Health

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Don Topel by Jean Huffey, in memory of Laurayne Beisker by Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz, in memory of Ruth Nolting by Milton Nolting and in memory of Bernell “BJ” Palas by Leslie and Ada Marie Kerndt, Jr.

Memorials were also received in memory of Danny Kiley by Jim and Linda Ryan, Jim and Jill Kiesau and Brad and Erin Berns.

In addition, memorials were also received in memory of Marie McKee by Donny and Joan Ewing, Chad and Kim Opfer, Jack and Cindy Heffern, Gwyne Kruse, Joe and Mary Kruse-Emerson and Patsy Kerndt.

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.
 

National EMS Week was May 20-26. As part of the week’s celebration, Tuesday, May 22 Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement services from Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville and Waukon, along with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol and Gundersen Air, gathered for an emergency services photo at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Veterans Memorial Hospital expressed great appreciation to all of these services for attending the photo and especially for working together each and every day, playing a very important role in the emergency services provided in Allamakee County. Submitted photo.
 

by Diane Butikofer, BA, RN, CEN, EMT EMS/ER Supervisor at VMH

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number-one cause of preventable death from trauma. Through a cooperative effort of The Harford Consensus, The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, an educational program called  “Stop The Bleed” has been developed to teach the public and immediate responders how to stop the bleeding of an injured person.

The goal is to teach as many people as possible. Injuries may happen from many different causes and at many different times and places and this course teaches how to help increase the chances of survival of these victims. Learners will be taught the ABCs of Bleeding and techniques used to control bleeding. Some of these techniques include the use of compression and/or application of a tourniquet.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 18 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Teams of three will begin the day with a shot gun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch and dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for the donation of $75.

All those interested are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. For more information about the golf tournament, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 11 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:

“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, June 11 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “We’re excited to offer another free seminar to the community,” says Russ Hagen, SHIIP volunteer.  “Medicare is such an important program and understanding what it offers helps assure that anyone eligible gets the health benefits they deserve.”

“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.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Northeast Iowa’s Family Support Group is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. The Northeast Iowa chapter, serving Winneshiek, Howard, Clayton, Fayette and Allamakee counties, is holding monthly support groups, led by trained peers, for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.

This support group is uniquely designed and follows a structured model, while allowing participants to share their experiences in a safe and confidential setting. The Family Support Groups will be held the second Monday of each month, from 5:30-6:45 p.m., in the Spectrum building at 607 Washington Street in Decorah. For questions or more information, call 563-293-6264 or email namineiowa@gmail.com.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Brent Smith by Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Lesa Moose, Joyce Kuhse, Rita Kern, Kay Carter, Ray and Lorraine Mitchell and Gayle Larkin.

Memorials were also received in memory of Bill Schneeberger by Terry and Diane Oesterle, Leslie and Ada Marie Kerndt, Jr., Gene and Betty May, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Elsa Hager, Ralph and Leonora Standford, Joe and Mary Cunningham, Marilyn Bulman, Don and DiAnne Haler, Jean Huffey, Robert J. and Irene Stock, Jane Regan, Arlene Martin, Dianne Wolfe, Dr. David and Suzanne Hahn, Gwenn Bray, Ruby Schoh, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Nancy Straate, Nyles and Ruby Herman, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Jane Dietrich, Patsy Kerndt, Don and Donelle Sherman, Joan Bieber, Dave and Laurie Martin and Carl and Betty Christianson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Darlene Heins by Nyles and Ruby Herman.

by Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN, VMH Community and Home Care

Having a healthy baby is a good reason to get your child immunized. It would be great to keep your child healthy and prevent problems with just a simple “shot”.

If your child is born with special health needs, that is even more of an incentive to get their vaccines on time. If your child’s  immunity is already decreased due to other health matters, vaccines can stop them from getting some diseases. Last year, there was an outbreak of Measles in the state of Minnesota. Vaccination could have prevented some or even all of those cases of Measles and saved time lost to sick days, doctor visits and hospitalizations.

In the twentieth century, immunizations were introduced on a wide scale and eventually led to the global eradication of Small Pox, the elimination of Polio from the Americas, and they have almost eliminated diseases such as Tetanus, Diphtheria and Rubella.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 11 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once a month in Waukon to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon with its blood and blood products.

Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months.  During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals see an increase in the need for blood.  More driving can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.