Health

Wed
25
Oct

Flu shots and COVID shots now available every Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care-Allamakee Public Health


Flu and COVID vaccines available at VMH ... Walk-in COVID and Flu vaccine clinics continue at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. These vaccines will be given all Wednesdays in October at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Walk-in clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. and appointments can be made for immunizations Wednesday afternoons by calling 563-568-5660. According to the CDC, it is safe and effective to receive multiple immunizations, such as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, during the same vaccination appointment. Submitted photo.

The COVID vaccine is now being offered in conjunction with flu shots at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine, and they will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, flu vaccines are proven to help prevent millions of illnesses and have been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor by 40-60%. COVID-19 vaccines help protect by creating an antibody response without having to experience potentially severe illness or post-COVID conditions.  Although it is still possible to get sick after being vaccinated, flu and COVID immunizations are proven to help prevent severe illness, which can be lifesaving.

Wed
25
Oct

Christmas Fantasy 2023; Make reservations now


32nd Annual VMH Foundation Christmas Fantasy ... The theme of the 32nd annual Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy is “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!” The Fantasy will be held November 10-13, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Reservations are now being taken at 563-568-6262 for the popular Saturday and Monday Christmas Fantasy Luncheons sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association. The luncheons, as pictured above, include a meal served among the trees, plus entertainment and ample time to view all of the decorations. Submitted photo.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy returns this year in its entirety. Reservations are being taken now for the Foundation’s 32nd annual Christmas Fantasy which will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12, and 13, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The theme is “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!”

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday and Monday Noon luncheons and the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event.

The luncheons are sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association, and will be held Saturday, November 11, at Noon, and again Monday, November 13 at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

Wed
25
Oct

Veterans Memorial Hospital celebrating National Physical Therapy Month in October


Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon ... October is National Physical Therapy Month. Pictured above is the Rehabilitation Department at VMH. This staff works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health, assisting patients within the hospital, patients in the hospital on a skilled level of care, as well as outpatients and in patient homes. Pictured, front row, left to right: Sara White, PTA; Amy Robinson, PT, Rehab Director; Amy Ghelf, PTA; Abie Daniel, PT; Shelly Valley, PTA and Athletic Trainer; Alana Gavin, PT; and Steven Mazzafield, Speech Therapist. Back row, left to right, includes Brad Krambeer, Athletic Trainer; Austin Troendle, PT and Athletic Trainer; Melissa Clarke, OT; Tami Gebel, OT; Dacia Johnson, Office Manager; and Laurel Hagensick, PT. Submitted photo.

National Physical Therapy Month ... Don and Mary Jane McGraw of rural Waukon, pictured above, have both benefited from the many services offered by the Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital; Don following a tractor accident a couple of years ago and Mary Jane recently following a fall. They greatly appreciate the local specialties provided. Submitted photo.

The Rehabilitation staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health. The Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation Center at VMH is fully equipped for all rehabilitation patients with 17 weight machine stations, tread mills, exercise bikes, NuStep and eliptical machines. The six treatment rooms allow one-on-one evaluation and treatment with the therapist.

Wed
25
Oct

VMH to host Public Forums in all Allamakee County communities

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) administration staff is currently visiting each Allamakee County community to offer a public forum to update the communities about the hospital’s progress and offer a chance for public input.  

Last fall, residents of Allamakee County overwhelmingly voted to convert the hospital to a county facility.  As the hospital was preparing for that county-wide vote, similar public forums were held. At those meetings, it was stated the hospital would do this every year in an effort to offer personal contact with the communities and an opportunity for feedback.

Michael Coyle, VMH CEO will be leading these discussions and states, “I’m excited to be back out in the area communities of Allamakee County to talk about VMH, our current services, and new services that will help our patients and their families stay close to home for their healthcare needs.”

Wed
25
Oct

Stroke Support Group to meet

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Speech-Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield offers a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke.

Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, November 2, at 2 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Stroke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as we get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Wed
25
Oct

Grief Support Group to meet November 7 at VMH

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, November 7, 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 usually meets the second Tuesday of each month at VMH in Waukon, except when they meet this first Tuesday of November.

Wed
25
Oct

Blood donation opportunity offered every month in Waukon; Simple blood donation steps saves lives

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 Thursday, November 2, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

The Waukon Blood drives have been very successful the last couple of years with new first-time donors each time.

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.

Wed
25
Oct

Don’t wait until the last minute to check out 2024 Medicare drug plans

You have until December 7, 2023 to enroll in or change Medicare drug plans for 2024. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember, if you’re on Medicare and don’t have drug coverage, or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare’s, you will face a penalty for each month you delay enrolling.  

If you have questions about Medicare drug coverage call your local SHIIP counselor at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. SHIIP volunteers are available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2024.

Appointments are required. Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule your appointment. You will need to bring your Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of your medications from your pharmacy.  SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.

Wed
18
Oct

Ness Pumping Service Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is this Saturday

Ness Pumping and Porta Potty Rentals will host its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday, October 21 in the Waukon City Park to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and detection.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and go until Noon.  Participants may come and go as they please that morning and can choose to walk with friends, family or on their own. Walk-in participants are welcome.

Breast Cancer survivors will be asked to sign a pink porta potty sporting the breast cancer ribbon. Event sweatshirts will be available for sale and light refreshments will also be offered for a free-will donation.

Wed
18
Oct

Becky Drees Memorial Foundation makes ‘Tummy Time Mirror’ donation to VMH Clinics in Waukon and in Postville


Becky Drees Memorial Foundation donates to VMH ... Family members of Becky Drees, on behalf of the Becky Drees Memorial Foundation, recently donated ‘Tummy Time Mirrors’ to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics in Postville and Waukon. These mirrors are designed for babies to lay on their tummies and hold their heads up to look at themselves in the mirror, which in turn encourages gross motor (large muscle) development. The mirrors will be given out to all newborns at their first well-baby check at either the Waukon or Postville clinic. Pictured above, left to right, are Ann Hagensick, who is the local coordinator of this project, along with Nancy Drees, mother of Becky Drees, and Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife. Submitted photo.

Family members of Becky Drees, on behalf of the Becky Drees Memorial Foundation, recently donated ‘Tummy Time Mirrors’ to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics in Postville and Waukon. These mirrors are designed for babies to lay on their tummies and hold their heads up to look at themselves in the mirror, which in turn encourages gross motor (large muscle) development. Tummy time like this has proven to provide for better strength and coordination of the baby’s hands, arms and shoulders for playing with toys, and it also gives a visual stimulation for the babies.

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