Each year, the State Hygienic Laboratory helps give about 39,000 Iowa babies the best possible start in life with the newborn screening conducted at its Ankeny laboratory. On May 10, laboratory staff welcomed 12 new babies to its campus, but none of these required screening. Pam Mollenhauer, government relations officer, explains why.

A mother duck takes her 12 newborns on a stroll around the Iowa Laboratories Facility in Ankeny.

Throughout the storm that dumped more than four inches of snow on Ankeny May 2, Mrs. Duck sat vigilantly on her nest. Some folks here at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) in Ankeny observed her patience and dedication as she sat unflinchingly, covered in snow. When she needed a break, Mr. Duck was observed watching over the eggs.

On May 9, in the wind and rain, Mrs. Duck was observed to be fidgety, but very attentive to close surroundings. You might guess what was happening under the warmth of her body.

With a sense of awe and excitement, Matt Coleman, an environmental analyst at the Hygienic Lab, called several of our staff members to see the SHL Duck Dynasty emerge this morning.

Matt, who has a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife biology from Iowa State University, has been watching the nest for a few weeks. He captured Mrs. Duck on film taking her 12 new babies on a walk around the Iowa Labs Facility courtyard. She is teaching them to stay in the nest when she is gone, follow the leader and sit when mama sits.

This story is a reminder of the importance of nurturing the environment and protecting the health of newborns. As the nation commemorates 50 years of screening newborn human babies, it is an opportunity for Iowans to celebrate the vital work of their public health and environmental laboratory. More information about our services, research and education is available on our website (shl.uiowa.edu).