Health

The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting a Wellness Chat and Bingo Tuesday, June 2, in Waukon at the Robey Memorial Library from 4-5:30 p.m.  Any seniors, age 65 and over, are invited to attend and enjoy playing bingo while sharing some social time together.  Prizes will also be awarded.

This bingo opportunity is made possible by Senior Life Solutions which is a new department of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Senior Life Solutions provide outpatient services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals age 65 and over who may be experiencing low mood, sadness, grief, excessive worry or anxiety related to life changes often associated with aging. They provide group and individual therapy, medication management and after-care planning when needed.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 1, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Because blood is always in such high demand in the summer, a free t-shirt will be given to all who come to donate that day.

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.

Blood drives are held the first Monday of each month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with their blood and blood products.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Waukon and Postville Clinics welcomed Mason (Hermeier) Kerian at the beginning of this year as a family medical provider. Mason has been caring for patients of all ages, spending a couple of days each week in both the Waukon and Postville Clinic locations, and enjoying watching her practice grow.

This is National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. National EMS Week is a time to show gratitude toward Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who provide lifesaving care across the nation every day.

EMS Week is also a time to educate the public about EMS and the essential service they provide to the area communities. This year’s theme is “Improving Outcomes, Together” which highlights the collaborative, innovative, and essential role EMS clinicians play in community healthcare, focusing on both advanced patient care and supporting the well-being of the professionals behind it.

EMS Week began in 1974 after a proclamation was called on the nation to support efforts to improve emergency medical care across the country. Much has changed in the care provided by emergency medical professionals since that time, but the dedication to help others continues.

by Senior Life Solutions, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Everyone has ups and downs. But sometimes the “downs” start lasting longer, showing up more often, or making everyday life feel harder. During the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to share a quick checklist that can help you recognize when it might be time to reach out for support, either for yourself or for someone you care about. 

May 12, a graduating senior of Waukon High School received a $2,000 scholarship from the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF), a nonprofit subsidiary of the Iowa Hospital Association. Claire Schulte is among 65 Iowa high school seniors who were awarded scholarships from IHERF.

The Iowa Hospital Association awards $2,000 scholarships through IHERF to high school students whose academic performances indicate college success and those who are interested in entering a health care area of study.

The high school scholarship program is part of the IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarship Program. The program was established in 2005 to help address the shortage of health care professionals and encourage high school students to pursue careers with Iowa hospitals.

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) invites caregivers to join its new in-person Caregiver Support Group, meeting twice a month in Decorah. Sessions are held the first and third Mondays of each month from 10-11 a.m. at NEI3A’s new office located at 915 Short Street, Suite 169. Upcoming meetings are set for January 19, February 2, and February 16.

This free support group provides a welcoming space for caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities to share experiences, exchange ideas, and connect with others who understand the challenges of caregiving. New caregivers are especially encouraged to attend.

No reservations are required to participate in the Caregiver Support Group. For more information, contact Kelly Kuennen, Family Caregiver Specialist, at 563-277-6024.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Jane Butler by Beth and Bill Shafer and Linda Siegrist; in memory of Walter Kurth, JR, by an anonymous donation, Ronnie and Nancy Adam, Tom and Joan Fritz and Jim and Jill Kiesau; in memory of Dale Osterhaus by Arlyn and Lois Fossum and Frank and Jean Weymiller and in memory of Bill Moody by Ronnie and Nancy Adam, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Diane Regan, Linda Siegrist, Frank and Jean Weymiller and Patricia Moody.

Memorials were also received in memory of Lorna Bjerke by the family of Lorna Bjerke; Ozzie Quandahl by Lyle and Mary Ellen and Steve Mohwinkle; in memory of Mary Reierson by Bob Reierson and Becky Meyer; in memory of Mary Severson by Brad and Erin Berns; in memory of Frank Sivesind by Bill and Linda Halvorson; and in memory of Alan West by Beth and Bill Shafer.

by Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator, Veterans Memorial Hospital

This is National Hospital Week. October 1, 1950, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) opened its doors to fill a great need in the area communities, to finally have a local hospital. That great need is still being met today, 75 years later, thanks to the strong commitment of Veterans Memorial Hospital staff and the local community support.

In rural communities, local health care is more than convenience - it is a lifeline. For families in Waukon and across Allamakee County, Veterans Memorial Hospital represents access, stability, and peace of mind close to home.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Tara Fink, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic staff nearly four years ago to offer behavioral health care to help meet the great need for mental health care in Northeast Iowa, which she has successfully done. Now with the addition of two more psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, Janet Hunter and Angela Tayer, Tara has been promoted to the Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics  in Waukon and Postville.