News Center newsletter

New this year at the Allamakee County Fair, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be offering “Be the Match” stem cell sampling for everyone ages 18-40.  The “Be the Match” stem cell sampling is quick, easy, painless and can truly save a life. This is the same program that Robyn Roberts from Good Morning America endorses following her own successful bone marrow transplant match 10 years ago. A blood stem cell donation can be a cure for blood cancer, sickle cell, and other deadly diseases. Many patients and their families are counting on drives like this to find their match. The process is simple and painless and will be available for all visitors to the fair.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) welcomes Gundersen Ophthalmologist Dr. Efrain M. Cancel, MD, as a new Ophthalmologist performing cataract surgeries at the hospital. Dr. Cancel consults with patients at the Gundersen Eye Clinic-Waukon and if they are a candidate for cataract surgery, the procedure is performed close to home at VMH.

Currently, Dr. Cancel visits Waukon once per month for consultations and cataract surgeries. Dr. Cancel began his career in Marshfield, WI in the early 1990s. There, he raised two daughters and enjoyed the kindness and hospitality of Midwesterners, which led him to want to remain in the tri-state area when considering new professional challenges.

Staff from the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Postville Medical Clinic are visiting the Postville Farmers Market each and every Thursday evening to offer free blood pressure and free blood sugar tests to all visitors of any age. Additional clinic and medical information is also available as well as a different activity offered each week at each of the markets.

Some of these educational activities will include Stop the Bleed training, Behavioral Health services, Hands-Only CPR training, Be the Match stem cell sampling, the Operation Game, proper hand washing technique, nutrition and eating a rainbow of colors, a photo booth, foot health and podiatry, Maternity Services, and a bean bag toss plus prizes and giveaways will always be available.

As many prepare for summer and other upcoming holiday travel, Allamakee County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services remind Iowans to make sure they are up to date on routine vaccinations, as well as any other recommended or required vaccines for specific international travel destinations.

“While going on vacation is exciting, taking the right steps to protect your health before you take off should be a priority,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN, Public Health Supervisor. “This includes making an appointment to visit with your healthcare provider prior to leaving, especially when plans call for travel outside of the United States, which increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that do not routinely occur in the U.S.”

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in July, but will resume its monthly meetings in August.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15 – August 1. Please contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time.  Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Hear from farmers and equipment representatives familiar with strip-till

Farmers will have an opportunity to see various strip-till bars in action at a field day farm near Renwick, Thursday, August 10. Iowa continues to see an increasing number of acres of strip-tillage each year.

“The goal of this field day is to increase awareness of strip-tillage as a conservation practice to help reduce erosion, improve soil health, protect water quality and complement cover-cropping systems,” said Angie Rieck-Hinz, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Attendees have the opportunity to visit with several strip-till equipment representatives and see strip-till bars running on cornstalk (sweet corn) residue as well as visit with farmers who have been using strip-till for many years.

To the Editor:

Governor Reynolds and her MAGA Republicans will not stop until a woman’s right to control her own body has been taken away from her.

Most of us try to live our lives without interfering in other people’s lives. We know that a woman may end a pregnancy for different reasons. We cannot make a woman’s decision because we have not walked in her shoes. Tragically, sometimes a woman gets a diagnosis of a serious health complication that threatens her life or health. Other times, a family learns late in pregnancy there is a serious fetal diagnosis, or the baby is dying and can’t survive. When people are making difficult, personal medical decisions, one-size-fits-all laws don’t work.

Dennis N. Daehler, Sr. (Denny), 73, of Waukon, formerly of Carpentersville and Belvidere, IL, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Crestview, FL. He was born February 17, 1950 in Waterloo to the now late Carl N. and Maxine M. (Steen) Daehler.

There was a celebration of life dinner held Saturday, May 20 in Holt, FL. There will be a visitation followed by a memorial service at the Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon starting at 12 p.m. this Saturday, July 22.  A luncheon will follow the memorial service.

Dennis was a hard-working family man who enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting. He was especially proud of the bear he shot when we went to Canada. He also dearly loved his dogs, Bear, Teddi, Lily, and grand-dog Gizmo. His wife, Susan, was the love of his life.

With the new school year just around the corner, Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) are reminding all parents to ensure their children are up to date on all immunizations. It is important to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider or public health agency as soon as possible.

“Back to school is one of the busiest times of year for families, which is why we urge everyone with school-age children to schedule appointments now to get the necessary vaccines,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN. “Diseases such as measles and whooping cough still exist. Keeping kids up to date on vaccines, helps them stay safe from potentially life-threatening illnesses.”