Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Medical Clinic-Waukon opened five years ago, May 3, 2021, joining the Emplify Gundersen Waukon Clinic in providing accessible family health care to the area communities. Not only have thousands been cared for, but the numbers of patients served continues to increase nearly every month. The Waukon Clinic just hit a new record number of appointments in March, totaling 1,544 provider visits which is three times what the goal was when the clinic initially opened.

Following the opening of the Waukon Clinic, one year later, Veterans Memorial Hospital opened the Postville Medical Clinic, offering behavioral health services in that clinic as well. Construction is going on now building the new Postville Medical Clinic which is scheduled to open fall of 2026.

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

The local Grief Support Group will again be holding their monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Thursday, May 7, from 5-6 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Nancy Haberichter will be facilitating the meeting.

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 will continue meeting the first Thursday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free virtual education series throughout the first six months of 2026 to help families facing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The programs help families better understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead, including changes in communication and behaviors, discussing dementia as a family and planning ahead for future financial and legal considerations.

The schedule of remaining programs includes:
May 21 - Ten Warning Signs. Learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; and possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process.
June 18 - Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances.

The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 6 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  This year the 75th anniversary of the hospital will be celebrated along with the 5th anniversary of the hospital’s clinics with a community meal.  Health and wellness testing, exhibits, activities and refreshments will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages.  All visitors are again welcome to enter the fair through the Veterans Memorial Hospital main entrance, the hospital clinic entrance or the Emplify by Gundersen Clinic entrance allowing for more accessible parking options.
   
Exhbitors

The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting a Wellness Chat and Bingo Tuesday, May 12, in Lansing at the Meehan Memorial Library from 1:30-3:30 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.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Laboratory Staff observed Medical Laboratory Professionals Week April 19–25. This week celebrates the essential work of laboratory professionals - and the continued need for community blood donations.

VMH’s blood supply is provided by LifeServe Blood Center, which reports that donor turnout has been lower than expected for this time of year. As a result, blood inventories across the region are below target levels.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital, the laboratory team is still able to meet patient needs, but supplies are tighter than usual. Certain blood types are in shorter supply due to continual demand and fewer donations. While no immediate disruptions to patient care are expected, staff say they are carefully managing inventory.

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L

Springtime has finally arrived, and many people are anxious to be out in the yard planting their gardens.  Gardening can be a very rewarding hobby or past-time, even therapeutic to the mind and soul. However when the physical tasks become too painful or difficult, many people find that having a garden is more of a chore.

April is Stress Awareness Month. Spring often brings a sense of change, but emotional energy does not always return right away. After a long winter, many older adults continue to feel tired, unmotivated, or disconnected. 

Taking small steps toward connection and support can help rebuild emotional well-being at a comfortable pace. Group-based mental health support, such as Senior Life Solutions (SLS), can offer connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging. Sharing experiences with others can help reduce loneliness and support emotional well-being.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions provides support for older adults facing depression, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. Services include group and individual therapy, medication management, and after-care planning.  

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Daly Byrnes by Jim and Patty Byrnes, Noreen and Vince Koch and Connie and Mitch Hansen; in memory of Marlene Dahlstrom by Dennis Dahlstrom and family; in memory of Shirley Elliott by Elliott Jewelers; in memory of Edith Feuerhelm by Dwaine and Lorraine Nordhus; in memory of Julie Halverson by Nancy Adam, Janet May and Linda Siegrist; in memory of Wayne Headington by Dan and Denise Headington; in memory of Shirley Larkin by Tom and Judy Kemp; and in memory of Wayne Leidahl by Chuck and Lois Votsmier.