Health

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions will be offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in Waukon beginning the end of March. This 138-hour course will conclude the end of July.

This will be an in-person class held right here locally in Waukon, which is a huge advantage to students attending. Another huge advantage is that NICC has received a grant to cover 70% of the tuition for this course so generous tuition assistance is available, keeping the class costs under $400.

Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.

You can make a difference by making a life-saving blood donation at the next Waukon Community Blood Drive. The next blood drive will take place Thursday, March 3 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

The Waukon blood drives have been very successful the last couple of years with new first-time donors each time. The February blood drive saw 53 donors giving blood, saving 144 lives.

Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives. Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation. Everyone who registers to donate blood goes through four simple steps during the donation process:  registration, donor history and mini-physical, blood donation and snacks.

New blood donors who are not familiar with the blood donation process are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after their blood donation. Below are several tips for ensuring a successful donation:

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Robert “Bob” Anderson by Bill and Sue Blagsvedt, Wendy Bucheit, Dennis and Julie Herman, Don and Linda Herman, John and Lorna Kerndt and George Pickett.

Memorials were also received in memory of Judy Landt by Betty Decker, in memory of Bob Dotseth by Dave and Laurie Martin, in memory of Shirley Heimer by Bev Krambeer and Jim and Linda Ryan, in memory of Rose Snitker by Linda Flatland and Lillian Larson, and in memory of Ione Rema by Dennis and Julie Herman, Lillian Larson and Betty Troendle.

Veterans Memorial Hospital began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation unit over three decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community. Jane Butler of Waukon, who had originally retired from nursing at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 1988, was asked if she would return just a year later to help begin the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program along with fellow nurse, Traci Heidelbauer McGraw.

“It took us over a year to get the service off the ground with Medicare requirements and our training,” adds Jane.  “We took out a wall between two patient rooms on the third floor and made that our cardiac rehab department.  Our first patient was DuWayne Dietrich, Jane’s husband. Dr. Withers was our Chief of Staff. We had some stair steps and a tread mill, so it was pretty antique compared to what they do now, but it was a start.”

The unit was moved into the Rehabilitation Department during the hospital expansion on 2000 and continues to fill a huge need in the community.

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors.  This program will be held Monday, February 21 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a service of the State of Iowa. Local SHIIP counselors Russ Hagen and Nancy Schoh are trained by the State and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents.   Veterans Memorial Hospital is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each Friday afternoon in February from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring an insurance card and vaccination card if coming for a second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/guardian consent is required. Call them ahead to schedule an appointment for a vaccination.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Jay Runice by Sherry Halvorson, Lollie Hirth, John and Sheryl Prestemon, and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; and in memory of Bethel Sylvester by Ken and Gloria Krambeer and Bev Krambeer.

Memorials were also received in memory of Tom Schofield by Jim and Jill Kiesau and in memory of Terry Lang by Kris and Jason Eulberg, Juanita Lang, Michael and Tari Moody and Brian and Jean Ann Dillman.

In addition, the Foundation received a donation in honor of George Pickett for his long-time contribution to the St. John’s Church Music Program by Sandy and Dennis Deal.

Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.

February is Heart Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to encourage the public to learn the American Heart Association’s “Hands Only CPR.” This simple way of performing CPR is very easy to do and effective for the victim.

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the United States. An average of 89% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.

The American Heart Association has found Hands Only CPR to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in the public - doubling or even tripling a victim’s chance of survival.

Since 80% of cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings, learn these simple steps for performing Hands Only CPR to help save the life of someone you love:

Over 950,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continues to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each Friday afternoon in February from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital.  Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring your insurance card and vaccination card if you are coming for your second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/guardian consent is required. Call ahead to schedule an appointment.