Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 10 for a total of 40 students.  This year, the class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. The same information will be taught at both sessions, so students can sign-up for one session or the other.  A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session. Both 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 are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported a great number of donors at the March blood drive with 67 total donors and 192 lives impacted due to the generous Waukon Community donations.  In addition, there were three first time donors who attended and one convalescent plasma donor.

The local blood drives continue to be held during COVID-19 since the need for blood does not stop.  Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood.   Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Delores “Jean” Kroack by Patsy Kerndt, Marv and Marge Strike, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Ament, Loren Lee Eberling, Mary Ann Hager, Darlene Kaeser, John and Lorna Kerndt, Maury Mooney, Tom and Karen Regan, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and the family of Jean Kroack.

Memorials were also received in memory of Ronald Goeke by Allen and Ella Mae Goeke, Jean Huffey, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, and Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Larry White by Dave and Sandy Lyons, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Cheryl Bollman, Don and DiAnne Haler, Brad and Judy Herman, Robert and Karen Fossum, Helen Johnson, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Terry and Laurie Welch, Carl and Betty Christianson, Mary Ann Hager, Brad and Erin Berns and the family of Larry White.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiologists are recommending mammography patients to have their mammograms performed prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.  As a result of the COVID-19 vaccination, Radiologists have noticed an increase in lymph node enlargements seen on Mammograms.

For this reason, Hospital Radiologists are recommending all mammograms are performed before receiving the vaccine, or encouraging patients to wait 4-6 weeks after the second vaccine to have the mammogram. However, it’s not a one size fits all solution, especially if there are barriers to care.

Veterans Memorial Hospital X-ray staff will be asking and recording patients’ recent vaccination history and the Radiologist will interpret their images accordingly. The primary goal is that women do not delay getting their screening mammogram, nor delay getting the COVID-19 vaccination if they are able. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to choose when they get their Mammogram.

Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to focus on the 65 and over age group for the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to be finishing with that age group soon before they move onto the next tier.

For those age 65 years and above who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages them to either call the COVID-19 line at 563-568-3411 or use the online sign-up option to join a waiting list. Those online sign-up details are listed later in this article. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment. Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.

Those waiting to receive their second vaccine will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately 2 - 7 days before it is due; they should not sign up on-line for that second dose.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 10 for a total of 40 students.  This year, the class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. The same information will be taught at both sessions, so students can sign-up for one session or the other.  A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session. Both 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 are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Health Tips From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Veterans Memorial Hospital Wellness Committee

March is National Nutrition Month. Building a healthy plate is easy when you make half your plate fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great way to add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Make 1½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables your daily goal. Try the following tips to enjoy more fruits and vegetables every day.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Maureen Becker by Norb and Nola Palmer, Brian and Denise Wullner, Ron and Nancy Adam, Robert and Marilyn Bulman, Linda Flatland, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Dave and Laurie Martin, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Pat Pettingill, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Meg Schaller, Jerry and  Linda Siegrist, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Jo Nordheim and Carl and Betty Christianson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Robert “Bobbie” Becker by Steve and Denise Duffy, Patsy Kerndt, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Dave and Gail Prestemon and Waukon State Bank.

Two weeks ago, a direct mailing was sent out to the entire Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) service area outlining the current renovation project for the new Medical Clinic the hospital will be opening in May. The former Mayo Clinic building, which is adjoined to and is now owned by Veterans Memorial Hospital, is the site for this clinic.  With the loss of the Mayo Health System Waukon Clinic a year ago, accessibility to local family practice providers has been dangerously limited.

Veterans Memorial Hospital and Allamakee County Public Health would like to alert the public that they will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately two to seven days before it is due; do not sign up online for that second shot.

For those 65 years of age and older who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages use of the online sign-up option to join a waiting list. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment.

Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.

Note that Veterans Memorial Hospital’s and Allamakee County Public Health’s phone numbers come up as “Unknown” on a Caller-ID system. We are asking those who are waiting to be contacted regarding their COVID-19 vaccination to answer their phones if they receive an “Unknown” telephone call.