Health

Dr. Robert Funk is the new surgeon performing cataract surgeries at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), providing a very convenient, local service. Dr. Funk consults with patients at the Gundersen Eye Clinic in Waukon about the cataract procedure being performed at Veterans Memorial Hospital’s surgery department.

“I’m pleased to provide comprehensive ophthalmology services in Waukon, including performing cataract surgery at Veterans Memorial Hospital,” says Robert Funk, MD, Gundersen Health System Ophthalmologist. “We strive to provide specialty care close to home. I’m seeing patients once a month at the Gundersen Waukon Eye Clinic.”

Cataracts cause cloudy, foggy or even fuzzy vision. Glares from lamps or the sun may make driving more difficult and can cause double vision.

from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans noted that many school-aged children are not eating enough of the recommended amounts of certain food groups, including vegetables, fruits and dairy. As a result, they may not be consuming the nutrients they need to support their growing bodies.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Foundation say parents and caregivers can play a significant role in children’s nutrition and health by teaching kids about healthful foods, being good role models and making sure physical activity is incorporated into each day.

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary holds annual fundraisers, such as the Spring Garage Sale each June, Women’s Health Day Luncheon each September, the Feather Pillow-Perk each October, and their annual membership drive each July. The Hospital Gift Case located at the hospital main entrance lobby is always available for gifts, vitamins, infant sleep sacks and more.  All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), vaccines help the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of a full-blown infection. The immune response to a vaccine might cause tiredness and discomfort for a day or two, but the resulting protection can last a lifetime.

Infections are unpredictable and can have long-term consequences. Even mild or symptom-less infections can be deadly. For example, most people infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) never show any sign of infection. But for some, the sign appears years later as an aggressive, life-threatening cancer. By then, it’s too late to get vaccinated.

Vaccines work by imitating an infection - the presence of a disease-causing organism in the body - to engage the body’s natural defenses. The active ingredient in all vaccines is an antigen, the name for any substance that causes the immune system to begin producing antibodies.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room 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  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, August 13, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. 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. This grief support meeting is held the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon will be offering free blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests and hemoglobin (iron) tests all with immediate results at the Waukon Corn Days celebration Friday, August 2.

Random testing such as this opportunity at Waukon Corn Days helps to find the individuals who have undiagnosed diabetes, high blood pressure or low iron and direct them to the professionals who can help them successfully manage the issue. Each test takes just a couple minutes to complete and does not require any fasting.

Visitors will also be invited to play Allamakee Trivia, being asked about the wide variety of resources that are now all offered through the new Allamakee County Public Health Resource Guide.  Prizes will be awarded, provided by Veterans Memorial Hospital and Mental Health Today-Matt Howe Foundation, that will promote the future use of this guide. The Prize Wheel and game is open to all ages.

Summer is a time of high blood demand in all communities. Donating blood is easy and one single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, August 5, from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

With the new school year just around the corner, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) are reminding all parents to ensure their children are up to date on all immunizations. It is important to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider or public health agency as soon as possible.

“Back to school is one of the busiest times of the year for families, which is why we urge everyone with school-age children to schedule appointments now to get the necessary vaccines,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN. “Diseases such as measles and whooping cough still exist. Keeping kids up to date on vaccines helps them stay safe from potentially life-threatening illnesses.”

It’s summer and we’re in skin protection season. The vast majority of skin cancers are preventable by routinely shielding your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays and Americans aren’t doing enough to protect themselves.

The American Cancer Society suggests we bring our sun-protection habits up to date. Dermatologists recommend doing a skin check monthly, so you’ll be more likely to notice small changes or even find a skin cancer when it’s still small.  The best time to examine the skin is after a shower or bath and with good lighting. Look for changes in size, texture, shape and color of birthmarks, moles and blemishes.

“Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” is a catch phrase for kids used by the American Cancer Society that works well for adults, too. It reminds people to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light.