116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Michaela Ramm
I am the health care reporter for The Gazette. I cover a broad range of health and other related topics, but since 2020, my work has largely focused on COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic. I am also on The Gazette’s Fact Checker team. Stay informed with a subscription to our Daily News newsletter.
Latest Articles by Michaela Ramm
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 22, 2021 12:31 pm
As Iowans prepare to gather with loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday, virus transmission rates are at the highest levels. Iowa hospital officials are encouraging people to get the COVID-19 booster shot and take other steps to prevent infections among vulnerable Iowans.
History Nov. 19, 2021 6:00 am
A nonprofit has formed to restore and preserve a two-story schoolhouse and auditorium built in 1899 in the unincorporated community of Sharon Center in southwest Johnson County.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 18, 2021 4:07 pm
Iowa’s four Catholic Dioceses launched a campaign this week to encourage Iowans to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The effort was launched after conversations about vaccine hesitancy between the Diocese of Davenport and the University of Iowa.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 18, 2021 2:51 pm
Local vaccine providers say they are still seeing high demand for COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children aged 5 to 11 years in the two weeks since federal health officials approved the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for this age group. Health care providers say children who receive the first shot this week will be fully vaccinated by the end-of-year holidays.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 17, 2021 6:32 pm
New infections increase for fourth week in a row; available ICU beds hit all-time low
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 15, 2021 2:25 pm
Mercy Medical Center says 98.1 percent of all staff are compliant with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement as of Monday, the final day for employees to be fully vaccinated or have an exemption. Hospital officials say “a small percentage” of staff requested and were approved for a religious or medical exemption.
Kids Articles Nov. 15, 2021 11:00 am
We talked to three kids about what the COVID shot felt like, why they wanted to get vaccinated, and what they would say to other kids about it.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 12, 2021 6:25 pm
Friday marked the final day for employees of MercyOne to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus or receive an exemption. The health care system had extended the deadline to comply with a new state law that allowed staff previously denied an exemption to reapply.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 12, 2021 4:13 pm
Linn County Public Health is holding four vaccination clinics at Cedar Rapids schools for children 5 to 11. The clinics, open to any child with a parent present, will take place from Monday, Nov. 29 to Thursday, Dec. 2.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 12, 2021 10:02 am
Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids announced new steps to develop its cardiovascular program as part of officials’ ongoing goal to grow the heart program as its patient numbers continue to climb. “We wouldn’t have gone down that path unless we were pretty confident.”
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 11, 2021 8:30 am
9,067 new cases of COVID-19 infections were reported in the past week, up from 7,643 the previous week and from 6,983 two weeks ago.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 10, 2021 8:13 am
Fred Horn, 62, has never served in the military. But on Oct. 5, he was admitted to the Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Iowa City under the “fourth mission,” a policy that allows the VA to assist in times of crisis.
Community Nov. 9, 2021 6:00 am
Visitors will have a chance to start holiday shopping at the annual Mistletoe Market this week. The event is scheduled to take place within Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crime and Courts Nov. 8, 2021 6:28 pm
A 37-year-old Marion man has been charged with sexual abuse after a woman told investigators the man engaged in a sex act by force or against her will at his home in Marion.
Health Care and Medicine Nov. 8, 2021 12:34 pm
Eric Bradley, an environmental health manager at Scott County Public Health, will take on a new role at Linn County Public Health as the deputy director later this month.