Health

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

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Luncheon each fall, the Pillow-Perk in early November, the Masquerade sales and their annual membership drive each July. All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

The number of requests for COVID testing is again on the rise locally. The state of Iowa closed the Test Iowa drive-up locations earlier this summer and replaced it with the Test Iowa self-administered kits which are available for pick-up at Veterans Memorial Hospital or may be sent to a home at no cost. Each test kit includes step-by-step instructions including how to activate the test kit, collect the test sample, return the sample to the State Hygienic Lab and when to expect the results.  Kits are available at the main entrance of the hospital, from the receptionist desk, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays.     

Gundersen’s Waukon Clinic will offer free blood pressure checks at Fareway Grocery in Waukon from 10 a.m. to noon August 30.

Patients and non-patients will receive immediate results. Gundersen nurses will recommend a visit to a doctor if results show elevated levels.

“Checking your blood pressure can prevent heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, which will improve your quality of life and increase your life span,” said Raquel Ristau, PA-C, who sees patients in Waukon and Lansing.
 

Simple blood donation steps save 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, September 2, from Noon to 5 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 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently published a new analysis, showing the cumulative risk of miscarriage after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was 13%, which is the normal risk for miscarriage in any pregnancy. The CDC states, “These preliminary findings are reassuring and can help inform discussions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy between pregnant people and their healthcare providers.”

Dr. Nicole Barbee of the Gundersen Health Clinic in Waukon who delivers babies at Veterans Memorial Hospital, confirms, “The risk of miscarriage is no higher in the vaccine group and is the exact same as baseline miscarriage risk.”

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be sponsoring their annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 21, in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration. Again this year, the event welcomes a shorter 1.5 mile walking route with an optional 5K (3.1 mile route) to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate. Costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event again this year, with one adult and youth wining the top costume in both categories.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 8 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:15 a.m.

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

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Luncheon each fall, the Pillow-Perk in early November, the Masquerade sales and their annual membership drive each July. All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

Dr. Barbee of Gundersen Clinic Now Also Certified in Water Birth

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) began offering water births for delivery nearly 20 years ago and the popularity continues to grow. More low-risk mothers are looking for a natural birthing option in a controlled environment and finding water birth a successful option.  

Dr. Barbee of the Gundersen Clinic recently received her certification for water birth deliveries and can now perform them as well as Dr. Schwartz of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic, who began the water birth program at the hospital nearly 20 years ago.

Gundersen’s Waukon Clinic will offer free blood pressure checks at Fareway Grocery in Waukon from 10 a.m. to noon August 30.

Patients and non-patients will receive immediate results. Gundersen nurses will recommend a visit to a doctor if results show elevated levels.

“Checking your blood pressure can prevent heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, which will improve your quality of life and increase your life span,” said Raquel Ristau, PA-C, who sees patients in Waukon and Lansing.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 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 in Waukon. Masks will be required to be worn.

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  Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.