Health

Each year, Veterans Memorial Hospital hosts the area Kindergarten classes for a field trip to the hospital.  Pictured are the Kindergarten classes from St. Patrick School in Waukon enjoying their visit in early May. Ms. Egan’s class is pictured in the back of the ambulance with Paramedic Cheryl Livingston, EMT-P at left and Karen Burke, RN, School Nurse, at right.  Corinne Cook, RN at Veterans Memorial, escorted all the local classes in their tour of the hospital.  During these tours, the students become familiar with many hospital services. The tours included the Emergency Rooms, viewing films in the X-ray rooms, viewing the newborn babies in the Maternity Services Nursery, visiting the Rehabilitation Department and taking a short ride in the ambulance, all to help them feel comfortable with these services. Submitted photo.
 

by Karen Collins, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND

Q: I keep hearing about “planks” as an exercise for waist and abs. What’s a plank?

A:  Planks are a great muscle strengthening exercise. They’ve become popular because they need no special equipment and strengthen abdominal muscles – along with others – without the back strain that sit-ups can cause.

The basic plank starts in a position like the “up” position of a push-up, except rather than moving up and down, plank exercises strengthen muscles by holding a position. You can start with the form where you rest on forearms and knees, instead of hands and toes. There are a variety of plank exercises, each targeting a slightly different part of the “core.”

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Lois Pickett by Randy and Lori Hesse, Marcella Selberg, Tom and Sandy Fink, Marv and Marge Strike and George Pickett; in memory of Milbourn Johnson by Irene Allison and Oliver Roderick; and in memory of Peggy Baxter Knight by Randy and Diane Wagner, Mark and Lisa Vanderkolk and Monte and Mollie Marti.

The 19th annual “Family Wellness Fair” was held Wednesday, May 11 at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  Over 350 individuals attended the wellness fair despite the rainy weather and enjoyed all the information and activities provided by over 45 agencies and businesses that serve Allamakee and northern Clayton counties. 

Veterans Memorial Hospital sponsored a health fair at the event and offered many free health tests, assessments and information throughout the evening.  Both the Mayo Waukon Clinic and Gundersen Waukon Clinic were in attendance as well.  Nutritious snacks were offered compliments of the hospital’s Nutrition Services department.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar on Saturday, June 4, from 8:30 - Noon.  The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole baby-sitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

For most women, taking nine months off to rest while pregnant is not a possibility. Women often plan to work right up to their due date in order to get the most time possible with their baby during maternity leave. But working during pregnancy isn’t always easy.

“In order to stay healthy and productive on the job, it’s helpful to understand how to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts,” says Benjamin Nesseim, M.D., family physician at Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon.

Feeling nauseous at work is a common pregnancy discomfort. To keep the nausea at bay, avoid things that trigger that sick feeling in your stomach and snack often. Keep a stash of crackers or other bland food at your desk.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon generates 193 jobs that add $10,699,598 to the Allamakee and northern Clayton county economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA).  In addition, Veterans Memorial Hospital employees by themselves spend $1,905,146 on retail sales and contribute $114,309 in state sales tax revenue.

“We take seriously our responsibility of being a part of the local economy,” states Mike Myers, Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “Our decision making process is centered around remaining viable while continuing to provide quality care close to home.”

by Karen Collins, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND

Q: I just read how much fiber is recommended. How can I get enough without taking supplements?

A: It’s not always easy to do, but you can start with focusing on fiber-rich, low-calorie plant foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Make a goal to include these at every meal and the fiber begins to add up. Aim to eat five servings (2 1/2 - 3 cups) of vegetables and fruits plus three servings of whole grains and you’ll be on your way to the recommended amount of fiber – close to 21 grams. Depending on overall calorie needs, most adults should be aiming for 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

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 on Thursday, May 5, from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

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 a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, May 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.

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 Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.