Health

Consider a different way to give back to the heart of the community by donating blood. The next local blood drive will be held in Waukon Monday, March 2 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon.

Heart disease remains the number-one reason patients are hospitalized and many require blood during treatment. A single blood transfusion can help restore normal heart rhythm and oxygen flow during cardiac emergencies.

People who give blood have an 88% lower risk of having a heart attack so giving blood is a win-win situation for both the donor and the recipient. Blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin are all checked at every blood donation so donors know if it’s high or low and can see patterns that may cause concern, helping keep them healthy and reducing heart attack risk.

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

This month’s guest speaker will be LuAnn Rolling, retired conservationist, who will be speaking about how soil health affects the nutrition of food.

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.

The Iowa Insurance Division’s SHIIP Program would like to remind Iowans about two important Medicare deadlines coming up.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Daniel Mathis by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Brad and Erin Berns, Karen Ferring, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Maurice Mooney, Diane Regan and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

Memorials were also received in memory of Phyllis Quandahl by Edith Bloxham and Randy and Lori Hesse; in memory of Joyce Regan by Betty and Carl Christianson and Linda Siegrist; in memory of Curtis Schoenthal by the Schoenthal Estate and in memory of Victor Stuckman by Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

In addition, a donation was made by Les and JoAnn Winters in honor of Dr. Dave Schwartz.

Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation unit over three decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community - a need that has been and continues to be well utilized.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year due to this disease. Many people develop symptoms of heart disease when they are in their 40s or 50s, interrupting a most productive time of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important tool in the fight against heart disease. Rehabilitation involves monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems.

Dr. John Swords joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) team in November, seeing patients at the Waukon Clinic. He is available to see patients of all ages at the  Waukon Clinic and even though his practice is quickly growing, he is accepting new patients.

“With the addition of two new family practice nurse practitioners, Hannah Kelly, NP and Mason Kerian, NP, as well as Dr. Swords, we have a great selection of providers for our patients to choose from with much quicker access to them as well,” states Laura Baxter, Chief Clinical Officer. “If our patients truly want to see a medical doctor, it is so nice to have a physician option again for new patients.  Dr. Schwartz has a very full practice, so having another full-time physician available in our clinic has been a real plus.” 

State Representative Jason Gearhart made a visit to Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Friday, January 30, to speak with hospital representatives. Administrator Michael Coyle, Board of Trustees Chair Dennis Lyons and Board member John Ellingson all met with Gearhart to discuss a number of projects and opportunities the hospital is involved with. They plan to meet with Gearhart again in March when they  travel to Hospital Day on the Hill in conjunction with the Iowa Hospital Association in Des Moines.

Gearhart plans to return in the near future for a full tour of the hospital and clinics. Submitted photo.

February is Heart Month.  The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Laboratory offers gift certificates for a full wellness package blood test at a low, up-front cost, which can make a very fitting gift for showing love and support for Valentine’s Day.

Gift certificates are available for purchase at the desk located at the main entrance to the hospital. The following blood tests are included in this gift certificate: Cholesterol, Blood Sugar/Diabetes, Thyroid, Kidney Function, Uric Acid, Hemoglobin, Calcium, Liver Function, Potassium and Sodium. Laboratory tests for Hemoglobin A1c, Prostate Health, Vitamin D and Blood Type are also available separately.

The hospital offers this wellness testing to help accommodate individuals that may forgo these important tests due to the cost of high health insurance premiums and deductibles within their own health insurance coverage.

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

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

The campaign for the new Postville Medical Clinic remains strong with another $10,000 donation from Waukon State Bank recently received to help renovate the new facility. Construction timeframes will soon be scheduled and announced as this fundraiser grows closer and closer to the goal of $200,000. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be providing the additional funds for this extensive renovation.