Health

Wed
16
Apr

April 16 is National Health Care Decisions Day; Learn how to make advance medical directives

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), along with other national, state and community organizations, is highlighting the importance of advance healthcare decision-making - an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Veterans Memorial Hospital always has information available to help individuals talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will).

Wed
16
Apr

April recognized as Donate Life Month by the Iowa Donor Network

Organ and tis­sue dona­tion is a gift that saves and heals hun­dreds of thou­sands of lives each year. It can pro­vide com­fort and solace to donor fam­i­lies as their loved ones leave a last­ing lega­cy of hope and heal­ing. For trans­plant recip­i­ents and patients on the trans­plant wait­ing list, the gift of dona­tion offers a sec­ond chance at life; a chance to move for­ward and ful­fill the lega­cy left behind by their gra­cious donor.

Trans­plan­ta­tion is seen as one of the great­est achieve­ments of mod­ern med­i­cine. Organ and tis­sue dona­tion saves and enhances lives. It gives indi­vid­u­als the abil­i­ty to return to pro­duc­tive, ful­fill­ing lives.

Wed
16
Apr

April is Foot Health Month; Caring for the feet, which support the entire body

April is Foot Health Month. The feet are a part of the body that is often ignored, but are truly one of the most important parts, supporting the rest of the body in most every move it makes. Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in foot and ankle care. A podiatrist diagnoses and treats health issues concerning not only the feet, but the ankle as well.

Podiatrist Dr. Kristina Thompson of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon is available every Monday and Wednesday in Waukon consulting and treating patients, and even providing minor surgical procedures.

Wed
16
Apr

Diabetes Support Group to meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 17, 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.     

This month’s topic will be a continuation from last month, discussing specifically how food affects blood sugars. The group will be looking into Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Data and seeing how certain foods truly affect blood sugars. Angie Mettille, Diabetes Educator, has many varieties of foods to show which should be very interesting to all attending.

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, Diabetes Educator, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Wed
09
Apr

Bandmates, Brothers and Friends to return May 9, teaming up with another local favorite for third annual event benefiting VM Healthcare Foundation


Bandmates, Brothers and Friends to perform May 9 in Waukon ... Pictured on stage at the first event benefiting the Veterans Memorial Healthcare Foundation in 2023 are members of the Bandmates, Brothers and Friends group. Left to right - Back row: Bill Withers Jr., Gary Hesla and John Withers; Front row: Todd Pickett, Joel Anderson, Jamey Lideen, Jim Withers, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon and Keel Clemmens, with the original band guitar played by former band member, the late Pat Dougherty, standing front and center on the dance floor. Submitted photo.

JayR Brink Band to perform following Bandmates, Brothers and Friends May 9 ... The JayR Brink Band will be finishing out the May 9 night of musical entertainment with Bandmates, Brothers and Friends in an effort to benefit the Veterans Memorial Healthcare Foundation. The group is well known for its variety of music covering a mix of country, folk and oldies with a folky, alternative country style. Submitted photo.

For the third year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of outstanding musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year they will be joined by the JayR Brink Band as part of the musical line-up, all to be held Friday evening May 9, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

The first set of Bandmates, Brothers and Friends members will take the stage to begin the night, offering a variety of older country music, with a second set of BBF  members performing a variety of hits from the 1950s through the 1990s. The JayR Brink Band will close out the evening’s musical entertainment.

Wed
09
Apr

April is National Occupational Therapy Month; OT’s role after breast cancer diagnosis


Occupational Therapy at VMH ... April is Occupational Therapy Month. Occupational Therapists offer great help and support to breast cancer patients who are experiencing Lymphedema following their surgery. Local breast cancer survivor Cindy Berns of Postville is a patient who has greatly benefitted from this treatment. She states, “I didn’t realize there was help for Lymphedema and the cording. This occupational therapy is local and I can drive 10 minutes to come here instead of all the way to Iowa City. We are so lucky to have this hospital here and especially services like this.” Anyone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, or is currently undergoing cancer treatments, and wishes to address physical or emotional issues, or pain related to the cancer treatments, should contact the therapy department at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-5528. Submitted photo.

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L

Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Kathy Bates, Rita Wilson, Hoda Kotb, Wanda Sykes, and Julia-Louis Dreyfus. What do these ladies have in common, besides being famous, beautiful, and strong? They are all breast cancer survivors.

According to the American Cancer Society, the average risk of a woman developing breast cancer is 13%, meaning that there is a 1 in 8 chance for a female to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women (Cancer.org). However, over the years the death rate has decreased, possibly due to increased awareness, early detection, and better treatments.

Wed
09
Apr

Public Health Week: Many local public health services available


National Public Health Week observed at VMH ... April 7-13 is National Public Health Week. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care, in its role as Allamakee County Public Health, holds the responsibility of preventing epidemics and the spread of disease, protecting against environmental hazards, promoting healthy behaviors and teaching everyone how to prepare for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. Pictured at left, left to right, are the VMH Community and Home Care Public Health Supervisors Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN; Lisa Moose, RN; and Cindy Johnson, RN. Submitted photo.

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance and home nursing and home care aide visits.

Wed
09
Apr

Diabetes Support Group to meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 17, 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.

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, feel free to call  Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Wed
02
Apr

Blood Donor Day set; Blood in great demand

The next LifeServe Blood Center community blood drive will be held Monday, April 7, from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Wed
02
Apr

April observed as National Occupational Therapy Month

Occupational Therapy at VMH ...
Occupational Therapy at VMH ... April is National Occupational Therapy Month. Rehabilitation is extremely helpful following a hip or knee replacement. Pete Keune of Gunder has utilized the occupational and physical therapy services at Veterans Memorial Hospital for both of his knee replacements. Pete Keune is pictured above with Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist. Submitted photo.

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L
 
Have you been experiencing pain in your hip or knee? Are you having difficulty completing daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing, and making a meal? Is it becoming more difficult to walk around your house, through the grocery store, or attend special events where there are stairs?

These are some important questions to consider before talking with your doctor about having a hip or knee replacement surgery.  The surgery, and the expected pain and inconvenience, can seem overwhelming, however the after effects can be life changing. The therapy department at Veterans Memorial Hospital is here to help you through the transition from a painful, limiting joint to returning to a fulfilling productive life.

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