Health

The Pfizer COVID vaccine will be offered Wednesday, August 18, from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Waukon High School gymnasium. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for all ages 12 and over. Parental/guardian consent is required for all those under 18 taking the immunization.

COVID-19 can have serious, life threatening complications and there is no way to know how it will affect anyone. Getting COVID-19 may offer some protection, known as natural immunity, but the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine, which is readily available locally, creates an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

Walk-ins are welcome at this COVID-19 vaccine clinic August 18. For more information, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee Public Health at 563-568-5660.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon will be sponsoring its annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 21 in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration. Again this year, the event welcomes a shorter, 1.5-mile walking route with an optional 5K (3.1-mile route) to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:15 a.m. This is a free wellness event for all ages. New this year, costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event by adults and youth with the top costume in both categories earning a prize.

Another generous donation was recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in support of the new Waukon Medical Clinic. Dale Byrnes of Waukon made a donation to the renovation project in honor of his teacher, Margie Van Horn, pictured here at back right with her entire classroom of students in the Hanover #3 school house. Dale is pictured in middle front with the birthday cake, celebrating his birthday with the class in December of 1957. Dale also made this donation in honor of all teachers as they get ready to return for another school year of dedication to area youth. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible Appointments are available each day and can be made by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Submitted photo.
 

Two forms of at-home COVID testing kits are now available locally. The Test Iowa self-administered kits, which take the place of the Test-Iowa drive up testing sites, are available for pick-up at Veterans Memorial Hospital in home or may be sent home at no cost.

Each test kit includes step-by-step instructions including how to activate the test kit, collect the test sample, return the sample the State Hygienic Lab and when to expect the results.  Kits are available at the main entrance of the hospital, from the receptionist desk, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays.

Another option of at-home testing kits are available for purchase from local pharmacies. These kits are purchased at the store and taken home and give immediate results, which is beneficial for those wanting to know if they are safe to attend public and family events.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital in Waukon. Masks will be required to be worn.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dorothy Stika by Beth Baxter, Alan and Ruth Hageman, Dave and Karen Mathis, Rita Newton, Lynn O’Hara, Randy and Pam Smith, Theresa Smith, Nick and Deb Zuercher, Steve and Becky Welper, Lori Bresnahan, Brad and Erin Berns, and Fred and Geralyn Smith.

Memorials were also received in memory of Dale Stika by Alan and Ruth Hageman, Dave and Karen Mathis, Rita Newton, Theresa Smith, Nick and Deb Zuercher, Lori Bresnahan, Brad and Erin Berns, and Fred and Geralyn Smith.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Norma Bloxham by JoAnn Peake, Wayne and Nona Sawyer, Meg Schaller, Betty White, Diane Regan, Patsy Kerndt and Cheryl Bollman.

Beginning CPR right away whenever someone goes unconscious and has no pulse is so important for all ages to know and understand. Greg Fink of Harpers Ferry is living proof of just how important immediate CPR is.

Greg and his young neighbor, Trevor Peiffer, age 13, have enjoyed playing ping pong and basketball together the past few years. October 1 of last year, Trevor had gotten home from school and decided to see what Greg was up to. Greg was outside and invited him to play some ping pong. As they were playing a game, Greg suddenly stopped and stared at Trevor, then collapsed. Trevor yelled for Greg’s wife, Lori, to come and told her he was running home to get his mom, Julie, who is a nurse. Julie and Trevor returned right away and Julie began CPR as Trevor called 911.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be sponsoring its 29th annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 21 in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration.  This year, the event again welcomes a shorter walking route with an optional 5K to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon with a start time of 8 a.m. and registration beginning at 7:15 a.m. Again this year, costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event by adults and youth, with the top costume in both categories earning a prize.

A generous donation of $5,000 was recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation from Joe and Mary Cunningham in support of the new Waukon Medical Clinic. Pictured above, left to right at the main entrance of the new clinic is Laura Baxter, RN, Clinic Director; Mary and Joe Cunningham; and Michael Coyle, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Joe Cunningham states, “We are very pleased and grateful that we have additional providers in our community and now convenience to utilize the services at both our local clinic and hospital.” The new medical clinic opened May 3 and has already experienced over 1,500 visits to date.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Appointments are available each day for those with an acute health issue who need to be seen right way. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, August 10 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Masks will be required. This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend, and be sure to wear a mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting.  This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.