News Center newsletter

Chris "Digger" J. Ahles, 47, of New Albin, IA, died Friday, April 19, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 26th, at 11:00 AM at Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in New Albin with Pastor Tommy Case officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at the church. Lunch will follow at the New Albin Community Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Lisa Everson made the world’s best mashed potatoes.

Yes, she accomplished many other things but the quality of her potatoes (fondly known as “he he” potatoes) cannot be overstated - seriously. Unfortunately, if you’ve never had “he he” potatoes, you’ve sadly missed out because April 6, 2024 Lisa Joan Everson passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

A private family ceremony was held for Lisa Saturday, April 13. A Celebration of Life for all family and friends to attend will be held on her birthday, July 7, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Blackhawk Park near De Soto, WI.

Kathy Ann Cox, age 74, of Waukon passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. According to Kathy’s wishes, a cremation will take place and a graveside service will be held in the summer of 2024 at Postville Cemetery, Postville.

Kathy was born April 30, 1949 in Postville to Allard and Jacqueline (Lane) Nyberg. She graduated from Postville High School. Kathy married Robert Hartman and they had two sons, Dustin and Troy. They later divorced. She loved to laugh, spend time with family and socialize. Kathy also loved animals, playing bingo and cards, reading, and having her nails and hair done weekly.

Kathy is survived by her children, Dustin (Diane) Hartman and Troy (Lucy) Hartman; a grandson, Chad Seiberling; and a great-grandson, Chase Seiberling; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.   This year will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held Friday evening, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

BBF will again remember their late guitarist Pat Dougherty, the only deceased member of four local bands which included Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.  Pat was a key member of these bands with both his guitar and vocals. Event organizers will again have Pat’s guitar on display this year at the event, as well as memorabilia provided by the Dougherty family.   Attendees can look for the display adjacent to the main stage in the Pavilion that evening while also visiting with members of Pat’s family.

April is National Occupational Therapy Month.   Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Occupational Therapists commonly care for patients who are on skilled care, also called swing bed.  This level of care is beneficial to the patient’s recovery following an injury, illness or surgery, and helps them regain their function and strength in order to return home safely.

Rena Kruse of Eitzen, MN, learned of the Veterans Memorial Hospital skilled care program from a friend of hers who had greatly benefited from this care following a fall and broken hip. She asked to be transferred to VMH following her surgery in La Crosse, WI for her broken ankle. She was admitted on skilled care and stayed nearly two weeks, benefiting from the occupational and physical therapy she received twice a day throughout her stay.

In the world of Medical Laboratory Science, it doesn’t get more accurate than molecular technology. Recent advances have also made these technologies more efficient and more affordable. At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Lab, molecular technology is used to identify infections by using DNA and/or RNA extraction.

There are four instruments at VMH that together can identify 53 different organisms and 10 different antibiotic-resistance genes. The most common panel that is performed is the new Mini Respiratory Panel, composed of COVID-19, Influenza A and B, RSV, and Rhinovirus.

Molecular testing not only takes less time than classic testing, but it is also more sensitive because it takes less organism to produce a positive result. These together mean quicker treatments for those with certain infections.

by Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist
 
Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist, provides specialty foot care at Veterans Memorial Hospital. She recommends the following for “de-feeting” diabetes.
• Avoid soaking feet, this causes excessive dryness and can lead to cracks.
• Check feet daily for any new blisters, wounds, etc.  
• Avoid going barefoot, especially if you have neuropathy/diabetic nerve damage.
• Ask your provider about diabetic shoes.
• Work with your providers and/or diabetes educator to keep your glucose within target range.  This decreases risk of complications.
• If you notice a blister or wound, don’t delay treatment.  Get in with a provider with a knowledge on wound care.
• Exercise if you are able.  This increases blood flow circulation.
• Don’t remove callus or corns yourself, see your doctor!

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, 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.

Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, will discuss the topic of diabetes technology. Most people and patients carry a smartphone now, and there are many apps that are free and easy to download and use that are helpful with activity monitoring, carbohydrate counting or blood sugar tracking.

She will also talk more about continuous glucose monitors and encourages everyone living with diabetes to use one. She states, “As with anything else in the medical world, insurance companies play a big part in making those devices affordable for those wanting to use them, so they are not an option for everyone… yet.”

Congratulations to the 40 students who completed the recent Veterans Memorial (VMH) Hospital Babysitting classes Friday, March 29. The classes were instructed by Corinne Cook, RN, and consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good babysitter including basic child care, accident prevention, fire prevention, and first aid.

These new babysitters also learned CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlich Maneuver in the case of a choking child. The Waukon Police Department even helped with addressing and teaching about many safety concerns.

Measles cases are on the rise in many parts of the world. There have been recent cases cited throughout the United States.

“This national increase in measles cases has brought the protection provided by vaccinations back into the spotlight,” said Lisa Moose, RN, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health Director. “It’s always important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date, but during times like this, when we know a virus is circulating in many states, it’s especially critical to check with your health care provider to be sure you and your family’s vaccinations are current.”

The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called MMR). The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.