News Center newsletter

Summer is a time of high blood demand in all communities. Donating blood is easy and one single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, August 5, from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

With the new school year just around the corner, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) 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 the 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.”

It’s summer and we’re in skin protection season. The vast majority of skin cancers are preventable by routinely shielding your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays and Americans aren’t doing enough to protect themselves.

The American Cancer Society suggests we bring our sun-protection habits up to date. Dermatologists recommend doing a skin check monthly, so you’ll be more likely to notice small changes or even find a skin cancer when it’s still small.  The best time to examine the skin is after a shower or bath and with good lighting. Look for changes in size, texture, shape and color of birthmarks, moles and blemishes.

“Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” is a catch phrase for kids used by the American Cancer Society that works well for adults, too. It reminds people to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light.

Crossing Rivers Health Clinic in Prairie du Chien, WI has announced the addition of two new providers to its primary care clinic team in October of 2024.

“We are so excited to welcome Steven Perkins, Board-Certified Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and Physician Assistant, Certified, Sara Winters, to our team,” said Maria Mathis, Clinic Director. “They are both highly regarded providers, coming from the Waukon and Lansing area.”

Sara Winters, PA-C, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College and her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University. She provides care for people of all ages, and her services include family practice, preventive medicine, acute and chronic disease management, and women’s health.

The Postville Lions Club consists of 14 members who participate in various local events to raise funds to improve the community. The group recently made a generous donation to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Education Program.

“Diabetes is one of the causes we support along with vision, pediatric cancers, world hunger, and the environment,” states Postville Lions Club President Art Heitland.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, August 13, 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 meeting is held the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Kerry and Tammy Troendle of Waukon and Dan and Nancy Mickelson of Webster City announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Shayla Troendle and Brad Mickelson, both currently of Duncombe. The couple will exchange vows Saturday, August 3, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. The public is invited to a dance that evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

The bride-to-be is a graduate of Waukon High School and Iowa State University, where she majored in Agricultural Business and Business Management with a minor in Accounting. She is employed as a Financial Officer at Farm Credit Services of America.

The groom-to-be is a graduate of Webster City High School and Iowa Central Community College, where he majored in Agriculture. He is a fifth generation farmer.
 

Devin and Heidi Ryan of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Reese Kay Ryan, born July 19, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 ozs. and measured 22 inches in length at the time of her birth.

Grandparents are Dave and Brenda Dougherty and Danny and Linda Ryan, all of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Joan and the late Richard Moody, Janice and the late Ralph Dougherty, Kate and the late Tony Urell, and Mike and Deede Ryan, all of Waukon.

Jason and Jenna Collins of rural Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Emma Jean Collins, born July 21, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 3 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins sisters, Lilly (3) and Cora (1-1/2).

Grandparents are John and Von Collins of Waukon and Darryl and the late Jill (Schwartzhoff) Sharon of Eitzen, MN.

Josie Springman and Wes Collum of Cedar Rapids announce the birth of their son, Royal Wayne Collum, born July 18, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 6 lbs. 9 ozs. and measured 19-1/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Kaystyn Springman (5).

Grandparents are Debbie Honn of Waukon, Barry and Jerri Springman of Cedar Rapids, George and Suzanne Billmeyer of Covington and Dan Collum. Great-grandparents are Roger and Shari Honn of Cedar Rapids and Scott William.