Health

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.

Wed
02
Apr

Preventing colon cancer with colonoscopies; Recommendations from VMH

Surgery nursing staff and surgeons at Veterans Memorial Hospital ...
Surgery nursing staff and surgeons at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... Prevent Colon Cancer with Colonoscopies. Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colonoscopies, a very thorough colon cancer test, are performed routinely in the Veterans Memorial Hospital surgical suite. General surgery is now offered three days per week, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, making scheduling of colonoscopies much more accessible. Pictured above is the hospital surgery nursing staff with both surgeons Dr. Phillip Yee, at left, and Dr. Chris Winters, at right. Submitted photo.

Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colon cancer screening tests identify suspicious or pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed before they develop into a serious health problem.

There are four main testing options for detecting colon cancer: Fecal Occult blood test, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Enema and Colonoscopy. Colonoscopies, a very thorough colon cancer test, are performed routinely in the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) surgical suite and typically take just three hours from start to finish.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies, so local medical practitioners can help make informed decisions about when to begin testing and the most appropriate testing method for each individual.

Wed
02
Apr

Babysitting Seminar at Veterans Memorial Hospital scheduled for Friday, April 18

QR code registration
QR code registration

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will sponsor the next Babysitting Seminar Friday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to Noon. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

Pre-registration is required by April 14. Online registration is available by using the QR code or may be taken by phone by calling the hospital at 563-568-3411.

Wed
02
Apr

Memorials received by Health Care Foundation

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dianne Wolfe by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Brad and Erin Berns, Frank and Patty Goltz,  Marlys Leiran,  Ann Rademaker, Diane Regan, Bill and Beth Shafer, Linda Siegrist, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Frank and Jean Ann Weymiller, Brian and Denise Wullner, Marilyn Clark and Mary Ann Hager.

Memorials were also received in memory of Ken West by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Mary Axmear, Barb Hanson, Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Sheila Clair, Charles and Marcie Fritz, Mary Ann Hager, Sigurd and Barb Ness, Pat Pettingill, Sandy Pladsen, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Marvin and Marjorie Strike, and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

Wed
02
Apr

Grief Support Group to meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, April 8, 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 meets the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.
 

Wed
26
Mar

March observed as Brain Injury Awareness Month: The role speech therapy can play in the recovery process

VMH Speech Language Pathology ...
VMH Speech Language Pathology ... March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Steven Mazzafield is a Speech Language Pathologist and can help treat brain disorders such as stroke, dementia and traumatic brain injury. Submitted photo.

by Steven Mazzafield, Speech Language Pathologist at Veterans Memorial Hospital

In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, I would like to talk about traumatic brain injury and the vital role of speech therapy in the recovery process.

Brain injuries fall within one of two different categories: acquired or traumatic. Acquired brain injury occurs when someone has a stroke, seizure, infection, tumor, or lack of oxygen that affects the brain. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), on the other hand, occurs after a sudden blow to the head - examples include from a car accident, sports injury, or fall.

Wed
26
Mar

March is National Social Work Month: The role of the social worker at VMH


Tatum Iverson, Social Worker at VMH ... March is National Social Work Month. Tatum Iverson, the Veterans Memorial Hospital Social Worker, provides a multitude of social work services for all patients. She can also help families take the next steps following a hospital discharge and help with a referral to Skilled Care, even from another health care facility. Submitted photo.

A hospital social worker helps patients and their families navigate the healthcare system, access resources, and improve their well-being. Responsibilities can include patient education, crisis intervention, advocacy for patients and their rights, case management, knowledge of community resources and social welfare systems, discharge planning and helping patients navigate the financial implications of hospitalization.   They also work closely with the medical team to develop care plans to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Tatum Iverson is the full-time social worker at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. Her role is very large, touching most every patient’s care who enters and leaves the hospital, working closely with hospital staff, patients, their families and their insurance companies to coordinate the proper levels of care needed and being sure these are approved.

Wed
26
Mar

March is Athletic Training Month; Three trainers at Veterans Memorial Hospital


Athletic training services available at VMH ... March is National Athletic Training Month. Pictured above are the three athletic trainers at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, including, from left to right, Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; Shelly Valley, who is also a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA); and Austin Troendle, who is also a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). If a high school student has an injury that needs to be assessed, the student should contact their coach or school office to arrange an assessment with these professionals at either the school or hospital. Submitted photo.

March is National Athletic Training Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has three athletic trainers on staff including Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; Austin Troendle, DPT, ATC, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy; and Shelly Valley, PTA, ATC, who is also a Physical Therapist Assistant. These trainers use their variety of skills to rehabilitate athletes, often communicating with the physicians to help coordinate the best recovery.

Athletic trainers help treat and prevent injuries for people of all ages from athletes to laborers. They specialize in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of physical injuries to the muscle, ligament and bone, as well as rehabilitation following surgery. Athletic trainers are also key in teaching injury prevention by explaining flexibility exercises, proper use of equipment and applying prevention devices such as tape, bandages and braces.

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