Health

Original members of four local bands will be reuniting as “Bandmates, Brothers and Friends” Friday evening, May 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Goodfella’s in downtown Waukon. This benefit event features a reunion of 11 musicians from local bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River, sharing songs from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, both country and rock, from classic bands and individual artists like Elvis, the Beatles and Alabama, to name a few.

Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill, Jim and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson.  They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, long-time band members over the years. Of the original 12 musicians, the late Pat Dougherty, will also be remembered during the event, with his brother, Dave, joining the band at times throughout the evening.

This is National Nurses Week. At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), two- or four-year degree Registered Nurses (RNs) are welcome to help fulfill the hospital mission of “Our Family Caring for Your Family.” The career of nursing offers many opportunities right here in this small critical access hospital.

Nurses are needed to not only care for the patients who are admitted into the hospital, but are also needed in the Emergency Room, Birthing Center, Surgery, Medical Clinics, Infection Control, Education, Informatics, as well as out in the homes through Community and Home Care.

As of May 6, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon will again be suspending the current weekend Urgent Care services for the summer months and will reopen again September 9, in time for fall respiratory illnesses. During this time, patients seeking immediate or emergency care should visit the VMH Emergency Department (ER). For all other needs, patients can utilize either of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinics located in Waukon, at 105 East Main Street, or in Postville, at 124 West Green Street.

The Waukon Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, this clinic offers early access hours Mondays beginning at 7 a.m., and evening appointments are available Thursdays until 7 p.m. The Postville Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the hospital at 563-568-3411 or visit www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

Who knew that one pint of whole blood can save up to three lives? The next local blood drive will take place Thursday, May 4 from Noon to 5 p.m. at Waukon High School. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, allowing for more donors to give. LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95-percent probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.

Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First-time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients. On average, 90-percent of first-time donors give at blood drives in their community. This is a great opportunity for first-time donors to see how easy the blood donation process is.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Speech-Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield is now offering a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke. The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.   Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Stoke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as we get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, May 9 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

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. This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Original members of four local bands will be reuniting Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 12, for one night in downtown Waukon. This benefit event features a reunion of 11 mostly local musicians, two of whom played together 45 years ago in a number of area bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.

Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon, including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson. They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, long-time band members over the years. Of the original 12 musicians, the late Pat Dougherty, will also be remembered during the event, with his brother, Dave, joining the band at times throughout the evening.

The Occupational Therapy Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital has had a pelvic floor rehabilitation program for over 11 years.  Staff member Melissa Clarke, Occupational Therapist, has been providing this treatment and has seen very positive results.

More people than one may think are impacted by bladder and bowel dysfunction. On average, 25-30% of adults 25-55 years old have experienced bowel or bladder problems. An average of 35-40% of individuals over 65 who live in the community have bladder and bowel problems, and 10-15% of children 8-16 years old have nighttime wetting. The good news is 61% of people using the Beyond Kegels program were dry in three-and-a-half weeks.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 10, from 3:30-6 p.m.  Free health testing, exhibits and interactive activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. All those attending the fair are asked to enter through the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic entrance, then proceed through the various booths and displays throughout the hospital (such as those pictured in the submitted photo above), traveling over to the Gundersen Clinic and exiting the event at the main hospital entrance. Parking will be available at both the clinic and hospital main entrance parking lots.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory continues to provide community wellness testing at a low upfront cost, offering this service to help accommodate individuals that may forgo important tests due to the cost of high health insurance premiums and deductibles. Individuals can select from a menu of wellness tests during select hours. While these tests do not take the place of regular medical care, they are a tool for patients to monitor their own health and wellness.

Anyone can call the Lab to set up an appointment. Appointments are available between the hours of 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday. A physician’s order is not required for these tests. Results are then mailed to the individual within five business days.

The following blood tests are offered at a low, individual, out-of-pocket rate:  Cholesterol, Blood Sugar/Diabetes, Thyroid, Kidney Function, Uric Acid, Hemoglobin, Calcium, Liver Function, Vitamin D, Prostate Health, Potassium and Sodium.