News Center newsletter

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance  and home nursing and home care aide visits.

by Carol Gaunitz, RN, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
 
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital, we have specially trained nurses who can provide confidential, compassionate, holistic care and support after a sexual assault. Exams are free of charge and can include a head-to-toe exam to look for injuries, medication to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy and forensic evidence collection. Patients can participate in as much or as little of the exam as they choose.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, April 9, 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 group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one who has diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital Speech - Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield will offer the next Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke, Thursday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). The meeting will be held in the ICN Conference Room at the hospital.

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 people 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.

It is important to know the signs of a stroke. “BE FAST” is a handy acronym to help remember the following:

Marjorie White-Kruger of Waukon will turn 100 years old April 11. Friends and family are invited to celebrate with her at an open house this Sunday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the FreedomBank Community Room, 201 West Main Street in Waukon.

Those not able to attend the celebration may send cards and well wishes to her at Good Samaritan Center, 21 East Main Street, Room 131, Waukon, IA 52172.

Beverly Walsh of Waukon will be celebrating her 90th birthday April 4. In honor of the milestone occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to her attention at the Good Samaritan Center, 21 East Main Street, Room #134, Waukon, IA 52172.

An open house will be held in honor of Jane Tepesch’s retirement Saturday, April 13 from 1-4 p.m. in the Community Room at Freedom Bank, 201 West Main Street, Waukon.

Jane had been employed in the Waukon community for nearly 70 years dating back to 1954. No gifts are requested.

KJ and Ashley Medberry of Waterville announce the birth of their daughter, Charlee Elaine Medberry, born March 26, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 12 ozs. and measured 21-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Ava (10), Carleigh (8), Tucker (5), Ledger (3) and Braeley (1).

Grandparents are Dave and Melissa Fish of Waukon and Russ and the late Sue Medberry of Wadena. Great-grandparents are Dave and Charlotte Fish of Waterville and John and Lois Adam of Waukon. Great-great-grandparents are Delores Fish of Rossville and Mary Ann Duffy of Waukon.

Maria Carmela Xochiquiquixqui Calihua and Crispin Temoxtle Porras of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Lizeth Temoxtle Xochiquiquixqui, born March 26, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 10 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 23-1/4 inches in length at her birth. She joins siblings, Karen (9) and Aydan (3).