Some of the Surgical Staff members at Veterans Memorial Hospital are pictured with the new microscope purchased by the hospital for use by Dr. Cindy Calderon during cataract surgeries. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are William Loebig, CRNA; Breanne Bernau, RN; Tara Reisinger, RN; Brooke Weighner, RN; and Suzette Mahoney, RN, Surgery Supervisor. Back row, left to right, are Jessica Jones, RN; Rachel Berns, RN; Heidi Whalen, RN; and Juli Viet, RN. Submitted photo.
The Surgery Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has seen some changes over the last few months. Long-time orthopedic provider Dr. Val Lyons is currently on medical leave from Veterans Memorial Hospital, with his return anticipated sometime in January. Dr. Lyons has arranged for coverage during his absence, so orthopedic services continue to be available at VMH provided by Dr. Lee Merritt and Dr. Thomas Distefano.
Winneshiek Medical Center and the Decorah Mayo surgeons have decided they will no longer have a presence at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Gundersen surgeons, who have served VMH since 1992, continue their strong support covering both scheduled procedures and emergency cases.
Diabetes mellitus affects over 24 million individuals in the United States alone. Diabetes is considered the leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, lower limb amputations and blindness among adults with diabetes. Persons with diabetes must learn to manage their diabetes, which includes dietary and food restrictions, physical activity goals, monitoring blood sugar levels with finger sticks and medication management (for some this may include injections of medicines) to lower their blood sugar levels. Living with this structured lifestyle on a day-to-day basis can be very stressful for the person with diabetes.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is still offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, November 15 from 1-6 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 22 from 1-4 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots will be offered as well.
Medicare does cover the costs of a flu shot. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them. Pneumonia and Tdap shots are also available.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 16 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 who has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, November 16. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.
The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.
Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.
Kambrea Mahr of Dorchester and Tyler Fink of New Albin exchanged vows October 7, 2017 at the Wally Mahr Jr. Barn. A reception followed the ceremony at the New Albin Community Center.
The bride’s parents are Mark and Julie Mahr of Dorchester, and grandparents are Wally and Marianne Mahr of Dorchester, Leroy and Rose Stadtler of Caledonia, MN and the late Audrey Stadtler of Spring Grove, MN. The bride is a 2011 graduate of Waukon High School and a 2014 graduate of Total Look Cosmetology in Cresco. She is the owner of the Hair Depot in New Albin since 2014.
The groom’s parents are Mike and Shirley Fink of New Albin and Sally Schneider of McGregor, and grandparents are Kay DeMunk of Marquette, and the late William Schneider, Velma Mack and Freeman Fink. The groom is a 2005 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing and is employed as an insurance agent with Washington National.
Wayne and Janice (Beisker) Howe are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was married November 18, 1967 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.
Family and friends are invited to help celebrate the occasion at a mass in their honor November 26 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church in Waukon, followed by an open house from 1-4 p.m. at the Waukon City Club Party Room. The couple requests no gifts.
The celebration is being hosted by their family: Angie and Ron Cooper, Jordan, Danen, Courtney and Kendra; Matt and Shelly Howe, Will and Grace; Becky and Brad Decker, Bronte, Desmond and Denzel; John Howe; Dan and Linsey Howe, Hunter, Hailie and Easton; Tom Howe and Callie Mescher and Ruby; and Zach Howe and Katie Kotz.
Jim and Connie Mettille of Lansing are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary November 25. The couple was married November 25, 1967 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.
They are the parents of eight children, including Becky of Lansing, Barbara (deceased), Matt (Julie Monroe) of Decorah, Mark (Lori Wilson) of Lantana, TX, Ben (Erin Lansing) of Lansing, Bob (Angie Gibbs) of Waterville, Brian (Stephanie Bohlen) of Dubuque, and Melissa of Decorah. The couple has 19 grandchildren.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the occasion November 25 with mass at 5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing and an open house from 6-10 p.m. at T.J. Hunter’s Reception Hall in Lansing.
Ann-Elise Bakkum of Waukon will be celebrating her 85th birthday November 20. In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to: 100 Second Street NW, Waukon, IA 52172.
Harlen Koenig of Postville will be celebrating his 100th birthday Saturday, November 25 with an open house from 9-11 a.m. at the Frankville Fire Station. Everyone is welcome to attend. Harlen was born November 29, 1917.
In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 686 Frankville Road, Postville, IA 52162.
