Health

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dorothy Stika by Beth Baxter, Alan and Ruth Hageman, Dave and Karen Mathis, Rita Newton, Lynn O’Hara, Randy and Pam Smith, Theresa Smith, Nick and Deb Zuercher, Steve and Becky Welper, Lori Bresnahan, Brad and Erin Berns, and Fred and Geralyn Smith.

Memorials were also received in memory of Dale Stika by Alan and Ruth Hageman, Dave and Karen Mathis, Rita Newton, Theresa Smith, Nick and Deb Zuercher, Lori Bresnahan, Brad and Erin Berns, and Fred and Geralyn Smith.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Norma Bloxham by JoAnn Peake, Wayne and Nona Sawyer, Meg Schaller, Betty White, Diane Regan, Patsy Kerndt and Cheryl Bollman.

Beginning CPR right away whenever someone goes unconscious and has no pulse is so important for all ages to know and understand. Greg Fink of Harpers Ferry is living proof of just how important immediate CPR is.

Greg and his young neighbor, Trevor Peiffer, age 13, have enjoyed playing ping pong and basketball together the past few years. October 1 of last year, Trevor had gotten home from school and decided to see what Greg was up to. Greg was outside and invited him to play some ping pong. As they were playing a game, Greg suddenly stopped and stared at Trevor, then collapsed. Trevor yelled for Greg’s wife, Lori, to come and told her he was running home to get his mom, Julie, who is a nurse. Julie and Trevor returned right away and Julie began CPR as Trevor called 911.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be sponsoring its 29th annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 21 in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration.  This year, the event again welcomes a shorter walking route with an optional 5K to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon with a start time of 8 a.m. and registration beginning at 7:15 a.m. Again this year, costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event by adults and youth, with the top costume in both categories earning a prize.

A generous donation of $5,000 was recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation from Joe and Mary Cunningham in support of the new Waukon Medical Clinic. Pictured above, left to right at the main entrance of the new clinic is Laura Baxter, RN, Clinic Director; Mary and Joe Cunningham; and Michael Coyle, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Joe Cunningham states, “We are very pleased and grateful that we have additional providers in our community and now convenience to utilize the services at both our local clinic and hospital.” The new medical clinic opened May 3 and has already experienced over 1,500 visits to date.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Appointments are available each day for those with an acute health issue who need to be seen right way. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, August 10 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Masks will be required. 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, and be sure to wear a mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting.  This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 19 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 in Waukon. Masks will be required to be worn.

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, call  Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Test Iowa, the state’s free COVID-19 testing program has transitioned from offering  COVID-19 testing at drive through locations throughout the state to self-administered kits.  Now, Iowans may choose to pick up a test kit from a local site or have a kit sent to their home at no cost.   Each test kit includes step-by-step instructions including how to activate the test kit, collect the test sample, return the sample the State Hygienic Lab and when to expect the results.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon is a pick-up site for these at-home test kits.  Kits are available at the main entrance of the hospital, from the receptionist desk, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays.

Infusion Treatments, also called IV Therapy, are conveniently offered locally at Veterans Memorial Hospital, saving patients numerous, tiring trips out of town for the same service. Infusion therapy is performed when medications or fluids cannot be taken by mouth or a stronger version of this medication is needed. These fluids or medications are delivered directly into the body through a vein with an IV. Infusions and treatments can be given as often as twice per day or as seldom as a one-time dose.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Infusion and Treatment Center offers a wide variety of outpatient infusion services, close to home.  Dressing changes, blood transfusions, medications and much more is offered locally by skilled  registered nurses. Their goal is to offer these well organized and comfortable treatment plans to save patients and their family members time and energy.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be offering free blood sugar tests and blood pressure checks each day at the 2021 Allamakee County Fair. The testing schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, July 21, 6-8 p.m.
• Thursday, July 22, 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
• Friday, July 23, 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, July 24, 6-8 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will also be offering information on the COVID-19 vaccine and have a sign-up sheet for the next vaccine clinic to be held at the hospital. In addition, much information on the hospital’s new Medical Clinic will also be highlighted at the booth and will be handed out.

As always, Veterans Memorial Hospital will have a medical kit available for any first aid emergencies on the Fairgrounds. The hospital booth will be located inside the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion north door this year, across from the stage area.
 

Did you know one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood?

Attend the next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive, to be held Monday, August 2 from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once per month. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous.