Health

The new, local Grief Support Group will begin holding monthly meetings at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Thursday, December 4, from 5-6 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Nancy Haberichter will be facilitating the meeting.

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 will continue meeting the first Thursday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting during the month of December. They will again hold their regular monthly meetings beginning in January with that next meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 15.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ellen Mellick by Edith Bloxham, Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; in memory of Terry “Hoot” Meyer by Randy Burke; in memory of Dianne Moose by Lyle Moose; in memory of Lee and Barbara Palmer by Roberta and Steve Cunningham; in memory of Marvin Petersen by Anita Petersen; in memory of Wayne Schmieden by Lil Schmieden and in memory of Jeanne Roggensack by Linda Siegrist and Chuck and Lois Votsmier. 

The 2025 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy drew huge numbers at all the scheduled events, with all those attending enjoying the fun, upbeat “Christmas Vacation” Christmas Fantasy theme. The holiday Fantasy was held last weekend, November 14-17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion, and was a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement.

A huge number of auction items donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals, numbering 126 in total, all went to the highest bidder Monday night at 6 p.m.

Trees on display during this 34th annual Foundation Fantasy highlighted 52 Christmas trees and displays all decorated by individuals, businesses and many groups around the area. Many, many individuals worked, served, and donated to this community celebration.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Foundation recently received a generous $25,000 gift from the Merrill Gruber Trust to support the Postville Clinic upgrade and expansion project. Merrill operated a 300-head dairy farm and crop farmed many acres across several counties. Charles Kelly, Merrill Gruber’s attorney and friend said, “Merrill was known throughout northeast Iowa as a hardworking, progressive, and determined farmer. Those who knew him remember a man who was loyal, fair, and deeply dedicated to his work. He treated people with respect and expected the same in return.” Merrill also enjoyed lively discussions - especially with his attorney. Charles commented, “We would often debate, challenge each other’s ideas, and ultimately find practical solutions together.”

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, December 1, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. 

A new, local Grief Support Group will begin holding monthly meetings at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Thursday, December 4, from 5-6 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Nancy Haberichter will be facilitating the meeting.

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 will continue meeting the first Thursday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Dwight and Sam Bacon by Beverly Bacon; in memory of Marian Bauercamper by John Bauercamper; in memory of Rebecca Berns by Ronald Berns; in memory of Richard Bloxham by Rhonda Seibert; in memory of Neil Bresnahan by Sandra Brenahan; in memory of Dorie Bulman by Tim Bulman; in memory of Debra Burke by Randy Burke; in memory of Judy Byrnes by Dennis Byrnes; in memory of Betty Engrav by Gary and Dawn Farley; in memory of Jean Hagen by Revelyn Lonning and in memory of Charles Hall by Susan Hall.

Memorials were also received in memory of Julie Halverson by Betty Decker and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; in memory of Richard Hermeier by Chuck and Lois Votsmier; in memory of Ernie Lubahn by Patricia Pettingill, Ann Stone, Marvin and Marjorie Strike and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; and in memory of Arlene Martin by Gary and Dawn Farley, Patricia Pettingill, Margo Sweeney and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

Dr. Thomas McMullan had his last scheduled day at the Postville Medical Clinic which he began 42 years ago when he moved to Postville. Veterans Memorial Hospital began managing that clinic over three years ago and on Thursday, November 13, Dr. McMullan handed over his patients to these current family care practitioners pictured here.  From left to right are Hannah Kelly, Nurse Practitioner; Minji Ransom, Nurse Practitioner; Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife/Nurse Practitioner; Dr. McMullan and his wife, Gloria Blanco; and Alex Berns, Nurse Practitioner.  These practitioners will all continue to practice family medicine at the VMH Postville Clinic providing care for the Postville community with the addition of a nurse practitioner in January and a physician this summer. Submitted photo.
 

from the Iowa Insurance Division-Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
 
Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries can review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 to December 7. With this year’s OEP underway, thousands of Iowans are turning to Medicare and SHIIP-SMP for help navigating options with major plan changes expected in 2026.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, covered prescriptions and provider networks can change each year. Following the 2025 cap on prescription drug copayments and new price negotiations on 10 high-cost sole-source drugs starting in 2026, many plans are adjusting their benefits and coverage options.