Health

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Marlene Dahlstrom by Kelly Bollman, Wendy Bucheit, Helen Johnson, Dave and Gail Prestemon, James and Linda Seibert, Trish and Corey Shelton, Donna Wood, Brian and Denise Wullner and Brad and Erin Berns.

Memorials were also received in memory of Theresa Anderson by Frank and Patty Goltz; in memory of Duane and Noah Dietrich by Jane Dietrich; in memory of Gary Gilbertson by Jean Gilbertson; in memory of Frank Jones by Mary Ann Otting; in memory of Jean O’Malley by family and friends; and in memory of Virginia Murphy by Dennis and Carn Murphy and Kevin and Marilyn Steffens. A donation was also made in honor of Dr. Thomas McMullan’s retirement by Brian and Denise Wullner.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) have announced that last week was Influenza Vaccination Week. The event was designed to highlight the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. While Iowa has had no confirmed cases of influenza yet this season, several of our neighboring states have, so it is anticipated that flu will be in Iowa soon. Annual vaccination is the most effective way of preventing influenza and its complications. 

The number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMTs have retired.   Allamakee and northern Clayton Counties are fortunate to have many emergency response services, but nearly all of them are in need of more EMTs on their service to share the call time, ensuring local emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning in January. This class is not offered locally each year, so the fact it will be held in Waukon is a convenience for those wishing to take the course with little travel time.  This 138-hour course will conclude in May. Registration for this class must be completed soon.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) offers gift certificates for a full wellness package blood test at a low, up-front cost, which can make a very fitting gift for the holidays. Gift certificates are available for purchase at the main entrance to the hospital for just $50.

The following blood tests are included in this gift certificate:  cholesterol, blood sugar/diabetes, thyroid, kidney function, uric acid, hemoglobin, calcium, liver function, vitamin D, prostate health, potassium and sodium. 

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. 

Anyone can call the VMH Laboratory at 563-568-3411 to set up an appointment. A Physician’s order is not required for these tests. Results are then mailed to the individual within five business days.

by Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator, Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming a popular, flexible way to support local charities. With a DAF, you donate cash or assets - such as appreciated stocks or mutual funds - to a sponsoring organization and receive an immediate tax deduction. You can then recommend grants to your favorite charities, such as Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation (VMHCF), over time, while your remaining balance grows tax-free.

How it works:
• Choose a sponsoring organization (like Fidelity Charitable or Edward Jones).
• Contribute cash or assets.
• Let the funds grow tax-free.
• Recommend grants (donations to charities) whenever you’re ready.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Arlene Martin by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Marilyn Anderson, Charles and Marlene Bloxham, Sheila Claire, Jane Dietrich, Cheryl Duncklee, Lois Evans, Linda Flatland, David and Suzanne Hahn, Don and DiAnne Haler, Helen Johnson, Jens and Jane Kallevang, Lillian Larson, Barb and Craig Lensing, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Ann Rademaker, Diane Regan, Mary Beth Regan, Linda Riek, Meg Schaller, Bill and Beth Shafer, Linda Siegrist, Frank and Carol Sivesind, Nancy and Larry Straate, Frank and Jean Ann Weymiller, Donna Wood and an anonymous donation.

The number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMTs have retired.   Allamakee and northern Clayton Counties are fortunate to have many emergency response services, but nearly all of them are in need of more EMTs on their service to share the call time ensuring local emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning in January. This class is not offered locally each year, so the fact it will be held in Waukon is a convenience for those wishing to take the course with little travel time. This 138-hour course will conclude in May. Registration for this class must be completed soon.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation has committed to a donation of $50,000 to the renovation for the new medical clinic in Postville. This donation brings the total raised to date to just over $140,000, moving the project closer to its $200,000 goal. Donations are being accepted and construction is expected to begin as soon as the fundraising goal is reached. Pictured above are many of the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation board members including, from left to right, Kim Sylvester, Chris Engstrom-Fosaaen, Kris Cote’, Sue Blagsvedt, Craig Lensing, Sue Kratz, Vicki Bloxham, Patty Goltz, Judy Herman, Rose Beardmore and Barb Shull. Recent fundraisers sponsored by the Foundation will fund this donation to the new Postville Clinic. The new clinic will have an additional three exam rooms for a total of five, plus a new procedure room and lab area.

The number of providers now serving the Postville Medical Clinic, following the retirement of Dr. Thomas McMullan, has grown with offering a greater variety of choices and availability for patients. 

Hannah (Gesing) Kelly, Nurse Practitioner, recently was added to the providers serving the Postville Clinic. She joins Nurse Practitioners Alex Berns, Minji Ranson, and Katy Maker, who is also a nurse midwife, in serving the growing number of patients utilizing this Clinic. 

National Handwashing Month is observed in December. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing hands to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The recommendations for effective handwashing and use of hand sanitizer were developed based on data from a number of studies.