Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will be sponsoring its 23rd annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 20, in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration. The run/walk will be offered as a free event this year and welcomes walkers and runners of all ages. In addition, a number of free wellness tests and services will be offered to all those attending.

Free diabetes/blood sugar tests will be offered by the hospital’s Diabetes Education Department as well as free hemoglobin tests by the hospital’s Laboratory Department. Free chair massages will also be offered by the hospital’s massage therapists, Edna Wyninger and Shannen Mezera.

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

Great colleagues, great patients and a great place to live bring Kristen Reierson, OD, to Gundersen Eye Clinic Waukon.

“I am thrilled to be moving back to Northeast Iowa, which is where I am from,” says the Elgin native. “I am also excited to increase the accessibility of eye care at the Waukon location.”

Dr. Reierson provides primary eye care such as glasses and contact prescriptions as well as ocular disease management to patients in the Waukon region.  She can manage glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes and other emergency eye care.

“I started working with Gundersen as a fourth-year optometry student and was so impressed with the organization I stayed to pursue an additional year of specialization in ocular disease management,” says Dr. Reierson.  “When a staff position was offered to me I was thrilled to continue to work for an organization which values quality patient care.”

Are mammograms covered by Medicare Part B?  What coverage can I get with Medicare supplement insurance?  Do long-term care policies cover people with Alzheimer’s disease?  Does every Medicare beneficiary have to make a decision about Medicare Part D?

Answers to these questions can be found by meeting with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  Russ Hagen of Waterville and Stan and Mary Straate of Postville are trained volunteers, and are available by appointment to meet with any person or family with Medicare questions and concerns. Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment should call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Pat Dotseth by Jack and Sally Hagensick, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Mae Jean Bakke, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Dale and Ann Rademaker, Bernard Welsh, Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, Patsy Kerndt, Peter Bieber and Robert Dotseth.

Memorials were also received in memory of Dr. James Carr by Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, in memory of Jesse Young by Dave and Laurie Martin, and in memory of Keith Mason by Dr. Bill and Libby Withers.

In addition, memorials were also received in memory of Nicholas Curran by Harold and Connie Prongra, Dave and Laurie Martin and Brad and Erin Berns.

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.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a variety of free health tests and education at the 2016 Allamakee County Fair. Testing and educational materials will change daily and will include the following schedule:

· Wednesday, July 20, 6:00-10:00 p.m.— Massages by certified hospital massage therapists Edna Wyninger and Shannen Mezera.
· Thursday, July 21, 4:00-8:00 p.m.— Free blood sugar and diabetes testing by Angie Mettille, R.N.
· Friday, July 22, 4:00-8:00 p.m.— Food Demonstration and Samples by the Nutrition Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
· Saturday, July 23, 4:00-8:00 p.m.— Free hemoglobin testing by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory Department.
· Sunday, July 24, Noon-4:00 p.m.—Free blood pressure checks by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Nurses.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Marilyn Winter by Irene Allison, Kay Carter, Neil and Darlene Barth, Janice Winter, Alice Schlacke, Mae Jean Bakke, Patsy Kerndt and Leotia Flage.

Memorials were also received in memory of Thelma (Kolsrud) Reetz by JoAnn Peake, Mae Jean Bakke, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson and Peter Bieber; in memory of Charles Moser by Rev. John Moser and the family of Charles W. Moser; and in memory of Don Olson by Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Dale and Ann Rademaker.

Memorials and donations are 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.

It’s finally summer! The beautiful weather brings ample opportunities for grilling and get-togethers; and what turns a party from so-so to spectacular? Food, of course!

The warmer temperatures pose higher risks for foodborne illnesses, and getting sick from something eaten makes for an unforgettable (and undesirable) experience. The “Temperature Danger Zone” is between 40°F-140°F. In that range bacteria multiply rapidly and can make a person sick.  How can it be avoided? It’s simple; keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Here are a few pointers to keep safe all summer long:

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Maternity Services Department recently received a special donation of four infant gowns from the Brooklyn’s Gift organization. Brooklyn’s Gift makes infant gowns created out of donated wedding dresses and gifts them to area hospitals. These gowns are made and donated to support families who have lost a baby while in the hospital to provide comfort for the families. Pictured at left are the Brooklyn’s Gift Coordinators, Karen Andrie and Leslie Jerde, presenting these four infant gowns and wraps to Veterans Memorial Hospital nursing staff, Bailey Estebo, RN and Diane Allison, RN, OB Supervisor. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a variety of free health tests and education at the 2016 Allamakee County Fair. Testing and educational materials will change daily and will include the following schedule:

• Wednesday, July 20, 6-10 p.m. - Massages by certified hospital massage therapists Edna Wyninger and Shannen Mezera.
• Thursday, July 21, 4-8 p.m. - Free blood sugar and diabetes testing by Angie Mettille, R.N.
• Friday, July 22, 4-8 p.m. - Food Demonstration and Samples by the Nutrition Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
• Saturday, July 23, 4-8 p.m. - Free hemoglobin testing by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory Department.
• Sunday, July 24, Noon-4 p.m. - Free blood pressure checks by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Nurses.