Health

Wait time for MRIs and CTs can often be weeks at larger health facilities, but locally at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), the wait is minimal.

Most MRI and CT scans require pre-authorization from the patient’s insurance company before they can have the scan in order for insurance to pay. As soon as the Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiology receives that order for a scan, they do the work of acquiring the authorization themselves to speed up the process, then turn right around and do the scheduling of the procedure.   With the Radiology department doing these steps themselves instead of passing it onto another department, the process is greatly accelerated.

Gundersen announces that nurse practitioner Wendy Kuennen, RN, NP, has joined the teams at the Waukon and Calmar Clinics. With a focus on providing comprehensive family medicine services to patients of all ages, Kuennen brings a wealth of experience and a passion for delivering equitable medical care.

Born and raised near Waucoma, Kuennen received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Phoenix University and then earned her Master’s of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from Chamberlain University in Addison, IL.

Kuennen’s medical interests lie in addressing healthcare disparities in the rural healthcare environment and promoting a positive quality of life through prevention and disease management. Her dedication to providing exceptional care stems from her long-standing history of rural medicine from different avenues.

The walk-in Flu and COVID Vaccines Clinics will continue to be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health, for one more week, November 13, from 9-11:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to walk-in without an appointment to receive either or both of these vaccines.   Appointments can also be made for any Wednesday afternoon by calling 563-568-5660.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 21, 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, feel free to call  Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2024 will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 15, 16, 17, and 18, at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be, “Gnome for the Holidays!”

by: Angie Mettille, RN, BSN, CDCES
 
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people in the United States. You likely know someone that has diabetes, or maybe have been diagnosed with diabetes yourself. Even if you have never been told that you have diabetes, it is important to be aware of symptoms of elevated blood sugars, also called hyperglycemia. It is also important to be aware that children can get diabetes too. Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes in both children and adults could potentially save someone’s life.

The walk-in Flu and COVID vaccines will continue to be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health each of the next two Wednesdays, November 6 and November 13, from 9-11:30 a.m. each day. Anyone is welcome to walk-in without an appointment to receive either or both of these vaccines. Appointments can also be made for any Wednesday afternoon by calling 563-568-5660.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 21, 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, feel free to call  Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon Tuesday, November 12, at 4 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Be sure to make note of the 4 p.m. start time. This start time will continue for the November, December, January and February Grief Support Group meetings and will return to 5 p.m. in the spring.

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 group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

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 7, at 2 p.m.

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.