Inside UnityPoint’s new Colorectal Surgery Clinic at Waukee Medical Park, leaders say the goal is simple: expand access to specialty care in one of Iowa’s fastest-growing areas. The clinic is now open and taking referrals, giving patients in the western Des Moines metro another option for colorectal surgical care close to home.“We are excited to expand access to colorectal surgery here in the Waukee area,” said Dr. Ashley Priaulx, vice president and medical director for UnityPoint Clinic. She said the added access is especially important as Iowa continues to face troubling cancer trends.Priaulx said the need is urgent because Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer rates. “It’s concerning for all of us,” she said. “And we want to make sure we are staying on top of all of our screenings. Having an individual conversation with your primary care provider is super important to prevent all kinds of cancers.”The 2026 Cancer in Iowa report estimates there will be 1,630 new cases of colorectal cancer in the state this year. The report also projects colorectal cancer will be the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Iowa in 2026, with an estimated 550 deaths.UnityPoint leaders said the new clinic is designed to help patients not only get screened, but also connect with specialists sooner when treatment is needed. “We want to make sure that folks have access to the screening that they need to catch those cancers early, but then have the specialist to take care of them and hopefully allow them to live long and healthy lives,” Priaulx said.The colorectal surgery clinic is the latest specialty expansion at Waukee Medical Park. In recent months, UnityPoint has also opened pulmonology and plastic surgery clinics there, and later this month plans to open a breast surgery clinic.

WAUKEE, Iowa —

Inside UnityPoint’s new Colorectal Surgery Clinic at Waukee Medical Park, leaders say the goal is simple: expand access to specialty care in one of Iowa’s fastest-growing areas.

The clinic is now open and taking referrals, giving patients in the western Des Moines metro another option for colorectal surgical care close to home.

“We are excited to expand access to colorectal surgery here in the Waukee area,” said Dr. Ashley Priaulx, vice president and medical director for UnityPoint Clinic.

She said the added access is especially important as Iowa continues to face troubling cancer trends.

Priaulx said the need is urgent because Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer rates. “It’s concerning for all of us,” she said. “And we want to make sure we are staying on top of all of our screenings. Having an individual conversation with your primary care provider is super important to prevent all kinds of cancers.”

The 2026 Cancer in Iowa report estimates there will be 1,630 new cases of colorectal cancer in the state this year.

The report also projects colorectal cancer will be the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Iowa in 2026, with an estimated 550 deaths.

UnityPoint leaders said the new clinic is designed to help patients not only get screened, but also connect with specialists sooner when treatment is needed.

“We want to make sure that folks have access to the screening that they need to catch those cancers early, but then have the specialist to take care of them and hopefully allow them to live long and healthy lives,” Priaulx said.

The colorectal surgery clinic is the latest specialty expansion at Waukee Medical Park.

In recent months, UnityPoint has also opened pulmonology and plastic surgery clinics there, and later this month plans to open a breast surgery clinic.