop, Chief Clinics Officer at CRHC. “She brings exceptional clinical expertise, a patient-centered philosophy, and a strong commitment to women’s health. Her addition expands access to high-quality gynecology services close to home, and we are proud to offer this level of care to our region.” Dr. Bingaman joins CRHC with extensive experience in women’s health across diverse settings. Originally from the Chicago area, she has lived in six states but proudly considers Iowa home. She earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa. Following medical school, Dr. Bingaman served 8.5 years in the United States Navy, completing her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology before continuing her service for an additional 4.5 years at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. For the last 15 years, she has practiced full-spectrum OB/GYN care across Iowa, serving women at every stage of life. Her clinical areas of focus include adolescent gynecology, perimenopausal and menopausal care, and LGBTQ+ health. In addition to providing outpatient consultations, Dr. Bingaman will perform gynecologic surgeries at CRHC. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Bingaman is devoted to family and community. She and her husband, a 50/50 farmer, are proud parents of four children. She enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, traveling, and running. CRHC is proud to expand women's health services with Dr. Bingaman’s arrival and looks forward to the positive and lasting impact she will have on patients and families in the region. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bingaman, call 712-542-8232 or visit clarindahealth.com to request an appointment.
Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is proud to announce that it has received two significant awards recognizing excellence in quality of care and hospital performance. The awards were presented by Iowa Health and Human Services through the Flex program. The first award honors CRHC’s outstanding performance in electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). These measures demonstrate the hospital’s consistent use of best practices in critical areas of patient care, including stroke treatment, ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) response, safe opioid prescribing, and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, CRHC earned recognition for successfully meeting all eight Critical Access Hospital Quality Infrastructure Elements and Criteria for 2024. This distinction reflects the hospital’s commitment to building and sustaining a strong culture of quality through effective leadership, dedicated teamwork, and innovative care strategies. “These awards highlight the commitment of our providers, nurses, and staff to deliver safe, high-quality care to every patient, every time,” said Lisa Haffner, Vice President of Quality, Accreditation and Care Management. “We are proud to consistently exceed state and national benchmarks in patient outcomes, staff training, and community engagement.” CRHC continues to lead the way in advancing rural healthcare by prioritizing data-driven improvements, continuous staff education, and meaningful connections with patients and families. For more information about Clarinda Regional Health Center and its services, please visit www.clarindahealth.com or call 712-542-2176.
Drive Thru Clinic is located at the Clarinda Mental Health Center Parking Lot
